TechMade

16/06/2026

5V Reference Test Lamp.

I’ve had a couple of enquiries recently about a dedicated test lamp for loading 5V reference circuits during automotive diagnostic work. It’s not something I’ve really considered and not sure if it had any real practical use bearing in mind that the voltage from the ECU is already dropped down.
I’ve made this one out of pure interest and will possibly put together a small prototype run if any demand.

The idea is a safe, low-draw 5v tool to verify circuit integrity under a light load without damaging sensitive ECU circuitry/channels.

These bulbs were rated/advertised 140mA, although bench testing shows they actually pull a stable 80mA instead.

As you can see in the photos, when back probing the 5V reference line, the lamp illuminates. With the test lamp loading the circuit, measuring the voltage the multimeter shows a reading of 4.969V. Although a measureable voltage drop from just over 5v, it is negligible keeping the circuit well within working specification while proving the wire can support a load.

Drop a comment below your thoughts or if you’re interested in grabbing one.

14/06/2026

Mini magnetic bus box,
1.5m silicone lead and croc clip

1 available now, will have more assembled next week

https://ebay.io/m/w6r5FU 👇

This magnetic Diagnostic bus box is a versatile tool designed for automotive testing. It comes with a 1.5m flexible test lead and clip, making it easy to diagnose faults in vehicles, With a voltage range of 24 and 12 volts max 13amps, this unit is suitable for a wide range of automotive applications...

13/06/2026

Hoping to get some of these mini-bus boxes put together when I can decide what colour to make them.

Have a great weekend everyone.

12/06/2026

A busy week in the workshop but this Focus was of particular note this week came in with an intermittent, parasitic drain. For periods would be fine then pulling a current fluctuating between 300mA and 900mA, completely flattening the battery overnight.
Initial diagnostic testing showed that the Mid-Speed CAN bus (MS-CAN) was being actively forced awake, but isolating the usual suspects the stereo, the instrument cluster, Bluetooth module and the keyless vehicle module didn't stop the sporadic cycling.

After dropping and opening up the BCM (see pictures). Severe corrosion showing this issue here, common with these vehicles.

It’s not very often I need 3 multimeters on one job (one measuring draw from the battery, one monitoring the ms can and one to volt drop test the fuses) as well as a clamp meter measure the current into the BCM.

31/05/2026

The new test lamps are now available in my shop so check them out.

There’s a few bits unavailable at the moment the extra long multicolour back probes have sold out and I’ll be making a few more in the coming days along with the junction boxes with the built in test leads.

Hope everyone’s had a great weekend

28/05/2026

2006 Mitsubishi c**t with faulty power steering, faults for protection relay, by disconnecting the steering motor and rigging my 4amp test light in place I was able to prove the fault was 100% with the steering motor.

Check them out in my eBay shop

25/05/2026

Hope everyone’s had a great weekend

Look out for a new version of my test lamp in the coming days.

22/05/2026

Brand new to the shop

It’s bank holiday weekend and it’s beer garden weather - have a great weekend everyone

https://ebay.us/m/4bVMZH 👇

Technician made, 3D printed in a strong flexable material enabling probing into difficult areas, backs of ecu plugs or deep into engine bays, 4mm banana fully insulated socket you will receive 4x probe each comes with standard back probe Check out my other items

17/05/2026

Credit and thanks to Milligan auto diagnostics here, another video showing one of my test lamp tubes (about 15mins in)

Product links below 👇Visit our website for a beanie🔵 www.milliganautodiagnostics.co.uk****MERCH NOT HERE YET****Topdon & Hella links Below 👇 👇PRODUCT LI...