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Engineering ServicesISCO 7412

Automotive electrician

An automotive electrician is a person who installs, maintains and repairs the electrical and electronic systems of motor vehicles: air conditioning, lighting, radios, heating systems, batteries, wiring and alternators. The vehicle arrives with a symptom rather than a diagnosis, and turning one into the other is the core of the trade.

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Check yourself in a minute: automotive electrician

Rate 5 of the 26 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

repair vehicle's electrical equipment

troubleshoot

perform test run

use automotive diagnostic equipment

use specialised tools in electric repairs

About automotive electrician

Diagnosis comes first. The electrician connects diagnostic equipment, reads what the vehicle's own systems report, and traces the fault back through the wiring to its source. Technical documentation carries the circuit diagrams that make this possible, and reading it correctly is a skill in itself.

Repair follows. The electrician replaces or repairs the faulty part using hand tools together with specialised instruments and electrical machines, installs automotive electrical equipment and automotive electronic components, and performs test runs afterwards to confirm that the fault is gone and nothing else was disturbed. A knowledge of mechanics matters as well.

Much of the work is done alone, under a bonnet or a dashboard. The electrician carries out manual work independently, troubleshoots without a second opinion to hand, and applies health and safety standards around live circuits, batteries and airbag systems that are dangerous when handled carelessly.

Key skills in this occupation

Essential skills and knowledge areas from the European ESCO classification, 26 in total. The ones most specific to this occupation come first.

  1. repair vehicle's electrical equipment

    Repair and replace electrical equipment inside vehicles, such as lighting and air conditioning systems.

    practical skill
  2. troubleshoot

    Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

    practical skill
  3. perform test run

    Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings…

    practical skill
  4. use automotive diagnostic equipment

    Use diagnostic equipment to perform test on motor vehicles, components and systems to detect defects.

    practical skill
  5. use specialised tools in electric repairs

    Use of a variety of specialised tools, instruments and machines, such as presses, drills and grinders.

    practical skillresilient to AI
  6. wear appropriate protective gear

    Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

    practical skill
  7. read standard blueprints

    Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.

    practical skill
  8. install automotive electrical equipment

    Place electrical circuits and wiring in vehicles such as lighting and voltage gauges.

    practical skill

Check which of these skills you already have ↑

Knowledge (10)

automotive diagnostic equipment
The equipment used to examine automotive systems and components. More →
car controls
The functioning of specific car equipment such as how to operate and handle the clutch, throttle, lighting, instrumentation, transmission and the brakes. More →
vehicle electrical systems
The vehicle electrical systems, including components such as the battery, starter, and alternator. More →
types of vehicles
Field of information which distinguishes rental agency classification systems, containing types and classes of vehicles and their functioning and components. More →
energy storage systems
The systems to capture the energy produced at one time for use at a later time. More →
mechanics of motor vehicles
The way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles. More →
electronics
The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. More →
electricity
The principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks. More →
electrical wiring plans
Pictorial representation of an electrical circuit. More →
mechanics
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices. More →

Practical skills (8)

install car electronics
Place electrically operated accessories in vehicles such as batteries which power heating systems, radios and anti-theft systems. More →
perform vehicle diagnostic procedures
Perform diagnostic procedures on vehicle systems. More →
fasten components
Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products. More →
perform manual work autonomously
Show the ability to pursue basic manual tasks without the help or assistance of others, not needing supervision or guidance, and taking responsibility for one's actions. More →
inspect for faults in the vehicle's electric system
Search for flaws in a vehicle's electric system; understand manufacturer's circuit diagrams and specification manuals. More →
carry out improvised vehicle repairs
Identify mechanical/technical car problems; perform improvised or intermediate repairs on vehicles; take into account individual customer requests. More →
use technical documentation
Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process. More →
apply health and safety standards
Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities. More →
Optional skills (25) — show
battery fluids
The characteristics and properties of battery fluids. More →
battery chemistry
The different battery types according to the representative chemical components used in the anode or the cathode such as zinc-carbon, nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, or lithium-ion. More →
battery components
The physical components, such as wiring, electronics and voltaic cells that can be found in batteries. More →
execute vehicle maintenance
Execute vehicle maintenance based on supplier or manufacturer instructions. More →
maintain vehicle records
Maintain vehicle records by accurately recording service operations and repairs. More →
position vehicles for maintenance and repair
Place vehicles in the right position (such as on top of a pneumatic lift) for repair and maintenance tasks. More →
maintain electrical engines
Understanding of electrical circuits and being able to repair. More →
drive vehicles
Be able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used. More →
install transport equipment batteries
Install batteries in transport equipmentby using hand and power tools. More →
maintain electrical equipment
Test electrical equipment for malfunctions. More →
repair vehicle electrical systems
Use appropriate tools, machinery, and equipment to solve problems related to components of the electrical system of vehicles, such as the battery, alternator, or starter. More →
create technical plans
Create detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products. More →
clean vehicle exterior
Wash, clean, polish and wax vehicle's exterior glass and chrome parts. More →
diagnose defective engines
Diagnose engine damage or malfunctions by inspecting mechanical equipment; utilise instruments such as chassis charts, pressure gauges, and motor analysers. More →
identify customer's needs
Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services. More →
repair battery components
Repair battery components through replacing cells, repairing wiring, or spot-welding cells. More →
operate battery test equipment
Operate equipment used for battery testing, such as a soldering iron, a battery tester, or a multimeter. More →
perform road testing of vehicles
Perform road tests with vehicles; ensure that all functions are working safely and correctly; test vehicle in extreme weather and road conditions. More →
test electronic units
Test electronic units using appropriate equipment. More →
conduct performance tests
Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions. More →
provide customer follow-up services
Register, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services. More →
operate soldering equipment
Use soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others. More →
keep stock records
Keep written records of the amount of stock in storage, incoming and outgoing products required for the proper operation of services, repairs and maintenance tasks. More →
write records for repairs
Write records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts. More →
install transport equipment lighting
Install lighting elements in transport equipment according to blueprints and other technical plans. More →

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

electromechanical equipment assembler11 shared essential skillsmarine electrician11 shared essential skillsrolling stock electrician11 shared essential skillsmotor vehicle parts assembler10 shared essential skillspowertrain engineer10 shared essential skillsautomotive brake technician9 shared essential skillsvehicle technician9 shared essential skillsautomotive battery technician8 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does an automotive electrician do?

Automotive electricians install, maintain and repair electrical and electronic systems in motor vehicles such as air conditioning systems, lamps, radios, heating systems, batteries, electrical wiring and alternators. They use diagnostic testing equipment to inspect vehicles and find faults. To do repair work, they use hand tools and specialised electrical instruments and machines.

What skills does an automotive electrician need?

An automotive electrician needs 26 essential skills, including automotive diagnostic equipment, car controls, vehicle electrical systems, types of vehicles, energy storage systems.

Will AI replace automotive electrician jobs?

The AI disruption score for automotive electrician is 36/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep stock records, battery components, maintain vehicle records. Most resilient: electricity, use specialised tools in electric repairs, carry out improvised vehicle repairs.

Quick Facts

SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupElectrical and electronic trades workers
Essential Skills26

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