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Automotive Electrical and Engine Performance, 9th edition

Published by Pearson (June 19, 2024) © 2025

  • James Halderman
  • Curt Ward

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For courses in automotive principles and Automotive Electrical Systems (A6).

This title is part of the Pearson Automotive Professional Technician Series.

Preparing tomorrow’s automotive professionals for success

Automotive Electrical and Engine Performance provides market-leading coverage of all tasks of ASE certification areas A6 (Automotive Electricity and Electronics) and A8 (Automotive Engine Performance). Practical applications and step-by-step photo sequences help students learn and retain procedures.

The 9th Edition has been revised throughout to correspond with the latest ASE A6 and A8 tasks. It includes a new chapter, new case studies and more than 75 new images. Contact your Pearson rep for information on the ASE Test Prep and Study Guide, as well as the ASE Correlated Task Sheets workbook.

Hallmark features of this title

A format geared toward student success

  • Learning outcomes and objectives are aligned with ASE standards and chapter content.
  • Concise, easy-to-read chapters present content in manageable sections, making it more digestible and easily understood by students.

Practical applications

  • EXPANDED: Case studies in technical chapters cover the 3 C’s (complaint, cause and correction) of handling real-world customer issues.
  • All terms used adhere to the SAE J1930 standard, for consistency with industry requirements.

Learning aids and resources

  • Step-by-step photo sequences detail best-practice approaches for procedures such as diagnosing and troubleshooting faults.
  • A chapter-ending summary, review questions and quizzes provide ample practice.

New and updated features of this title

Streamlined organization and enhanced content

  • REVISED: Content has been reorganized for a smoother flow from beginning to end.
  • REVISED: Chapters have been rewritten to be more concise. The two chapters on batteries have been condensed into one chapter, Batteries and Battery Testing (Ch. 12).
  • EXPANDED: More than 75 new full-color photos and line drawings bring subject matter to life.

Alignment with the latest ASE Education Foundation tasks

  • NEW: A new chapter has been added: Advanced Driver Assists Systems (ADAS) (Ch. 23).
  • NEW: New content on full trim was added to the chapter Narrow and Wide Band Oxygen Sensors (Ch. 33).
  • NEW: Two appendices were updated with the 2022 ASE Correlation Charts. Appendix 3 covers A6 tasks, and Appendix 4 covers A8 tasks.
  1. Service Information, Work Orders, and Vehicle Identification
  2. Electrical Fundamentals
  3. Electrical Circuits and Ohm’s Law
  4. Series, Parallel, and Series-Parallel Circuits
  5. Circuit Testers and Digital Meters
  6. Digital Storage Oscilloscopes (DSOs)
  7. Automotive Wiring and Wire Repair
  8. Wiring Schematics and Circuit Testing
  9. Magnetism and Electromagnetism
  10. Electronic Fundamentals
  11. CAN and Network Communications
  12. Batteries and Battery Testing
  13. Starting System Parts and Operation
  14. Starting System Diagnosis and Service
  15. Charging Systems Parts and Operation
  16. Charging System Diagnosis and Service
  17. Lighting and Signaling Circuits
  18. Driver Information and Navigation Systems
  19. Security and Immobilizer Systems
  20. Airbag and Pretensioner Circuits
  21. Body Electrical Accessories
  22. Audio System Operation and Diagnosis
  23. Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS)
  24. Scan Tools
  25. Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Safety
  26. Engine Condition Diagnosis
  27. Gasoline, Diesel, and Alternative Fuels
  28. PCM Fundamentals
  29. Ignition System Parts and Operation
  30. Ignition System Diagnosis and Service
  31. Temperature and Throttle Position Sensors
  32. MAP and MAF Sensors
  33. Narrow and Wide Band Oxygen Sensors
  34. Fuel Pumps, Lines, and Filters
  35. Fuel-Injection Parts and Operation
  36. Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI) Systems
  37. Electronic Throttle Control System
  38. Fuel-Injection System Diagnosis and Service
  39. Turbocharging and Supercharging
  40. Vehicle Emission Standards and Testing
  41. EVAP and EGR Systems
  42. PCV and SAI Systems
  43. Catalytic Converters
  44. On-Board Diagnosis
  45. Module Programming
  46. Strategy-Based Diagnosis

APPENDICES

  1. Sample Electrical/Electronic Systems (A6) Sample ASE Certification Type Test
  2. Sample Automotive Engine Performance (A8) Sample ASE Certification-Type Test
  3. 2022 ASE Education Foundation A6 Correction Chart
  4. 2022 ASE Education Foundation A8 Correction Chart

Glossary

About our authors

Jim Halderman brings a world of experience, knowledge and talent to his work. His automotive service experience includes working as a flat-rate technician, a business owner and a professor of automotive technology at a leading US community college.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio Northern University and a master’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Jim also holds a US patent for an electronic transmission control device. He is an ASE-certified Master Automotive Technician (A1-A9) plus Advanced Engine Performance (L1), L3 and L4.

Jim is the author of many automotive textbooks, all published by Pearson. Jim has presented numerous technical seminars to national audiences, including the California Automotive Teachers (CAT) and the Illinois College Automotive Instructor Association (ICAIA). He is also a member and presenter at the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT). Jim was also named Regional Teacher of the Year by General Motors Corporation and a member of the advisory committee for the department of technology at Ohio Northern University.

Jim and his wife, Michelle, live in Dayton, Ohio. You can reach Jim by email.

Curt Ward, prior to his years at Chrysler, had worked as a technician, shop foreman and service manager in the retail sector of the automotive industry for 13 years. During this time, Curt became a Chrysler Master Technician. Curt has an Associates of Applied Science in Automotive Service Technology from Southern Illinois University. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Organizational Communications from North Central College. He earned his master’s degree in Adult Education at the University of Phoenix.

Curt is an ASE Master Automotive Technician. Curt has presented technical seminars at numerous conferences around the country. He has presented for the Illinois College Automotive Instructor Association (ICAIA), the California Automotive Teachers (CAT) and the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT). Curt is an active member of the Illinois Automotive Instructor Association (ICAIA) and the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT). He has served as secretary and president of the NACAT organization and was the Conference Host for the 2015 NACAT Conference. In 2015 Curt was named the NACAT MVP award winner for his outstanding contribution to the NACAT organization.

Curt and his wife, Tammy, have five children and six grandchildren. Together they enjoy traveling and exploring historical sites. In his spare time, Curt enjoys modeling three-rail O-gauge railroads. You can reach Curt by email.

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