You should have a basic knowledge of electrical circuits or you will have difficulty using this section. If you need a review of the basic electrical troubleshooting, see the introduction to Electrical Diagnosis. Electrical Diagnosis also contains information on the basic use of circuit testing tools. Additionally General Motors Service Training offers courses in electrical and electronic services.

You should understand the basic electrical theory. You should also know the meaning of basic electrical concepts and measurement: voltage (volts), current (amperes) and resistance (ohms). You should understand what happens in a circuit with an open or shorted wire. You should be able to read and understand a wiring diagram.

You should be familiar with the high impedance Digital Multimeter (DMM) J 39200 . You should be familiar with the meter controls and how to use them correctly. You should be able to measure voltage, resistance and current. You should also know how to use jumper wires to bypass components in order to test circuits.