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AUTOMOTIVE SHORT AND 

OPEN FINDER

INTRODUCTION

1

HOW

 

TO

 

USE

 

THE

 

PROBE

CAUTION

2

      This instrument is designed to identify and trace wires or 
cables without damaging the insulation. You can also use it in 
checking for short circuit and locating open circuit and so on. 
There are a Transmitter and a Receiver included in the 
instrument.

1. Only for use on DC voltage, don’t connect to circuit 
exceeding42 volts DC under any circumstances.

2. Do not use on AC voltage.

3. Do not use on any circuit directly or indirectly connected to 
AC lines or any other AC power source.

4. Do not use with any component or circuits of the ignition 
system.

5. Before using this device, check the vehicle’s electrical wiring 
and disconnect any part or system sensitive to voltage and 
current pulses such as air bags, electronic control modules, 
etc.

6. After you finish checking vehicle, make sure you have 
correctly restored all the connections which you disconnected.

7. Always follow the instructions and procedures indicated in 
the Vehicle’s service manual before attempting to disconnect 
any part or subsystem of the electrical circuit.

      Exceeding the limits listed above when using this 
apparatus, or not observing the precautions listed above can 
expose you to physical injury and permanently damage your 
instrument and parts and circuits of the vehicle under test.

      The probe of the Receiver is built of coiled steel and may be 
bent as needed, in order to reach wires in congested or difficult 
areas. Depending on the circuit characteristic and sensitivity 
settings, the probe will pickup the signal from the wire in a 
range of positions. However, for the best possible range the 
Receiver’s probe tip(blackcap) should be positioned 
perpendicular(at90o) to the wire being traced and either above 
or below it. See Figure 1.

cable

Figure 1

SETTING

 

SENSITIVITY

 

LEVEL

WIRE TRACING

      Note: Observe the limits and safety precautions at all 
times.

1. Set the switch of Sender to "TONE", the red LED of Sender 
lights, if the red LED doesn’t light, please check the battery.

2. Switch Receiver on , set the rotary switch in middle position. 
Press and hold TEST button, meanwhile move the sensor 
close to the test lead of Sender. Receiver receives the signal 
and give audio signal. if so, it means that the unit works 
correctly.                                                              

3. Connect the black test lead to the circuits positive supply(or 
to the negative for vehicles with positive supply connected to 
chassis). Connect the red test lead to the wire to be traced. A 
fuse  socket(in place of the blown     fuse),connector, etc. is 
convenient place. 

4. Set the rotary switch in middle position. Press and hold 
TEST button., meanwhile move the probe as close as possible 
to the wire to be traced. The Receiver’s sensor should be 
positioned perpendicular(at 90

°

) to the wire being traced and 

Either above or below it.

5. Receiver gives audio signal. Trace the wire by following the 
audio signal of Receiver. If you move the probe away from the 
wire, the audio signal will decrease and then disappears.

6. if it is difficult or impossible to get the Receiver to pick-up 
any signal, please increase the sensitivity and try again. For 
the suspect table place, check it twice. See Figure2 , 3.

3

4

Figure 2

Figure 3

CHECKING FOR SHORT CIRCUIT 

      Note: Observe the limits and safety precautions at all times.

1. Disconnect the power to the wire to be checked and remove 
all the loads from this wire(for example: remove the lamp from 
the wire).

2. Set the switch of Sender to "CONT" position. Connect the 
test leads to a couple of wires which are to be checked.

3, When the resistance is less than10k ohm, the green LED of 
"CONT" will tight. With all the loads having been removed, the 
green LED's lighting indicates that the couple of wires are in 
short circuit.   

      Note: Observe the limits and safety precautions at all times.

1. Set the switch of Sender to "TONE", the red LED of Sender 
lights. if the red LED doesn’t light, please check the battery. 

2. Switch the Receiver on, set the rotary switch in middle  
position. Press and hold TEST button, meanwhile move the

LOCATING OPEN CIRCUIT

Test button

probe

rotary 
switch

test lead

Fuse Socket 
or Connector

      To turn on Receiver or increase its sensitivity, turn the 
rotary switch of Receiver clockwise. To turn off Receiver or 
decrease its sensitivity, turn the rotary switch anticlockwise.

7. When you finish tracing, disconnect the test leads’ 
Connections ,set the Sender’s switch in OFF position . Loose 
TEST button.

Receiver

Sender/Transmitter

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