First Things First
Flip Charts
FIRST THINGS FIRST is an auto/truck electrical system troubleshooting flip chart that focuses attention on possible problems in the primary electrical system, consisting of battery condition, major ground connections and generator (alternator) charging system performance.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Flip ChartThese flip charts guide a technician through quick and simple electrical tests to identify common battery problems, issues with corrosion in the engine and accessory grounds as well as verifying the charging system IS or is NOT performing properly.
Two laminated flip chart versions are available!
Don't waste time, labor, and money replacing working parts and not solving the underlying electrical problem.
Every vehicle that comes in the shop has at least one battery, two major ground circuits and a generator (alternator) charging system that operates all electrical and electronic circuits on the vehicle. A component failure or a bad connection in one of these essential electrical circuits could have a profoundly negative affect on a vehicle's overall electrical and engine performance.
It's easy to test a vehicle's primary electrical system when you follow along with the step-by-step instructions in FIRST THINGS FIRST. Each test step is on a laminated cardboard page fully explained and illustrated. Instructions on the left side of the page and an illustration on the right side showing you how to place the DMM test leads.
FIRST THINGS FIRST comes in two versions:
The "Pro" version is for the most common single battery 14V electrical system with the primary electrical system connections clearly shown.
Below is the illustration used in FIRST THINGS FIRST-Pro for each of the 14 test steps.
The DMM test leads are shown connected to the vehicle for each test measurement step which is explained and the correct DMM reading is shown in the DMM. The text explaining each measurement tells you what to do if the DMM reading is too high or too low.
The 14 test steps can be completed in less than 5 minutes with a little practice.
This is a dual battery 14V electrical system version with the primary electrical system connections clearly shown.
Below is the illustration used in FIRST THINGS FIRST-2 for each test step. The DMM test leads are shown connected to the vehicle for each test measurement step which is explained and the correct DMM reading is shown in the DMM.
The text explaining each test measurement tells you what to do if the DMM reading is too high or too low.
The 18 test steps can be completed in less than 5 minutes with a little practice.
One electrical problem found with a FIRST THINGS FIRST flip-Chart will pay for itself!
What Next?
The 60 Lesson Vehicle Electronics Training Course is an in-depth instruction in vehicle electrical-electronic circuits and troubleshooting. This program is ideal as a back-up to our hands-on training programs.
The 60 Lesson Vehicle Electronics Training Course is now digitally available on-line here or purchase a print version here.
All 60 lessons have been translated and are available in Spanish!
