Automotive training for ASE cert online?

Just wondering if anyone here had any positive experience with online automotive training of any kind for ase certification? I'm itching to increase my automotive knowledge. Thanks in advance!

Not really. Tried to find some stuff for ASE test prep without success. Hands on is without a doubt the best. I used the Delmar guides as a refresher, but they require at least a working knowledge of the theory of how the systems the cover work.

Cdx is what we use, I think it's the best curriculum currently available. Don't know how online it is though, sorry.

I took the Parts Specialist ASE test last fall. I honestly cannot even remember what I used for training. I think NAPA had some proprietary ASE training on their training site.

Honestly a lot of the ASE stuff is way outdated. You'll be better off just reading everything on howstuffworks.com and googling whatever in particular you want to learn. Much of the stuff is based on 80s GM garbage.

I had 5 of mine before graduating high school doing the above, plus reading some very basic stuff in textbooks. Got the other 3 a year or so later.

I have a bunch of technical manuals and training books if you pay shipping. A lot of 80s Chrysler stuff and general stuff up to about 2005ish. Send me an email through the forum and I'll find them.

That said the ASEs don't really prepare you for much other than a very basic understanding(the HVAC one for instance). You'll be scratching your head when the pressures are fine to not-bad... And blows coldish for a very short time then warm. Vacuum it down, no refrigerant, it was all air in the system, which can get sucked in at the compressor or a low side slow leak.

Also I've met some downright STUPID master techs. Like destroy a D44 axle because "the c-clip won't come out."

In reply to flatlander937:

You may be right, but ASE certification is a pretty common qualification for job applicants.

I didn't pursue ASE cert for knowledge. I pursued it so I could apply for jobs.

one of my friends got ASE certified in a few different things by just taking the tests and paying whatever the fees were.. his tech school knowledge from 15 years earlier was good enough..

and he's never needed the certs, other than to be able to impress people with how awesome the shop was that he owned for a couple of years.. that "ASE Certified" sticker on the front window of his shop looked mighty impressive to the general public..

ASE is a lot like A+ and other certs... All they do is prove you have a (very) basic level of knowledge in an area. On one side, you can say that won't make you any smarter about taking the C-clip out of a D-44 axle, but on the other, if it's such a basic test, would you hire/trust anyone in the field with no other references who couldn't do it?

I wrote my previous post thinking the OP just plain wants to learn stuff(not for actually becoming a technician).

They're certainly important as they are industry standard.

IMO they just show that you're willing to do some extra work to learn and/or keep up with stuff... Even though much is outdated.

Read the text books to learn nomenclature, theory, automotive systems testing, and diagnosis. Find an older (70s-early 90s) project car or truck and start removing and replacing the components. Go further and disassemble the components referring to text books, repair manuals and internet to learn how to inspect, test, repair them. Leave the big hammers in the tool box.

IMO the ASE certification is a way to get money from people. If you have a pulse and could put a square peg in a square hole (Technician A says that a square peg will not fit in a round hole. Technician B says a hole must be shaped like its peg. Is Technician A right, Technician B right, both, or neither?) you could pass the ASEs.

I let my ASE certs lapse a long time ago. My employer keeps telling me to recert, but he's a nice guy, and in the back of my mind he just wants me to recert so I'll be valuable after he lets me go. So I won't recert. He keeps threatening me with "more money" but that isn't important to me.

My 10 ASE certs are resume padding. Having said that, talk is cheap and there ARE some tough questions on ASE tests that i would sure laugh to see someone fail at after E36 M3-talking the tests. I've been taking them for a bit over 10 years and they have gotten more difficult over time.

Having said that about ASE tests, i feel like they are a more relevant barometer of my abilities than my Bachelor's (Occupational Education) or even MOST people's Bachelor's degrees are, and a pile of ASE certs is MUCH cheaper.

The basic mechanic tests are relativly easy,a assuming you're mechanically inclined, and are able to use logical thought to eliminate possibilities.
The auto trans test is tougher, you will need a decent understanding to pass.

The advanced level engine performance (L1) is pretty damn tough though.

I have ASE master mechanic (the basic 8 auto repair), L1 and, I took and passed two of the body shop technician tests as well...even though I know very little about body repair. All these with minimal study materials. Basic electrical knowledge, and time spent taking things apart, learning how they work and fixing them will prepare you. YouTube and Google are great for showing the processes of certain tasks.

"........and the 50 extra points were for doing it all through the tailpipe."

That's all I got.