How to Use an Automotive Test Light - Quick and Easy

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** Timeline below if you would like to jump to a specific section **
A test light is a simple, quick tool to test for electrical issues in your car. They may look intimidating, but I promise you it's easy to use! In this video I show what a test light is, how a test light works, and what to look for before you purchase.
Timeline
0:00 - Intro
0:13 - Basic Construction of a Classic Test Light
0:30 - How to Use Classic Test Light
1:24 - Application (Testing Fuses)
1:51 - Modern Test Light vs. Classic Test Light
2:43 - How to Use Modern Test Light
3:00 - Things to Know Before You Buy / Different Types
5:48 - Thanks!
Tools Used
- Test Light

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Опубликовано:

21 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 214

@jonnyboat2 3 года назад

I almost thought I was watching one of Chris Fix’s talking hand videos. Excellent job. That was explained as if you remembered what it was like when you didn’t know how to use a tester and what questions a newbie would have.

@SRSnure Год назад

That is exactly what I was thinking!

@porkyrabbit Год назад

We need more people like you on YT. this was very helpful brotha!

@buggybunny5769 4 года назад

Helped me out big time, trying to get my trailer lights to work. Thank you

@Turco949 3 года назад

I don't know what Joe looks like but if I saw his hand on the street, I'd easily recognize him.

@d.phothirath5084 2 года назад

😂🤣

@lilliebuckhorse7039 2 года назад

You funny

@dakotanicholson8421 2 года назад

Yes ok

@genuinestance387 2 года назад

@@dakotanicholson8421 no ok

@cory9687 Год назад

LMFAOOOOO

@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec 5 лет назад

Thanks for the video, now I understand how test lights work :)

@jsn21 2 года назад

I got a test light with a built in voltmeter. Saved me so much time.

@michaeledwards2919 11 месяцев назад

Thank you so much! Great video on the led type test lights. You provided exactly the information I needed. 🌊 Thanks again.

@superbohateras3923 4 года назад

Thanks for advice !!! Workong on my fog lights and it helped ! Thank you

@mrharlemike28 Год назад

Beautifully explained! Thank you! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

@blacksonne19 2 года назад

Thanks man, I will I can't believe I'm saying this but I've been working on cars and trucks for 30 years n I just never really messed with the wiring if I did I just winged it. I mean I did a cv axle on a BMW yesterday but I never knew how to use one of these. So thanks.

@pyrokamileon 2 года назад

I have acquired one or two of these via tool kits over the years but never knew how to use them. thank you very much for helping me understand this tool a bit better 👍🏽

@wilmagerrits8409 Месяц назад

Thanks so much, very easily explained , so now I know how to use my new tester.

@KH-el5vc 3 года назад

Thank you very much for your video, Mr. JoeCanDolt.

@tldrafaik6144 2 года назад

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Thought I was watching a ChrisFix video for a second 😆

@Brain-Lag Год назад

Thank you. I needed this to help me with my headlights ❤❤❤

@sandywoolf2883 2 года назад

The video explains very well. The voltage test pen is still necessary. I bought a renhotecic brand test pen not long ago. The test is very convenient, accurate and safe. Family must.

@kataysmith9581 2 года назад

Thank you, very informative.

@HEARTNHUSTLESTUDIOS 4 года назад

Good video. Just subbed to help you grow bro. Keep up the great work

@nicoson9578 Год назад

Thank you for the info and vid , great and vast info I never knew.

@laurentampa2054 4 года назад

Thank you! This was very helpful!

@muhammedsons2675 4 года назад

nice lady

@rickp00234 Год назад

Great info just want I needed to know. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

@duhjester7906 3 года назад

Sweet hand work!

@Raksmey003 3 года назад

You are awesome, thanks. Subscribed

@socalwoodmarquee 4 года назад

Great stuff! Thanks!

@jonnyboat2 3 года назад

You should do an “understanding electricity” video. The best way I ever heard of to depict how electricity works and how devices employed to control and refine electricity, was to think of electricity as water flowing through a pipe. You can use ball valves to act as switches and clear tubing to depict wires and colored water to depict electricity.

@geekdiggy 3 года назад

i favor this idea

@Lawless187indika 3 года назад

Yo!..Havent seen you since the Adams Family bro. . nonethless Good video man.

@idigitalclic857 3 года назад

Excellent Video.

@CIorox_BIeach 3 года назад

I just used it to hunt down a parasitic draw. >Disconnected the negative lead from the battery. >Had my kid brother hold the probe on the battery clamp with the clip on the post. >Pulled and reset fuses until he yelled that it went dim. Found it. The damn radio. It's an aftermarket part that one of the previous owners installed. All the problems I've been having with my truck for the last two years were the result of someone "upgrading" things. Yes, it's a very nice tape deck, but it ain't worth s**t if I can't start it in the morning.

@mixtecjaguar9824 2 года назад

Great teaching style

@theeabster1983 3 года назад

Your last name fix? cuz I could have swore for a minute that I clicked on Chris fix video the way the video started. Lol thanks for your video

@nyacoustics8373 Год назад

hey chris fix here!

@ExploringAlabama 4 года назад

Excellent thanks

@calvinflager4457 8 месяцев назад

NIce video. Thanks you.

@VenganzaCayey 3 года назад

Thank you for sharing

@citizenranjit 3 года назад

Many Thanks Joe

@jbj73 2 года назад

thanks Joe

@samsmusichub 2 года назад

Thanks for the info!

@letstrythis3295 2 года назад

What happens if you check fuses with the clamp on the position terminal instead of the negative?

@patpresley444 4 года назад

Need to find out what’s going on w my RX 350. Radio switches channels on its own & rear hatch doesn’t always open back hatch from button on dash

@sportscarvideos1210 3 года назад

It is good that connect the tester to the either side of battery terminal?

@atml29 3 года назад

If I have 2 wires with the same color how to know which one is positive and which one is negative and where to connect the ground if I connected the ground and it was negative would it be too negative together anything would happen?

@cs5039 3 года назад

Hi, feeling pretty incompetent here. I pass the test light works/doesn't work at the battery under the hood. But, if I go to the 7-pin trailer connector on the back, nothing works & I am powering on. I do have a trailer connector w/ integrated test lights. I plug in & power up it sure works. Help please!

@matthewmoeller1225 Год назад

very good video

@McA48 Год назад

Thank you

@Jstars200 2 года назад

What happens if you connect pen to one device and the negative to battery 2 which dont run the device?

@videoworks7731 4 месяца назад

nice job thanks

@TrellDaGunna Год назад

Might be a dumb question but do you put the battery in the continuity that came in the pack???

@austinharding9734 8 месяцев назад

Can you use these to test for Continuity, Or 2 ends of a wire that are not connected to power My issue is that i disconnected the RCM module connector and removed all the terminals and there are multiple wires that have the exact same wire color code ID and I don't know where they lead to I have diagrams but I don't know how to test which one leads to which

@joepagdee 3 года назад

Is the one that has a red clip the same as yours the same? Just diffrent color of clip? Thanks

@Rick-qr8vb 5 лет назад

Thanks for the video. Even I understood it.... Great help !!!

@bendavis8090 3 года назад

Will a multimeter on a resistance setting do the same thing? Isn't this just showing a completed circuit?

@paulkaufman4901 2 года назад

Thanks! I enjoyed the video and appreciate the explanations of the different lights and features. Great information I do wish that you had included links to the different lights and particularly, the one you used. I really like the handle profile and other features.

@VenganzaCayey 3 года назад

Ok I bought this thing to test my motorcycle wire if I have the plug to the positive and the wire I test is negative what's gonna happen would it matter if the wire is positive or negative ...would it show a different color. Or something.

@decideswell6699 3 месяца назад

Where should I buy new fuses?

@Rob-oy2hr Год назад

I just bought a automotive tester(came with no manual) off Amazon.Mine has a red positive clamp as yours has a black negative clamp, any idea why they are different?

@Noscams00 2 года назад

Thanks👋this👆video was 🤘awesome. It helped me 👉😐 out. Hope you have an 👌night. ✌️

@guillermomejia593 2 года назад

How would I go about testing fuel injectors

@RobertJahrling-pb4xw Год назад

Yeah I got a question If you mess up and short-circuit your LED light how do you fix it Because I'm too cheap to buy a new one yes

@Ryan-xj1vr Год назад

Will the led lights dim with a voltage drop?

@PatrickN225 2 года назад

Thanks 😊

@bfitnessjoe 2 года назад

I have a test light that has both a red clip AND and black clip two wires from the test light. What gives ?

@jatinderjanday7921 4 дня назад

So if green light on then be all good ??

@shabazghazunfer9586 3 года назад

Salute to new technology

@tonylopez7929 Год назад

How can you test fuel pump to see if you’re getting any power to it

@Carlzday 5 лет назад

i just bought that new ... hadn't even opened it ...watched your vid first and was surprised to see the red and green led's

@joecandoit5341 5 лет назад

Yeah I like that feature, super useful.

@Carlzday 4 года назад

@Anti commie virus In canada, at Canadian tire

@gwendolynjordan9071 4 года назад

Thanks

@nancyann1358 Год назад

Is car on or off when doing the testing?

@richroc7 7 месяцев назад

My problem is I’m looking at how to use a circuit tester that has TWO clamps (one red and the other black). I understand how to use it with a battery but what if I can’t reach the battery, can I just use the black clamp and attach it to a piece of metal as a ground without having to connect the red clamp?

@_raskalloko6445 14 дней назад

Yeah it'll work, if your testing for positive polarity. My question is how do you test for negative polarity without reaching the battery

@vicpetrishak7705 11 месяцев назад

To receive the best ground on a vehicle , clamp a small locking pliers ( ViseGrips ) onto a good ground then clamp the test light’s clip to it .

@Kroooza 7 месяцев назад

Or just clip the test lights clamp to the ground?

@97540. Год назад

Where can buy with LED Bulb? Let me know Thanks

@rominhawk3949 4 года назад

Thank you for sharing. Excellent presentation of use and types. But, with a six foot lead, how is the Innova 3410 to reach from the battery to inside the car to test any fuses?

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

Thanks! For fuses all you need to do is connect to ground from inside the car. The other end will probe the fuses.

@rominhawk3949 4 года назад

@@joecandoit5341 Thanks for replying. I see.

@buggybunny5769 4 года назад

I just checked my whole fuse panel inside the car. Just hooked the clamp to the passenger seat mounting post (grounded metal), and used the probe just like in the video to check the fuses in the fuse panel. Worked great.

@inesmolina6605 2 года назад

All you have to do is use the same size wire, the longer the better, strip back about one and half inches of plastic covering. And wrap one end around the clamp of the tester and the other end around the negative cable post on car battery.

@petertimpson9378 4 года назад

I just bought a Craftsman test light that has both POS and NEG clips. I've only used one like yours. Do I use the black(neg) when I'm looking for power and the red when looking for ground? Or use both? Not sure and no directions.

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

Usually when it has two alligator clips for red and black, it means that you have to hook up to a source like a battery and connect red to red and black to black. Now when you probe a wire if it has a connection to ground it will light up or if it has a connection to power it will light up. It's supposed to be a convenience feature I think. The source should also be connected with a common ground so the best place to do your hookup is your car battery while it is connected to your car. Maybe can you post a link? Or a model number?

@austinharding9734 8 месяцев назад

Why does mine have both a black clip and a red clip?

@ioannist.1699 3 года назад

Excellent video. What happens if I connect the wire to battery ground and connect the test light to a ground wire? Or DC battery connect with DC wire?

@mirceamilos6406 2 года назад

Nothing.

@vidiaugrafree 2 года назад

Question: the LED probe has the two colors to indicate polarity, so can you place the 'grounding clip' on either a (+) or (-) ? Is it like the classic probes where you need to switch to the positive battery terminal to probe for negatives?

@superjojo555 2 года назад

yes, he shows it in the video.

@superjojo555 2 года назад

2:45

@k9driver 4 года назад

I have a test light with both positive and negative connectors. Do I have to connect both connectors to the battery or just one connector is sufficient?

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

You need to connect both for that style of test light.

@jaygee6310 2 года назад

A man with many handy gesture- isms. Actually it's quite "shocking"..

@user-oy5sn8jk9t 2 месяца назад

❤ good

@D_Nice_2022 3 года назад

I just bought a Dorman probe with two connectors, one red and one black. Can I connect both at the same time to corresponding colors on battery; or do I just use one connector at a time?

@TheMchyaby 3 года назад

hey same here did you figure it out? seems like two clips are uncommon, not getting much help on a web search

@rollzolo 2 года назад

Wonder how much snap on costs?

@AF1MIDS 11 месяцев назад

What's up Joe!

@cesarjorgemurillobarientos1813 2 года назад

good

@Dansk55 2 года назад

PowerProbe is far superior and worth the purchase. But for test light, just make your own with 12v LED and voltage reading in series and diode.

@arivuazhagan442 3 года назад

Thanku sir

@TruthSeekerAll Год назад

Thanks to Joe’s hand. 👍

@DeathByLego 4 года назад

Same process for the interior? My windows aren’t working and trying to figure out what’s wrong.

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

Yes should be. Just ground the test light on the chassis somewhere inside that has bare metal. Check by the pedals.

@edwardonsax9919 Год назад

If my "test light" has a voltage printed on it and I got it at a Harbor Freight not an auto parts place then how do I know which voltage to use, or am I using the wrong kind of test light?

@gimmesomesugar Год назад

Should say 12 volt.

@hankwarburton4938 4 года назад

When it comes to fuses, it should only tell you if a fuse is bad if the car is running. When it is off, some fuses dont always have power going to them.

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

Correct! Thanks for pointing this out. I do mention this in my how to check a fuse video. The circuit needs to be turned on in order to check, otherwise, pull it out and use an ohmmeter.

@user-zd3ns6wx7y 2 года назад

I am very ignorant and therefore scared of all electrical things. I saw a video where a guy was testing his starter plug by putting a regular wire in the clamp and putting the other end into the wire. He said to make sure the clamp doesn’t touch any metal or it will cause further electrical problems. Can you explain this better? Remember…completely ignorant here.

@marekziobro6672 4 года назад

I'm a Subaru owner too, and am wondering, why fuse 27 is not there. When you look at the car's manual it describes fuse 27 as a main window power relay, however when I check the fuse box, the fuse number 27 is gone. Any thoughts on that?

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

None that I can think of.....

@TaraWalker61 Год назад

Just replace the fuse. You can buy them at any auto business, like Auto Zone or Walmart car service area.

@runnsheeprunn9828 4 года назад

Cool hand puppet

@Mitutumuch 3 года назад

I can do this with the car on aswell? Ive watched like 30 videos on this but im jusst a bit worried. im new to electrics

@VenganzaCayey 3 года назад

Me too I just wanna know what happens if I put the plug on the negative and then I test negative looking for a positive will it mess up anything.. if I connect the pointer to the wrong wire.?

@mcozpda3392 4 года назад

and witch way is better to found a ''short'' in cable .. or someway .. i have one in my HD ,, cheers ..

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

A multimeter is a better tool for finding a short.

@mcozpda3392 4 года назад

@@joecandoit5341 you have video about . tks

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

@@mcozpda3392 I do not but this guy is very good: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bF3OyQ3HwfU.html

@gth882 4 года назад

What if spark when touching fuses?and blow a fuse?

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

What do you mean?

@johnwahlers3363 4 года назад

I was wondering why I had a green and a red light.

@frankmontez6853 4 года назад

Does anyone know if the inside fuses should light up test light when done this way ? They don't and pretty much checked them all . The fuses under the steering wheel inside cabin and yes , I've tested it to make sure it works including checking the fuses under the hood in the engine compartment and they light up .

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

Yes they should if I am understanding your question correctly. I have an old video checking fuses but it long. Just skip through and I think you'll find your answer

@frankmontez6853 4 года назад

@@joecandoit5341 ok just seems very strange because then all of the things that are protected by all these fuses shouldn't work at all ? But they do work so seems very strange

@joecandoit5341 4 года назад

@@frankmontez6853 did you try testing it with that device powered. In other words, to test the radio fuse, make sure the radio is on.

@frankmontez6853 4 года назад

@@joecandoit5341 Now I did and it's good not blown . The reason I'm checking fuses is because whenever I've taken car in to be scanned they get no reading whatsoever . Original problem is that car starts but sometimes has no power to rev up the engine stays low rpm . I've managed to overcome this problem by turning it off then waiting a minute then restarting it and that does the trick back to normal .

@rahrah8076 4 года назад

Frank Montez what kind of vehicle ?

@jordanohernandez5465 2 года назад

Does the car or battery need to be running?

@bitbanggaming204 2 года назад

Nope!

@97540. Год назад

I see now thanks

@theeabster1983 3 года назад

Ironically you cannot buy them from home Depot released the three stores I went to here in Delaware. They sold multimeters no contactvoltage testers but for an actual test light nothing.