Learning how to test automotive electrical wiring

[bchbmjohn9]

Hello all. I am fairly new to the site and this is my first official post. I am wondering if anyone knows of any good websites or books that give clear tutorials on automotive wiring (how to diagnose problems, reading wiring diagrams, etc.) I am really a mechanical engineer, but my father likes to restore antique cars. We are having problems finding the wiring diagrams for most of his project cars, namely a 1978 Firebird Esprit and a 1979 TransAm. Can anyone please tell me if there is a way to obtain these? Thank you in advance!

-Jonathan

 

[patdaly]

http:///

http://www.helm.com

They should have factory service manuals still. A good source of used manuals is

http://www.factoryautomanuals.com

Im not aware of how to teach you proper diagnostic techniques, other than the way I was taught, dig in.

A cheaper alternative is to look for a Chiltons or Haynes manual for your cars, they do have a wiring schematic in the back, but the rest of the book is pretty generic if you are serious about your vehicle.

 

[patprimmer]

Factory workshop manual is normally the best way to go.

These should be pre electronics, so you can pretty well trace anything with a simple multimeter and test pencil.

The workshop manual will normally explain most of the symbols and wire colour codes.

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Radio Shack used to carry a surprisingly good and inexpensive series of basic electronics paperbacks by an author named Forrest M. Mims. They should help you some with the symbols and such.

You might also look for older official Helms shop manuals, for just about anything. Shop manuals from the 70s are terrible.

They're overflowing with stupid fault trees that insult your intelligence and reveal next to nothing about what's going on or what you're trying to find out.

Older manuals taught you how stuff was supposed to work, so you could figure out how it wasn't working right, and go from there.

Schematics became unreadable when they first went to CAD.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[frankiee]

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/21/73/09/0900823d80217309.jsp

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Try that page for diagram
I just pluged in you had a 403 because I did not know

I would suggest simple things like voltage drops for auto wireing.
I have not come accross a good simple book to learn DC auto wireing. Usually the books end up complicated

 

[evelrod]

Jonathan, at the risk of being a bit simplistic, you might try looking up what is available from the Peterson Publishing Co. (Hot Rod Mag.). I have several of their publications in my files (from many years ago) that, although intended for the 'post pubescent' hot rodder, are quite well written and make it easy for even me to understand. Other books by Caroll Smith and David Vizard have sections on electrical wireing. Painless also has a catalog that has some symbles and termonology in it and it's available on line.

I fabricate all my own looms for my vintage and race cars and, believe me, nothing is 'too simple', IMO.

Rod

 

[RossABQ]

I've had a '79 Firebird, and many other cars of that era. Even on newer cars, the electrical problems are really not rocket science. They boil down to: poor connectors, poor grounds, problems created by alarm and stereo installers, and problems created by the previous owner(s). American cars' electrical systems are really pretty bulletproof.

Ther typical Haynes manuals no longer have schematics, because of the many variations over the span of years covered. Helms is great but not cheap. My first step would be Amazon, they will likely have the GM manual used for $20 or so. They include a diagnostic scheme for any malfunction.

 

[danw2]

Try ebay. On the 29th, there's a '79 TransAm factory manual for sale.

Factory manuals are now typically multi-volume. Sets are not always complete. Some research is in order as to whether the volume you're buying has the material you're looking for.

Dan