One of my favorite diagnostic tools.

[James]

This isn’t a tool most will think of when it comes to automotive work but it’s one I go to for exhaust leaks, A/C, and electrical trouble shooting among other things.

FLIR E4 Thermal Imaging Camera (my E4 thinks it’s an E8 though).

These are mainly seen in residential/commercial/industrial settings for HVAC/electrical maintenance and energy auditing but the equipment is now at a price point that is within reach of more casual users and hobbyists. That isn’t to say they are cheap, still hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. Mine with the resolution and features is has will run about $4,000 on Amazon right now. These aren’t to be confused with standard IR non-contact thermometers, these are much more powerful and more useful instruments. Take trouble shooting relays; I don’t have to pull out a DVOM or probe to tell if a relay has current flowing through it, I simply take a picture before the circuit is turned on and after. If it energizes and current flows it will show it in the form of heat, even if just a few tenths of a degree difference. Same with fuses, sticking fan motors, and short circuited wires that are visible. Also used it to diagnose failing wheel bearings and hard to find coolant leaks.

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[Jason White]

Yes they are really nice tools. On another forum, a technician was showing how he could find shorts and parasitic draws with it. It’s one of those tools which would be really great to have because there are some times when you will really need it but it probably won’t earn you your money back.

[Author]

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