The Power Probe

[Jeremiah14]

I believe in giving credit where it's due, and giving hell to where it's due as well. The hell part I'll save and just say it'd be directed toward matco and one of their Taiwan tools and the available parts and the fact that a $460 tool can be held hostage to a $4.85 gear that seems to be stuck on an island with Tom Hanks and Wilson.

Ok.

Back to the point. I've had the Power Probe 3 in my box for several months and have had yet to use it. Today I needed it. Spent two hours chasing a bad circuit, or so I thought. So I called the company's help line and within seconds was speaking to a very helpful guy that was WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL US! He was quickly able to help me, by finding out that my "short" was in fact a signal wire.

Over the phone.

Great company, great tool. Just saying.

 

[Nanashi]

Did the tool work or the help line lol. I've been thinking about getting a pp3 but i dont yet have a multi meter. So its kind of jumping the gun at this point. I feel like if I become efficient with a multi meter I probably wont need or use the pp3. I dont know I am pretty fail when it comes to electrics.

 

[Rico.]

Did the tool work or the help line lol. I've been thinking about getting a pp3 but i dont yet have a multi meter. So its kind of jumping the gun at this point. I feel like if I become efficient with a multi meter I probably wont need or use the pp3. I dont know I am pretty fail when it comes to electrics.

I went with a good multimeter and a Power Probe version 1... The great thing
about a power probe is being able to use it one handed like a test light and
also being able to send 12v or a ground directly to a component, either on or
off the car, to test them quickly. A multimeter can't do that.

Word of warning though, if you're not sure what you're doing it would easy
to fry things on the car by sending 12v when you shouldn't.

There are plenty of very helpful videos on you tube going through all the
varying levels of difficulty of automotive electrics... They should help you
get up to speed. Scanner Danner is one that springs to mind...


To the OP... Always nice to hear a happy customer... The PP3 is an awesome
bit of kit.

 

[Jeremiah14]

The power probe is in a nutshell, a fancy test light, ground tester, that will give voltage, and send power at will. If you're just starting out and don't yet understand basic auto electrics, I'd say get a test light, then a multimeter, and then a power probe.

 

[signcrafter]

Not sure I follow you. So he helped you diagnose a wiring problem? So not really anything with the power probe but more of not having a wiring diagram?

 

[Jeremiah14]

Not sure I follow you. So he helped you diagnose a wiring problem? So not really anything with the power probe but more of not having a wiring diagram?

Sorry. I've had a few to drink. I thought I had a short. The probe went nuts reading 6-7 volts and changing from green to red. I took it as a power wire grounding out somewhere. So I called. He asked year make model and I described the actual plug and which wire. From that he was able to tell me it was a signal wire. ---- my point was, within a few minutes and with one call I got great service and helpful people. Not a he said she said sorry you'll have to call so and so were just a middle man ****. Again, the wine is gooood tonight.

 

[signcrafter]

That's cool that they have good customer service but it sounds like you could have done that yourself with a set of wire diagrams. That's all he did was look at a diagram and tell you what the wire was. You can usually google and find one. Or here is one of my go to sites online for free wiring diagrams, http://bbbind.com/tech_database.html.

 

[Jeremiah14]

My point is he was helpful, and it only took a simple phone call. That's it. I admit I **** at electrical, and web anything, and it's nice to have good customer service. That's all.

 

[JKC03]

I have the power probe 3 and I use it every day. Great product!!


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Or here is one of my go to sites online for free wiring diagrams, http://bbbind.com/tech_database.html.

Saved, thanks.

 

[Rico.]

Or here is one of my go to sites online for free wiring diagrams, http://bbbind.com/tech_database.html.

Saved, thanks.

Me too... Thanks

 

[Jeremiah14]

Saved, thanks.

With a clearer mind, I too saved it this morning, thanks

Now I just have to figure out how to read a wiring diagram!!

 

[wolf_from_wv]

http://www.mitchell1.com/shopconnection/2013/09/12/how-to-read-an-automotive-block-wiring-diagram/

http://www.searchautoparts.com/motorage/electrical/reading-schematic