Repair and Diagnosis: Tools and Equipment
USEA Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM) (10 megaohm input impedance). It can safely be used to diagnose and test most vehicle systems.
DON'T USE
Test lights. They are not recommended due to the possibility of damage to the computer or air-bag circuits.
BE PREPARED
Before attempting to diagnose a circuit for an open or a short, it is important that you:
1. Have the proper reference material available:
- Power Supply Routings
- Applicable Wiring Diagrams
- Troubleshooting Information
2. Understand how the system works.
3. Have a good understanding of what condition you are diagnosing:
- Situation when the problem occurs. (weather, loads, etc.)
- What systems interact with the one you are diagnosing?
- Is it intermittent or a consistent problem?
4. Have proper equipment to perform the diagnosis such as a digital voltmeter, alligator clips, and probe leads.