Mazdaratti3
Well-known member
I'm in for one
Super deal on test lead kit
- Thread starter signcrafter
- Start date
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
aczr2k
Well-known member
I had put these on the watch list the first day of the original post, after all the great reviews I ordered mine today.
Jeepster425
Well-known member
Just got mine today! Can't believe how fast they came
Deadhead
Well-known member
Got mine in today at noon. This is probably the deal of the decade if you compare it to Graingers sell price. Just the test lead adaptors alone is worth it.
I am going to have to learn how to use the adjustable potentiometers to check thermostats etc, etc correctly as I'm not 100% sure how to hook it up to test.
Any help on how would be appreciated.
I am going to have to learn how to use the adjustable potentiometers to check thermostats etc, etc correctly as I'm not 100% sure how to hook it up to test.
Any help on how would be appreciated.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
Thanks to this thread, I ordered a couple of kits on Sunday Nov 23rd. They arrived today. Not as good service as you Americans get, and interestingly the US postal service didn't hand it off to Canada Post, but Canpar!
By the way, like everybody else here says, the kits look great!
By the way, like everybody else here says, the kits look great!
robalmal
Well-known member
Mine arrived this morning. Took just over 2 weeks which is pretty good for where I live.
Very impressed with the kit and the case, which has room for me to store other connectors I had .
Once again thanks to OP for letting us know about this deal.
Very impressed with the kit and the case, which has room for me to store other connectors I had .
Once again thanks to OP for letting us know about this deal.
wild cowboy
Banned
perhaps I have the contrarian view:
I understand that this is a good deal for what you get, and is well made, however, I just cannot rationalize it, as someone who troubleshoots most every brand of automotive electrical system, this would be applicable to just too few of vehicle connectors out there, especially newer vehicles, it doesn't even cover one auto manufacturer's connectors, much less all manufacturers.
I realize it is only $65, but $65 buys a lot of tools this day in age, and I just can't see this set being useful often enough to justify the cost, even at $65, so I will have to pass.
I understand that this is a good deal for what you get, and is well made, however, I just cannot rationalize it, as someone who troubleshoots most every brand of automotive electrical system, this would be applicable to just too few of vehicle connectors out there, especially newer vehicles, it doesn't even cover one auto manufacturer's connectors, much less all manufacturers.
I realize it is only $65, but $65 buys a lot of tools this day in age, and I just can't see this set being useful often enough to justify the cost, even at $65, so I will have to pass.
purplezr2
Well-known member
To each there own I have used it three times. Once on a 57 ac tractor, a 98 dodge and a 02 audi. Works great
OP
signcrafter
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,333
That's fine and I'm guessing you don't do a lot of electrical diagnostics or you would see the value. As you can see from this thread there are literally hundreds of others that see the value. It does cover a good deal of different connectors from flat to round to square to rectangle. Does it cover all makes and models? Nope. But it's a darn good start. Plus the way everything is plug and play with your meter and power probe it really makes it useful. I have the GM terminal kit made just for GM and costs something like 150 bucks for 25 or so wires. This kit covers all those and more and is nicer. I've used it a bunch already and really like it. If you don't that's fine, like another poster stated "to each their own". It's not a must but it sure is a nice set to have to help diagnose electrical issues. I have a bunch of extra harnesses that i have cut from vehicles in the junkyard that i have taken apart and used for things like this in the past. But this kit will cover most of them and then some.
robalmal
Well-known member
As a full time mechanic, over the years I have made up all sort of adaptors to diagnose and find problems. I have short wires hanging on a wall that I made up over the years. Sometimes you have to connect to the diagnostic socket and the wires I made up in the past always had me worried I would accidentally short out a terminal. This set has those adaptors and they are insulated so no dangers or shorting out. As my set only arrived today and I have yet to fully explore it, it will be a while before I have checked it all out.
I would say however ( and plenty of others on this forum seem to agree with me) that if you if you do electrical diagnosis for a living, than this kit is an absolute bargain. You should grab it while is is still going.
I think many of us have noticed your post are less about information and more about trollish comments.
I have been doing electrical electronic work since the mid 70's and the features in this kit well exceed the cost. Primarily it reduces the intermittent connection issues you get with multiple alligator clips or wires twisted together to make a test circuit. I could be one to say the connectors do not fit all of my connectors that I test, Deutsch and sure seal for example. But the value in this kit over rides that concern.
I have shown this kit to several service stations and repair places and have only gotten the response can I have the address to buy one, and this include my Snap on dealer.
There are two phrases that fit your case.
One is it takes money to make money! and the ever popular
You are penny wise and pound foolish.
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Come on dude.
He's no troll. He's just saying he doesn't think this kit's good for him. I think his comments are his honest opinion.
I agree with you about the kit being awesome though.
He's no troll. He's just saying he doesn't think this kit's good for him. I think his comments are his honest opinion.
I agree with you about the kit being awesome though.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
Yes, I've had as many as a dozen clip leads during troubleshooting. It can get pretty scary, especially on the older cars where there's lots of exposed metal and therefore grounds everywhere. Newer cars have lots of plastic, so you're not so worried about shorting to ground as much, but they do have lots more tiny terminals that are hard to get clip leads on. This kit will make it easier and safer in both cases.
SantaAna12
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2012
- Messages
- 1,091
In. Thanks!
wild cowboy
Banned
I just love the fact that when people on here don't see eye to eye with someone, a few of you love to use phrases like "you must not have much experience, or you must not do much electrical troubleshooting or you must be a troll, blah, blah, blah" etc. - I could be the chief electrical engineer of NASA, for all you know!
Insecure people just get silly on forums sometimes, and jump to wild conclusions about people they have no idea of who they are actually talking to!
Insecure people just get silly on forums sometimes, and jump to wild conclusions about people they have no idea of who they are actually talking to!
FreeTenthsDiag
Banned
And the other day I had an electrician tell me that putting a 30 amp fuse in a 15 amp circuit would not cause the damage to his wire harness.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I do nothing but electrical diagnostics and repair. Every day. All day. Also do electronics accessories like remote starts. I can tell you a kit like this is absolutely something i would buy and recommend to anyone who does automotive electrical. While a kit this extensive is not a necessity but it would be extremely useful and not waste of money like someone stated.
GTA Matt
Well-known member
This kit will be an excellent addition to my arsenal. I need to thank Signcrafter for starting the thread and freetenths for sending me the link to it. It has some similarities to my big Matco kit, but as a bonus, it is much cheaper and plugs into my meters. Thanks guys! [emoji2]
OP
signcrafter
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,333
It's super funny that you say that. When you posted a link to a "deal" and MANY told you it was decent but not really a deal you got your ******* all *******. When you make a post about a HF ratchet being as good as a snap on one and MANY disagree with you then you get all defensive. When you make a post and others don't praise you and agree with you 100% you make a huge deal. But then when you see a post you say you don't see any value in you come and argue with others who are telling you it is a good deal and a very good tool.
Nasa electrical engineer? Funny buddy. If you did very much electrical trouble shooting in cars you would see the value in this set. maybe not for space shuttles, they might have special terminals not covered by this set. Hundreds of other members that specialize in electrical have already posted about how nice this set is. Since you keep a list of those members that are knowledgeable in certain areas you should know those on this forum that specialize in electrical have already stated how nice this kit is. Right?
If you don't like the set that is fine. It was just posted for those that understand the value of this set. And as you can see there are hundreds of members that saw the value. I think you are the first and only that said it wasn't a good set. But that is fine. Like stated to each their own. Those that understand electrical trouble shooting and how to use a kit like this took advantage of the deal. No hard feelings if you don't understand how this set is good for trouble shooting.
I think I heard a big wooosh somewhere down south.
Very good points but I think it is wasted unless your aim was to make an ignore list.
My observation his posts are not so much for sharing of information but to gather a reaction, he likes to go for the **** hurt posts of stupidity.
But the question I would like to pose if somebody has been doing all this work for so many years what possible tools could you need from HF that you would not already own?
My final comment on being a NASA EE if such a condition existed of his employment by them we would all be in danger of objects falling from the sky.
Very good points but I think it is wasted unless your aim was to make an ignore list.
My observation his posts are not so much for sharing of information but to gather a reaction, he likes to go for the **** hurt posts of stupidity.
But the question I would like to pose if somebody has been doing all this work for so many years what possible tools could you need from HF that you would not already own?
My final comment on being a NASA EE if such a condition existed of his employment by them we would all be in danger of objects falling from the sky.
I'm not sure if these are intended for the same purpose but sometimes a potentiometer would be used in place of a sensor in question to verify the operation of the rest of the system, thereby isolating the problem by eliminating anything else as the cause. It is the next best thing to testing with a known good sensor, except those aren't always available. To be useful you need to know the operating range of the sensor, found in the ETM. Examples of where it can be used are for temperature sensors, fuel level sensors. If you have a capable scan tool it can be used for numorous other sensors that operate on the principal of correlating resistance. Though may be tempting do not use it to simulate a resistive load such as an oxygen sensor heater, or an airbag inflator.
FreeTenthsDiag
Banned
He was very upset when I called most German tools mediocre.
wrnchmonkey
Well-known member
Well the auction ended. Glad I ordered 2 more to sell to one of my tool dealers!
kiatech
Well-known member
Wish I didn't miss this deal.
bareass172
Well-known member
I got mine, loving it already. Now I just need to wait for Archie to sift through all his orders and leave me return feedback. 
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Wow, I didn't realize you guys were reselling these. I should have paid closer attention. Yep, I believe I got the last one. I watched it for quite awhile and when the quantity remaining hit one, I ordered. I wasn't sure about it as I could never find a list of adapter tip types and sizes. Most all connectors today are of a specific size,, very few generic type connectors. I'll let you know as I put it through it's paces. Thanks for sharing despite all of the unnecessary drama in this thread.
logixjock
Well-known member
Just got an email fro eBay, it's been relisted.
Sirnick
Active member
Finally pulled the trigger, looking forward to putting it to work. Again, thanks Garage Journal for making my wallet lighter.
wrnchmonkey
Well-known member
Wow, I didn't realize you guys were reselling these. I should have paid closer attention. Yep, I believe I got the last one. I watched it for quite awhile and when the quantity remaining hit one, I ordered. I wasn't sure about it as I could never find a list of adapter tip types and sizes. Most all connectors today are of a specific size,, very few generic type connectors. I'll let you know as I put it through it's paces. Thanks for sharing despite all of the unnecessary drama in this thread.
I'm reselling for the same price as on the auction. My tool guy doesn't have a eBay or PayPal account. Can't say what he will sell them for.
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,960
Glad to hear they're available again. I know part of the next paycheck will be going to a set.
Maybe this thread can now evolve into a learning database of repairs.
Now that so many of us get email alerts on this thread about this test lead kit, can we post examples of how you ended up using this kit?
What situations arose, and how the kit came in handy? Pictures would also be handy.
Now that so many of us get email alerts on this thread about this test lead kit, can we post examples of how you ended up using this kit?
What situations arose, and how the kit came in handy? Pictures would also be handy.
Hello all. I received the kit (thanks OP) and I have one question. What would you use the two LED's to diagnose? I tested them and they don't seem to have any drop resistors built in. As such, I am afraid if I use them on anything more than 2v, it would cause the LED to fail.
ricleh
Well-known member
I believe they have 2 different color LED's to indicate polarity. Try reversing the connection and see if the LED color changes.
wrnchmonkey
Well-known member
Had a 1997 caddillac seville sls that had a no start condition because of the antitheft system. I was able to use both of the variable resistors to match the resistance of the key. I then unpinned the c202 connector for the circuits that measure the key resistance. I used the resistors and 2 matching pin leads and the car started. Save me some time messing with the lock cylinder and guaranteed the problem lied in the lock cylinder. Customer didn't have the money to pay for coding and installing of a new lock cylinder assembly so i grabbed some resistors and bypassed that part of the antitheft system.