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

  Author:    Tracy Martin
  ISBN:    0760320993
  Sales Rank:    10881
  Published:    2005-11-15
  Publisher:    Motorbooks International
  # Pages:    159
  Binding:    Paperback
  Avg. Rating:    5.0 based on 10 reviews
  Used Offers:    11 from $16.22
  Amazon Price:    $17.13
  (Data above last updated:  2008-10-06 07:37:11 EST)
  
  
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How to Diagnose And Repair Automotive Electrical Systems (Motorbooks Workshop)
  
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 vehicles electrical system. Several hands-on projects take readers on a guided tour of their vehicles electrical system and demonstrate how to fix specific problems.
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 9 of 9                 
  
  
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01-22-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical Systems
Reviewer Permalink
Very good book for begginers and up. Starts off with the basics of electronics, electron theory and covers anything and everything you could possibly want to know. HIghly reccomend.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-10-04 05:21:01 EST)
12-20-07 4 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Book is a good introductory text to a complex topic
Reviewer Permalink
I purchased this book in order to gain a basic understanding of automotive electrical systems and I was not disappointed. I consider it to be a starting point in my understanding of how to diagnose automotive electrical systems. The author does a fairly good job of providing a usable overview of basic concepts of electricity, the various electrical systems and components, and the tools used to diagnose electrical problems. The book could have used a few more diagrams and images when describing some components, but all in all I think it is a good book.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-22 06:03:24 EST)
11-04-07 3 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Not as I Expected
Reviewer Permalink
The author seems to have a very good industrial experience. However, he was not able to put that experience in an organized way. A large amount of the book is devoted to listing different type of components used in different cars. Every electrical system was explained in long paragraphs with no sufficient sketches to support it. The sketches are very basic and I think it would be a good idea if more advanced sketches were included, at least to match the text.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-11-15 05:44:44 EST)
11-17-06 3 7\9
(Hide Review...)  Good Book, but Missing Something
Reviewer Permalink
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.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-11-03 05:42:25 EST)
01-24-06 5 8\8
(Hide Review...)  Diagnose and Repair Automobile Electrical Systems
Reviewer Permalink
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
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-11-10 06:26:14 EST)
11-19-05 5 4\4
(Hide Review...)  EASY to use and covers a wide range of common problems
Reviewer Permalink
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!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-26 05:04:08 EST)
11-17-05 5 2\2
(Hide Review...)  Great Book!
Reviewer Permalink
Wow! I never thought I could learn car electrical repair from one book - but I did! This book is great. Easy to understand & easy to locate information. Very user friendly & laid out well. Good tests for your car, and helps you test your car yourself. Now I don't feel like such an idiot when an electrical malfunction occurs in my car - a good guide & resource! Highly recommend!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-26 05:04:08 EST)
11-16-05 4 1\1
(Hide Review...)  The book worked for testing my alternator!
Reviewer Permalink
I have always had trouble getting my head wrapped around electricity. I am good at taking things apart and getting them back together on cars but electrical stuff always gives me problems. I read just chapters 1 & 2 in the auto electrical book and was surprised at how easy the explanation was of how electicity worked. I have tried some of the tests for the alternator in my car and truck and they really worked. It is a good book for back yard mechanics to work on cars. Glad I bought it.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-26 05:04:08 EST)
11-15-05 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  This is a good book for people that like to fix stuff
Reviewer Permalink
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.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-26 05:04:08 EST)
  
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 9 of 9                 
  
  
  
  
  
  

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