Simple steps for preserving costly test leads

Several simple steps may help your service personnel preserve costly diagnostic test leads. Here's how.

Test leads are the specialized wires and cables that connect various types of diagnostic testers to a vehicle with a conventional electrical system. These testers include everything from a common voltmeter to an oscilloscope or scan tool.

Competent diagnosticians would agree, I'm sure, that the tester at hand is only as good as the leads connected to it.

Maintaining and preserving test leads make dollars and sense because the accuracy of the tester depends upon the quality and condition of its test leads. What's more, replacing test leads can be very expensive.

Predictably, some diagnostic test leads are hardier than others. High-quality leads can withstand automotive lubricants, chemicals and physical abuse much better than cheap ones.

But that said, it still pays to keep all test leads away from lubricants and chemicals as much as practically possible. Inevitably, test leads become dirty, oily and/or greasy.

All too often, I've seen technicians try to clean test leads with products such as spray carburetor or brake cleaner.

Experience shows that the harshness of these cleaners can vary a lot from one brand to another. Some of these solvent-like cleaners can dissolve a test lead's outer jacket into a sticky, useless mess.

Over the years, I have used several products that cleaned test leads effectively without harming the insulation. These included brand names such as Simple Green, Cinch, Spray Nine and others.

I just dampen a clean cloth with the cleaner and carefully wipe off the test lead outer jacket with it. Naturally, you don't want to moisten the terminals inside the ends of test leads with the cleaner.

Periodically cleaning does more than help preserve test leads' insulation.

For one thing, it helps reveal wear and damage such as cut, cracked, chafed, abraded and/or blistered insulation. (All are reasons for replacement.)

Plus, regular cleaning minimizes the risk of a dirty test lead staining something when a tech works inside a vehicle.

Next, avoid needless mechanical strain on test leads. For instance, connect and disconnect leads by gripping the reinforced ends of the leads — not the lead itself.

Try not to pinch test leads inside door jambs or under hoods and trunk lids. Keep them clear of hot exhaust parts and spinning drive belts.

Last but not least, reduce overall stress on test leads by storing them in a sizable loop instead of in a tight, figure-eight "wrap."