i tried to backprobe some of the sensor connectors to read voltage values with digital multimeter this past weekend without luck.

the standard probe didn't get close and a thin tungsten piece of wire also didn't get a result.

i can't see wire and i'm kind of afraid of jamming a nail in there as has been suggested, afraid it might damage that insulation- and/or waterproofing material.

anyway, is there a 'pro' way -- like a special probe?
and is there a 'practical' way that won't damage anything but still get a reading?


thanks for any help



//bc

Needle and a pair of pliars, and be careful as you work it in. I was in a hurry once and used a small paperclip.

If you're worried about the insulation, a quick dab of silicon RTV will seal it back up.

A picture might help understand what you're trying to probe and thus generate better ideas.

I have a few rolls of 20 GA SOLID core wire for this very purpose. You can use it to test things because you can wrap it around things and it stays, or strip some insulation off and stick it into a connector. You can get it at radioshack for $5.99

Don't pierce the insulation, not really worth it, just wrap a piece around the probe and put the other end in the connector.

I prefer a safety pin... hook yer probe on the loop in the wire, and wrap a piece of eelektrikal tape around the "latch" part to insulate it, and give you a place to hold the probe.

But, if you can't see any metal when you look inside, then you might have to pierce the insulation, but like Wayne sed, it'll seal back up, but a lil dab of RTV is a good idea. (IF you can even find the hole the pin made!)

OK Wayne...just no backprobe/skirt jokes mind you! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

images




on my 92 trooper, just about every component connector and wiring harness connector is constructed this way. i think they may be called Weather-Pak connectors or somesuch.

i don't have a sacrificial connector to tear apart to see how it's constructed, so i'm just a bit afraid of screwing it up with the wrong 'probe'.

so far the needle and safety pin ideas seem *maybe* the best for diy solutions. (he says not knowing what he's talking about at all)
bendorfold on planetisuzoo provided the 'pro' way -- it's called a backprobe pin. here's an image from this site http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/pom6411.html


only problem, i can't tell exactly what it's shaped like in order to do a good mickey-mouse copy.

anybody actually use a backprobe pin for this type of application? and/or seen one of those connectors apart?


thanks



//bc