Can anyone tell me how to check for a short in a wire?
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Re: C2 wire short?
Henry, I started to attempt to explain how to find a shorted wire. I retracted my "attempted explanation" and thought it better that you seek help from someone with some electrical troubleshooting knowledge, that can help you and possibly teach you for the next time...I'd hate to see you do damage to something. I can only assume that by your question you have very limited electrical experience. You may want to take you car to a reputable electrical service Co. Many times there are places locally that specialize in electrical troubleshooting of autos..check out the phone book under automotive electrical or Alternator/Starter repair. Finding a short could be a very lengthy process if it is in a wire harness somewhere
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Re: C2 wire short?
How do you know it is a short? Maybe it's an open. It's always been my observation that novices refer to any electrical problem as a "short".
If you can provide specific symptoms, AND you have a shop manual with the electrical schematic for your car, AND you have a multimeter, AND you understand the basics of DC electrical systems, someone might be able to steer you in the right direction, but if you are looking for a basic course in electrical troubleshooting, that's probably beyond the scope of a discussion board.
DukeComment
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Adding on....
to what Duke said here. IF you were technically correct in what you said (find a short vs. an open), there's a pretty simple tool for doing this that most auto electric technicians have in their tool cribs. It's essentially an induction coupled ammeter.
You snap the adjustable, dual clamp, semi-circular probe head open, put the probe head over the wire(s) in question, and snap the release button to enclose the head over the wire. The ammeter gauge on the handle of the probe tool shows direction/magnitude of current flow in the wiring bundle (+, 0, -) on an analog scale.
You slide the probe along the length of the wire, and like a trained hunting dog in point, the meter will change from + to zero when you're directly over the source of the short. If you pass the point of short circuit, the meter will reverse readings (zero to -) indicating you've passed the current sink contact point.
With good tools, like this one, skilled electrical technicians are able to quickly and accurately pin-point problems during troubleshooting. If this is a chore you're not likely to repeat often, I agree with the advice of others--seek and hire the services of a competent auto electric shop rather than buy the tool(s) and train yourself in the art!Comment
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Re: C2 wire short?
Don't worry guys, there's no way I'm attempting any possible electrical problem. I am simply curious how someone checks for a wire short. Take it easy Duke! and thanks for the responses.Comment
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Re: Adding on....
C'mon guys. He asked a simple question! If you want to find a "shorted circuit" on most any hard wired circuit in a Corvette, hook a test light to the fuse panel to get voltage and stick the ice pick end on the suspect circuit or wire. If the light, lights, you have a short. If you don't have a light, the circuit is open. Or, you can buy a $20 multi-meter and follow the meter directions to check for resistance.
I suppose there are some circuits you could damage with this method but I don't know what they would be. If you are having problems with a computer controlled circuit, ignore my advice.Comment
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Re: Adding on....
Henry: I forgot to tell you that there is usually a ground wire going to the appliance you are checking and a "hot" wire". The ground is usually black and the hot is usually colored. When there is an absence of a separate ground wire, it means that when the colored wire is powered up, it works because the appliance itself is already grounded to the power source. Also when checking for a short, start at the point you know something is not working and work your way back TOWARD the fuse box or power source.
Nothing hard about this. If the wheels will turn in your head and you can understand that a DC circuit is just a closed loop, you fix most anything on a car electrically even if you are a beginner. We all had to start from the beginningComment
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Re: Adding on....
Original post was generic (how to find a short). Most wires are bundled and tape wrapped into a harness. Volt/ohm meter method may determine whether there's a short circuit condition present, but won't tell you WHERE the short is located. My response addressed omnibus nature of locating short conditions in general. Sorry you found it 'overkill' and felt the need to respond negatively.Comment
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Re: Adding on....
On the lighter side, you could wrap the fuse with aluminum foil
and look for smoke. NO JUST KIDDING PLEASE DON'TComment
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