18
Isolate the Circuit You are Tracing
Isolating the circuit you want to trace is absolutely necessary when using “Open
Circuit Signals”. It is always good to disconnect the circuit you are tracing
away from other parallel circuits. Once you isolate the troubled circuit, you can
then connect the transmitter’s signal lead exclusively to your selected circuit.
Connecting exclusively to your ISOLATED circuit insures that the SIGNAL
is confined in just that one single circuit. The signal strength remains constant
throughout the isolated circuit. This makes the circuit easier to trace. You also
eliminate confusion of the signal branching off to other areas that will lead you
astray. When you are finished diagnosing, don’t forget to reconnect the isolated
circuit.
Isolating a short/grounded circuit is best done by removing the loads in the cir-
cuit. This accomplishes two things: 1. It assures that 100% of the signal is being
transmitted down the wire you are tracing, 2. if the circuit goes intermittent, the
transmitter will alert you. (See: “Circuit Wiggle & Flex Test” pg. 26
Verify a Short Circuit to Ground
One of the best tools for verifying a short circuit to ground is the Power Probe 1,
2, or 3. To verify a short circuit connect the Power Probe to the circuit and press
the power switch forward. If the Power Probe’s circuit breaker trips, you have
verified the short.
IMPORTANT
Be careful not to power up circuits that are connected to the vehicles onboard
computer. You may have to unplug the computer or electronic modules when
performing short circuit verification on electronic systems.
Signals are
Problem circuit not
isolated
all over
the place,
because the
problem
circuit has not
been isolated
Fig. 1
Signals are all
over the place,
because the
problem circuit
has not been
isolated
Problem circuit not isolated
Signal injected
direct into problem
circuit
Disconnected from circuit
These circuits are no longer a
problem because they are discon-
nected from the problem circuit.