Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
APRND060K
Course Title (CB02)
Automotive Body Electrical Systems
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
Students will study the theory of operation for automotive body electrical, electronic, and electromechanical systems and gain an understanding of the functions of automotive body electrical systems. Training will utilize special diagnostic equipment for body electrical systems and subsystems. Emphasis will be given to appropriate repair protocol for applied body electrical systems, symptom-to-system diagnosis, and preparation for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification examination A6.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Automotive Technology]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - AUTO TECH]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This is a stand-alone, apprenticeship course that is offered to students who have been approved for the Automotive Technologies Apprenticeship Program. This CTE course is recommended by industry advisory committees and the ASE Education Foundation to help better prepare students to diagnose and repair some of the many automotive body electrical systems. It is part of a certificate of achievement for Advanced Automotive Technicians.

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)

  • ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.
  • Elementary algebra or equivalent (or higher), or appropriate placement beyond elementary algebra

APRN D060A and APRN D060B

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

Instructor lead demonstrations

Assignments

  1. Required reading from text and handouts
  2. Research assignments that will include describing the operation of various systems based on researched service information.
  3. Completion of work sheets that require diagnosis of various repair scenarios

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Weekly multiple choice and/or essay questions of 10-15 questions that cover the topic discussed in class. Tests will be graded and scored with points awarded for each correct answer to determine the students ability to see the relationship between the interconnected systems of body electronics.
  2. A mid-term exam will be given at the halfway point of the class consisting of 35-50 multiple choice and/or essay that cover all of the material covered in class to that point. Tests will be graded and scored with points awarded for each correct answer.
  3. A comprehensive final exam of 50-100 multiple choice and/or essay questions. Tests will be graded and scored with points awarded for each correct answer to ensure comprehension of covered material.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

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

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
James D. HaldermanAutomotive Electricity and ElectronicsPearson2021 / 6th edition9780135764664

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Identify individual electronic body systems and subsystems on particular vehicle applications
  • Classify the different types of electronic controls used on electronic body systems
  • Define the basic design and operation of particular electronic body systems
  • Distinguish the type of computer data network on a given vehicle
  • Describe the steps needed to diagnose a computer data network system when a problem is detected.
  • Explain the necessary steps for deactivating the supplemental restraint system (air bags) to safely work on a vehicle.
  • Establish techniques for the use of scan tools as applicable to body electrical diagnostics and multiplexing.
  • Describe and prepare a "Diagnostic Plan" for affected circuits

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate in a written essay an understanding of a resistive multiplexed switch circuits operation and diagnosis.

Outline

  1. Identify individual electronic body systems and subsystems on particular vehicle applications
    1. The applied use of technical resources
    2. Printed reference materials
    3. Electronic and web based formation
    4. Network tests to determine the presence of applicable vehicle electronic subsystems.
  2. Classify the different types of electronic controls used on electronic body systems
    1. Instrumentation
      1. Electronic vehicle information center
      2. Electronic instrument cluster
      3. Hybrid instrument cluster
      4. Virtual instrument cluster
      5. Electromechanical instrument cluster
      6. Digital ratio axle converter
      7. Combination meter
    2. Security
      1. Remote keyless entry module
      2. Smart key
      3. Driver door module
    3. Accessories
      1. Body control modules
      2. Body Computers
      3. Generic Electronic Module
      4. Vehicle speed control
    4. Electronic automatic temperature control module
    5. Safety
      1. Supplemental restraint systems
      2. Integrated air bag module
      3. Seat belt warning systems
  3. Define the basic design and operation of particular electronic body systems
    1. Automatic power windows, windshield wipers, monochrome mirror and heater mirror systems.
      1. Programming one touch down window control module
      2. Explain 'Key off' window operation
      3. Describe door opening systems
      4. Function of speed sensitive programmable wipers
      5. Operation of rain sensitive wiper systems
      6. Operation of automatic heated vehicle side mirrors
      7. Operation of light sensitive monochrome rear view mirrors
    2. Instrument cluster, its gauge information source and lighting.
      1. Using available data, determine if the cluster is a "smart cluster" or a gauge set.
      2. Determine if the gauge information is wired directly to the cluster or is sent from another module
      3. Assess the steps necessary to remove and replace the cluster with regards to vehicle mileage.
      4. Examine and explain the lighting and dimming system in the cluster.
    3. Analyze exterior lighting including headlamp, high beam, park, turn and tail lamp circuits for the purpose of diagnosis.
      1. Using print, electronic, or internet based media, gather the wiring diagram(s) for all exterior light circuits.
      2. After determining if the system is switch or computer controlled, analyze the faulty systems to determine related circuits or components for the purpose of formulating a diagnostic plan.
      3. Explain the function of each of the exterior lamp circuits.
    4. Remote keyless entry systems, theft alarm systems, and automatic door lock systems.
      1. Review remote key fob system chronology
      2. Troubleshooting RKE systems.
      3. Programming additional key fobs.
      4. Diagnosing door lock micro switches.
      5. Verify Two step unlock.
      6. Explain Key Confinement Prevention systems.
      7. Analyze the following systems and sensors
        1. Panic alarm systems.
        2. Door lock actuators.
        3. Aftermarket remote keyless systems.
        4. Diagnosis of perimeter theft alarm.
        5. Motion detectors.
        6. Glass breakage sensors.
      8. Enabling and disabling auto door lock functions.
    5. Power seat, memory seat, power sliding doors, seat warming and cooling systems, and power lumbar supports
      1. Identify power seat and door option systems
      2. Use of printed or electronic resources for obtaining diagnostic data
      3. Define the functions of a memory seat control module
      4. Define the of a power sliding door control module
      5. Program the functions of a memory seat system or sliding door module
      6. verified seat symptoms
      7. Formulate a diagnostic approach
  4. Distinguish the type of computer data network on a given vehicle
    1. Using print and/or electronic media determine which onboard controllers are data bussed together and communication protocol used.
    2. Demonstrate techniques for serial bus checks which identity the presence of a subsystem or systems in a vehicle (BUS Module Identification).
  5. Describe the steps needed to diagnose a computer data network system when a problem is detected.
    1. Access data bus with DMM, and lab scope to determine both voltage and resistance of the circuit. Analyze results with known good data.
    2. Use of schematics to locate various connectors to breakdown network into smaller units for diagnosis.
  6. Explain the necessary steps for deactivating the supplemental restraint system (air bags) to safely work on a vehicle.
    1. Access to systems and components sometimes requires removal of air bag components
    2. Safety before all else
    3. Determine the number, location, and type of air bags on a given vehicle
    4. Using print and/or electronic media determine the manufacturers recommended method of disabling the air bag system.
    5. Safety as applied to servicing a vehicle equipped with inflatable supplemental restraints
    6. Understanding the need to prepare a vehicle for safe diagnostics
    7. Plan the steps needed to deactivate a supplemental restraint system
    8. Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes that result from deactivation
  7. Establish techniques for the use of scan tools as applicable to body electrical diagnostics and multiplexing.
    1. Understand the use of scan tools as applicable to body electrical diagnostics.
    2. Identify vehicle, system, and available tests using a scan tool
    3. Use of aftermarket and manufactures scan tools.
    4. Use of bi-directional controls to activate component features and functions as related to diagnostics.
    5. Retrieve and clear diagnostic trouble codes from various body modules.
    6. Interpret diagnostic trouble codes for use in analyzing system concerns.
    7. Reading and interrupting serial data inputs and control module outputs as related to diagnostic scenarios.
  8. Describe and prepare a "Diagnostic Plan" for affected circuits
    1. Identify all related symptoms.
    2. Determine related circuit(s).
    3. Locate wiring diagram information in both print and electronic media to keep current with industry standards.
    4. Use resource information to locate components and connectors.
    5. Determine needed test equipment.
    6. Lay out a progression of tests based on results and conclusions, if this, then that.
    7. Combine application skills with diagnostic skills to formulate a diagnostic approach.
    8. Understand the interrelationship of the subsystems as a group.
    9. Problem briefing - discussion forum
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