Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 College Catalog 
    
2021-2022 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

AUT 128 - Automotive Electrical Fundamentals and Applications

3 Credits, 7 Contact Hours
1 lecture period 6 lab periods

Principles and procedures of electrical diagnosis and repair. Includes electrical fundamentals and test test equipment, electrical system, battery, starting system, charging system, lightingsystems, instrumentation, integrated circuits, and computerized control systems.

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Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Perform electrical measurements and create parallel, series, and series/parallel circuits.
  2. Test and measure battery performance and determine necessary repairs.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of Digital Multimeter Operation and utilize it to diagnose electrical malfunctions.
  4. Troubleshoot and repair electrical malfunctions within a typical starting system by using a step diagnostic method.
  5. Troubleshoot and repair electrical malfunctions within a typical charging system by using a step diagnostic method.
  6. Inspect, diagnose, and repair lighting system malfunctions using a step diagnostic method.
  7. Inspect, diagnose, and repair typical driver information, instrumentation cluster, and sensor malfunctions using a step method.
  8. Demonstrate understanding of the Snap-on Multimeter 525 Multimeter and obtain NC3 certification.

Outline:
  1. Electrical Fundamentals and Test Equipment
    1. Definition and effects of electricity
    2. Measurement and types of electricity
      1. Voltage
      2. Amperage
      3. Resistance
    3. Actions of Electricity
      1. Heat generation
      2. Chemical reaction
      3. Magnetism and electromagnetism
    4. Circuit types and components of a circuit
      1. Parallel
      2. Series
      3. Combination
    5. Diagnostic testing, low and high resistance, and measurement
      1. Voltage drops
      2. Resistance checks
      3. Continuity checks
    6. Electrical circuit controls
      1. Resistors, fixed and variable type
      2. Switches
      3. Relays
  2. Battery Diagnosis and Service
    1. Charge test
    2. Capacity (load, high rate discharge) tests
    3. Slow/fast battery charge
    4. Battery cables, connectors, clamps and hold-downs
    5. Jumper pack use
  3. DVOM Operation and Electrical Circuit Diagnosis
    1. DVOM design and operation
    2. Electrical circuit design and operation
    3. Utilizing voltage drops to isolate failed circuits and components
    4. Properly documenting diagnostic procedures and findings
  4. Starting System Diagnosis and Repair
    1. Starter relays and solenoids
    2. Starter circuit voltage drop testing
    3. Starter: remove and replace
    4. Electrical and mechanical troubleshooting
    5. Properly documenting one’s diagnostic procedure and findings
  5. Charging System Diagnosis and Repair
    1. Problems that cause an undercharge, no charge, or overcharged condition
    2. Alternator drive belts
    3. Alternator: remove and replace
    4. Electrical diagnosis
    5. Properly documenting diagnostic procedure and findings
  6. Lighting Systems Diagnosis and Repair
    1. Bulb and headlight styles/designs
    2. LED construction and operation
    3. Inspecting bulbs
    4. Bulb and headlight circuit diagnoses
    5. Properly documenting diagnostic procedures and findings
  7. Instrumentation
    1. Gauges and gauge sending units operation
    2. Circuit design of common instrumentation systems
    3. Constant, intermittent, or no warning light and drive information system operation
    4. Intermittent, high, low, or no readings on electronic digital instrument clusters
    5. Diagnosing sensors, sending units, and instrument circuits using a step method
    6. Properly documenting diagnostic procedures and findings
  8. Snap-on 525 Multimeter Training
    1. Utilizing measurement scale
    2. Testing voltage, ohms, and amperage on live circuit
    3. Testing diodes
    4. Measuring alpha charge
  9. Safety and Hazardous Materials Handling
    1. Work habits
    2. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
    3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    4. Regulations
    5. Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) regulations
    6. Fire extinguishers and exits
  10. Electrical Systems Diagnosis
    1. Wiring diagrams
    2. Electrical circuits
    3. Voltages and voltage drops in electrical/electrical circuits
    4. Current flow in electrical/electrical circuits
    5. Electrical circuit checking and repair
    6. Shorts, grounds, opens, and high resistance problems in electrical/electronic circuits
    7. Diagnosis of abnormal key-off battery drain
    8. Fusible links, circuit breakers and fuses
    9. Switches, connectors, and wires of electrical/electronic circuits


Effective Term:
Full Academic Year 2019/20