Voltage from Dist Bat to ground??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 18
From: Dallas Texas
Guys
When I test the voltage between the wire that goes to the BAT on the distributor and ground, I get a spark instead of a voltage, is this an indication that the guy before me had something wired wrong?
When I test the voltage between the wire that goes to the BAT on the distributor and ground, I get a spark instead of a voltage, is this an indication that the guy before me had something wired wrong?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by BIGJIM13
Guys
When I test the voltage between the wire that goes to the BAT on the distributor and ground, I get a spark instead of a voltage, is this an indication that the guy before me had something wired wrong?
When I test the voltage between the wire that goes to the BAT on the distributor and ground, I get a spark instead of a voltage, is this an indication that the guy before me had something wired wrong?
voltage gets measured in parallel almost sounds like you are doing it in series....the other end of that ulitmately goes to the ignition switch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Hey Jim;
connect the black lead on the volt meter to some ground point on the engine. Connect the red lead to the BATT wire at the distributor. Key on = 12 volts (or whatever is in the battery) Key off = Zero (close to it)
Do the same test with the wire disconnected, then connected. you should get the same results.
connect the black lead on the volt meter to some ground point on the engine. Connect the red lead to the BATT wire at the distributor. Key on = 12 volts (or whatever is in the battery) Key off = Zero (close to it)
Do the same test with the wire disconnected, then connected. you should get the same results.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Foxfield, Co
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
sounds like a flakey volt meter, it should not spark
sounds like your using your meter in the amperage setting and not the voltage setting. Make sure your leads are plugged into your meter correctly, the red wire usually plugs into different holes for the volt and amp settings.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by BIGJIM13
HI
well the issue I have is when I put my red lead on the connector wire that goes to Bat (unconnected) and the black on ground - I get a spark instead of a reading
well the issue I have is when I put my red lead on the connector wire that goes to Bat (unconnected) and the black on ground - I get a spark instead of a reading
this will always happen thats not how a volt meter is used.....you need the circuit to be energized and connected to a ground and then take the reading.....try making a jumper off the connection and hook it up normally, then use the jumper to measure the voltage like you are doing and it should work fine.....a test light will work they way you are doing it but a voltage meter will not.....an amp meter will however measure all the current that is flowing to ground...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 18
From: Dallas Texas
Thanks
I located a short - that was the problem
have both volt meter and amp meter - was using the correct one, most seem to only know the term volt meter!
Thanks for the replies!
I located a short - that was the problem
have both volt meter and amp meter - was using the correct one, most seem to only know the term volt meter!
Thanks for the replies!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
sounds like a flakey volt meter, it should not spark
Originally Posted by BIGJIM13
Thanks - been doing things like this for a while..meter is set correctly..thats why it does not make any sense..
Thanks for the comments!
Thanks for the comments!
If you are getting a spark, either the meter is bad or more than likely not plugged into the right socket.
Originally Posted by BIGJIM13
Thanks
I located a short - that was the problem
have both volt meter and amp meter - was using the correct one, most seem to only know the term volt meter!
Thanks for the replies!
I located a short - that was the problem
have both volt meter and amp meter - was using the correct one, most seem to only know the term volt meter!
Thanks for the replies!
Last edited by mandm1200; May 11, 2006 at 11:13 AM.