Did I wire this turn signal pigtail incorrectly?

[RonD]

Yes, that would be the ground wire for the two filaments in the bulb

 

[Paisano]

Ok, Then I can hopefully finish this based on the other instructions you gave me.

I did this testing with the old pigtail socket wired in pace in the engine bay. But I am installing a new pigtail socket. Since it's the same identical part#, do I need to test the NEW connector for ground wire? Or can I assume it's the same ground wire I identified on the old part?

 

[Curious Hound]

I would want to verify. But it should be the same.

 

[Paisano]

Ok. I drove the truck for 8 months with the old socket wired incorrectly. Is the old socket likely damaged? Or would you just rewire and continue using the old one?

 

[Eddo Rogue]

If you cant fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

 

[Paisano]

Sorry. Eddo. I don't understand

 

[Paisano]

Ok. Let's see if I can wrap this up

 

[Curious Hound]

Ok. I drove the truck for 8 months with the old socket wired incorrectly. Is the old socket likely damaged? Or would you just rewire and continue using the old one?

It's probably OK. Just needs to be wired properly. But if you have doubts and already bought a new one, go ahead and put it in.

 

[Paisano]

Hey guys,

I crimped on that new socket pigtail and left turn signal/parking lights are FINALLY functioning normally.

How the hell did you guys become so knowledgeable on multi-meter use? I almost feel it's necessary to take a course in electricity or something
It's difficult to find specific multi-meter troubleshooting examples online.

 

[Curious Hound]

My dad started teaching me electricity and electronics when I was still in elementary school - last century, in the 70's. Then the US NAVY took over my education - electricity, electronics and nuclear engineering and it grew from there.

I started making some educational videos to help folks out. I guess I need to clean those up and start making them public.

 

[Paisano]

That' s quite an education you had there

Well, you guys were certainly patient with me. I greatly appreciate your help

 

[RonD]

Don't make it more than it is

A-------(wire)--------B

If you want to see if A is connected to B then use OHMs on meter, 0 ohms is connected, also means it has Continuity(a connection)
Ohms has no "Red" or Black" priority, so no wrong hook up

If you want to see if A or B has 12volt, select DC Volts on meter, put Black probe on battery negative, Red probe on A looking for 12v, then test B, looking for same 12v, if its less the (Wire) may have corroded connection

Battery Negative is connected to the vehicles metal parts, like engine, body and frame, its called Grounded
You can use OHM Meter to test that, one probe on Battery negative other probe on any bare metal part of vehicle, paint, of course, is non-conductive so will show no connection
Both battery cables can be connected to battery for this test, negative would HAVE to be connected, lol

This "Grounding" is handy when testing for 12volts in say the Cab, when Battery Negative is too far way to hook the Black probe to
So you can have the Black probe on a bare metal bolt head in cab and its the same has having it on Battery Negative


Longer wire testing
The probe wires are maybe 8" to 12" long, what if the wire you want to test is 10ft long, i.e. tail light wires???
Buy a 20ft length of wire, 20gauge is fine
Test that wire with OHM meter first, just to be sure its OK
That wire becomes an extension for either probe to test OHMs or Voltage


Voltage needs to flow, in a vehicle the voltage flows from 12v(battery positive) to 0volt(battery negative)
(its actually the other way, lol)
So if you remove EITHER the 12v connection OR the 0v connection then no flow, so no power

A light bulb has 2 connections, if one has 12v and the other 0v then power flows thru bulb and it lights up
If you remove either bulb goes off
What if you hooked up both bulbs connections to 12v???
Nothing would happen, bulb would stay off, because the 12v has no place to flow
So losing the 12v OR the 0v stops any device from working


AC voltage works the same way, but it ALTERNATES 110v and 0v on its 2 wires very rapidly
So voltage is flowing thru, say a light bulb, but is constantly reversing directions
In a 12vDC system the voltage travels in one direction
In a 110vAC system the voltage travels back and forth
But you still need the same 2 wires, so there is a voltage difference that can be used to power a device

 

[Paisano]

Ok. Very good, Ron. I read this and saved.

This is the multi-meter I ended up buying: AstroAI DM6000AR
If Eric ever posts his videos, I will watch those

Is there a manual or book that might help me?