Tracy Martin, an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certified Master Technician, explains the principles behind automotive electrical systems and how they work. This book details the various tools, such as multimeters and test lights, that can be used to evaluate and troubleshoot any vehicle’s electrical system. Several hands-on projects take readers on a guided tour of their vehicle’s electrical system and demonstrate how to fix specific problems.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Tracy Martin writes for Motorcycle Consumer News, RoadBike, Friction Zone, PowerSports, and Dealer News magazines. Author of three books,
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
86 of 90 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This books is indeed the best automotive electrical systems book out there, as almost all other books waste the entire book on theories that hardly apply to actual hands-on diagnosis.
I am a graduate of highly-recognized aircraft maintenance college, and have achieved above-average grades in electrical/electronic systems courses. However, during my education we hardly covered "practical" part of our profession as certified technicians. This book cleared up some of my questions and was definitely better than any book I've read on electricity.
However, the downside is that the book still spends much space explaining theories that do not help doing the actual troubleshooting/repair. It could use more photos/illustrations, as well as comparisons between good units & bad units. Some of the components covered are also obsolete (point contact ignition system, DC generator, etc...), only helpful for those who are into vintage vehicles. The book also has too much advertisement, especially for Fluke products. Fluke multimeters are indeed the best in the world, and I myself use a Fluke. However, even my entry-level Fluke was $150 and for most home mechanics, Sears Craftsman DMM's are more than sufficient.
All in all, there is simply no better book than this one. On his next book, I would like to see more info on imported vehicles, as well as more up-to-date systems such as skid control, traction control, electronic climate control, navigation, discharge-type headlight bulbs, LED's, Optitron clusters, and engine-to-transmission data-link systems.
I am a graduate of highly-recognized aircraft maintenance college, and have achieved above-average grades in electrical/electronic systems courses. However, during my education we hardly covered "practical" part of our profession as certified technicians. This book cleared up some of my questions and was definitely better than any book I've read on electricity.
However, the downside is that the book still spends much space explaining theories that do not help doing the actual troubleshooting/repair. It could use more photos/illustrations, as well as comparisons between good units & bad units. Some of the components covered are also obsolete (point contact ignition system, DC generator, etc...), only helpful for those who are into vintage vehicles. The book also has too much advertisement, especially for Fluke products. Fluke multimeters are indeed the best in the world, and I myself use a Fluke. However, even my entry-level Fluke was $150 and for most home mechanics, Sears Craftsman DMM's are more than sufficient.
All in all, there is simply no better book than this one. On his next book, I would like to see more info on imported vehicles, as well as more up-to-date systems such as skid control, traction control, electronic climate control, navigation, discharge-type headlight bulbs, LED's, Optitron clusters, and engine-to-transmission data-link systems.
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have always been able to fix electrical problems on cars but sometimes at much wasted expense and effort. Tracy Martin's book is simply the best book I have ever read on this subject. It is a "nuts and bolts" book that tells you why and how to test a certain way. Suddenly automotive electrical systems make sense to me. This book will save much wasted effort. My father was an electrical engineer and he figured out electrical problems for me. When he died I had to figure this stuff out for myself and I wish I had paid more attention. Tracy Martins book is great, not only do I recommend it ... if Tracy Martin ever writes another one I will buy that too. Fred Rawls
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm your average "Tim The Tool Man" type -- stuff like fixing cars & bikes comes naturally to me, and I'm even pretty good at fabrication stuff like welding, but when it comes to electricity, I scratch my head, grunt, and hope nothing catches fire.
Tracy Martin's book actually makes a lot of sense to me, and each chapter builds on previous chapters, which is a big help to me. He doesn't assume you know a lot about electricity, but he doesn't speak down either -- just clear and accessable language. I really like how there aren't a bunch of crazy-looking engineering schematics & symbols, instead, he uses really straighforward illustrations. Good photos too.
Everyone from a DIY type to a professional mechanic can learn something from this book.
Tracy Martin's book actually makes a lot of sense to me, and each chapter builds on previous chapters, which is a big help to me. He doesn't assume you know a lot about electricity, but he doesn't speak down either -- just clear and accessable language. I really like how there aren't a bunch of crazy-looking engineering schematics & symbols, instead, he uses really straighforward illustrations. Good photos too.
Everyone from a DIY type to a professional mechanic can learn something from this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Automotive Electrical
THIS BOOKS WAS WELL WORTH IT!!! VERY GOOD BOOK!!! I was a little bogged down, in the make-specific diagnostics, that don't include import vehicles, but.... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kundiawa
this book is a must have
The book has a lot of valuable information. Its easy to read and has a lot of good tips that a novice can understand.
Published 3 months ago by gfg
very helpful
The first time I pulled this book out to reference it, I went right to the information I needed. It will be an asset in the future.
Published 3 months ago by miketypecar
Great practical book on Auto Electrical Systems
I would be the first to admit that this book does not go into a lot of electrical theory. However this is where the strength of this book lies. Read more
Published 5 months ago by W. Du Toit
Great for the basic systems with tips and tools you can make.
I really like this book. It covers many things a home mechanic may not know and a few professionals I bet. It gives great tips for troubleshooting various systems. Read more
Published 7 months ago by fastbarry
Great book
Great book for helping understanding electrical systems and how dc current works and how to test and to repair them Iwas impress how it showed how to test and repair differnt... Read more
Published 7 months ago by J. Love
very good.
Lots of tips and tricks that one would usually take years to attain are presented in this book. Excellent book. Highly recommended. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Clayton
No wiring section
This book has no section on automotive wiring at all. Good for the other stuff but severely lacking on this important aspect of automotive. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Darcy Cote
Excellent overview of automotive electronics
With only a few years into my career as a professional mechanic I purchased this book to further my overall knowledge of electrical systems. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jeffrey Klein
A Must Read For Shady Tree/Exprienced
One of the best purchases I have made.I would reccomend this book to anyone who asks.It is written in such a way as to give you confidence as you read Thanks Again
Published 15 months ago by Herb
Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
(learn more)
parasitic amp draw, gear select switch, correct electrical values, hot test light, voltage drop testing, grounded test light, short finder, ground return side, full field test, coil tester, series ammeter, dash switch, lab scope, ground return wire, full fielding, starter circuit, ignition module, internal voltage regulator, spark output, logic probe, injector pulse, amperage draw, spark tester, crossover circuit, positive battery terminal Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Auto Parts, Three Things, Courtesy of Fluke Corporation, The Fluke, Courtesy of Mitchell, Vacuum Voltage, Ford Thunderbird, Maximum Voltage Drop Positive Side, Courtesy of Younger Toyota, Volts Ohms, Tap Test, Ignition Coil, Available Voltage, Engine Cranking Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
parasitic amp draw, gear select switch, correct electrical values, hot test light, voltage drop testing, grounded test light, short finder, ground return side, full field test, coil tester, series ammeter, dash switch, lab scope, ground return wire, full fielding, starter circuit, ignition module, internal voltage regulator, spark output, logic probe, injector pulse, amperage draw, spark tester, crossover circuit, positive battery terminal Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Auto Parts, Three Things, Courtesy of Fluke Corporation, The Fluke, Courtesy of Mitchell, Vacuum Voltage, Ford Thunderbird, Maximum Voltage Drop Positive Side, Courtesy of Younger Toyota, Volts Ohms, Tap Test, Ignition Coil, Available Voltage, Engine Cranking Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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