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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
APRN D060D
Course Title (CB02)
Ignition Analysis and Oscilloscope Diagnosis
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Course Description
Ignition system principles of operation and diagnosis. Use of electronic test equipment in ignition system diagnosis. Preparation for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification examinations in Areas A6, A8, and L1.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This is an apprenticeship course that is only offered to a target population of students who have been approved for the Automotive Technologies Apprenticeship Program. This course was developed based on essential requirements for California State Smog Technician Licensing and the subsequent fulfillment of NATEF (National Automotive Technician's Education Foundation) accreditation standards. Data from our advisory committee indicates a student must be prepared with an array of workplace skills as well as a unique blend of academic and technical skills.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.5
Maximum Credit Units
4.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.59.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
54.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
54.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
108.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
108.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Open only to apprentices in the Automotive Technologies Apprenticeship Program (an approved program by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards).)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Required reading from texts and handouts
  2. Outside assignments such as research of an assigned topic
  3. Ignition system worksheets
  4. Multiple choice and/or essay quizzes.
  5. A comprehensive and objective final examination.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Weekly objective multiple choice and/or essay quizzes evaluated for accuracy, covering the weeks lecture units, assigned reading, and relative data obtained from assigned research and ignition system worksheets.
  2. Ignition system worksheets are graded for accuracy based on a point system.
  3. Comprehensive and objective final examination consisting of multiple choice and/or essay questions evaluated for accuracy.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Safety glasses for laboratory demonstrations
Essential College Facilities:
  • Classroom with access to automotive technology laboratory for demonstrations

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Auto Staff, '60D Ignition Analysis and Oscilloscope Diagnosis 2018' °®¶¹´«Ã½ College, Cupertino, CA 95014
Additional handouts and worksheets as required.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
All Data (http://library.alldatapro.com/alldata/) electronic information system (web based)
Shopkey5 (http://www.shopkey5.com/) electronic information system (web based)

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Explain the operation of an automotive ignition system
  • Identify and explain electronic diagnostic equipment used to analyze automotive ignition systems
  • Explain the repair and adjustment of ignition systems to manufacturer's specifications
  • Describe electronic ignition system principles of operation
  • Describe test procedures of electronic ignition systems
  • Explain how to test waste spark and coil on plug ignition systems.

CSLOs

  • Identify the purpose of an automotive ignition system.

Outline

  1. Explain the operation of an automotive ignition system
    1. Ignition system basic principles of operation
    2. Distributor Ignition (DI), Waste Spark systems (EI), Coil on Plug (EI) systems.
    3. Component identification and functional understanding
    4. Applied theory of voltage, resistance, and amperage
  2. Identify and explain electronic diagnostic equipment used to analyze automotive ignition systems
    1. Procedures and precautions
    2. Oscilloscope controls and connections
    3. Principles of oscilloscope and scan tool testing
    4. Primary and secondary pattern interpretation
      1. Various engine operating conditions
      2. Different displays - parade, superimposed, raster, expanded
    5. Interpret ignition system test results and oscilloscope patterns
  3. Explain the repair and adjustment of ignition systems to manufacturer's specifications
    1. Meter testing
    2. Servicing distributors, cables, and spark plugs
  4. Describe electronic ignition system principles of operation
    1. Schematic interpretation and circuit development
      1. Transistor switching principles
      2. Computer-controlled dwell and timing
    2. Sensor inputs to modules and PCM's
    3. Component identification and functional understanding
    4. Inductance and reluctance
    5. Ignition sensor types and applications
    6. Identification and testing of distributor pickup signals
  5. Describe test procedures of electronic ignition systems
    1. Primary circuit troubleshooting
      1. No-starts
      2. Performance problems
      3. Volt-ohm tests, scratch tests of primary circuits
    2. Modules, coils, and wiring
    3. Meter and oscilloscope testing
    4. Testing computer-controlled timing
  6. Explain how to test waste spark and coil on plug ignition systems.
    1. Waste-spark theory
    2. Coil-on-plug theory
    3. Crankshaft and camshaft sensors
    4. Magnetic induction, Hall-effect and optical sensors
    5. Dual-plug systems
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