6/12V Circuit Tester with 5 ft. Lead

Name: 6/12V Circuit Tester with 5 ft. Lead
Price: 3.99 USD

toolboxjesse · May 6, 2014

So you don't necessarily need a DMM and won't need to strip wires if you have a simple 12v test light- the type that has a probe on one end and an alligator clip on the other end (such as this: http://www.harborfreight.com/circuit-tester-30779.html )

If the reverse lights are powered on, and you solidly connect the alligator clip to the vehicle ground (SHOULD BE any bare solid metal component within the tailgate, assuming the tailgate is grounded), and you back-probe each of the 2 reverse bulb pins in the harness in turn -- if the test light illuminates then the pin you are probing is 12v+. If it's not illuminated (and assuming the ground connection is good) then that pin is 12v-. A negative-negative or positive-positive circuit would not have current flow.

Jesse in Atlanta

rocky · 2022-08-15T17:34:48-0400

Have you used a circuit tester to probe not just the (?) 20amp fuse to be sure both sides show power, but also the 12v outlets etc? There are special USB power outlet meters as well.....

But if the PO was gadget mad, I sure hope he didn't damage the USB outlet itself.