ii

Preface

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Abbreviations and Acronyms .

1
2

Testing battery voltage

Page 2-4

3
4
5
6
7

Installing homemade relay jumper

Page 7-13

8
9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

v
ix

Safety

Suggestions to help you work more safely and avoid injury

Battery

How the battery works and how to test it, charge it, jump it and replace it

Circuits: (How Electricity Actually Works)

The theory behind voltage, current path, circuits, and load

Multimeters and Related Tools

The digital multimeter (DVOM) and other electrical diagnostic tools

Common Multimeter Tests

How to measure voltage, resistance, continuity, voltage drops and current

DIN Numbering Standard

Decoding the DIN

Switches and Relays

Helpful procedures on how to test switches and relays

Troubleshooting

Using a multimeter to troubleshoot a simple circuit

Wire Gauge and Current

Tips for replacing damaged wires or adding a new circuit to your car

10 Circuit Protection (Fuses)

How to inspect, test and replace fuses What fuse to use when

11 How To Make Wire Repairs

Properly repair wires using crimp-on connectors and solder joining techniques

12 Wiring Harnesses
Testing fuse continuity
Page 10-6

A discussion about wiring harnesses; what can and does go wrong

13 Adding a New Circuit

Various ways to add a new circuit to original factory wiring

14 Charging System (Alternator)

Make a basic charging system health assessment in about 30 seconds

15 Starter

Complete starter and solenoid testing, on the car and on the bench

16 Mechanically Timed Ignition - Theory

Theory of ignition systems used through the mid to late 1970s

Crimping a wire connector

Page 11-7

17 Mechanically-Timed Ignition - Troubleshooting

Hands-on troubleshooting of ignition systems used through the mid to late 1970s

iii

by ROB

SIEGEL

and the Bentley Publishers Technical Team

18 Electronic Ignition

Understand and troubleshoot electronic ignition and electronic triggering

19 Reading Wiring Diagrams

Where to find a factory wiring diagram and how to read a wiring diagram

20 Energy Diagnosis and Parasitic Drain

How to locate and measure parasitic drain

21 Audio Head Unit

The vehicles electrical interface for sound system repair and modification

22 Dynamic Analog Signals Theory

Basic signal types explained along with frequency (Hz), pulse width, and duty cycle

23 Tools for Dynamic Analog Signals Data

Manual remote start switch circuit

Page 15-7

The best tools for measuring sine waves and square waves and graphing data

24 Modules, Buses, and Digital Data

Electronic modules and networks. Buses and protocols CAN Bus and
network topology.

25 OBD-II

Readiness, Drive Cycle, OBD-II Monitors. Diagnostic Troubles Codes (DTCs)

26 Scan Tools and Code Readers

A discussion on OBD tools, scan tools, and code readers

27 Introduction to Sensors

VRT electronic ignition

Page 18-3

Frequently used sensors and actuators such as VRT, Hall Effect, AMR Sensors

Chapter 28 through Chapter 38 include multimeter Set-ups to test for

voltage, resistance, current, frequency (Hz), sine waves, square waves
on frequently used automotive sensors and actuators

28 Testing Temperature Sensors

29 Testing Throttle Position Sensors (TPS)
30 Testing Oxygen Sensors
31 Testing Wheel Speed Sensors (WSS)
32 Testing Crankshaft Positioning (CKP) Sensors

Head unit wiring harness

Page 22-4

33 Testing Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensors

34 Testing Mass Airflow (MAF) Sensors
35 Testing Ignition Stick Coils
36 Testing Fuel Injectors
37 Testing Fuel Pumps
38 Testing Solenoids (Actuators)
Index

Mass airflow pinouts

Page 34-6