I'm looking for a thorough treatment of the XJ electrical system understandable to a beginner (ME).

Does such an animal exist?

Failing that, what is the best resource for the XJ electrical system in general?

 

The best documentation is the factory service manual. It contains all the wiring diagrams and troubleshooting flow charts, etc. However, wiring diagrams are not going to be understood by beginners.

You have to be able to read and understand these diagrams. There may be some free online courses or tutorials (YouTube, etc.) that can get you started. Or consider taking an electronics course or two at your local Technical College.

Some basic understanding of electronics, being able to use a simple multimeter and having good documentation goes a long ways towards troubleshooting the vast majority of electrical issues on the XJ.

 

Do you know how to read schematics? There is a lot of good general electrical theory/schematics on youtube. They will get you pointed in the right direction and teach you the basics of using a multimeter.

Otherwise there are schematics and resources for specific circuits online.

Here are some to get you started. You can also buy a factory service manual for your specific year, they have a lot of good information.

http://www.autozone.com/repairinfo/r...00c152800a9de9


EDIT: tjwalker must have been typing the same time I was, I promise I didnt just reword his post.

 

For basic DC (Direct Current) electrical understanding, there's always The Twelve Volt.

 

Wow, http://www.the12volt.com is very cool thanks.

I am surprised there is no digital version of the FSM manuals available... guess I'll have to buy the hard copies?

 

Hands on best way to learn https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...omotive+wiring .....http://jeep-manual.ru/index.php?page=196

 

"One ohm is the resistance value through which one volt will maintain a current of one ampere." That just blew my mind

 

Nice, that link to manuals is extremely helpful.

Kid in candy store.

 

Big props to you for trying to learn this stuff on your own! Electrical stuff scares so many people its not even funny. But its a great thing to have knowledge on. Just wait until you get in to the AC stuff. Way more interesting then DC.

 

Or AC and DC in the same systems, when rectifiers get in the mix thats when the real fun starts.

 

Great thread! Good for you OP!

 

When resonant frequencies get in the mix, that's when the real fun starts!

 

Note from DJ
Don’t forget that your local Public Library has a section of books on Automobile repair and they are available for FREE!

I have two books checked out now on different years of Jeeps.

 

Yuck.. resistance, capacitance, and inductance.

 

Note from DJ
Sorry about the double post