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Automotive electrical training
From 4 to 360h of flexible workload

Automotive electrical training

Master automotive electrical systems from basic circuit theory to advanced network diagnostics. This training covers wiring diagrams, batteries, ignition, sensors, and CAN bus communication with hands-on diagnostic methods throughout. Whether you are entering the trade or levelling up your shop skills, this course gives you the technical foundation to diagnose and repair modern vehicles with confidence.

What you will learn:

You will start with core electrical theory — voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's Law — then move into reading OEM wiring diagrams and selecting correct wire gauges and protection devices. From there, you will cover battery and charging system testing, starter circuit diagnosis, and ignition system operation including coil-on-plug and ECM timing control. The course walks you through engine management sensors, OBD-II diagnostics, and fuel trim analysis. You will also tackle CAN bus architecture, intermittent fault strategies, and body system diagnosis. Supplementary modules cover hybrid high-voltage safety, ADAS sensor wiring, lighting systems, and professional repair techniques.

How you study in practice Automotive electrical training

How you practise Automotive electrical training

For companies looking to train their teams

With Elevify for businesses, the course includes exercises and examples tailored to your company and its specific needs.

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Course content

8 Chapters39 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)

Chapter 1See details

Fundamentals of Automotive Electricity

  • Lesson 1 • Electrical Units and Measurement Basics

    Introduces SI prefixes, unit conversions, and proper use of a digital multimeter. Learners perform accurate voltage, current, and resistance readings.

  • Lesson 2 • Voltage, Current, and Resistance

    Defines the three core electrical quantities and their units. Learners apply Ohm's Law to calculate unknowns in simple automotive circuits.

  • Lesson 3 • Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

    Explains magnetic fields, flux, and how relative motion induces voltage. Connects electromagnetic principles to motors, generators, and solenoids.

  • Lesson 4 • Series, Parallel, and Series-Parallel Circuits

    Analyses how loads combine in each circuit type. Learners calculate total resistance, voltage drops, and branch currents for each configuration.

  • Lesson 5 • Atomic Theory and Electron Flow

    Covers atomic structure, free electrons, and conventional vs. electron current flow. Establishes the physical basis for all subsequent electrical concepts.

Chapter 2See details

Automotive Wiring and Circuit Components

  • Lesson 1 • Connectors, Terminals, and Splices

    Examines OEM connector families, terminal designs, and splice methods. Correct termination technique ensures low-resistance, vibration-resistant connections.

  • Lesson 2 • Switches, Relays, and Solenoids

    Describes how switches interrupt circuits and how relays and solenoids extend control capability. Learners trace control vs. power circuits in relay diagrams.

  • Lesson 3 • Grounds, Ground Paths, and Bonding

    Covers chassis ground strategy, ground strap placement, and the effect of poor grounds on circuit performance. Learners locate and test ground integrity.

  • Lesson 4 • Fuses, Breakers, and Fusible Links

    Explains overcurrent protection devices, their ratings, and placement in vehicle circuits. Learners match protection devices to circuit ampacity requirements.

  • Lesson 5 • Wire Types, Gauges, and Insulation

    Covers conductor materials, AWG sizing, and insulation ratings for automotive environments. Proper gauge selection prevents voltage drop and heat damage.

Chapter 3See details

Reading and Interpreting Wiring Diagrams

  • Lesson 1 • Schematic Symbols and Conventions

    Identifies standard symbols for all common automotive electrical components. Consistent symbol recognition is the foundation for accurate diagram reading.

  • Lesson 2 • Tracing Circuits Through Diagrams

    Applies a systematic method to follow current path from battery positive through loads to ground. Learners practise on multi-page OEM diagrams.

  • Lesson 3 • Using Service Information Systems

    Navigates electronic service information platforms to retrieve wiring diagrams and connector data. Efficient retrieval reduces diagnostic time.

  • Lesson 4 • Types of Automotive Diagrams

    Distinguishes schematic, wiring, block, and component location diagrams. Each type serves a different diagnostic or repair purpose.

  • Lesson 5 • Diagram-Based Circuit Analysis

    Combines Ohm's Law with diagram tracing to predict expected voltages and currents. Learners verify predictions with meter measurements on a test vehicle.

Chapter 4See details

Automotive Batteries and Charging Systems

  • Lesson 1 • Alternator Operation and Output

    Describes three-phase AC generation, rectification to DC, and voltage regulation. Learners understand how the alternator responds to electrical load changes.

  • Lesson 2 • Battery Testing and Specification

    Covers CCA, CA, RC ratings, and how to perform load, conductance, and open-circuit voltage tests. Accurate testing prevents unnecessary battery replacement.

  • Lesson 3 • Lead-Acid Battery Construction and Chemistry

    Explains plate chemistry, electrolyte reactions, and cell voltage during charge and discharge. Battery chemistry knowledge guides correct testing and charging procedures.

  • Lesson 4 • Battery and Charging System Service

    Covers safe battery handling, memory-saver use, alternator R&R, and belt tension. Proper service procedures protect electronics and ensure system longevity.

  • Lesson 5 • Charging System Testing and Diagnosis

    Applies voltage and current tests to evaluate alternator output and charging circuit integrity. Learners diagnose undercharge, overcharge, and ripple faults.

Chapter 5See details

Starting Systems and Cranking Circuits

  • Lesson 1 • Starter Drive and Engagement Mechanisms

    Covers overrunning clutch, solenoid-shift, and gear-reduction starter designs. Learners identify engagement noise and mechanical failure patterns.

  • Lesson 2 • Starter Motor Construction and Operation

    Explains armature, field windings, brushes, and commutator function in DC motors. Motor construction knowledge supports accurate mechanical and electrical diagnosis.

  • Lesson 3 • Cranking Circuit Wiring and Control

    Traces the high-current cranking circuit and the low-current control circuit through ignition switch and neutral safety switch. Learners read cranking circuit diagrams.

  • Lesson 4 • Cranking System Testing and Diagnosis

    Applies voltage drop, current draw, and control circuit tests to isolate starting faults. Learners distinguish electrical faults from mechanical engine resistance.

Chapter 6See details

Ignition Systems and Engine Management Basics

  • Lesson 1 • Ignition Coil and High-Voltage Circuit

    Explains primary and secondary winding induction, saturation time, and spark plug firing voltage. Learners measure primary resistance and secondary output.

  • Lesson 2 • ECM Spark Timing Control

    Describes how the ECM calculates base timing, advance, and retard using sensor inputs and knock feedback. Learners interpret timing data on a scan tool.

  • Lesson 3 • Ignition System Evolution and Types

    Surveys contact-point, electronic, distributorless, and coil-on-plug ignition architectures. Historical context clarifies why modern systems offer superior timing accuracy.

  • Lesson 4 • Ignition System Diagnosis and Testing

    Applies oscilloscope, spark tester, and scan tool methods to isolate misfires and ignition faults. Learners correlate misfire codes with waveform evidence.

  • Lesson 5 • Crankshaft and Camshaft Position Sensors

    Covers Hall-effect and variable-reluctance sensor operation and their role in timing the ignition event. Sensor signal quality directly affects engine performance.

Chapter 7See details

Sensors, Actuators, and Engine Control Systems

  • Lesson 1 • OBD-II Diagnostics and Fault Codes

    Covers OBD-II monitor readiness, DTC structure, freeze frame data, and scan tool navigation. Learners perform a complete diagnostic workflow from code retrieval to verification.

  • Lesson 2 • Closed-Loop Fuel Control and Trims

    Describes how the ECM uses oxygen sensor feedback to maintain stoichiometry and records short-term and long-term fuel trims. Trim values guide diagnosis.

  • Lesson 3 • Sensor Operating Principles

    Classifies sensors by output type: analog voltage, digital frequency, and switched. Understanding output type determines correct test method and expected values.

  • Lesson 4 • Fuel Injector and Actuator Control

    Explains injector pulse width, duty cycle, and peak-and-hold driver circuits. Learners measure injector current waveforms and calculate fuel delivery.

  • Lesson 5 • Key Engine Management Sensors

    Covers MAF, MAP, TPS, ECT, IAT, and oxygen sensor operation and expected signal ranges. Each sensor's role in fuel and timing calculations is explained.

Chapter 8See details

Advanced Electrical Diagnosis and Network Systems

  • Lesson 1 • Diagnosing Intermittent Electrical Faults

    Covers techniques for capturing intermittent faults using data logging, wiggle tests, and thermal stress. Intermittent faults are the most time-consuming diagnostic challenge.

  • Lesson 2 • Vehicle Communication Network Architecture

    Explains CAN, LIN, and MOST network topologies, bus speeds, and module roles. Network architecture knowledge is prerequisite for bus-level fault diagnosis.

  • Lesson 3 • Systematic Electrical Diagnostic Process

    Introduces a structured six-step diagnostic process: verify, define, research, test, repair, verify. Systematic process prevents misdiagnosis and repeat repairs.

  • Lesson 4 • Body and Comfort System Diagnosis

    Applies network and circuit diagnostic skills to body control module, lighting, and HVAC systems. Learners trace BCM-controlled outputs and diagnose inoperative accessories.

  • Lesson 5 • Network Fault Diagnosis

    Applies oscilloscope and scan tool methods to identify bus shorts, opens, and termination faults. Learners isolate faulted modules without unnecessary replacement.

Certification
Certification

Your valid completion certificate

This course is for you:

  • Entry-level technicians: wanting a structured path into electrical specialisation.

  • General mechanics: ready to stop guessing and start diagnosing electrical faults.

  • Vocational students: supplementing classroom theory with vehicle-specific application.

  • Career changers: bringing transferable skills into the automotive service industry.

  • Dedicated DIYers: tackling complex vehicle electrical problems on their own vehicles.

  • Shop owners: building personal diagnostic competence to better manage electrical jobs.

What our students say

Feedback from those who have already studied with us:

Your lessons are perfect. I purchased the one-year package and finally have the opportunity to follow various topics of interest without needing to change platforms... I'm grateful for everything you do, I've already recommended you to other people...
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Giulio CarloDigital Marketing Student
I like how the lessons are straight to the point and how I can change chapters and skip content I don't need.
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Mariana FerresPhotography Student
I like the content and the way videos are presented and transcribed, which speeds up the process!
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The platform is fast, simple to use. The diversity of content and complementary videos really help with learning.
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