Backyard DIY Auto Repair and Backyard DIY Electronics Repair

[John R Retired]

Do electronics experts here think it possible to draw a parallel comparison between these 2 functions for practical useage?

I have changed my brake pads, replaced a broken steering rod and CV boots (and grease),
changed spark plugs, changed engine oil, added AC coolent, and other maintenance and
minor repairs on late 20th century autos, On older mid-20th century cars adjusted toe-in alignment,
replaced gear oil, adjusted point gap, and timing, replaced distibutor cap, adjust engine valve gap,
replaced engine-trans clutch, adjusted flywheel-crankshaft endplay (with appropriate shims) replaced
warped heads and gaskets (after machine shop work) and other repairs and adjustments. I think I could
possibly rebuild an auto engine if I took my time and had a 2nd car to drive while I did it, of course having
a machine shop do the needed machining. Some DIY backyard mechanics do rebuilds. Some use code readers
you can buy at HArbor Freight to replace smog and engine sensors.

So the big question here is, "Can you draw a comparison of these types of repairs &maintenance with Electronics"
or is Electronics in a higher level of technical understanding, that removes it from that practical, skill level for
the DIY type backyard type person? Does Electronics knowledge and skill take a higher level of theory and
hands on repair to equal DIY Auto Repair?

Note, this same comparison could be made with around the house appliance repair and maintenance like
washing machines, dryers, refridgerators and other houshold appliances.

I'm just talking about intermittent repair now and then, (same with autos) not spending all my free time nose stuck in devies.

So does Electronics take a superior intellect and superior technical understanding to parallel other DIY skill levels?

 

[bertus]

Hello,

There is a lot of information in these resources:

https://maker.pro/forums/resources/troubleshooting-and-repair-info-pages.68/

https://maker.pro/forums/resources/service-manuals-and-schematics.69/

Bertus

 

[poormystic]

Hi
One thing I find very difficult to predict is how good someone's going to be at finding faults.
You might just need to get a really good understanding of electricity.
Do you have any teaching/training resources available in your area?

 

[John R Retired]

Hi
One thing I find very difficult to predict is how good someone's going to be at finding faults.
You might just need to get a really good understanding of electricity.
Do you have any teaching/training resources available in your area?

I personally have some training in Electronics, but not enough to call myslef a technician.

I had no training in auto mechanics or appliance repair either but managed to figure things out and do successful repairs and maintenance.

My main question was "Is Electronics understanding and knowledge parallel & comparable" to those 2 DIY skills or does it take a higher
intelligence and greater intellect to grasp electronics concepts for the DIY backyard fixer-upper?

 

[poormystic]

No it does not take "more" than the curious and adventurous mind that you've obviously got.

 

[John R Retired]

No it does not take "more" than the curious and adventurous mind that you've obviously got.

I did not mean just me, but anyone. It's a universal practical issue.

 

[Martaine2005]

You’ve asked this question before and had replies.
You cannot compare .your intellect with someone else’s.
Your practical skill level maybe great but lack theory. Or you maybe great at theory and can’t do practical work. If you already have some understanding of electronics, car repair or home appliance repair, then you should be able to answer your own question. I certainly can from my experience. There simply is no comparison. The area of expertise is so wide which is why we have experts in many different fields.

To tinker is completely different. I’m like you, very practical with anything mechanical. I’m also an electronics hobbyist but I lack the theory. I can fault find on many electronic devices to an amateur level and successfully repair a lot of devices because I put time and effort into it. The more I do, the better I understand.

 

[John R Retired]

You’ve asked this question before and had replies.
You cannot compare .your intellect with someone else’s.
Your practical skill level maybe great but lack theory. Or you maybe great at theory and can’t do practical work. If you already have some understanding of electronics, car repair or home appliance repair, then you should be able to answer your own question. I certainly can from my experience. There simply is no comparison. The area of expertise is so wide which is why we have experts in many different fields.

To tinker is completely different. I’m like you, very practical with anything mechanical. I’m also an electronics hobbyist but I lack the theory. I can fault find on many electronic devices to an amateur level and successfully repair a lot of devices because I put time and effort into it. The more I do, the better I understand.

Let me put it this way:

A person wants to get a Technical Certificate in a 2 year Junior college.
He or she can pick one of these 3 core curriculums which scholastically are
suppose to be at the same level which are really Associate Degree level but
without the History, English, Art etc general courses. Each of these courses
are designated at the same scholastic level. This is common in 2 year Junior Colleges.

/ Auto Mechanic Repair & Maintenance.
/ Appliance Repair & Maintenance.
/ Electronics Repair & Maintenance.

Will Electronics require more scientific, technical aptitude, more "brain power (so to speak)?

 

[Martaine2005]

I would have to answer yes.

 

[poormystic]

Can your question be verbally answered in any way satisfactory to you?
The answer you seek can only be found in trying to do the work you wonder whether you can do.
We can best help with specific technical problems that you encounter while doing electronics.

 

[John R Retired]

I would have to answer yes.

OK, so there you go.....All 3 recognized at the same scholastic level (Certificate) but it takes more brain power to work at electronics repair and maintenance.

 

[John R Retired]

Can your question be verbally answered in any way satisfactory to you?
The answer you seek can only be found in trying to do the work you wonder whether you can do.
We can best help with specific technical problems that you encounter while doing electronics.

Martaine2005 answered it satisfactorily for me.

As far as what you just said, you are offering help with the technical function of the trees. I am questioning the forest.

 

[Martaine2005]

Martaine2005 answered it satisfactorily for me.

This is only my personal opinion. Others may disagree.
But I find electronics theory very hard but the practical side very easy. Your mileage may differ.

 

[poormystic]

Hi all
I admit that my (historic) excellent understanding of what goes on in electronic circuits couldn't have been gained without a solid understanding of higher maths. Engineering maths isn't simple.
In practice I hardly needed this understanding as a working bench technician. Practical bench work accepts all comers.
One man I heard of had almost zero knowledge of theory... he could hardly use a voltmeter. Yet he succeeded in his work by the method of very close visual inspection.
LIke they say in the USA ~ go figure!

 

[Martaine2005]

OK, so there you go.....All 3 recognized at the same scholastic level (Certificate) but it takes more brain power to work at electronics

The three examples you give are so far apart that the individual would have to choose a vocation.

Let me try and break down your questions.
But first, my experiences.
I’ve never had any form of schooling for mechanics. But I can easily strip an engine and repair it. This is because I wanted to learn. We had ‘Haynes’ manuals back in the day too. I went to night school at the age of 18 for electronics. I passed ‘ city & guilds’ 1 and 2. That was a two year course. After which, I knew how to change a plug, check fuses, check wires all for continuity and Ohms law. Along with most component names and what they do in circuits.
That was 2 years!.
A mechanic would Have been able to strip an engine blind folded in 2 years.
The electronic engineer would have to study a further 5-7 years to get to a comparable level with the mechanics.
But.. but.. but…now electronics is miniature and tools required are expensive. Plus a new learning curve for ‘codes’, hot air etc etc.
And I can still repair up to date cars. I can still repair the microwave or washing machine.
So, three certificates for three different vocations are simply at different levels.

 

[John R Retired]

Hi all
I admit that my (historic) excellent understanding of what goes on in electronic circuits couldn't have been gained without a solid understanding of higher maths. Engineering maths isn't simple.
In practice I hardly needed this understanding as a working bench technician. Practical bench work accepts all comers.
One man I heard of had almost zero knowledge of theory... he could hardly use a voltmeter. Yet he succeeded in his work by the method of very close visual inspection.
LIke they say in the USA ~ go figure!

Yes it is "the Math" that makes it different.
There is some minimal math in auto mechanics but not much.
Used to be with big discreet circuits and components Math was more important.
Now is just "find the culprit board, take it out and replace it" so math is not that important
unless you want to make it important. Old School Ham Radio was interesting using more
Math especially with tubes-valves, antenna calculations etc. Now its not much different than
CB radio Of course now Digital almost eliminates electronics Math and software is more important
shown by the popularity of Arduino and Rasberry Pie devices which rely on code rather than much
electronics (maybe a little)

 

[John R Retired]

The three examples you give are so far apart that the individual would have to choose a vocation.

Let me try and break down your questions.
But first, my experiences.
I’ve never had any form of schooling for mechanics. But I can easily strip an engine and repair it. This is because I wanted to learn. We had ‘Haynes’ manuals back in the day too. I went to night school at the age of 18 for electronics. I passed ‘ city & guilds’ 1 and 2. That was a two year course. After which, I knew how to change a plug, check fuses, check wires all for continuity and Ohms law. Along with most component names and what they do in circuits.
That was 2 years!.
A mechanic would Have been able to strip an engine blind folded in 2 years.
The electronic engineer would have to study a further 5-7 years to get to a comparable level with the mechanics.
But.. but.. but…now electronics is miniature and tools required are expensive. Plus a new learning curve for ‘codes’, hot air etc etc.
And I can still repair up to date cars. I can still repair the microwave or washing machine.
So, three certificates for three different vocations are simply at different levels.

You would have to send the heads (with valves) and bottom end (with Pistons and crankshaft) to a Machine Shop to get that work done.
they would really do the "Math" if required. About all you would have to concerned about would be the "torque" settings for covers and the Heads, manifolds etc. as far as math goes. I don't think the EE would have to go 5-7 years to equal a mechanic...Maybe to equal a really
good Machinist however who worked in tolerances of +/- 0.0001 using a myriad of cutters and machine angles and machine settings.

 

[Martaine2005]

You would have to send the heads (with valves) and bottom end (with Pistons and crankshaft) to a Machine Shop to get that work done.
they would really do the "Math" if required. About all you would have to concerned about would be the "torque" settings for covers and the Heads, manifolds etc. as far as math goes. I don't think the EE would have to go 5-7 years to equal a mechanic...Maybe to equal a really
good Machinist however who worked in tolerances of +/- 0.0001 using a myriad of cutters and machine angles and machine settings.

A machinist is not a mechanic. They understand math and tolerance. An electronics hobbyist is not an electronics engineer.
A part time/extra money repair cafe for all the above requires experience in all the above!.
But above all, it requires a specific person that has those attributes.
A doctor can qualify in 4 years. A GP takes 7-9 years. It’s all relative.

 

[John R Retired]

A machinist is not a mechanic. They understand math and tolerance. An electronics hobbyist is not an electronics engineer.
A part time/extra money repair cafe for all the above requires experience in all the above!.
But above all, it requires a specific person that has those attributes.
A doctor can qualify in 4 years. A GP takes 7-9 years. It’s all relative.

I was speaking of the Auto Mechanics who are also Machinists who work on Automobiles and the machining
of parts that go on those automobiles. I have known Machinists who are proficient in both skills, as machining
compliments auto mechanics and is inseperable from it at a higher skill level. Not talking about auto mechanics
who do oil changes, sparkplugs and tuneups and remove warped heads or replace radiators and brakes.

 

[Martaine2005]

I was speaking of the Auto Mechanics who are also Machinists who work on Automobiles and the machining
of parts that go on those automobiles. I have known Machinists who are proficient in both skills, as machining
compliments auto mechanics and is inseperable from it at a higher skill level. Not talking about auto mechanics
who do oil changes, sparkplugs and tuneups and remove warped heads or replace radiators and brakes.

Then we are still talking about an impossible answer.
You’re going round in circles.
One machinist may take a year to adapt and understand every tool. Another may take 3 years.
One may be able to diagnose a faulty £2.50 spark plug while the technician’ diagnoses a faulty £300 coil pack. Your questions are insignificant and not worth any more response.