Electrical issues with automobiles can be very complex because vehicles today have accessories that far exceed cars of the past. The computer systems rely on sensors for feedback and communicate with each other. In between this is electrical wire and other components such as relays, resisters, fuses, and breakers.
When a problem occurs, the Technician will use different diagnostic equipment to resolve the issue. A wiring diagram is a blueprint of the electrical system. Suppose it points out the circuits and color codes of the wiring. The Technician needs this information to trace and test circuits. The diagnostic computer can be used for information, activating devices for testing, and component monitoring. The digital volt-ohm meter ( DVOM ) checks the electrical system’s voltage and resistance.
Technicians today are called technicians because the day of the mechanic is over. A mechanic is someone who can repair machinery or engines. A technician is someone who specializes in a skilled trade. The two are very similar. The main difference is that the Technician has the skill to diagnose today’s complex vehicles. The educational level of the Technician is much higher than that of the mechanic.
In the auto repair business, the shop has three levels of workers. A, B, and C level workers are A technicians, B mechanics, and C helpers or are in Training. The Technician will handle diagnosing and repairing complex issues. The mechanic is skilled in changing parts, and the helper usually handles straightforward jobs. Their goal is to be an A or B employee someday. Even a person from a technical school or junior college starts as a helper or C employee. They are expected to become working A or B technicians within the first few years of on-the-job Training.