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Originally Posted by WhiteBird00  That may be one of the dumbest things I've seen on this forum in a long time. I would have found it really funny if you weren't so deadly serious.
I never recommend using a test light on sensitive circuits such as solid state electronics or the air bags. But a test light is much more convenient in many cases where the presence of power rather than the amount is the concern. Most electrical problems involve simple circuits such as lights, signals, horns, etc. and a test light is the quickest and easiest way to test for power.
Of course you don't just start poking wires indiscriminately - you test wires that you already know should have power. I think you are thinking more of situations where you're trying to find a wire that does something in particular (e.g. searching for an ignition controlled power wire under the dash). Installers who don't have the schematic for every vehicle are well advised to not use a test light to locate the wires they need. But that's a completely different situation from saying "test the light blue wire in the socket for flashing power when the turn signal is on". In this case, there is absolutely no danger of damaging anything by using a test light to test for constant power on the two orange wires at the amp connector.
It's a case of using the right tool for the job. Sometimes a test light is the right tool, sometimes it's not. |
I won't sleep right recommending somebody asking a question like OP fucking around the wrong harness with a test light. Just to be safe. If you've ever seen somebody like one of the trainees I had working with a test light blow an airbag into their face with a test light then you just don't use them any more. Kid got a broken nose. Do you work as an Autotech? You should see some of the dumb shit that people do and you learn not to take anybody's abilities on trust. Just trying to keep the OP from fucking up his car.