Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Electrical Circuit Inspection Procedure
- Check Open Circuit
- Procedures for Open Circuit
- Continuity Check MethodNOTE: When measuring resistance, lightly shake the wire harness vertically or horizontally.
Specification (Resistance)
1Ω or less → Normal Circuit
1MΩ or Higher → Open Circuit
- Disconnect connectors (A), (C) and measure resistance between connector (A) and (C) as shown in [Fig 2].
In [Fig 2], the measured resistance of line 1 and 2 are higher than 1MΩ and below 1 Ω respectively. Specifically, the open circuit is line 1. (Line 2 is normal.) To find exact break point, check sub line of line 1 as described in next step.
- Disconnect connector (B), and measure the resistance between connector (C) and (B1) and between (B2) and (A) as shown in [Fig 3].
In this case, the measured resistance between connector (C) and (B1) is higher than 1MΩ and the open circuit is between terminal 1 of connector (C) and terminal 1 of connector (B1).
- Disconnect connectors (A), (C) and measure resistance between connector (A) and (C) as shown in [Fig 2].
- Voltage Check Method
- With each connector still connected, measure the voltage between the chassis ground and terminal 1 of each connectors (A), (B) and (C) as shown in [Fig 4].
The measured voltage of each connector is 5V, 5V and 0V respectively. So the open circuit is between connector (C) and (B).
- With each connector still connected, measure the voltage between the chassis ground and terminal 1 of each connectors (A), (B) and (C) as shown in [Fig 4].
- Check Short Circuit
- How to Test Short to Ground Circuit
- Continuity Check with Chassis Ground
If short to ground circuit occurs as shown in [Fig 5], the broken point can be found by performing Step 2 (Continuity Check Method with Chassis Ground) as shown below.
- How to Check Continuity (with Chassis Ground)NOTE: Lightly shake the wire harness vertically or horizontally when measuring the resistance.
Specification (Resistance)
1Ω or less → Short to Ground Circuit
1MΩ or Higher → Normal Circuit
- Disconnect connectors (A), (C) and measure the resistance between connector (A) and Chassis Ground as shown in [Fig 6].
The measured resistance of line 1 and 2 in this example is below 1 Ω and higher than 1MΩ respectively. Specifically, the short to ground circuit is on Line 1. (Line 2 is normal.) To find exact broken point, check the sub line of line 1 as described in the following step.
- Disconnect connector (B), and measure the resistance between connector (A) and chassis ground, and between (B1) and chassis ground as shown in [Fig 7].
The measured resistance between connector (B1) and chassis ground is 1Ω or less. The short to ground circuit is between terminal 1 of connector (C) and terminal 1 of connector (B1).
- Disconnect connectors (A), (C) and measure the resistance between connector (A) and Chassis Ground as shown in [Fig 6].
- How to Test Short to Ground Circuit
- Voltage Drop Test
This test checks for voltage drop along a wire, or through a connection or switch.
- Connect the positive lead of a voltmeter to the end of the wire (or to the side of the connector or switch) closest to the battery.
- Connect the negative lead to the other end of the wire (or the other side of the connector or switch).
- Operate the circuit.
- The voltmeter will show the difference in voltage between the two points. A difference or drop of more than 0.1 volts (50 mV in 5 V circuits), may indicate a problem. Check the circuit for loose or dirty connections.
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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