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Motorbooks International

How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical Systems (Motorbooks Workshop)

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Description

In How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical Systems, author and ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certified Master Technician Tracy Martin explain the principles behind automotive electrical systems and describes how they work, with a focus on cars of collectible and classic eras. Now, readers no longer need fear that jumble of wires beneath the dash or hood of their vehicle. Automotive electrical systems can seem a mystery, if not a black art, to the weekend mechanic and even to a number of experienced pros. From Ohm’s Law and an explanation of 12-volt systems to specific electrical scenarios and more, Martin thoroughly dissects the automotive electrical system and explains the various tools needed for diagnoses and repairs, such as multimeters, voltmeters, timing lights, coil testers, lab scopes, and more. Also included:Storage batteriesCharging and starting systemsIgnition systemsFuel injectionReading wiring diagramsTroubleshootingWhen it comes automotive electrics, readers need never fear being lost in lost in the dark again. Whether you have a bad ground, an amp draw, or some other gremlin, How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical Systems is the best tool available for understanding and diagnosing electrical problems. The Motorbooks Workshop series covers topics that engage and interest car and motorcycle enthusiasts. Written by subject-matter experts and illustrated with step-by-step and how- it’s-done reference images, Motorbooks Workshop is the ultimate resource for how-to know-how. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Motorbooks


Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 10, 2005


Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 160 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0760320993


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 90


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.3 x 0.5 x 10.8 inches


Part of series ‏ : ‎ Motorbooks Workshop


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Great book!!!!
Format: Paperback
Absolutely fascinating and easy to understand book. Recommended for anyone trying to learn about automobile electricity
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2026 by Michael Stewart
    • Probably the best book to start with
Format: Paperback
I found this book after searching for the book that got me started about 20 years ago in electrical diagnostics and after finding it figured I would give it a review it’s a amazing book for entry level technicians working on 12-24 volt dc systems found in anything from a car to heavy equipment. It really breaks down some tests and components in glossy easy to understand color photos. This was one of the books that led me to a career of electrical diagnostics that now has me working as an instructor for caterpillar. I would recommend this book to anyone interested or struggling with interpreting electrical fundamentals ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024 by Amazon Customer
    • Excellent book!
Format: Paperback
This is an excellent book that is ideal for someone new to automotive electrical/electronic systems and even someone like myself who has worked on cars for decades but can use a good review of these systems. The pictures and illustrations are so clear and colorful that they are almost stunning when you open the book. In fact, they are the best photographs and illustrations that I have ever seen in a book of this type. They are large and beautifully clear and the pages are of very high-quality glossy and thick paper. I was a bit surprised by the amount of information about old electrical systems with distributors, points, generators, regulators, etc. But that's OK and someone working on a older car may find it to be a plus. However, many people may have little or no interest in the older systems and a unusally large percentage of the book is devoted to long obsolete systems. I would suspect that most people would prefer that the book emphasized modern electronics more. Don't get me wrong: The book does cover modern systems but I would say at least about 1/2 of it is about old systems. Also, know that this does not cover OBD systems at all but I'm actually glad that it doesn't because that's a subject in itself. (I bought the two most popular books listed on Amazon about OBD systems on Amazon and I found the Haynes book to be, by far, the better of the two. I have written a review of both of them. The Haynes book would be a perfect companion to this book.) One funny thing that I noticed is that, in numerous pictures in the book, the author is shown using a DMM set to read AC voltage when he is reading a DC circuit. In fact, I don't know how he even got a reading on his meter as shown in the pictures. It's a small thing but it's funny that the author didn't catch that. This book will be an excellent resource for me and I think others will find it valuable too. It's well worth the money. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2012 by Old School
    • Works for Me!
Format: Paperback
I rattle my tongue for Tracy Martin & this book. It doesn't talk down to the reader, nor does it assume we know anything (or worse, everything). It's written so we can skim through what we know, get on to what we need to learn, & not miss anything important. It's thorough, too. I have been a ham radio operator for decades. Been mechanicking for more decades (since I was 13, when my uncles insisted I learn or go stay with 'the women' - what a no-brainer! Learn interesting stuff or not!) BUT.... I've always had a problem fixing automative electrical glitches. Just could not figure out how to isolate the problem area so I could fix it. This required waiting on some man to get a round tuit. An exercise in patience & frustration! Not for this grandma to do. Enter this book. I've had a problem with the right rear light on an 83 Chevy pickup for awhile. Bad ground/socket/broken wire? Couldn't fix it.. Until now. I was up to running new wire from one end of the pickup to the other. With this book, I found the problem & fixed the darned thing. Then to attack the gauges. I put in a set that worked fine in an 81 Chevy.. but wouldn't work here. Bad fuse? No. Then what? Now I know. As soon as the temperature in the great open-air garage rises to 'tolerable', I'll fix them. Look out world, here I come! With working tail lights & gauges. Waaay cool! Wopila tanka, Tracy / Strong thanks, Tracy! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2011 by Indian Maid
    • Great reference book
Format: Paperback
I don't know a lot about cars. Usually I just get in and go. But the other day, after work, my car wouldn't start. At first I was going to take it to a local auto electric shop but that I decided to buy this book because I could get it quickly and maybe it would help me do the repair myself. Got the book and went to the section on starting systems. In no time I had a pretty firm grasp of what I thought was wrong and learned how to load test a battery with just a multi-meter. Performed the test, found that the battery was shot, installed a new battery, and saved a lot of money. I found this to be a really good reference if you don't know that much about auto electrical systems and plan on keeping it on my bookshelf for years to come. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2020 by Jon Jackson
    • This book taught me alot
Format: Paperback
Scotty Kilmer recommended this book in one of his video's (Biden is Going to Make This Illegal Next Year) I orderd the other book also in the video along with the test light and an OBDII XTOOL D7. If you're like me you need to read this book very carefully as much important information is presented in the text and you'll miss it if you gloss over the pages. After I read it once I realized I needed to review the information again as electrical diagnostics does not come naturally to me. The authors 40+ years of electrical diognostic knowledge is presented through explanations of electrical diagrams, test equipment and rudementary theory. But hidden in those explanations are the test sequences and procedures that you will follow to run down a short or electrical problem. To understand how to solve electrical problems you need to think like a Mechanic would and that is logical system analysis which is required to identify the issue. For instance, in the book a simple circuit is diagrammed with a relay in it. It explains how to find a short or failure in the circuit based upon what the relay is turning on or not turning on. Because electricity is invisible we can only deduce what has failed by the process elimination and this book explains the process. Carefully read the explanations to see the logic Electricians follow. I hope this review helps. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2022 by Keith
    • I like it, but I don't love it.
Format: Paperback
In terms of understanding the basics, this book is good. In terms of bias, some of the comments Tracy made in this book threw me off. Would Recommend it for an entry level tech or somebody simply interested in electrical in automotive applications, but if you've had proper training with some of the beginner concepts of electrical (Voltage drop, Series/Parallel circuits, Electron behavior, etc.) some of this book is gonna sound off. This book takes more of a practical approach and for a curious mind looking to dive deeper into the whys and hows doesn't provide much. A good book for generic electrical diagnosis in vehicles but there are better options. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2025 by Nathan Keeton
    • Great book!
Format: Paperback
As a former ASE technician at 2 different dealership shops, I found this book a great refresher course. I've changed vocations, and had "lost track" (read: senior moments!) of some of these fundamentals. As a few others have stated, much of the material in this book was written about older vehicles, However, the principals are still the same when it comes to electrical troubleshooting, just the greater amount of electronics involved in todays cars make it easier in some respects (OBDII Scanners, etc) and more confusing for the shear amount of circuits on modern cars and trucks. I would recommend this book to anyone from wet behind the ears starting out, to someone like myself who has become outdated and a bit rusty. Martin makes this an easy read, and doesn't drone on with enough technobabble to put you to sleep. Well done ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2010 by BluesCruise

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