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

by Tracy Martin (Author)
Key Phrases: parasitic amp draw, gear select switch, correct electrical values, Auto Parts, Three Things, Courtesy of Fluke Corporation (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

About the Author
Tracy Martin has served as a service trainer and technical writer for Nissan, Snap-On Tools, and other auto industry corporations. He is from Hagerstown, Maryland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; First edition (November 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760320993
• ISBN-13: 978-0760320990
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,198 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #10 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Automotive
  #20 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Electrical & Electronics > Electronics
  #23 in	Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Repair

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, but Missing Something, November 16, 2006

By	JPN "American at Heart" (NRT, Japan) - See all my reviews

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.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diagnose and Repair Automobile Electrical Systems, January 24, 2006

By	Fred Rawls "Fred" (Hendersonville, NC) - See all my reviews

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

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EASY to use and covers a wide range of common problems, November 19, 2005

By	tech mech (California) - See all my reviews

I normally wouldn't attempt much on an electrical system, but this book took out a great deal of the mystery about how to figure out problems. This was a great find for me. VERY user friendly format and not overwhelming like other books I've looked at. Thanks to the author!