Chevrolet Corvette 1963 Repair & Tune-Up Manual page 297

This section is designed to aid in the quick,
accurate diagnosis of automotive problems.
While automotive repairs can be made by
many people, accurate troubleshooting is a
rare skill for the amateur and professional
alike.
In its simplest state, troubleshooting is an
exercise in logic. It is essential to realize that
an automobile is really composed of a series
of systems. Some of these systems are in-
terrelated; others are not. Automobiles
operate within a framework of logical rules
and physical laws, and the key to trouble-
shooting is a good understanding of all the
automotive systems.
This section breaks the car or truck down
into its component systems, allowing the
problem to be isolated. The charts and diag-
nostic road maps list the most common prob-
lems and the most probable causes of
trouble. Obviously it would be impossible to
list every possible problem that could hap-
pen along with every possible cause, but it
will locate MOST problems and eliminate a
lot of unnecessary guesswork. The systematic
Tech-dwell hooked-up to distributor
Troubleshooting
format will locate problems within a given
system, but, because many automotive sys-
tems are interrelated, the solution to your
particular problem may be found in a
number of systems on the car or truck.
USING THE
TROUBLESHOOTING CHARTS
This book contains all of the specific informa-
tion that the average do-it-yourself mechanic
needs to repair and maintain his or her car or
truck. The troubleshooting charts are de-
signed to be used in conjunction with the
specific procedures and information in the
text. For instance, troubleshooting a point-
type ignition system is fairly standard for all
models, but you may be directed to the text
to find procedures for troubleshooting an in-
dividual type of electronic ignition. You will
also have to refer to the specification charts
throughout the book for specifications applic-
able to your car or truck.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
The tools illustrated in Chapter 1 (plus two
more diagnostic pieces) will be adequate to
troubleshoot most problems. The two other
tools needed are a voltmeter and an ohmme-
ter. These can be purchased separately or in
combination, known as a VOM meter.
In the event that other tools are required,
they will be noted in the procedures.