Easiest way to find a short to ground!

When diagnosing a short to ground, the approach is fairly simply. Split the circuit up in to multiple sections, to find out which leg of the circuit is actually at fault.

Jarhead Diagnostics Load Test Light:

Merch:

[billwhite]

Great job in identifying the diagnosis and pointing out what a short is. A lot of YouTube video are calling parasitic draws shorts, which is wrong. A parasitic draw drains, while a short burns things, such as fuses.

[foesfly]

Dudes with real world skills like this Rule. I have no use for celebrities, pro athletes, politicians and ‘winners’ at the club. Stay Awesome Brother
😎🎩♠️💙

[audrybella]

Nice job diagnosing the problem using a solid but simple and effective technique. Might add that whenever you have a (new) problem that appears to be a result of other work done on the vehicle, its a good general practice to do a solid visual inspection of the area where the work was done. It's very common for things not to be fully reassembled or properly reassembled when components are replaced. Especially if it required removing interior and/or dash assemblies. Thanks for the video and the tips.

[StacyEdwards-rdot]

As an electrician i agree the is the most efficient way to find a short....yes having a tester that makes a sound is way better than a light. Voltmeter with an audio continuity feature. Always break the problem circuit in half test both sides, then open halfway again if possible... Helps isolate it faster...

[uptownimports-foreignautor]

An even easier way is to use a DVOM. Ground the negative lead of the meter and put the other end of the meter to the fuse output (this one will give you continuity to the ground). Select continuity on the DVOM (the one that makes noise when there is continuity). Then disconnect connectors or components until the DVOM does not give out a tone. This way you don't have to be looking at the light all the time you can go by sound when there is no more short to ground.

[shamessun]

Thank you very much…. I watched this video long time ago, when you posted first time….. last week I received a Chavy impala with fuse emission 2 15 amp keep blowing, 2 workmates didn’t figure it out and they replaced that fuse….. my service manager handed to me… I figured out there is a short by using power probe and no tone or light on the ground side…. It was not convincing… I remembered your video and attached the light bulb and that helped me a lot…. Found the bank 2 sensor 2 O2 sensor rubbing against the CV axle…..Thank you

[tjsingh]

My uncle (electrician) taught me that trick when I was a kid. Definitely comes in handy. To one’s not understanding how it works it’s very simple at a fuse you shouldn’t have a strong enough ground to light an incandescent bulb. If it lights there is a short to ground in that circuit. Then old fashioned short tracing after that.

[power]

I COULD ONLY IMAGINE HOW SWEET A TOUR OF THAT VAN WOULD BE. GREAT TIP AND THANKS FOR YOUR TIME !

[garywinkel]

This kind of electrical diagnostics ability is hard to find. Nice job explaining it.

[Mellow]

The best ACTUAL short to ground video I've seen..needed a refresher. Youre awesome. Subbing.

[davidk]

wow, you made that look real easy when its actually a pain. someones lucky to have you around.

[vicpetrishak]

A semi tractor low air warning beeper also works well . If it is too loud place layers of electrical tape over the audio hole .

[jimmorton]

Been using that method FOREVER, back in the day, I would use a 4652 headlight and because of padded dash tops, I would lay the headlamp on a ceramic tile on top of the dash so I could see the light while pushing and tugging slightly harness.

[vh]

As soon as you said it had a new heater core put in, I figured the problem would be in that area. If I know someone has previously worked on the car, I would give that area a quick visual first.
Good way to show how to use a test light.

[chrishedlund]

Helpful. Have a short to ground in my beloved 1988 Cherokee Laredo 4.0. Spent many hours studying schematics and trying to track it down. DIY person. Will if I learned something here today.

[Troy_Built]

I've also seen guys use a noise maker of some type in place of the bulb. It would make it so you don't actually need to see the bulb each time. Nice and simple way to show this.

[spencerwvcmoon]

Brilliant just what needed thanks big love❤

[yepme]

It's shorted out, all the way to the ground post, isolated, no ground hooked up. And I have 12.6 to ground post of the car frame, all the fuses is 12.6, alternator has 12.6 volts on the terminal side and the ground side. I reversed the process isolated the positive and of course it has ground all the way through. I pulled fuses and relays and no voltage drop. The only thing I did not unplug is the ECM. So I have closed relay or a exposed positive wire touching the frame. But I have a power probe 3 and a signal tester for breaks. It's a chrysler sebring 2006 2.7 litter . Be for the wife broke down the battery light came on, wife said smoke came from the passenger side of the engine.

[JOIN-rogue-harbor]

good video this helped me solve my 2004 buick lesabre aux power problem Thank you again and do more videos about troubleshooting thats great!

[orionmyth]

Took me watching videos on these topics for a year for it to finally sink in 🤯