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

How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical Systems

This first section is intended to provide a bare-bones explanation of general electrical theory and how basic direct current (DC) electricity operates in an automobile. It’s not important to understand electricity inside and out—a subject many books cover in excruciating detail— but it is important to have a basic understanding of how to apply a practical working knowledge of electricity in order to diagnose and repair electrical malfunctions that show up in your car or truck.

An in-depth examination of electrical theory is far more complex and cumbersome than the practical “hands-on” premise offered in this book. Therefore, apologies are offered in advance to readers with more than a working knowledge of electricity or electronics since this book takes certain liberties and shortcuts with electrical science. For all electronically challenged mortals, Chapter 1 on Ohm’s Law is a hot-rod version of how 12-volt automotive electrical systems operate. Then, Chapter 2 on voltage drop testing cuts to the chase by showing how to apply the information learned in the context of solving real automotive problems. In fact, all subjects covered in this book relate in some way to basic theories discussed in chapters 1 and 2. So, if brainfade

starts to set in while reading more detailed sections on wiring diagrams or electronic fuel injection diagnosis, a revisit to these chapters for an electrical theory “tune-up” may prove helpful.