The Trainer #73 - Building a solid electrical foundation

Electrical problems are often hidden from view, if not entirely invisible to our sight. We have to rely on our tools and our knowledge, often actively ignoring what our emotions may be telling us.

Pete Meier

Jan. 3, 2018

2 min read

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! Want to take video training to the next level? Want a way to supplement your continuing education? Then check out: Motor Age Training CONNECT -http://connect.motoragetraining.com.

About the Author

Pete Meier

Creative Director, Technical | Vehicle Repair Group

Pete Meier is the former creative director, technical, for the Vehicle Repair Group with Endeavor Business Media. He is an ASE certified Master Technician with over 35 years of practical experience as a technician and educator, covering a wide variety of makes and models. He began writing for Motor Age as a contributor in 2006 and joined the magazine full-time as technical editor in 2010. Pete grew the Motor Age YouTube channel to more than 100,000 subscribers by delivering essential training videos for technicians at all levels.

Connect with Pete on LinkedIn.