If you pierce a wire it can also cause resistance by breaking a strand or two or the multi strand wiring used in automotive (vs solid or single strand house wiring) and by creating an entry point for water and corrosion. Yet there will be the occassion when you have to do so in order to get a reading. In that case use the sharpest and thinnest sewing needle you can find to penetrate the insulation and take the readings off the needle. A small dab of silicone will reseal the insulation when you are done. Hope this helps.

 

Here's a website I recommend to my students... hope this helps. http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/electricCircuits/index.htm

 

If you hurry, Sears is having a Saturday MORNING sale tomorrow. Their $20.00 DVOM (Digital Volt Ohm Meter) is $10.00 until noon.

RACE ON!!!

 

Harbor Freight had a grand opening last week on a new store and I bought a digital multitester VOM (voltmeter, ohmeter, milliammeter) for $2.99. You can buy a DVOM for $7.95 from either Harbor Freight or www.hosfelt.com. These are useful accurate meters too!

 

Thanks Dane,

I sent you a pm. Let me know how to pay for the shipping!

Thanks to everyone for starting me on my way. I am comfortable with wrenching but a bit concerned about the electircal stuff beyond changing plugs and wires. I want to understand things but I will remain respectful of the electrical systems and will try to stay out of trouble and know my limitations!

I have the following stuff now

1.) Sperry DM-4400A Multimeter Volts-Ohm-Ammeter.

2.) Sears 82361

3.) FSA for my 94 and a few various books and odds and ends.

I am going to add more auto-electric knowledge so I can keep my green machine on the road!

Hope this topic is helping some offer forum members!

 

You are on your way! Don't be afraid to ask questions here!

 

I recommend this book

http://www.constructionbook.com/2005...CMP=KNC-Google

 

CFI is right... there is a book. I found a copy of it at my local community college library and checked it out... dunno if it is in print anymore. Look for: Automotive Engine Electronics by Dr. R.C. McElroy. It is a wonderful book that explains basic electronics and how they work in a modern car. There is even a picture of a C4 on the cover!

I cannot give this book enough praise. It is easy to read and has pictures.

 

I just Google'ed Cleveland Institute of Electronics - found a ton of stuff, so I recommend you look there and decide how far you want to go.

I've taught basic electronics at the college level in a previous lifetime, and I can vouch for the CIE courses - you can pick and choose from a single application (e.g. automotive electronics), or something more comprehensive; basic electronics, etc.

For anyone playing with the electronics aspect of troubleshooting, I highly recommend a basic electronics course. You can do it at home, and as the "secrets" of electronic principals are revealed one by one, you will be amazed at the number of applications your new knowledge will help you with. And, too, it will enable you to filter out the that is so often spewed by ignorant (of basic electronics) mechanics, etc. (Some of the sheeeiiiiit I've heard at different times...sheesh!! )

Outside of the computer, automotive electronics and the many sensors is basic DC electricity (not even so complicated as "electronics" per se'). Getting a good working knowledge of DC circuitry is very straight forward, and actually a lot of fun. In very short order you will be able to do most of the trouble shooting you will encounter in your vehicles. AS for tools...a good digital volt-ohm meter will serve your very, very well!

Now...Once you have the basics down, you'll need accurate schematics of the various circuits in your vehicles. W/o schematics, things quickly get frustrating very fast - and it doesn't matter who you are or how much one knows about the subject. A schematic 9and being able to read one) is a road map and essential to troubleshooting.

Good luck!