Testing Car Wires Prior To Remote Start Or Car Alarm Installation
Installing a remote start or car alarm is easy, once you know exactly which wires in the vehicle you are going to be connecting to.
Check out the source on how to install a car alarm or remote starter There are two ways to test wires in your automobile, you can either use a digital multi meter, or a test light.
I recommend using a Digital Multi Meter (DMM) to test all wires before connecting anything to them.
Although using a "test light" may seem easier, it is not safe, and honestly it's not any easier.
You will want to use a DMM is because it is much more accurate, and gives you much more information.
"Seeing" what a wire is actually doing is much better than a light turning on or off.
Test lights have been known to damage vital computer components, as they add resistance and pull power from the wire you are testing.
Using a digital multimeter is much safer, and easier.
To test a wire, simply poke the wire with the lead of your multi meter.
The leads are pointy, and give you the ability to pierce the insulation of the wire just enough to make contact with the inner winding, without damaging or stripping the wire back.
If you find difficulty in this, or to avoid accidentally slipping and poking your finger, companies sell EZ hook probes.
They will plug directly into your meter, and allow you to safely test wires using a spring loaded pin.
To test for a "positive trigger" wire, A positive trigger wire will have no voltage when not active.
When activated, the wire will power to +12 volts.
1.
Secure the black lead of your DMM to a good ground(bare metal).
2.
Probe the wire you wish to test with the red lead of your DMM.
3.
Note if the switch or trigger directly affects the voltage your meter reads.
To test for a "negative trigger" wire, A negative trigger wire has +12 volts or no voltage when inactive.
When activated, the wire will represent a ground (-).
1.
Secure the red lead of your DMM to a +12 volt source.
2.
Probe the wire you wish to test with the black lead of your DMM.
3.
Note if the switch or trigger directly affects the voltage your meter reads.
Now you can go through your vehicle wiring diagram, and test and confirm all the necessary wires in the vehicle.
Knowing which wires you need before starting your installation is the best way to install a car alarm or remote starter.
Check out the source on how to install a car alarm or remote starter There are two ways to test wires in your automobile, you can either use a digital multi meter, or a test light.
I recommend using a Digital Multi Meter (DMM) to test all wires before connecting anything to them.
Although using a "test light" may seem easier, it is not safe, and honestly it's not any easier.
You will want to use a DMM is because it is much more accurate, and gives you much more information.
"Seeing" what a wire is actually doing is much better than a light turning on or off.
Test lights have been known to damage vital computer components, as they add resistance and pull power from the wire you are testing.
Using a digital multimeter is much safer, and easier.
To test a wire, simply poke the wire with the lead of your multi meter.
The leads are pointy, and give you the ability to pierce the insulation of the wire just enough to make contact with the inner winding, without damaging or stripping the wire back.
If you find difficulty in this, or to avoid accidentally slipping and poking your finger, companies sell EZ hook probes.
They will plug directly into your meter, and allow you to safely test wires using a spring loaded pin.
To test for a "positive trigger" wire, A positive trigger wire will have no voltage when not active.
When activated, the wire will power to +12 volts.
1.
Secure the black lead of your DMM to a good ground(bare metal).
2.
Probe the wire you wish to test with the red lead of your DMM.
3.
Note if the switch or trigger directly affects the voltage your meter reads.
To test for a "negative trigger" wire, A negative trigger wire has +12 volts or no voltage when inactive.
When activated, the wire will represent a ground (-).
1.
Secure the red lead of your DMM to a +12 volt source.
2.
Probe the wire you wish to test with the black lead of your DMM.
3.
Note if the switch or trigger directly affects the voltage your meter reads.
Now you can go through your vehicle wiring diagram, and test and confirm all the necessary wires in the vehicle.
Knowing which wires you need before starting your installation is the best way to install a car alarm or remote starter.
Source...