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

I've always been interested in cars and have tried to do as much of my own repairs and maintenance as I can. One aspect of my knowledge I've always thought a bit lacking was auto electrics. So I decided to improve this. I know the basics and I watch stuff on Youtube, some of which is helpful, some not so, but I've always liked books. Perhaps this is a generational thing (I'm over 60). So I searched on Amazon for an appropriate one and came across Tracy Martin's. Not expensive and not overly complex. Not a stuffy academic treatment of the subject. Just a good guide to the common sense basics. The book itself? It's softback, 160 pages with colour photographic and diagrammatic illustrations throughout. In fact every page has atleast one. The diagrams especially are clear and in a visually attractive style. He starts out explaining basic electrical theory (D.C.), basic electrical circuits (series and parallel) and Ohm's law. Then in chapter 2 he explains what I think the most valuable electrical test one can know, the voltage drop test. Chapter 3 he covers basic electric testing equipment such as the digital Avometer, test light, battery testers and oscilloscopes. All explained clearly and succinctly. In chapter 4 he covers batteries. Chapter 5 covers charging systems (dynamos and alternators) including basic A.C. and starter motors. In chapter 6 he covers modern electronic ignition systems after going through the old type contact breaker system. Chapter 7 is devoted to modern electronic fuel injection systems. Chapter 8 covers wiring diagrams and finally chapter 9 goes over troubleshooting techniques. Throughout he assumes you know very little and then takes you from the absolute basics through to a deeper understanding. I have learned an awful lot from this little book and was even inspired to upgrade my old digital multimeter with a more modern clamp ammeter type. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone with little knowledge of basic auto electrics but who is motivated to know more and also to someone with more advanced knowledge who wants a succinct refresher and new look at the subject. If the latter then one can just delve into any chapter where one feels the need to improve one's knowledge without reading from the beginning. However, if one is a relative newcomer to the subject then reading from beginning to end will definitely help your knowledge and skills, helped in no small measure by the author's easygoing almost conversational style. My one slight criticism, and I am being niggly, is that it is an American book and the cars and manufacturers given as examples may not be familiar to a UK reader. But the principles of how their electrical systems and components work are identical. For the price of a couple of pints of beer a great buy!

I bought this book knowing very little about electricity other than how to wire up a domestic plug. Having studied the book, especially the first four chapters, I am now confident enough to tackle the more complex issues with car electrics. I now have a good understanding of what's going on, why fuses blow, how to check for shorts, how to diagnose a starter and alternator, and how to perform voltage drop testing on both sides of a circuit and many other things I didn't know before regarding ignition and fuel systems. I've read a few reviews so far that point to the author referencing mostly American vehicles, and in some cases, older vehicles! .. The same sensors are still used in modern vehicles to this day (in the UK)!! So don't let this sway you from buying this great resource. The 2nd chapter on voltage drop testing is worth the price of the book alone ... Highly recommended!

I bought this book back in 2008 and it’s still one of the most useful guides I own. Tracy Martin explains automotive electrical systems in simple, clear language with practical examples. Great mix of theory and hands-on tips, and the troubleshooting steps are easy to follow. Even years later, I still use it as a reference whenever I run into electrical issues. Highly recommended!

This is a well-presented book which offers plenty of information on the subject of car electrics. The book begins with an introduction to basic electric theory which is used as the reader progresses through the book. The older types of ignition systems are explained before moving on to more modern electronic methods used from the 1990's up to early 2000's. Each chapter is very well supplied with diagrams and photos to help with understanding. One notable feature of this book is the good explanation of faultfinding and the use of test equipment.

I bought this so I could learn the basics to help me sort out some electrical issues on an old Japanese motorcycle and it did the trick. While obviously aimed at cars, the principles are the same. I had been floundering around for weeks and Mr Martin soon put me on the right track. He writes well and explains things in a simple manner that even I could understand. It is also well illustrated. I see he has now written a similar book for motorcycles which I may buy but I found this one a real gold mine of fault finding info. Well done Mr M.

This is another excellent volume by Tracy Martin. It should really be studied before reading 'How to use Automotive Diagnostic Scanners'. I have been repairing electrical faults in the course of my hobby as what Mr Martin would describe as a 'shade tree mechanic' for many years. Whilst I have always got there in the end, the time I would have saved if I had bought this volume years ago, would be considerable. The book begins with basic theory, followed by voltage drop testing. A chapter on recommended tools includes information of how to make some really clever test items yourself. Chapters follow with a more detailed information on testing systems including the battery, starting and charging, ignition and fuel injection. The last chapter includes some test questions and answers. This will always be a useful reference book, unless perhaps you are an auto-electrician by occupation.

great manual

GREAT BOOK. !!! As a novice I was constantly scratching my head with the theory of automotive electrical fault finding. This book concentrates with the basics to intermidiate level fault finding, just using a multimeter. Explaing how the meter works on its various settings. The author explains at each step with quirkey diagrams that are easy to follow. The math is basic and easy to understand. A must for ANY diy and apprentice auto spark. 👍👍👍👍👍

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

I liked that the book is clear and straight to the important points quickly!

not a lot

Estoy estudiando un grado superior en Automoción en el que también se da la asignatura de electricidad de vehículos. Compré este libro porque me encanta esta materia y también me gusta leer en inglés. Explica muy bien las cosas y todo con un lenguaje sencillo. Compraré más libros de esta editorial.

Si on retire le blah blah théorique la publicité masquée pour du matériel, il reste quelques bonnes idées et des illustrations clairs. Cependant je pense qu'on aurait pu attendre plus de densité dans les informations.