Great video, Mario. Thermal imaging cameras are one of the best new technologies to come to the auto repair business. They're useful in testing so many automotive systems. Keep up the great work.
Great diag and find, and even better how you went about making sure it truly was the cluster itself and not something else keeping the cluster awake. Very important key notes you stated that helped were when you unplugged it and were questioning yourself if it was the root cause or not but stated that if it wasn't, then all the amperage (main draw) wouldn't go away. I had one that a window switch was causing a radio unit to stay awake and causing major amperage draw and so I unplugged the radio unit and still had higher than usual amperage, so I wasn't comfortable with that reading and finally ended up finding the faulty switch and then even retested by plugging the radio back in with switch unplugged and it went to sleep. And my experience with energy diagnosis has been similar to where it doesn't really pinpoint to something correctly so I myself don't even bother, even when we were at the dealer, we didn't rely on energy diagnosis. Thanks again, I've not ventured into a thermal imager but might consider it.
Outstanding methodological process ! AND most importantly super coaching . Heat is energy… capture it in the camera and just like that we are fixed !! Very nice !!
Awesome man will be using this trick for sure. Tho wondering how well it will do on an mci bus. There's tons of electrical and pretty sure they is always a draw from somewhere
I used the opportunity when I dropped a smartphone of mine to buy a new one with a built in FLIR thermal imager. One of the best decisions I have made. Thermal imagers are super useful. You are proofing it time and again.
Hi Mario, Very helpful video my friend, thank you for sharing. Parasitic draws are a pain in the ass to chase down. This method helps a lot! Kind regards from Amsterdam
Great video on using IR to track down the draw, Mario. I'm pretty sure you know you what you were saying with respect to emissivity, but the way you mentioned, it might leave some confused on what emissivity is. Emissivity is basically how much thermal radiation a material absorbs or radiates. Highly reflective material (surface) will reflect the IR and thus appear to be "hotter" than it actually is, which is what we were seeing in the emblem and what you were rightly looking for in the front lens of the cluster. Basically, what we are seeing is the result of (a low) emissivity, not necessarily emissivity itself. Just wanted to help clarify what I think you were basically trying to point out.
Mario, AWESOME/GREAT information thanks for showing ur approach really like the thermos imager i think need to buy one soon thanks for sharing cheeeeers from CANADA/Ontario.
Interesting to watch. I do electronics repair. Which is why I was looking into using a thermal imagery. UTi290? Has a macro lense to pin point issues on motherboards with micro components. I'm interested in the value of learning to fix these components you're saying are busted.
Mr, Mario It is very nice to be a channel sponsor for TopDon .I have an issue with my Arti Pad 1 and submitted a support ticket 2 weeks ago to date I am still waiting for an answer .
excelente video master lo tengo que ver con subtitulos por que no hablo ingles pero entiendo algunas palabras felicidades tu forma de explicar es excelente
Nice video, very methodical approach of the problem. where you find the OEM diagrams?And also, which amp clamp are you using for the draw? Thanks a lot for the effort you put to make all your videos .It's an extra work, on the top of your job. Really appreciate man. I have learned a lot from you 🙏
Can you please make the video where u first start. Like how you connected your power probe in series step by step. For the next draw video you make thank you
Been wanting a thermal imager for a while now...only thing holding me back is that I'm mobile and i can't always get to the cars when the interior is not smoking hot from the sun lol...i still May get one though since I'm a tool junkie lol
All are needed. Thinkdiag... Probably don't want that tool in a professional setting The thinktool pros is good. Phoenix plus is faster. Phoenix max does more. The topdon oscilloscope seems very smooth.
Q: could there be an external input to the cluster that keeps it alive? By disconnecting the cluster you could potentially also remove the external input. Curious how one would test/prove that?
I'm surprised that the system itself doesn't flag a parasitic draw with an error code and tell you which component is the problem. Losing 1 amp shouldn't be that hard from smart computer to detect!
SUBSTANTIAL Super Mario Diagnostics Helpful information video thank you very much for sharing it Take care and have a great Weekend with all your family around you SUBSTANTIAL Super Mario Diagnostics From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧
On the topic - for a guy like you or the others that do this every day - it's great to use the thermal imager. It cuts diagnostic time..have other advantages..etc..etc. But you guys are at higher level. So you can use it without worrying about getting burned. As for guys that are not so good in this field, they can get burned severely. Actually i'm sure for the regular backyard mechanic, this thermal imager looks "basic" and easy and kind of "magic wand" for easy peasy finding current draws. But it's not. Interesting fact - EVEN Joe from Joe's auto electrical got burned once using the thermal imager. The video is named - "Car Wont Start Battery Drain Toyota Lexus Persistence Pays Off." After watching his video 2 years ago i made conclusion that imager can do more harm than good for me , based on my limited knowledge.🔧
Every tool has its limitations. I believe everyone who uses this technique learns that just because it's hot doesn't necessarily mean it's the root cause, which is why i mentioned testing to make sure nothing else is causing it I've learned that the hard way too
Great video, Mario. Thermal imaging cameras are one of the best new technologies to come to the auto repair business. They're useful in testing so many automotive systems. Keep up the great work.
Great diag and find, and even better how you went about making sure it truly was the cluster itself and not something else keeping the cluster awake. Very important key notes you stated that helped were when you unplugged it and were questioning yourself if it was the root cause or not but stated that if it wasn't, then all the amperage (main draw) wouldn't go away. I had one that a window switch was causing a radio unit to stay awake and causing major amperage draw and so I unplugged the radio unit and still had higher than usual amperage, so I wasn't comfortable with that reading and finally ended up finding the faulty switch and then even retested by plugging the radio back in with switch unplugged and it went to sleep. And my experience with energy diagnosis has been similar to where it doesn't really pinpoint to something correctly so I myself don't even bother, even when we were at the dealer, we didn't rely on energy diagnosis. Thanks again, I've not ventured into a thermal imager but might consider it.
Outstanding methodological process ! AND most importantly super coaching . Heat is energy… capture it in the camera and just like that we are fixed !! Very nice !!
Nice use of the hook for amp draw.
Nice fix. Whatever tool it takes to locate the problem is what counts. Thermal works great in this case.
Yo Mario. You killing it bro. Keep it up. Topdon needs to hit you up with the TC001 thermal camera. Really solid tool.
When they do, send me your old stuff 🙏 🤣
I like the back up and restore option....garaunteed proper coding 😉....great video as always my friend!!!!!
Awesome man will be using this trick for sure. Tho wondering how well it will do on an mci bus. There's tons of electrical and pretty sure they is always a draw from somewhere
I used the opportunity when I dropped a smartphone of mine to buy a new one with a built in FLIR thermal imager. One of the best decisions I have made. Thermal imagers are super useful. You are proofing it time and again.
Hi Mario,
Very helpful video my friend, thank you for sharing. Parasitic draws are a pain in the ass to chase down. This method helps a lot!
Kind regards from Amsterdam
Topdon for the win. Wow
Great video on using IR to track down the draw, Mario. I'm pretty sure you know you what you were saying with respect to emissivity, but the way you mentioned, it might leave some confused on what emissivity is. Emissivity is basically how much thermal radiation a material absorbs or radiates. Highly reflective material (surface) will reflect the IR and thus appear to be "hotter" than it actually is, which is what we were seeing in the emblem and what you were rightly looking for in the front lens of the cluster. Basically, what we are seeing is the result of (a low) emissivity, not necessarily emissivity itself. Just wanted to help clarify what I think you were basically trying to point out.
Thank you for the clarifying “ Emissivity” I use different thermal imagers at work at least once a month but I admit that I never heard of it before.
Mario, AWESOME/GREAT information thanks for showing ur approach really like the thermos imager i think need to buy one soon thanks for sharing cheeeeers from CANADA/Ontario.
Perfect mario👍👍👍.
Interesting to watch. I do electronics repair. Which is why I was looking into using a thermal imagery. UTi290? Has a macro lense to pin point issues on motherboards with micro components.
I'm interested in the value of learning to fix these components you're saying are busted.
Mr, Mario It is very nice to be a channel sponsor for TopDon .I have an issue with my Arti Pad 1 and submitted a support ticket 2 weeks ago to date I am still waiting for an answer .
Do a video of you opening it up and troubleshooting it.
Thank you
excelente video master lo tengo que ver con subtitulos por que no hablo ingles pero entiendo algunas palabras felicidades tu forma de explicar es excelente
Great video Mario. Do you have a video explaining the different terminals on BMW and Mercedes (15/30/50/87..)?
Not yet LOL
Nice work!!
Dang. Now I'm questioning my purchase of ThinkTool Pros......
Nice video, very methodical approach of the problem. where you find the OEM diagrams?And also, which amp clamp are you using for the draw?
Thanks a lot for the effort you put to make all your videos .It's an extra work, on the top of your job. Really appreciate man.
I have learned a lot from you 🙏
What kind of thermo imager you use
Looks handy
Great job
nice job 🌷👍
That OE wiring diag was fantastic. Where can we get it?
Can you please make the video where u first start. Like how you connected your power probe in series step by step. For the next draw video you make thank you
I already made a video for that
great one. I will be happy to see the cluster opened and see if something looks weird there. btw, how much is a new cluster ?
Everything looked perfect. Not sure, the front end of the shop deals with all of that
Good job, think you.
Interesting how you diagnose a vehicle
Been wanting a thermal imager for a while now...only thing holding me back is that I'm mobile and i can't always get to the cars when the interior is not smoking hot from the sun lol...i still May get one though since I'm a tool junkie lol
Hi great video. Do you have a link to a video of setting up the hook for the draw please cheers
Yep, here you go: Using the Power Probe Hook for parasitic drain tests
th-cam.com/video/QUoTpcOJOX0/w-d-xo.html
Hey great video nice thing to learn just got a thermal camera question how did you hook up the amp meter on your power probe
I show exactly how to do it here: Using the Power Probe Hook for parasitic drain tests
th-cam.com/video/QUoTpcOJOX0/w-d-xo.html
Power probe also has a video about it.
Which battery maintainer/power supply you used on this car ? Tornado 90000 ?👍😎
does the top don have the ability to code a used cluster?
Pls what is the name of the thermal imager used. Did you connect any hard ware thermal imager device to your phone to make use of this
Can you compare oem diag subscription cost and tool cost comparison
Vs owning autel topdon or thinkdiag
All are needed. Thinkdiag... Probably don't want that tool in a professional setting The thinktool pros is good. Phoenix plus is faster. Phoenix max does more. The topdon oscilloscope seems very smooth.
Ahhh! Thank you very mucho
I'm not saying they don't work. But out of 6-7 times I used it. It's only worked once.
where did you have the power probe attached to
In series between the battery and the negative terminal
Q: could there be an external input to the cluster that keeps it alive? By disconnecting the cluster you could potentially also remove the external input. Curious how one would test/prove that?
Yes, technically. Which is why i bench tested this cluster by providing it only power and ground and the draw was still there
Hello boss can you have online coding and Programming stuff on your website
I'm surprised that the system itself doesn't flag a parasitic draw with an error code and tell you which component is the problem. Losing 1 amp shouldn't be that hard from smart computer to detect!
wish I could afford a top scaner
what thermal imager are you using? link??
Seek compact pro
SUBSTANTIAL Super Mario Diagnostics
Helpful information video thank you very much for sharing it
Take care and have a great Weekend with all your family around you
SUBSTANTIAL Super Mario Diagnostics
From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧
On the topic - for a guy like you or the others that do this every day - it's great to use the thermal imager. It cuts diagnostic time..have other advantages..etc..etc. But you guys are at higher level. So you can use it without worrying about getting burned. As for guys that are not so good in this field, they can get burned severely. Actually i'm sure for the regular backyard mechanic, this thermal imager looks "basic" and easy and kind of "magic wand" for easy peasy finding current draws. But it's not. Interesting fact - EVEN Joe from Joe's auto electrical got burned once using the thermal imager. The video is named - "Car Wont Start Battery Drain Toyota Lexus Persistence Pays Off." After watching his video 2 years ago i made conclusion that imager can do more harm than good for me , based on my limited knowledge.🔧
Every tool has its limitations. I believe everyone who uses this technique learns that just because it's hot doesn't necessarily mean it's the root cause, which is why i mentioned testing to make sure nothing else is causing it
I've learned that the hard way too