33 replies to this topic

[Allybally]

i have bought a electric multimeter, a Sealey one, (see picture) im just wondering what settings i need it on to be able to tell if a wire has a short, and which hole do i stick the red probe into, and how this is achieved, please help

Thanks

Allybally

cooper 1.3i
1993

[il-barba]

if my memory serves me right,

you stick the red probe in the middle hole, the black in the bottom hole. then i think you need to set it on resistance so that if you have zero resistance it will be a short circuit

[Bungle]

ohms scale and a low reading for a short circuit and a high reading if everything is ok

[Allybally]

Q1 Great thanks guys, ive put my dial on 200 Ohms, and the 2 probes into where there supposed to be, the screen is reading 1, is this right?

Q2 theres a couple of other things, it has been mentioned that it gives a low reading if there is a short (is this lower than 1 or just a tiny bit higher than 1?)
Q3 and if the circuit is fine it reads higher than 1 or loads higher than 1?

it would be good if someone could help me out with that part,

Q4 and also when i find what wire i want to test for a short, what do i do, am i right in thinking i put the red probe into the suspected shorted wire, but where do i put the black probe, do i put it onto any eart, or on the other end of the suspected wire,

Q5 and do i have the ignition on or off

any help would be most appreciated

many thanks for your help and patience

Allybally

[Jupitus]

If you set it to the one at the bottom right with the triangle with a line through and cross line (it's actually the symbol for a diode) I would expect the tester to make a beep if you touch the probes together... if this is the case then you have an audible connectivity sensor, ie something that says 'these 2 points are connected through conductive material'.... at least my tester does that on the diode setting

[Jupitus]

Q4 and also when i find what wire i want to test for a short, what do i do, am i right in thinking i put the red probe into the suspected shorted wire, but where do i put the black probe, do i put it onto any eart, or on the other end of the suspected wire,

Q5 and do i have the ignition on or off

any help would be most appreciated

many thanks for your help and patience

Allybally

Try what I just posted to see if you have a continuity test feature. If so then touch one probe on suspect wire and other on what you think it is shorting to, ie nearby bodywork or another wire etc - if it beeps they are connected.

I would test with ignition on.

[Allybally]

is that symbol the continuity tester or is that something different, and when its on that if i touch the 2 together it doesnt beep, it shoots up then settles to read 1, is this correct, does it still do the same thing

Thanks

[Jupitus]

It's only useful if it's audible - my tester is a different one, sorry... I just pulled up the manual for your tester and you were on the right lines before. Put is back to the 200 ohm setting (should be one click clockwise) and carry on, but you'll need to be able to see the readings... if the figure is '1' it is probably showing that to indicate an out of range error, ie the resistance is way over 200 ohms, ie no conductivity or no short.... look for it to drop to zero or a number other than 1.

[Allybally]

right ive just been trying it with a few scraps of wire, when its on the (arrow triangle) symbol, if the wires are connected, the red probe sends a current through the wire which is picked up by the black probe which joins the circuit and reads as a positive current on my screen

is this right

thanks

[Allybally]

It's only useful if it's audible - my tester is a different one, sorry... I just pulled up the manual for your tester and you were on the right lines before. Put is back to the 200 ohm setting (should be one click clockwise) and carry on, but you'll need to be able to see the readings... if the figure is '1' it is probably showing that to indicate an out of range error, ie the resistance is way over 200 ohms, ie no conductivity or no short.... look for it to drop to zero or a number other than 1.

so if there is a short it will read lower than 1, and if its fine it will read higher than 1

[Jupitus]

Sorry Allybally - that was me mmisleading you - I have checked the user manual and you tester doesn't have the feature I was describing

[Allybally]

Sorry Allybally - that was me mmisleading you - I have checked the user manual and you tester doesn't have the feature I was describing

bolloxs, i knew i shouldnt i bought the cheap 1, what do i need to look for on the box before i buy it

[Jupitus]

It's only useful if it's audible - my tester is a different one, sorry... I just pulled up the manual for your tester and you were on the right lines before. Put is back to the 200 ohm setting (should be one click clockwise) and carry on, but you'll need to be able to see the readings... if the figure is '1' it is probably showing that to indicate an out of range error, ie the resistance is way over 200 ohms, ie no conductivity or no short.... look for it to drop to zero or a number other than 1.

so if there is a short it will read lower than 1, and if its fine it will read higher than 1

Pretty much, although there could still be some resistance giving a reading over 1 ohm (unlikely though)... the device will display exactly 1 to indicate an out of range error though.

NOTE: WHEN THE FIGURE ‘1’ IS DISPLAYED, IT INDICATES AN OVER-RANGE SITUATION AND A HIGHER RANGE NEEDS TO BE SELECTED.

[Jupitus]

Sorry Allybally - that was me mmisleading you - I have checked the user manual and you tester doesn't have the feature I was describing

bolloxs, i knew i shouldnt i bought the cheap 1, what do i need to look for on the box before i buy it

No no no - that's fine!!! It will work!!!

[Jupitus]

... and if it doesn't you are only in Lip hook - pop up to Sandhurst tomorrow and borrow mine!

Edited by Jupitus, 27 February 2009 - 08:12 PM.