The Trainer #73: Automotive Electrical Fundamentals - Improve Your Electrical Troubleshooting Skills
477,258
Published 2018-01-03
Electrical troubleshooting is, for many of us, a challenge. I think it’s similar to a pilot who flies in VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions versus one who flies in IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions. The VFR pilot relies on outside references to maintain control of his airplane; how the nose of the plane looks compared to the horizon, how the wing tip angles on either side align relative to the horizon, and the G-forces at play on his body. Sure, the instruments play a role just as they do when we drive a car, providing speed and other important information to further that control.
The IFR pilot, though, is dependent on those instruments and must actively ignore what his eyes and senses may be telling him. Often, there is no outside visual reference at all – nothing but sheer white caused by the enveloping clouds gathered around him. Imagine driving your car without outside visual clues!
Maybe it’s the same here. Electrical problems are often hidden from view, if not entirely invisible to our sight. There are no audible clues, either, unless the harness is on fire! We have to rely on our tools and our knowledge, often actively ignoring what our emotions may be telling us.
The tool part is easy. For the majority of problems we need to locate, our trusty DMM (Digital Multimeter) will do the job. The knowledge, on the other hand, may be lacking. We need to know our fundamentals inside and out, and understand the laws that govern electrical circuits. And, just as the VFR pilot ill prepared for IFR conditions will succumb to vertigo and spiral to the ground, techs failing to master these fundamentals will find themselves flying in circles, and wasting valuable time when dealing with electrical faults.
In this edition of The Trainer, we’ll teach you how to fly IFR with your DMM and troubleshoot electrical concerns with confidence!
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Due to factors beyond the control of Motor Age, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Motor Age magazine (UBM Americas - Automotive Group) assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Motor Age recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Motor Age, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Motor Age magazine or its corporate parent, UBM Americas.
All Comments (21)
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I’ve been going through hell trying to find the electrical issue with my 2017 mustang and knew NOTHING about electricity so I’ve watched hundreds of YouTube videos and this is the only one I was able to grasp and now I understand how electricity works. Thank you
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This guy is easy to listen to. Thanks for the video.
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I’m an automotive technician and this is by far the best voltage drop video I have ever seen!
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Thank you, you didn't use the water in a hose analogy and for the first time in my life I understand what is being explained, and that's saying something, I'm 59. Always wanted to understand but never could so I avoided it, not anymore. Wow, really man, thanks for explaining in a way that I finally get it.
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THANK YOU! Excellent explanation 👏
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the best intro for automotive electrical work and troubleshooting.
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This video alone has taught me more than a year of auto tech when I was in high school.
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This was massively useful, thank you!
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From this point,I'm not studying with any other trainer on line but u PETE,ur name deserves all cap letters,ur training exercises incorporated with my critical thinking,is gonna advance my skills to the next level,long before my instructor anticipated,thank u much.
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So voltage is less because resistance is greater, and "the only real resistance is the load" is my new mantra. Thanks for the video, I hope UK circuits are the same 🙂🇬🇧
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Excellent video Pete. Very informative thanks.
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Such a well done video! Thanks!
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Fantastic video!!! I for one, would love to see more videos of this nature. I hope you make this into a series.
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Brilliant! Perfect! I feel inspired to go check my no start now!
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Sir, this is brilliant. A 63 years old apprentice 👍
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Brilliant video and explanation again,thanks Pete for taking the time to share👍👍
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I am so thankful for you and these videos, you’re refreshing my memory on everything I learned in tech school and had forgot. If you don’t use it you lose it. Also you provide better information than most of the courses I’ve taken.
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Thank you so much for all the work that went in this video ! And for free ! Amazing
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Man thank you so much! Seriously helped me get my head wrapped around the actual troubleshooting process so much better than I've ever understood it before! You have a gift for explaining things in comprehensible terms.
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What a great video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You seem like a great teacher.
