Finding A Broken Wire Using Logic

In this video I run through my diagnostic process of "find the break" in a circuit. This is usually a pretty simple task of simple logically breaking down the diagram and coming up with a plan then executing that plan. Let's see what it could look like. -Enjoy!
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained

[@SouthMainAuto]

OEM GM Service info here: www.acdelcotds.com/ Mitchell DIY Info here: www.eautorepair.net/ Astro Pneumatic Tool 65SL 650 Lumen Rechargeable LED Slim Light W/Top Flashlight: amzn.to/2ur5E7A Test Light: amzn.to/2Vkl5cY Bosch Automotive Tools 3970 Diagnostic Scan Tool: amzn.to/3a5UnIT Power Probe 4: amzn.to/2HOl7Se Gripper, Cutter, Stripper, Crimper: amzn.to/2Pnap9r

[@Rambler1989]

Some county libraries have access to service data as well

[@georgeswindolljr1980]

Eric you are an outstanding mechanic/ technician!!!! You are also an honest businessman, love your Chanel, love your family dynamics, it’s good to know there are still good people like you still in this world!!!!

[@G31mR]

I really like the list/sources for the tools used in the vids. How about that cool little butane torch used to solder/shrink ?? What is that ?

[@chadharmon5716]

South Main Auto Repair LLC how many jasper engines and transmissions do you install in a year? are they good? Thanks Eric

[@tychodancer]

The link to your service info shows a ton of different subscription options, which option gives you the actual pictorial of where the wires and clips are? Do i have to get the diagnostic subscription or can i just get the basic info subscription?

[@mindblah]

South Main should totally create an interactive youtube "choose your diagnostic" adventure where he just calls you a ding dong unless you choose his way. LOL

[@Courtnabees]

Yes!!!!

[@mikeycurtis7861]

Yeah dood! And anytime u use the brake cleaner, u get the sound effect that Eric used to always use!

[@mikeycurtis7861]

Yeah dood! And anytime u use the brake cleaner, u get the sound effect that Eric used to always use!

[@electron-1979]

Hey yea. It would make an awesome video game 🤔🤷‍♂️

[@electron-1979]

Eric, that wire was never able to support itself financially. It was brokEN😮 You're THE man❕❕❕

[@dropinbiking92]

I miss my sisters E-Z bake oven. Good times as a kid. Thanks for the years of good tech advice.

[@russ533mj]

Blazers are the gift that just keeps giving.

[@charlesleake930]

thanks man.." light brites" and " easy bake ovens " sure brings back memories ....

[@larryllamas8409]

Down-to-earth work this place does... I am from Houston TX. And I would surely take my vehicles to have them look at and worked on after this guy... I am a automotive and diesel mechanic however I am not certified. But this gentleman here is a surely Tech guy. I do enjoy watching your videos... Keep up the good work sir...

[@shaunsautorepairs5410]

Another useful electrical class with some humour thrown in...always a good day when sma appears in your notification box.

[@jeffbrown3963]

There are NO dealerships in our tri-state area that would have found this! Mr. O is awesome!

[@jordangreene3938]

I'm in Dubai, jet lagged, can't sleep so a new SMA video is just what I need. Thanks!

[@antoniotorres3754]

You had me at, " Some, scumbag mechanic. ".. for the diagnosis. Always enjoy the classy jokes. Carry on..

[@markgentry6688]

I like it when a plan comes together. And I talk to myself too to keep track of where I was headed...long before I got old timers disease. Mark

[@HouseCallAutoRepair]

Apparently there's a bunch of people that are even more anxious than I am to see your videos!

[@josephmccormack2018]

This is by far the best auto repair instructional channel. Informative....direct.....educational and funny. Thanks Eric. ⁴

[@williegillie5712]

That job could have easily had a parts cannon shot at it. Good thing Eric took the time to check the circuit before condemning the part. Nicely done sir.

[@febbral]

Eric, you are by far the best auto mechanic on the planet, honest and extremely down to earth.!!

[@benkanobe7500]

Hey! I just said the same thing!!!

[@SurferJoe46]

You followed my process... start at the non operating device/part and move toward the control/power supply. I like the quality of your repairs.... and the logic. Good on ya.

[@tylerkrug7719]

You are a hell of a mechanic! You definitely know your shit.

[@mikerobbins5049]

Stuff like that is exactly why I have a trusted mechanic to take my vehicles to... Good job Eric O.....

[@rickbaker4571]

Almost spring... deer season stops, ice cream season begins. Life is Good

[@Scottybravo1]

I never tire of watching you diagnose problems, Eric O. the Dean of Diagnostics :-)

[@nvlvdave]

You have a hell of a good mix of technical knowledge, logical troubleshooting and get-her-doneness.

[@psychman5600]

Eric, this type of diagnostic example is so crucial to the integrity of this industry, thanks for the content. Using a parts cannon approach, it would be so easy to just change the vent solenoid, then well that didn't work so must need a computer = pissed off customer + loss for the shop....all of this can be avoided through a simple methodical electrical diagnostic process as you've shown . Seems so simple but wow is diagnostic capability lacking in the industry. Parts companies love it!

[@joevez2000]

Eric, your channel is the only one that I do not fast forward to the end to find the diagnosis and repair. Every minute is filled with gold, GOLD Eric!! From Memas tech tips to One Dollar strippers. I catch myself smirking or laughing at your comments or moving my head to see what your up to when you or the camera is blocking my view. I feel like I'm right there with you. Keep up the great work!!

[@gooe9561]

You don't even have to activate with a scan tool. You can just check for power since the circuit through the solenoid is good. You'll have power up until the open circuit. Since the circuit is hot at all times, you don't need to do anything but check for positive.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Well played sir! And this is what I love about KZbin. Someone who thinks outside the box! Simple yet would have been very effective for me in this case. Thank you 👍

[@Kilolocks]

A SMA video is the best way to kick back at the end of my birthday. Thanks Eric!

[@Siiiiiikk]

Happy Birthday!

[@farmcentralohio]

Happy Birthday

[@jrneff9773]

happy b day from west tn

[@Kilolocks]

@@jrneff9773 thanks from Michigan!

[@tobydog247]

As I moved around the dealer business for 44 years there may have been 10 techs I trusted with my cars. Eric, you are THE MAN. You have also cost me a lot of money in retirement buying the scan tools I need as I no longer have access to them for free. Thank you so much for what you do.

[@davidsprocket5141]

Have your battle plan. Know the lay of the land. Divide, divide, and divide again if need be. Then conquer! Great teaching. Apply to almost any troubleshooting. Love it.

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Eric,no matter how many times you explain it it’s always good to hear it again. If you don’t do it everyday it’s nice to refresh the old noodle no matter how simple it might seem. Good classic review. Thank you Artie ❤️

[@michaeljames8291]

Picking your brain for free is awesome. You’re one of the best techs out there.

[@mainj54]

Found your channel and have been watching your videos for weeks and I am so impressed by your honesty and integrity, your attention to detail and how well you go out of your way to insure the viewers see what you see and include us in your troubleshooting and repairs. You are truly a professional who invests in the necessary tools and training to insure a timely and correct diagnosis for your customers. I can understand why you are highly regarded and people come to you. I wish more people in the trades take pride in their work like you do.

[@pditner]

I had an '04 Grand Caravan with a no start. it was the ASD relay. I jumped it and it would start. Spent several hours tracing wires and pinning the connectors. It was a broken ground between the computer and the PDB. Fixed the wire and it was good to go for another 100000km. Pretty happy I figured it out myself and did not have to take it to a shop. Awesome videos SMA thanks.

[@HotRod9967]

you should teach how to Diagnose and be the Best Mechanic one can be, you Rock as Always Brother !

[@D9412G]

In addition to being a great teacher showing how to use process of elimination logic, I love your commentary! It's a great combination to have to be a successful channel. I am a low voltage security technician that works on many types of systems and I use the same process. Sometimes you need to just step back and look at the big picture to find your problem. Great video Erik!

[@garryr]

I am more impressed that the spare tire carrier still works.

[@danbendeke220]

I love working on cars but serious illnesses prevents me from being as active as I would like. You have a huge talent for making one feel welcome, a part of your day and it really lifts my day watching and listening to you. I love the electrical diagnostics but learn something from every video you make. Your efforts are truly appreciated. You are an amazing teacher and if your channel ever went "interactive", I might never get out of bed :-)

[@mikeburdi3464]

@danbendeke220 I hope you're doing better and back to turning wrenches again. I know the feeling. Be positive!

[@danbendeke220]

@@mikeburdi3464 Thank you for your kind words. I have one vintage car left in me , I hope. A VW T2 that has been in the family for 15 years. That car keeps me going and happy when life is tough :-) All the best to you ❤

[@montestu5502]

The process made sense and was easy to follow. I will say if it was me doing it, I think I would have got tripped up on several areas where I don’t have your experience and expertise.

[@jonathankuhn483]

KZbin needs to add a freaking love it option beside the thumbs up button for content like this!

[@stevedave5673]

Somehow I’m going to work the phrase “full suck job on the tank” into my day tomorrow...

[@aarongrabowski5620]

Steve Dave i hope don’t work in an office with Women!!!

[@rustyshackleford5869]

Man mema is a legend. She always got a trick up her sleeve

[@billmaxfield7831]

And that's not all!!

[@Jpilgrim30]

“Can not compute... need more input” - number 5 and that blazer 😂

[@mobilemechmantim773]

Great tip on the hot fuel returning to tank!

[@loopy4517]

Methuselah called. He wants his tires back. Love your channel, Eric. Great as always.

[@sstapless1]

Eric my guru mastermind, you have shown me the way and sure do diddly bring back the joy of auto repair. I thankya kindly my friend.

[@beauhatman4395]

Another amazing video from the folks at SMA! Watching you analyze and troubleshoot these problems is always educational. The word "elegant" comes to mind in relation to your approach and solutions. You, sir, are a true gift to the world of automotive repair and I offer many thanks for all I've learned and continue to learn from your presentations. My hat's off to you, Mr. Eric O., in deep respect and appreciation for these videos and your willingness and effort you put forth to share your vast knowledge with the world! 2 Thumbs up, 5 Stars and AAA+. Thanks!!

[@duanegar3975]

I personally love all of you're videos keep up the good work I was a gas and diesel mechanic .

[@helloitsme4139]

Speaking of O2 sensors, I had one with an internal short to power, it was shorting the circuit that powers MAF and both banks. Stealership quoted me for a new computer Replaced both O2 for like $100

[@ningen1980]

Your diagnostic method never fails to impress me.

[@bsouza1675]

You are a great teacher 👨‍🔬 THANK YOU 😊

[@moconnell663]

I didn't have an easy - bake oven, but I did have a vac-u-former which used a light bulb to heat up sheets of plastic which you sucked into plastic dies using a hand pump to make bodies for toy cars.

[@benw1332]

Another great educational video by Mr O. Thanks. Enjoy the commentary

[@billmaxfield7831]

Nice to have you take us along on this one Eric! Great job,straight forward logic... Thank you!

[@carlosmoreira779]

Hey SMA! Cool JEEP hat.

[@Watcher3223]

_"Sometimes cars are smart."_ Too smart for their own good. 😉

[@michaeljames8291]

Dirty Harry all the time

[@rrmech11]

Excellent Explanation for a p0449 circuit code.👍👍

[@kalkhoven89]

I will like and comment this video now just to help that youtube jazz. Will be watching it tonight onces kids are down. Your videos are my tv these days Eric. Keep them up!! Josh from Canada ontario. 2rd year licensed auto tech

[@rossbowman202]

Eric O. the car master. Glad you called STUNTMAAAANNN with how to do the flex seal in the engine.

[@suzylarry1]

wow ,look at those tires, never mind the light on the dash! safety first

[@SouthMainAuto]

at lickem stickem shops they don't need good tire but they do need the money light off haha

[@knobrush]

My tires are that worn out too.

[@theramquest4advanture.]

I was thinking while he was putting the spare tire back up, that it was the best tire on that thing, yep will need some tires very soon.

[@IceBergGeo]

@@theramquest4advanture. the spare isn't all that great either, I'll bet ya... Probably a ten to fifteen year old tire. No good for anything but looks.

[@spelunkerd]

Gotta love the simple, clear minded approach you always use. I really like the way you use the "PCM safe" option inside the PP-4 to test circuits that end in the computer. Some guys incorrectly say that you should be OK with 12V through the power probe, but when the circuit is damaged the safety resistors and zener diodes inside the PCM to prevent catastrophe may not be working. Then way too much current overheats the tiny wires and you've got embarrassing smoke caused by your test procedure. Failing that, a low current test light in series may be just enough to avoid a foolish mistake (and the scorn of a pro called in later to fix the damage). What happened to the tire, are those burn marks seen at 16:11?

[@estruble]

Since you were mentioning old toys that made kids think... There was the Vac-U-Form which heated up 3" square pieced of plastic then you could form toys but the best was the Creepy Crawlers which heated up small metal molds to almost 400 deg and you put in goop and made plastic bugs. I think all kids need to have to have a toy in their bedroom that heats up to 400 deg. They learn real quick what the word HOT means. Oh, BTW, love your videos. As a college instructor once said; you have either learned or are learning. I guess I like to keep learning...

[@aarongrabowski5620]

Thanks for the memories, Eric. I loved playing with my lite bright

[@wyattoneable]

Knowing the fuel pressure circuit needed to be intact was huge. A guy like me could have easily missed that and sent me down wrong trail. Great instructional video Eric. Your pretty good at this. :)

[@SouthMainAuto]

Fake it till ya make it Wyatt! That's what I do 😁

[@utuber2940]

Those tires are toast!!!

[@bostedtap8399]

Great diagnosis Sir, and of course the comedy side show 🏅🏅🏅🏅. Thanks for sharing.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Hi Eric, hope all is well. Even though the video wasn't real long, it still clearly demonstrated the process of troubleshooting an electrical issue. You are the boss of troubleshooting!

[@unkawill7077]

I don't do much wrenching anymore, i own my own business and I'm to old and worn out to crawl about. TBS I find your channel entertaining and informative.Thank You! I wish You and the Family the best.

[@MattyT_86]

Eric, I enjoy your videos very much and they give me confidence to work on my motorcycle. Thanks for the content, maybe I shall make some videos of my own for youtube but with motorcycle mechanics.

[@jerryberryhill3619]

Down South here Eric and I will say I work on about 2 wiring problems a year and it's usually on a car that has spent its life up North or has been wrecked in the past.

[@tommyj19751]

I have an 03 blazer zr2. 142k miles on it. It still runs like a champ. Has the typical rocker rust. Plan on taking care of it this summer.

[@rscelectrical7091]

Great fault finding, always better to break a circuit down into smaller sections wherever possible.

[@50sled7]

The classic reach around.....never gets old...

[@tanicwhisper0647]

Hey.. I love your channel. Thanks for being here. I always like before I even watch.. It’s always great content

[@alexandrelara100]

Great Work!! Watching from Brazil and learning a lot

[@bbeauregard4181]

Excellent instruction, good job Eric!

[@jamesbruno5896]

Nice job Eric thanks for sharing!

[@makgtrm1464]

I'm a new subscriber to your channel. Learn so much watching your videos.

[@Chefm4477]

Good use of "Deductive Reasoning!"

[@jimgoodland9837]

Eric I always enjoy any video you put out

[@bulwinkle]

Somehow Eric O always gets the best jobs, the ones everybody else has already had a go at.

[@smokejenson1151]

I feel bad for Eric, he's the best guy on KZbin by far. Everyone he watches is sub par compared to him but that's all he has to watch. We are so freaking lucky we get to watch him

[@jesseburns9734]

Love these wiring video's it is great to see how others think through a project. Great video Eric.

[@tonysaavedra3937]

😅 I swear SMA has some great videos!

[@seancervantes1]

I love these S-series trucks. I have a 02 2 door LS blazer and a 95 S10 I'm putting a LS in.

[@diydenny9423]

once again great video ive been a mechanic and have my own shop for 10 years but i still learn stuff watching you u make it even a rookie can do it great video as always thank you eric

[@nickolaguez]

I love it Eric. Thanks for all you do

[@juansautodiagnostic6199]

great video Eric O, like always. plus great choose of candy by the way. Learning from you on your videos are one thing i do look forward to about every day. thanks for that

[@bigragu6828]

Every electrical repair I do, is on my fleet of tow trucks. Being there are no wire diagrams and wire colors change along the route, there are at least junction boxes where the wires gather and go in different directions. I use the break it down approach, as to which junction box has power and which branch it is lost. Usually a wire where installer did the hokey pokey.

[@dumbass3770]

Another great diagnosis no guessing

[@kalkhoven89]

Another awesome video. I love the electrical and CEL videos. I feel strong in this department at work but i don't get a lot of it coming in the door so its nice to have your videos to watch to say sharp at it when they do come in and to learn new ways of testing from your methods. Thanks Eric! Josh

[@patriotswillsurvive1893]

I've learned a lot from your videos, thank you.

[@MoneyMarcMes]

I think we need an anticipated tool box tour of your MAC 1000.

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Nice video. Yep break it down & split to find direction to head & then hone in.

[@Wildturkey10121]

As usual it was a learning opportunity for us that aren't good at electrical issues. I wish you did more of these like you have in the past. I do enjoy all your videos though so please keep making them!!!!

[@wagoosh78]

I really liked how u taught how it operates n confirmed ur repair keep them coming

[@chevboy167x8]

Great timing. .. I just replaced my vent solenoid on my 2009 Silverado. East to diagnose. .. plastic was cracked and rust spewing out! Oh... money light has been on also.... only for a month... lol!

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

Shrinky Dink? Wood burning set? When I was a kid on the farm back in the 70s-80s, my town cousins used to visit now and then and ask where my toys were. I'd take them out to the shed and say here they are! Tractors, trucks, torches...big time fun for me! They never wanted to play though lol!

[@Nitrodr1]

Good vid. I always start with a quick visual inspection before anything when I suspect an issue. That quick 10 minutes has saved my bacon more than once. Great job gettin' it done!

[@nomanjones4803]

When I want to find a broken wire, I use a telephone tone generator. Hook the generator to one end, then follow the harness with the probe, when it stops beeping you found your break.

[@jacquesdaoud4263]

Noman Jones I do the same

[@rscelectrical7091]

Yep, can save a whole lot of fault finding time.

[@williambrigman2224]

I definitely can understand why on one of his videos, he said he didn’t like using a toner, but for a quickie it looks like to me it would be faster.

[@moldovanandrei7008]

This generator give sometimes false info about continuity of wire.

[@High_Tech_Mountain]

Great video Eric. Thanks for sharing! Did not know that last test of the evap system of simply closing the vent valve and watching tank pressure rise on a return type system.

[@z8669zzz]

Great Find, open white wire, buried in the spaghettis of wiring pasta!