A cheap a handy tool to detect current. It's really just a sharp scredriver/scratch awl type thing with a wire and a clip at the butt end and the handle lights up if current is detected.

You can put the clip to known positive current and then it detects ground.

Handy for checking fuses without taking them out and lots more.

The only warning is to only test wires and things you are sure of in cars/vehicles with air bags.

They are inexpensive for quick checks and from there you can move on to a multimeter if needed. Happy Motoring, T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

Good post Tom. Let's also take the test light one step further. It is better then a meter as far as checking fuses, relays, and motors. A multimeter will show voltage regardless of the wire's condition. Since a test light uses an incandescant lamp, the condition of the wire matters as to how bright it will glow. Since the filament of the lamp has a fixed resistance, it also loads the circuit. If the wire has a lot of broken strands, the light will glow dimly, if at all.

Steve