PowerProbe Time

[Bull]

So, I see that there are a variety of packages for the PowerProbe 3, and I have no idea which one would give me all I need without including expensive extra stuff that I would not use. Can anyone shed some layman's light on what differentiates one package from another?

I mostly work on old Pontiacs, but we do have two '05 Chevys in the family.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Get the basic set. I do electrical diag on new cars all day, every day and haven't needed any more than the basic set for 99% of that. Any time i need more i move to other diag equipment.

I don't think you'd actually find much use for the other stuff.

 

[bmxr4life87]

Whatever you get dont go shooting power and grounding every wire you get ahold of... Guy at work bought one and from his ideas of how electrical current flowed I knew he was doomed and sure as **** he smoked a pcm on a truck cause he wouldnt listen to our advice

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Whatever you get dont go shooting power and grounding every wire you get ahold of... Guy at work bought one and from his ideas of how electrical current flowed I knew he was doomed and sure as **** he smoked a pcm on a truck cause he wouldnt listen to our advice

Did you have to buy replacement electrical smoke to put back into the system? I've had to do that on more than one occasion to fix someone else's screw-up.

 

[trboxman]

Don't buy it online if you want them to warranty it. Personally I'd save the $60.00 and buy online...

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

i just ordered the basic kit off the snap on truck Thursday i should get it monday. i almost got talked into the delux kit glad i didnt after reading the post above.

 

[Galaxie]

The basic $100 kit only comes with the tip, no alligator clamps or anything else to use off the testing end. I got mine off Amazon for the $97 and it came without the tip (it is suppose to) so I sent it back, then ordered the next step up with various ends off Tooltopia for $130.

http://www.tooltopia.com/power-probe-3ls01.aspx

First thing I needed was some sort of clip instead of the tip so I'd definitely suggest at least the base tip kit. Driving me nuts because it would have saved easily an hour over using a base multimeter, alligator clip and going back and forth turning lights and keys on and off on my last project.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

My basic kit came with the probe, tip, alligator clamps adapter, a cigarette lighter adapter and an extension lead.

 

[0.511MeV]

Whatever you get dont go shooting power and grounding every wire you get ahold of... Guy at work bought one and from his ideas of how electrical current flowed I knew he was doomed and sure as **** he smoked a pcm on a truck cause he wouldnt listen to our advice

When something like that happens, who is on the hook for the cost of replacing the PCM? Did the customer get screwed?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

When something like that happens, who is on the hook for the cost of replacing the PCM? Did the customer get screwed?

Most places i know of just come to the conclusion that the PCM is at fault and the customer gets to buy a new one. Usually they're totally oblivious as to why it's cooked. And only once it's replaced do they carry on trying to find the original fault.

 

[Greatbear]

I got the basic tool then added the lead, probe and tip set separately, at the time it cost less than the combo itself. Unless you plan on digging deeply into faulty electrical systems, you can forgo the short tracer set. While I have been tasked many times to search out some serious electrical gremlins, I've never needed the short finder set, I use other tools in my arsenal for that on the very rare occasions it has been needed.

 

[bmxr4life87]

I was not involved in the smoking session I was just a witness and I work in fleet repair for a national rental fleet so the "customer" is the company but its a different type of setup than regular auto repair shop

 

[joshthedieseltech]

Did you have to buy replacement electrical smoke to put back into the system? I've had to do that on more than one occasion to fix someone else's screw-up.

I found replacement smoke cheap on ebay just in case.


Also as a rule I teach to all the techs at my work, I came here I was the only one with the power probe, now we have 4

"Before using power probe consult, read and understand schematics"

 

[richfinn]

Bull, if you already have a multimeter with 4mm banana plug connectors and accessories you have the extra stuff for your PP3 anyway, just take the basic kit

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

Got mine today!

 

[freeskier]

sincity, what did that run off the truck if you dont mind me asking?

 

[Seanbev24]

I got one a couple months ago, wondering now how I lived without it. My only complaint is the wires are TOO long! I wish the hard wired part was only a few feet, with the option to hook up longer extensions.

 

[Bull]

Got mine today!

I got one a couple months ago, wondering now how I lived without it. My only complaint is the wires are TOO long! I wish the hard wired part was only a few feet, with the option to hook up longer extensions.

Which model did you fellows get?

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Its on my wish list!

 

[greasemonkey44]

Bull, if you already have a multimeter with 4mm banana plug connectors and accessories you have the extra stuff for your PP3 anyway, just take the basic kit

exactly all my old leads just plug right in; and ive got tons of them!
i jsut bought the 99$ one from amazon; works great
makes checking fuses a breeze, actuate motors, check fans
understanding and checking wiring is very important
the guys letting the smoke out will do it however they can; they have a fundamental lack of understanding coupled with poor judgement.....thier weapons are many; from the power probe to the iflash to the torch!
just started cleaning up 2 messes this week, chevy hybrid truck a goober tried to flash, then tried to fix(killed the computer and the pcm connector; then he tried to flash his wifes saab.....poor guy did it again, took down the ecm and bcm(thank god hes not my employee)

 

[freeskier]

bull, sincity said above that it was the basic kit, its what im after as well, he just got it in the flame paint job

 

[Bull]

bull, sincity said above that it was the basic kit, its what im after as well, he just got it in the flame paint job

Went back and read his original post in the thread; thanks for pointing that out.

I'm not very knowledgeable about circuits and whatnot. Guess I need to do some reading before I use one of these. My old Pontiacs don't have any computers to "let the smoke out" of, but I'm sure I could still eff something up.

 

[freeskier]

didnt mean to be a smartass, sorry. this is on the list for sure

 

[Bull]

didnt mean to be a smartass, sorry. this is on the list for sure

Oh, no, you were NOT being a smartass! I really did fail to recall that fellow's original post in which he identified the model he was buying.

 

[Awfulcanawful]

Not really related to the topic but I have a question for the masses.....What does a power probe do that a well trained tech and a multimeter can't? I have tried to justify one to myself on many trips to the truck but do not know what what I would use it for. Please explain the advantages......

 

[trboxman]

My old Pontiacs don't have any computers to "let the smoke out" of, but I'm sure I could still eff something up.

Never underestimate the power of pure talent....

 

[Aklass]

One of the guys got the master set off of tooltopia, seems pretty neat

 

[Tunger]

It can't do anything a well trained tech with a decent assortment of diagnostic tools can (ie meter, test light, jumpers, and a good old sealed beam headlamp for ground integrity test.) However it can save a bunch of time in the right hands when it's use is appropriate. I love mine, makes short work out of basic testing, as well as no more burns from hot sealed beams, it is great for checking ground integrity and also for work on simple circuits. I still use the hell out of my trusty old fluke 88 though. Great tool but it is no replacement for a good meter, solid understanding of automotive electrical, and most importantly Common sense.