Testing wires?

what do you want to read they do have a meter that will show the if a wire is broke for shorts

You can usually find where the wire goes into a connector and test it there. This would be the only real way to not break the insulation.Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

No, just lookig for a signal, ground or positive. I know that for electrical conection(Home, Ac) there is this tool that just by resting it next to the wire it will read any current flowing thru it.  Do they make anything similar for autos(12 volt)? 

You are mistaking the two things. One in that you wish to be able to measure a ground, or positive voltage source, or the lack of. The second is current. Both are measured differently with a DMM. If you wish to measure current, without touching the wire, then you can use a clamp meter which uses inductive measuring techniques. It simply clamps over the target wire. The other method to measure current is to cut the wire and place the meter in series of the circuit. If you only wish to know if there is a voltage present, then there are devices to do the same. Again, they are inductive devices which measure the emitted EMF of the wire. I personally use a Fluke 337, but any of the models are fine. It is the low end resolution that you will not get compared to a DMM. Regards EVIL Teken . . .