So I just spend some more time out there after reading the meter's manual again I now have some results that make more sense. If I test the black one with any other wire I get between 115-119 volts. The only wire I get 119 from is the white wire which makes me believe that those are +/- and the rest are showing up as 115 so could they all be grounded?
Wait a second. Please something does not sound "kosher" the way you explain it.
First of all let's try and stay with proper terminology so we can all follow you properly during your investigation and at the same time give you some education (no disrespect here; just trying to keep you safe at the end).
In the above you state the only one you get power from is the black with "ANY" other one. I don't feel comfortable with this result or you are not reading your meter correctly maybe. You should be getting different readings depending on what other wire/s you touch with your meter. You need to be specific when you say "other wires". First of all how many wires are there and what are their colors at both the end (as per your picture) and what colors are connected to the breaker/s ground neutral bars in the panel. Also, do you know for a fact if there is a jbox between the breaker panel and the end (in your picture).
Also then you state above "The only wire I get 119 from is the white wire" you can't get power from only just one wire with your meter. What wire did you touch with the meter besides the white?
"which makes me believe that those are +/-" what do you mean by this. AC is different than DC in so many ways. There is no "-" or "+" in AC. Not trying to be difficult with you but I just don't want to see you hurt yourself.
Let's all get our "lingo" straight and together so we know what each wire is representing.
We must remember what PromethusBound said.
"The garage had a single 120 outlet, a couple of interior lights and a garage door opener.
No breaker in the garage." Therefore it would be incorrect for us to assume that there are two hots, one neutral and a ground wire going to the garage. My mind is telling me that who ever ran these lines may have broken code by running more than one circuit to the garage. Anyway, we have to stop and slow down a bit for PromethusBound.
PromethusBound also states "The red wire is the only wire I am seeing going directly to that specific breaker." All those wires and only one connected to a breaker with power from at least two that PromethusBound has mentioned so far.
PromethusBound, please understand I am not trying to single you out of this conversation. I am trying to get a better picture (we are trying to) so we know how to guide you. We are not there, we can't test your wires for you nor can we see the breaker panel feeding these wires. For this reason we must get a "clearer" picture (understanding) of what is what before we can advise you properly. Your safety is our (members here who assist) number one goal.
Ok a big question. PromethusBound are you in the US? or another county? I only ask because you do not specify and electrical is/can be different in other counties. The colors you are mentioning are not standard colors for the US; however being in conduit individual conductors can be run and any color can be used; but standard is black, red, white, green etc; or all black with colored tapes designating what each wire is. Is there a junction box between your breaker panel and the garage wires?
Since we all are not working with the standard /2 or /3 Romex here we have no idea what was done and how it was done in the way of running power out to the garage. Also no breaker panel in the garage according to PromethusBound. I suggest we all take a step back and start from the beginning. I only say this because of the inconsistencies that I am noticing here in the replies.
And again as Nealtw points out that you say which does not make sense with all these wires as "I have verified that all power is dead when
the breaker is off." The breaker?? A single pole breaker or two pole breaker, do you know the difference; if not let us know because i can't see how you can have all these wires and only one is connected to a breaker if single pole.
Ok, I have said enough. I think we all know what I mean and what my concern is here.
PromethusBound please keep in mind with terminology.
Hot wire - wire connected to the breaker.
Un-grounded conductor
Neutral wire - (not common or negative) connected to the neutral bar of your panel (see NOTE below)- Ground
ED conductor
Ground wire - connected to your ground bar of your panel. Ground
ING conductor. (see NOTE below)
This all makes a big difference.
Note: if the wires are connected to a main panel the ground and neutral may/will be on the same bar or ones connected. If a sub panel the ground and neutral will be isolated from each other.