In this video I show you how I make my own "test lights" of various amperage's that can be used to substitute for a component on the vehicle that has failed. These range any where from .25amp to 4.5amp and can be used to replace failed fuel pumps, actuators, lights, solenoids etc. so you can preform circuit integrity tests. -Enjoy!
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49 thoughts on “How to make your own test lights”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Xombi Xombi says:

    Thanks!

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dependable Auto Truck says:

    i use yellow pill bottles

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars B B says:

    I find small jam jars work better, drill into the lid & use the glass to stop the heat

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars richard abner says:

    instead of plastic cap try a small
    3-4oz glass baby food jar with metal cap and label removed. Drill a hole in cap, silicone or epoxy connector into hole. wha la!

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Marshall Larson says:

    Banana plugs.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brandon Wagar says:

    If I can do it, you can too. Love the testers!!

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars scott McIntosh says:

    Let there be light , and there was !!!

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Phillip Dewitt says:

    Excellent ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dave Kleiboeker says:

    Warning common headlight bulbs can get up to 700 degrees.
    One can simply soider the lead wires to the bulb pins

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Greg Hill says:

    reminds me of when i accidentally soldered a pipe fitting to a paint can lid that I was using to hold the fitting and it really held on there amazingly well i could not pull it off the steel lid . when i am working on house wiring i like the radio tester plug it in and you can listen to when it goes off and on. you could probably do same thing with a 12 volt radio better then listening to a car horn lol

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Slee says:

    Here I am 3 years later laughing so hard Iโ€™m crying when the bit grabbed and made that huge hole. My wife is looking at me like Iโ€™m a bloody idiot.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ted John says:

    I have an 06 Forester I still try to do my own wrenching! My wife has a new Kia with all the bells an whistle's. I don't work on her car but I will have to get something newer in the future. This was a great video but I don't have an Amp meter. I guess I will have to get one. What type of wrench do you use to get into a very tight spot? I have all of the socket combo's. I was thinking of a set of straight handed ratcheting box wrenches with the tilting head. Thanks for this video I often wondered why you were using different test lights. Thank You for making the video's I watch them all!! It doesn't matter what make or model the vehicle is you can always learn something new. I live about 45 min. from Albany so I am familiar with the corrosion the salt makes. I don't know why they use salt it makes slush which make's things slippery in my opinion. Plain sand and a plow is better in my opinion.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kasual Skeptik says:

    1amp @ 12v = 12w
    2amp @ 12v = 24w
    3amp @12v = 36w
    4amp @ 12v = 48w

    I see smoke coming off your light…
    So, a light that draws 4amps @ 12v is consuming almost 50w, and that gets very hot…
    I don't recommend a plastic shroud, because it could melt or catch fire..
    Use a metal cap or sheet metal to make a shield protector for the bulb…

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul Spickernell says:

    Great stuff Eric

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars shadymaint1 says:

    I have a headlight bulb in a pigtail that I use for testing stuff. I figure if the circuit will power a headlight bulb it should be good for about everything else.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dale Humes says:

    I just found this video. Great video. You are a great resource. Thanks for the helpful tip.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Wamboldt says:

    Hey my name is David i live in Nova Scotia Canada I have a 2012gmc serria 1500 4×4 do you know how to get codes for ABS without a scanner

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mark Jackson says:

    — Throw a quick one back at you. Quick test for speakers in your car: Rig up a 9 volt battery with a couple of leads and ping the wires to the speakers. You hear a scratching from said speaker, that'll get you started on whatever issue you have. Then is a few seconds to switch over and test for ohms.

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars corkforbrains says:

    I know that these type videos are hard to make in-depth, but could you talk about where you would use a higher amperage load versus a lower one? I've always used a test light to determine continuity.. What purpose would the various amperage ratings serve? Forgive me for my lack of electronic knowledge please, and thanks for trying to make folks smarter!

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars uglysteve1 says:

    Wattage divided by voltage should give you the amperage although Iโ€™m not sure if the wattage is stated on automotive bulbs. If this is a repeat of already posted info I apologize.

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kraken wood floor service Mcmahon says:

    Old school systems of monitoring 3/phase industrial buildings would use 3 test lights, one on each leg to ground. These were left on all the time in visible areas. If a light started to dim, that leg would be inspected.

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars john kozero says:

    Great idea ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ’ฏ

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jason Rudin says:

    LED

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars boostedsil40 says:

    question anyone here can answer for me regarding testing 5v refference or 5v circuits
    what if i hooked test light to a 5v source to test 5v ref and computer parts that take 5v by getting a 12v to 5v usb cigareete plug adapter,then cut a usb cord and plug this into the 12v to 5v adapter and find which wire is the power/ground and use this to hook test light when probing these 5v computer circuits? this would also drop some of the amperage draw from test light correct? would this be the way to go to prevent damage when testing 5v?

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeff Christianson-Ziebell says:

    18 minutes? So much for quick tip my god guess Iโ€™ll find a less rambling one lol

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Lil Wunna says:

    I THINK UR ERIC THE CAR GUY OR HIS BROTHR ,,,
    REALLY CONFUSED

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars eyesalooking says:

    Made a special tips/hacks playlist just for these SMA shorts.

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ronald Johnson says:

    "Brilliant" idea. Thanks, Eric!

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Barry Theroux says:

    Good idea for cheap test lights.

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dan's Learning Curve says:

    Iven would be proud!

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars M lez says:

    what's recommended for an ac compressor clutch wire? ( amps )

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bryan Toth says:

    Thanks, youโ€™re a Prince of a fella.

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Warren Bergner says:

    Quick tip Friday. Now that you have that spray cap down pat you can make some Christmas lights for the tire snowman outside the shop. Mrs. O probably wouldn't allow them in the house. Keep on a choochin.

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ray Hindle says:

    I'm off to the breakers yard……….Ray H. U.K.

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Efrem Williams says:

    I guess I could always use more test leads. Pick and pull here I come, lol

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars C L says:

    Eric canโ€™t you just divide the number of Watts by the systems Volts and it give you the amp draw for each bulb? For example: 40w bulb/ 12 volts = 3.3 amps

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars n124lp says:

    Glad I found this video. I am getting ready to junk an old vehicle, so I removed all of the light bulbs with their connectors in anticipation of making some test lights. I also bought some 10-turn 10-kiloohm potentiometers, so I will make some variable resistors while I am at it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Doug Kubash says:

    Thanks for the tip!

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Barry Summers says:

    Is there an easy way to determine the amperage load on a circuit? So you know which test light to use? For example, can you test the resistance of the circuit in oms and determine the correct test light to use?

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Citronitroify says:

    Nice. Also apply +12 volt through a bulb when You want to limit the current. If the test point is shorted to ground the bulb will light up/act as an autofuse preventing fire.

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars M M says:

    Good shiz man. Comprehensive. Glad you zoomed in so we could see what u were soldering. Handy stuff – gonna check ur other vids in future.

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars CARS LOVER says:

    Love it creative and sweet

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Johnny Ouk says:

    What light bulb are you using for your test light? Part number?

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars RobSolo says:

    Show us how to read a schematic please!

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Duncan Morrison says:

    Soldering pins on to wires, still puts the heat shrink on first.

    Ladies and gentlemen, that's why Eric does the work, and we do the watching.

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dane Nodskov says:

    Love those snap on wire strippers

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Aubrey Stanley says:

    I really admire that you know your s#:+

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Monkey Wrangler says:

    Turned into a crafting video there at the end.

  49. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Just a Chiklet says:

    Very nifty. Can this be done with say an old lamp or flashlight?

    Just wondering if there are any alternatives for someone that cant get access to vehicle bulbs.

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