clamp meter

[ukracer]

I need to check my dad's car out tommorow as it keeps blowing a specific fuse.

is it possible to use a cheap clamp Meter to see what current is being pulled just before it blows to try and identify which item is blowing the fuse?

 

[the snooper]

I need to check my dad's car out tommorow as it keeps blowing a specific fuse.

is it possible to use a cheap clamp Meter to see what current is being pulled just before it blows to try and identify which item is blowing the fuse?

cant you tell just from switching things on and off until the problems shows

 

[brightspark]

even a decent quality clamp meter with peak inrush current cant always pick up depending on how fast it blows unless the current increases slowly

 

[Spark plug]

It is possible but you will probably need one with an inrush function if it's a major short causing the fuse to blow.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Use a normal Digital multi meter, if it is rated to take the draw.
But I would follow the circuit, using the half split method to find the fault.

 

[ukracer]

cant you tell just from switching things on and off until the problems shows

well at least 4 people have tried so far and it would appear not. but finally I prized it out of his hands for a day and that is what I will start doing BUT it might only blow while moving so I need to try and see if anything peaks.......it only has things like radio , headlight buzzer, interior lights, and central locking on it from what I can see in the book.

10 amp fuse fitted.

 

[ukracer]

Use a normal Digital multi meter, if it is rated to take the draw.
But I would follow the circuit, using the half split method to find the fault.

MmmMmmm half split method ? new one on me that one. lol

 

[ukracer]

even a decent quality clamp meter with peak inrush current cant always pick up depending on how fast it blows unless the current increases slowly

That's my worry......I ain't spending loads on a meter although I only have real cheap ones left now.

 

[the snooper]

so a clamp meter will probably be of no use especially if its wiring rubbed through somewhere, id start with radio remove and check wiring, same with interior light and quite often cig lighter was on the same circuit

 

[ukracer]

even a decent quality clamp meter with peak inrush current cant always pick up depending on how fast it blows unless the current increases slowly

from the symptoms I think it's like to be a bare wire touching earth as it's intermittent. the horrible type of fault.

 

[the snooper]

what car is it ?

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Check any wiring that goes from the body to doors/tailgate etc. as the repeated flexing can cause wires to short.

 

[Robotstar5]

You can get plug in testers that replace the fuse mini or maxi blade fuse type.

 

[ukracer]

what car is it ?

mazda premacy.

 

[the snooper]

mandatory premacy.

forget that was rubbish, just re read this and realized it didn't read to well, I had posted a link but it turned out to be rubbish so I deleted it and wrote the above

 

[Kayos]

Last time I had this on a car it was a bent pin in the brake light bulb holder, so the fuse blew if it moved and you were braking. Sometimes lasted a mile, sometimes a month

 

[ukracer]

forget that was rubbish

spell checker..

 

[ukracer]

You can get plug in testers that replace the fuse mini or maxi blade fuse type.

just grabbed the last one in store. But their multimeters are a bit crap and pricey.

 

[Parm]

You can get plug in testers that replace the fuse mini or maxi blade fuse type.

That looks like a handy bit of kit

 

[the snooper]

spell checker..

no it referred to a link I deleted