Master Mechanic Electrical Specialist 1975 Cadillac Competency Framework
Exhaustive IEEE 1484.20.1 Shareable Competency Definition framework for a master mechanic specializing in the electrical systems of 1974 Cadillac automobiles, including the Eldorado. Derived from the 1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, focusing on Section 6 Electrical, Section 12 Chassis Electrical, Section 15 Accessories (electrical components), and electrical/vacuum circuit diagrams. Covers theory, diagnosis, adjustments, replacement procedures, wiring diagrams, torque specifications where applicable, and special tools. Includes Eldorado-specific FWD electrical considerations.
Full Electrical System Rebuild & Integration
Perform complete electrical system rebuild (wiring replacement, component overhaul, diagram verification), integrate with mechanical systems, test all circuits for continuity/load, ensure Eldorado FWD compatibility.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, All Electrical Sections & Diagrams
Electrical System Safety & Warnings Application
Apply manual warnings (disconnect battery before service, avoid shorting tools, wear PPE), ensure no spark near fuel lines, follow ESD precautions for modules.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Safety Notice p. 3
Eldorado FWD Electrical Considerations & Modifications
Apply Eldorado-specific electrical modifications (transverse engine wiring routing, final-drive sensor if applicable, FWD accessory belts), ensure no chafing on drive axles, follow supplement diagrams.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Eldorado Supplements in Sections 6, 12, 15
Electrical System Torque Specifications Application
Apply torque specs for electrical components (e.g., alternator mounting ~30 ft�lbs, starter bolts ~35 ft�lbs, battery terminals 10�15 ft�lbs), use calibrated torque wrench, avoid over-tightening terminals.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 6 & 12 Torque Charts
Power Antenna Motor Diagnosis & Replacement
Diagnose power antenna non-extend (motor, relay, wiring), test motor voltage, replace antenna assembly, adjust mast tension.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Radio and Antenna
Diagnose horn non-sound (relay, switch, wiring, horns), test horn relay click, adjust horn tone if applicable, replace horns, torque mounting bolts.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 12 Wiring Diagrams
Battery Drain Test & Parasitic Load Diagnosis
Perform battery drain test (max 50 mA draw key off), isolate circuits with ammeter, diagnose parasitic loads (glove lamp, radio memory, shorts), repair faulty components.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 6 Electrical Diagnosis
Perform voltage drop test on circuits (max 0.2V per connection, 0.5V total for starter), use multimeter, identify high resistance points, repair connections.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Sections 6, 12 Diagnosis
Seat Belt/Starter Interlock System Diagnosis
Diagnose interlock no-start (seat belt sensors, wiring, relay), test sensor continuity, bypass for testing only, adjust belt retraction.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 1 Seat Belts/Starter Interlock
Diagnose power lock non-op (solenoid, switch, wiring, relay), test solenoid resistance, replace lock switch, follow wiring diagram for multi-door system.
Diagnose power window non-op (motor, switch, wiring, circuit breaker), test motor voltage, replace window switch, follow door wiring harness diagram.
Diagnose power seat non-movement (motor, switch, wiring, circuit breaker), test motor draw, replace switch assembly, follow wiring diagram for 6-way seat.
Diagnose non-working courtesy/dome lamps (door switches, timer relay, wiring), test switch continuity, replace bulbs, adjust timer delay.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 12 Lighting System
Diagnose non-running clock (fuse, wiring, ground), test for 12V supply, replace clock assembly, adjust time/set mechanism.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 12 Electrical Instruments
Diagnose ammeter non-reading (shunt wire, gauge, wiring), test charging output to gauge, replace gauge if stuck, check for battery drain.
Test oil pressure sender (resistance decreases with pressure), replace sender, check gauge response, diagnose wiring for opens/shorts.
Test temp sender resistance (high cold, low hot; typical 200 ohms at 100�F), replace sender, check gauge accuracy, diagnose wiring faults.
Fuel Gauge Sending Unit Test & Replacement
Test fuel sender ohms (0 empty - 90 full typical), replace sender assembly, calibrate gauge, check wiring for opens.
Diagnose cornering lamps non-operation (switch, relay, wiring), test turn signal linkage activation, replace bulbs, adjust lamp aim.
Ignition Switch & Starter Interlock Diagnosis
Diagnose ignition switch faults (no start, accessory mode issues), test starter interlock (seat belt switch), replace switch assembly, adjust interlock linkage per spec.
Replace battery cables (positive/negative), torque terminal bolts to spec (typically 10�15 ft�lbs), check cable gauge/size per manual, inspect for insulation damage.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 6 Electrical
Diagnose poor grounds (corrosion, loose bolts), test ground resistance (max 0.1 ohms), clean/repair ground straps (engine to frame, body to chassis), torque ground bolts per spec.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Sections 6, 12 Wiring Diagrams
Vacuum Circuit Diagrams Interpretation & Testing
Interpret vacuum diagrams for electrical-vacuum systems (cruise, wipers, de-fogger), test vacuum hoses for leaks (use smoke or gauge), repair/replace hoses/clamps.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Inside Back Cover Vacuum Diagrams
Theft Deterrent System Diagnosis & Arming
Diagnose theft deterrent non-activation (horn, lights, wiring, sensors), test alarm delay (15 sec door open), repair horn relay, arm/disarm system per manual.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Theft Deterrent System, p. 59
Custom Cabriolet Padded Roof Electrical Components
Diagnose padded roof electrical issues (motors, switches if power-operated), test wiring, replace components, follow supplement for Eldorado cabriolet specifics.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Custom Cabriolet Padded Roof, p. 57
Diagnose sun roof non-operation (motor, switch, limit switches, wiring), test motor draw, adjust limit switches, replace motor if stuck, follow wiring diagram.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Sun Roof, p. 48
Diagnose indicator non-light (sensor, wiring, bulb, switch), test float sensor continuity, replace sensor, check ground connection.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Low Washer Fluid Indicator, p. 46
Controlled Cycle Windshield Wiper System Diagnosis
Diagnose wiper non-cycle (switch, module, motor, wiring), test delay timer, adjust pulse relay, replace wiper motor if draw >5 amps or erratic.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Controlled Cycle Windshield Wiper System, p. 43
Diagnose lamp monitor non-indication (fiber optic cables, sensors, wiring), test bulb sensors, repair optic leads, follow diagnosis chart for false positives.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Lamp Monitor System, p. 41
Rear Window De-Fogger Diagnosis & Repair
Diagnose de-fogger non-operation (grid lines, switch, relay, wiring), test grid continuity (ohms per line), repair broken grid lines with conductive paint, torque connections per spec.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Rear Window De-Fogger, p. 39
Twilight Sentinel Automatic Light Control Diagnosis
Diagnose Twilight Sentinel non-auto on/off (photocell, amplifier, delay timer, wiring), test delay adjustment, replace sensor, follow circuit diagram for faults.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Twilight Sentinel, p. 32
Guide-Matic Automatic Headlamp Dimmer Diagnosis
Diagnose Guide-Matic non-dim (sensor, amplifier, relay, wiring), test sensitivity adjustment, replace photocell, follow diagnosis chart for over-sensitive/under-sensitive conditions.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Guide-Matic, p. 26
Cruise Control System Diagnosis & Adjustment
Diagnose cruise non-engagement (switch, servo, vacuum hoses, wiring), adjust linkage per spec, test speed sensor, check for vacuum leaks, follow circuit diagram.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Cruise Control, p. 16
Diagnose radio static/no sound (antenna lead, ground, speaker wiring), test antenna mast extension, replace radio unit, adjust trimmer for best reception, follow wiring diagram.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 15 Radio and Antenna, p. 2
Remove instrument panel (disconnect speedometer cable, electrical connectors), replace bulbs/gauges, torque mounting screws per spec, reinstall and test all functions.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 12 Instrument Panel, p. 38
Diagnose inaccurate speedometer (cable, gear, head), test cable spin, replace driven gear, calibrate if needed, check for odometer tampering.
Instrument Panel Gauge Diagnosis & Replacement
Diagnose inaccurate gauges (fuel, temp, oil, amp) using charts, test sending units (e.g., fuel sender ohms 0-90 typical), replace gauges, calibrate if applicable per manual.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 12 Electrical Instruments, p. 22
Diagnose non-flashing turn signals (flasher unit, switch, wiring), test hazard flasher, repair bulb sockets, adjust switch timing if applicable.
Troubleshoot non-working tail/brake lamps (bulbs, sockets, wiring, turn signal switch), test stop light switch, repair grounds, replace bulbs per spec.
Diagnose dim/no headlamps (switch, relay, wiring, grounds), adjust beam aim per specs (horizontal/vertical), test high/low beam relay, replace bulbs (sealed beam units).
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 12 Lighting System, p. 2
Inspect wiring harness for chafing, corrosion, loose connections, repair using solder and heat shrink, follow wiring diagram colors and connectors, test continuity with multimeter.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Inside Back Cover Wiring Diagrams
Inspect fuse block for corrosion/melted fuses, test fuse continuity, replace blown fuses with correct amp rating, check for shorts in circuits.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 12 Chassis Electrical
Load test battery (min 9V under 300A load for 15 sec), check specific gravity (1.260�1.280 typical), charge at max 10 amps slow rate, inspect terminals for corrosion.
Bench test alternator output (35�45 amps at 2000 rpm typical), overhaul rotor/stator/diode bridge, check rotor slip rings, torque pulley nut per spec.
Test regulator voltage (14.0�14.5V at 2000 rpm typical), adjust or replace if out of spec, check for overcharge/undercharge, inspect wiring for corrosion.
Use diagnosis chart to troubleshoot low output (alternator, regulator, belt tension, wiring), test alternator output (35�45 amps at 2000 rpm typical), check diode bridge for shorts.
Bench test starter free-run (60�100 amps at 10V typical), overhaul armature/brushes/field coils, check commutator runout (max 0.005 in), torque end frame bolts per spec.
Test and Adjust Starter Solenoid & Relay
Test solenoid pull-in/hold-in coils (resistance specs per manual), adjust solenoid gap if applicable, test relay contacts for voltage drop, replace if draw >10 amps or chattering.
Diagnose Starting System No-Crank Condition
Use diagnosis chart to troubleshoot no-crank (battery, starter solenoid, neutral safety switch, wiring), check voltage drop at starter (max 0.5V), test starter relay, inspect connections for corrosion.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Section 6 Electrical, p. 14+
Navigate Electrical Sections & Supplements in Shop Manual
Locate theory of operation, diagnosis charts, adjustments, replacement procedures, wiring diagrams, vacuum diagrams, torque requirements, special tools, and Eldorado-specific electrical notes in Sections 6, 12, 15, and inside back cover.
1974 Cadillac Shop Manual, Sections 6, 12, 15, and Diagrams
Master Mechanic Electrical Specialist 1975 Cadillac Competency Framework Proficiency Rubric
Holistic proficiency rubric for evaluating competencies in Master Mechanic Electrical Specialist 1975 Cadillac Competency Framework
Proficiency evaluation criterion for Master Mechanic Electrical Specialist 1975 Cadillac Competency Framework