3157 socket tester?

[Ign]

Is there anything on the market that would pop into a 3157 socket and then maybe have spade terminals so you could connect your own test lamp, alligator clips or DVOM?

I was dealing w a problematic socket yesterday & damn near had myself convinced the two bulbs I had available were bad, plus swapping bulbs back and forth got old. I didn't want to shove clips or test leads in the socket because it looks like a game of Operation: too easy to short.

I searched the web but didn't find anything.

Edit: I should say I really don't have the desire or TIME to make anything, just wondering if there's a ready-made product out there.

 

[NHBandit]

I'm lost I guess. Being able to use a volt meter I can understand but a way to connect a test light ? Why not just a known good bulb ?

 

[hayhauler71]

If you had your meter out and you thought you had a bad bulb why not test the bulb?

 

[Rico.]

If you're a DIYer like me, I bought myself a cheap version of the Power Probe.. It's
absoltely brilliant for quickly and easily testing automotive wiring... I works just like a test
light, with the added benefit of being able to supply power or a ground for testing
componants in situ.

My one was the equivalent of $30 and one of these combined with a multimeter is
everything a DIYer would ever need. Well worth it.

 

[JimNut]

If you're a DIYer like me, I bought myself a cheap version of the Power Probe.. It's

absoltely brilliant for quickly and easily testing automotive wiring... I works just like a test

light, with the added benefit of being able to supply power or a ground for testing

componants in situ.



My one was the equivalent of $30 and one of these combined with a multimeter is

everything a DIYer would ever need. Well worth it.

More info on the off brand power probe please! I've been wanting one for a while now but can't justify the $$. Thanks!

 

[Rico.]

More info on the off brand power probe please! I've been wanting one for a while now but can't justify the $$. Thanks!

I don't know what your location is Jim, but I bought mine from an English tool company
called Sealey... It is actually an original Power Probe 1, just rebranded with the Sealey
name on it. If you're in the USA, I don't think Sealey have an outlet there.

What is the cost of an original Power Probe there..? Are they still even for sale..?
Surely they can't cost that much more than $30.

 

[signcrafter]

One side is ground and the other side has two positive terminals, one for low and one for high, right? Can't you just use your meter to see if you have ground and then see if you have power on the low and high terminals? A load pro would work good here.

 

[JimNut]

I don't know what your location is Jim, but I bought mine from an English tool company

called Sealey... It is actually an original Power Probe 1, just rebranded with the Sealey

name on it. If you're in the USA, I don't think Sealey have an outlet there.



What is the cost of an original Power Probe there..? Are they still even for sale..?

Surely they can't cost that much more than $30.

I live about an hour north of Detroit in Michigan. I haven't really looked for the older original power probes. I just see the prices on the newer models and give up there. I'll look into the original models and see what I can find. Thank you for the info!

 

[jkwilson]

Use heat shrink tubing on your probe tips and the meter probes can go in the socket easily without shorting to the shell.

 

[Rico.]

I live about an hour north of Detroit in Michigan. I haven't really looked for the older original power probes. I just see the prices on the newer models and give up there. I'll look into the original models and see what I can find. Thank you for the info!

If the Power probe 1 is no longer available, I just had a quick look on ebay.com
and there are a few sellers that will sell the Sealey version including shipping to
the USA for about $28. Search for model Sealey PP1.

The only thing to bear in mind, if there is a problem or a fault with it, you will be
out of pocket one way or another, so if I were you I would do everything I could
to find one domestically.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I broke the glass on a bulb, cleaned the shards around the base, and use it to connect my leads. The legs supporting the filament are stiff and hold up well.

 

[eyeballengineer]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/help/id=sss/ref=aw_d_sss_automotive

These.. I have similar set use the he'll out of them. Or just plain old sewing needle or blow darts work nice too

 

[signcrafter]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/help/id=sss/ref=aw_d_sss_automotive

These.. I have similar set use the he'll out of them. Or just plain old sewing needle or blow darts work nice too

Your link goes to some shipping policies for amazon.

 

[eyeballengineer]

Sorry I just tried to Google what I had. There alligator clips with about one inch needle on the other end. I got them off the truck don't know who makes them.

 

[eyeballengineer]

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/back-probe

Maby this one will work

 

[shockwave]

Just grab some test leads and hook directly to a 12v power source I use alligator clips on either end and hook it up directly to old battery usually has more than enough juice to power bulbs.

And what vehicles is this on I have replaced countless sockets on gm vehicles because the socket goes bad and not the bulbs

 

[Ign]

And what vehicles is this on I have replaced countless sockets on gm vehicles because the socket goes bad and not the bulbs

Yep my '03 Burb had a socket w enough corrosion to cause issues, but this time it's an '02 Taco

 

[skruft]

There are also probes that have a plastic shield that either stays in place or slides up.

While I have much equipment, my usual way to test a socket is to first put in a new bulb and see how that performs, while at the same time examining the socket for physical damage or corrosion. I find that those are the usual problems.

 

[bareass172]

I have a set of these probes for just such an occasion:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CTI592/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Not to hijack the thread, but someone mentioned a Power Probe above, I bought this instead and it works better (IMHO) than the Power Probe.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IKPUL2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can google the Load Pro and there are a lot of YouTube videos showing how it works and such.

 

[gkring]

power probe socket

My power probe kit came with 1156,1157, and 3157 test sockets. Looks like they are also available seperately?

Greg

 

[metaleltr]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XW6JPM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Ign]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XW6JPM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thank you (and gkring too). Finally after a page of people telling me I don't want what I want the initial question is answered succinctly and the product does exist!