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Author, Motojournalist, Riding Skills Instructor
Testimonials Testimonials Testimonials
 | Automotive Electrical Book | |
| Motorcycle Electrical Book | |
I recently purchased your automotive electrical book and from the bottom of my heart sir I cannot thank
you enough for writing it.
It’s my own fault that I have spent almost 18 years in the automotive repair field working for a national
repair chain that likes to talk about wanting vehicles fixed right the first time, and how much yearly
training they provide for their techs, even though most techs in the stores haven’t been to more than one
training class in ten years.
I have tried to pick up books from time to time and figure it out on my own but I see now that those
books and articles were written for people with who already had an understanding of electrical systems.
I just did not have the time to get to that level using what was available.
So while I was off for some minor knee surgery I decide to buy a book or two to keep my brain working
while healing and yours was one of them. Tracy, I know I’m “getting it” when I can come up with my own
questions about the subject at hand—in this case automotive electricity. My grey matter has rarely
shown more activity since reading your book. I have been back to work for two days now and have left
other employees at work staring at me with blank faced after rattling off some new words and using a
jumper wire to power a GM fuel pump circuit. I was able to voltage drop test it at the fuse box instead of
back at the fuel tank saving lots of diagnostic time. I guess all I had to say in this e-mail is thanks, but
wanted to share my experiences with you. Rob Lauckner (website email)
you enough for writing it.
It’s my own fault that I have spent almost 18 years in the automotive repair field working for a national
repair chain that likes to talk about wanting vehicles fixed right the first time, and how much yearly
training they provide for their techs, even though most techs in the stores haven’t been to more than one
training class in ten years.
I have tried to pick up books from time to time and figure it out on my own but I see now that those
books and articles were written for people with who already had an understanding of electrical systems.
I just did not have the time to get to that level using what was available.
So while I was off for some minor knee surgery I decide to buy a book or two to keep my brain working
while healing and yours was one of them. Tracy, I know I’m “getting it” when I can come up with my own
questions about the subject at hand—in this case automotive electricity. My grey matter has rarely
shown more activity since reading your book. I have been back to work for two days now and have left
other employees at work staring at me with blank faced after rattling off some new words and using a
jumper wire to power a GM fuel pump circuit. I was able to voltage drop test it at the fuse box instead of
back at the fuel tank saving lots of diagnostic time. I guess all I had to say in this e-mail is thanks, but
wanted to share my experiences with you. Rob Lauckner (website email)
Testimonials and Reviews
I have always been able to fix electrical problems on cars but sometimes at much wasted expense
and effort. Tracy Martin's book is simply the best book I have ever read on this subject. It is a "nuts and
bolts" book that tells you why and how to test a certain way. Suddenly automotive electrical systems
make sense to me. This book will save much wasted effort. My father was an electrical engineer and
he figured out electrical problems for me. When he died I had to figure this stuff out for myself and I
wish I had paid more attention. Tracy Martins book is great, not only do I recommend it ... if Tracy Martin
ever writes another one I will buy that too. Fred Rawls (Amazon)
and effort. Tracy Martin's book is simply the best book I have ever read on this subject. It is a "nuts and
bolts" book that tells you why and how to test a certain way. Suddenly automotive electrical systems
make sense to me. This book will save much wasted effort. My father was an electrical engineer and
he figured out electrical problems for me. When he died I had to figure this stuff out for myself and I
wish I had paid more attention. Tracy Martins book is great, not only do I recommend it ... if Tracy Martin
ever writes another one I will buy that too. Fred Rawls (Amazon)
I am a graduate of highly-recognized aircraft maintenance college, and have achieved above-average
grades in electrical/electronic systems courses. However, during my education we hardly covered
"practical" part of our profession as certified technicians. This book cleared up some of my
questions and was definitely better than any book I've read on electricity.
However, the downside is that the book still spends much space explaining theories that do not help
doing the actual troubleshooting/repair. It could use more photos/illustrations, as well as
comparisons between good units & bad units. Some of the components covered are also obsolete
(point contact ignition system, DC generator, etc...), only helpful for those who are into vintage
vehicles. The book also has too much advertisement, especially for Fluke products. Fluke
multimeters are indeed the best in the world, and I myself use a Fluke. However, even my entry-level
Fluke was $150 and for most home mechanics, Sears Craftsman DMM's are more than sufficient.
All in all, there is simply no better book than this one. On his next book, I would like to see more info
on imported vehicles, as well as more up-to-date systems such as skid control, traction control,
electronic climate control, navigation, discharge-type headlight bulbs, LED's, Optitron clusters, and
engine-to-transmission data-link systems. JPN (Amazon)
grades in electrical/electronic systems courses. However, during my education we hardly covered
"practical" part of our profession as certified technicians. This book cleared up some of my
questions and was definitely better than any book I've read on electricity.
However, the downside is that the book still spends much space explaining theories that do not help
doing the actual troubleshooting/repair. It could use more photos/illustrations, as well as
comparisons between good units & bad units. Some of the components covered are also obsolete
(point contact ignition system, DC generator, etc...), only helpful for those who are into vintage
vehicles. The book also has too much advertisement, especially for Fluke products. Fluke
multimeters are indeed the best in the world, and I myself use a Fluke. However, even my entry-level
Fluke was $150 and for most home mechanics, Sears Craftsman DMM's are more than sufficient.
All in all, there is simply no better book than this one. On his next book, I would like to see more info
on imported vehicles, as well as more up-to-date systems such as skid control, traction control,
electronic climate control, navigation, discharge-type headlight bulbs, LED's, Optitron clusters, and
engine-to-transmission data-link systems. JPN (Amazon)
Review from webbikeworld.com
"So let's just say that he knows motorcycles, he knows how to ride them and he
knows how to fix them. Motorcycle Electrical Systems Troubleshooting and Repair is
a follow-up to Martin's first book, “How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical
Systems”, also published by Motorbooks International." (read more...)
"So let's just say that he knows motorcycles, he knows how to ride them and he
knows how to fix them. Motorcycle Electrical Systems Troubleshooting and Repair is
a follow-up to Martin's first book, “How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical
Systems”, also published by Motorbooks International." (read more...)
Cycle News, March 7, 2007
“Martin simplifies the complex language and operations of electrical systems of
motorcycles so that the diagnostics and repairs can be done with ease.”
“Martin simplifies the complex language and operations of electrical systems of
motorcycles so that the diagnostics and repairs can be done with ease.”
Yahoo Store Review
"This guide was exactly what I was looking for. I have an 80 sportster that was having
generator problems and nobody would look at it because of the age of the bike.
Tracy's troubleshooting methods walked me right through everything I needed to do. I
was amazed at how easy it was to diagnose the problem." Thanks Tracy. Kris Mayes
"This guide was exactly what I was looking for. I have an 80 sportster that was having
generator problems and nobody would look at it because of the age of the bike.
Tracy's troubleshooting methods walked me right through everything I needed to do. I
was amazed at how easy it was to diagnose the problem." Thanks Tracy. Kris Mayes
Kawasaki Concours Owners (Concourier) Review
"Just when a ham-fisted wire puller like this reviewer fries the insulation off some wire
trying to force too much amperage through too little copper, along comes a brand new
publication explaining in easy-to-understand language how electrical systems work in
motorcycles. I can only wish I had a copy of the book before I made my own mistake.
The best part of the book is that though much of the subject itself applies to all 12 and
6-volt electrical systems everything covered in the book is specific to motorcycles.
Thus, in explaining charging systems, for instance, you won’t find a lot of material
about the alternator on the family SUV, but you will fully understand how a one or
three-piece alternator on a motorcycle operates. Whether you have a “classic” Connie
or a new C14 in mind, this book will be enormously useful." Bob Burns, Editor
Concours Owners Group Newsletter.
"Just when a ham-fisted wire puller like this reviewer fries the insulation off some wire
trying to force too much amperage through too little copper, along comes a brand new
publication explaining in easy-to-understand language how electrical systems work in
motorcycles. I can only wish I had a copy of the book before I made my own mistake.
The best part of the book is that though much of the subject itself applies to all 12 and
6-volt electrical systems everything covered in the book is specific to motorcycles.
Thus, in explaining charging systems, for instance, you won’t find a lot of material
about the alternator on the family SUV, but you will fully understand how a one or
three-piece alternator on a motorcycle operates. Whether you have a “classic” Connie
or a new C14 in mind, this book will be enormously useful." Bob Burns, Editor
Concours Owners Group Newsletter.
Motorcycle Consumer News Review, October 2007
"Tracy's 25 years of experience in the automotive field resonate through the pages of
the book, and give credibility to his explanations and assessments. I'd recommend it
for both the library and the workshop of any enthusiast, and can't voice strongly
enough that the best time to read it is before you need it." LT Snyder (read more...)
"Tracy's 25 years of experience in the automotive field resonate through the pages of
the book, and give credibility to his explanations and assessments. I'd recommend it
for both the library and the workshop of any enthusiast, and can't voice strongly
enough that the best time to read it is before you need it." LT Snyder (read more...)
Wing World Review, November 2007
"Will this book make the reader an expert? No. What it will do is provide the reader the
essentials necessary to gain diagnostic skill through understanding and practice.
Practice doesn’t make perfect, unless it’s perfect practice. I recommend this book
highly for both the home mechanic and professional technicians." Stu Oltman
(read more...)
"Will this book make the reader an expert? No. What it will do is provide the reader the
essentials necessary to gain diagnostic skill through understanding and practice.
Practice doesn’t make perfect, unless it’s perfect practice. I recommend this book
highly for both the home mechanic and professional technicians." Stu Oltman
(read more...)
City Bike Review, December 2007
"Unless you have several electrical and electronic theory courses and years as a
mechanic under your belt, this book will teach you things you didn't know -- and will
very likely pay for itself not long after you finish reading it." Adam Wade, City Bike
"Unless you have several electrical and electronic theory courses and years as a
mechanic under your belt, this book will teach you things you didn't know -- and will
very likely pay for itself not long after you finish reading it." Adam Wade, City Bike
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