© 2001 Directed Electronics, Inc. Vista, CA
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4. Turn the ignition key switch to the run position. If your meter reads (+)12V, go to the next step. If it doesn’t,
probe another wire.
5. Now turn the key to the start position. The meter display should stay steady, not dropping by more than a
few tenths of a volt. If it drops close to or all the way to zero, go back to Step 3. If it stays steady at (+)12V,
you have located an ignition wire.
The starter wire provides 12V directly to the starter motor or to a relay controlling the starter motor.
How to find the starter wire with your multimeter:
1. Set to DCV or DC voltage (12V or 20V is fine).
2. Attach the (-) probe of the meter to battery ground.
3. Probe the wire you suspect of being the starter wire. The starter relay/starter wire is an excellent place to
find this wire. Remember you do not need to interrupt the starter at the same point you test it. Hiding your
starter kill relay and connections is always recommended.
4. Turn the ignition key switch to the start position. Make sure the vehicle is not in gear! If your meter reads
(+)12V, go to the next step. If it doesn’t, probe another wire.
5. Cut the wire you suspect of being the starter wire.
6. Attempt to start the vehicle. If the starter engages, reconnect it and go back to Step 3. If the starter does
not turn over, you have the right wire.
The (+) parking light wire is often found near the parking light switch or side marker light.
NOTE:
Many motorcycles and recreational vehicles do not have front running lights. On this type of
vehicle, you may want to use the separate left and right turn signal circuits for light flash purposes.
How to find a (+) parking light flash wire with your multimeter:
1. Set to DCV or DC voltage (12V or 20V is fine).
2. Attach the (-) probe of the meter to battery ground.
3. Probe the wire you suspect of being the parking light wire.
4. Turn on the parking lights. If your meter shows (+)12V, turn off the parking lights and make sure it goes back
to zero.
5. If it does return to zero, turn the parking lights back on and, using the dash light dimmer control, turn the
brightness of the gauge lights up and down. If the meter changes more than a volt when using the dimmer,
look for another wire. If it stays relatively close to (+)12V, you have found your parking light wire.
finding a (+) parking light wire
finding the starter wire
