Power Probe Tester: Should You Have One In Your Toolbox?

What Is A Power Probe?

The Power probe tester allows you to confirm voltage and ground signals in a typical DC circuit. Here’s the kicker, it also allows you to send voltage and ground as well, this can be incredibly useful when diagnosing electrical issues.

Why is a power probe so useful?

Imagine being able to jump power or ground signals to a circuit without the need to get out jumper leads or spend time looking for a good ground point to connect a test light to.

This is what a power probe can do with ease, once the leads are connected to the vehicle’s battery you have full power and ground in your hands to confirm or use anywhere you need to on the vehicle.

This gives you the ability to test components and circuits effectively, without having to get out the old alligator clips and jumper wires. With a simple toggle switch, ( shown below) you can power up or ground a circuit right from the tip of the tool.

No more searching for somewhere to attach your test light ground! As a matter of fact, I have used the ground on the power probe to ground out a test light for vehicles that need more complex diagnoses.

One overlooked advantage is the fact that the tool will not power up at all if there is not a good connection to the vehicle’s battery. This eliminates getting false or flaky readings from a standard test light.

Let’s Take a Closer Look At The Power Probe

A must have tool for fast and easy electrical diagnoses.

4.8

Top Rated Tool !

Ease of use:

5/5

Features:

4.5/5

Quality:

4/5

Overall:

5/5

Value For Money:

5/5

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Pros:

• Supplies Power & Ground to quickly test and back feed circuits
• Digital Voltmeter with Min/Max Voltage Capturing
• 4mm banana jack
• 20 Foot power leads for extra length reaches where you need it
• Tests for Bad Grounds and Continuity
• 8 Amp Circuit Breaker Protection

Cons:

• A little costly (over 100 bucks)
• You do need to be careful as you can damage components by sending power to the wrong place.

Final Verdict: Must Have Tool!

In the automotive repair world, electrical circuits have become much more complex than the days of old. The Power probe tester is a MUST-HAVE tool for anyone looking to take their electrical diagnosing to the next level, simply because it gives more flexibility and convenience to the user.

This tool will make your life easier without question. Why not check circuits quickly? All while getting things done faster and more accurately. For the money spent on this tool the returns it brings in time savings more than pays for it.

The Power Probe Advantage

The test light has been the go-to tool for years to test 12v circuits, although still needed today there is something much better than a standard test light… Meet the Power Probe.

Looks pretty sweet…Don’t go throwing away your old test light just yet though

Your old test light still serves its purpose, however for real diagnoses on today’s vehicles, you need more power.

It’s time to step up your game with a tool that can make testing circuits much easier and more accurate.

A power probe tester allows you to connect directly to the vehicle’s battery, eliminating the need to find a good ground point on the chassis.

An Example Of How The Power Probe Works

Once the probe is connected to battery power and ground it “comes alive.” You now have the capability to toggle back and forth…..Sending power or ground to the tip of the tool.

Let’s say you need to check out a blower motor that is inoperative.

First you would check the fuses just like with a normal test light. The tool can be set to beep a different way, (higher pitch for + power, lower pitch for – ground.

Key on and testing across fused circuits just like a test light, you get positive readings on all, indicated by the red + symbol and the high tone.

We know the fuses are good so we go directly to the blower motor connector. You can use the tool to first check for a good ground to the motor, (the low tone and – (NEGATIVE) symbol lit up green confirm the ground is ok.

OK now let’s check power, the same way as ground, in this case and we have a good ground.

A Power Probe Is Simple and Useful.

There is also an alligator lead off the side of the tool that is a constant ground to the battery.

This allows you to apply ground when needed.

This is a game changer when it comes to diagnosing and repairing electrical issues.

What is the Power Probe telling us?

In this case, the power probe allows us to easily confirm the blower is getting power and ground. This indicates the electric motor has what it needs to function and should be spinning.

Using the power probe to send our own power and ground.

It’s a good idea to jump direct power and ground to the blower motor to confirm the motor has indeed failed. The tip of the power probe can back feed the positive end while the “alligator” ground can supply a known good ground.

Hook up the alligator clip to one terminal and use the tip of the tool to send the power signal to the other. A simple toggle of the switch and you are sending power and ground to the motor.

Here I am using the Power Probe to check a starter signal on a BMW 3 Series

Diagnosing issues with this tool is streamlined and effective. You can check out more of these diagnoses in my article BMW starter troubleshooting and replacement.

Some Really Great Features of the Power Probe

1. Circuit Protection

The Power probe has a built-in 8 amp circuit breaker to prevent overloading and cooking a circuit. One thing to remember is unlike a standard test light this tool can send straight battery power down whatever you have it touching.

Anytime you back feed an electrical circuit you need to know what you are doing. The breaker will protect the circuit, however, 8 amps are still enough to do major damage on the wrong wire.