Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
AUTOD093E
Course Title (CB02)
Diagnostic Techniques
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Diagnostic techniques for problem-solving in the automotive and light-duty truck powertrain.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This CTE, CSU transferable course is a recommendation from industry advisory committees to help better prepare students to diagnose automatic transmissions and transaxles. The course is part of the Certificate of Achievement-Advanced and A.S. degree in Automotive Chassis and Powertrain. It is also required for NATEF (National Automotive Teacher Education Foundation) certification.

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
1.5
Maximum Credit Units
1.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours1.02.0
Laboratory Hours1.50.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
12.0
Laboratory
18.0
Total
30.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
24.0

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

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Approved Automotive Technology Course Sequence Contract required.)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Reading from textbook and handouts
  2. Completion of assigned tasks
    1. Perform hydraulic diagnosis using pressure gauges.
    2. Perform basic electrical diagnosis with a volt meter
    3. Use a diagnostic scanner to access the vehicles on board computer system for advanced diagnosis

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Weekly multiple choice and/or essay questions of questions that cover the topic discussed in class. Tests will be graded and scored with points awarded for each correct answer.
  2. A mid-term exam will be given at the halfway point of the class consisting of 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 multiple choice and/or essay questions. Tests will be graded and scored with points awarded for each correct answer.
  4. For each of the tasks, the student will be required to show the instructor the knowledge needed to complete the assignment. These will be graded for correct answers.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Safety glasses
  • Approved coveralls and work shoes
  • Basic hand tools and required specialty tools as stated on the Automotive Technology General, Chassis and Powertrain tool lists
Essential College Facilities:
  • Lecture classroom and automotive laboratory
  • All Data and Mitchell on demand on line transmission and vehicle information systems
  • http://library.alldatapro.com
  • http://Shopkey5.com

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
James Halderman "Automatic transmissions and transaxles" 7th edition Pearson publishing, 2018

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Manufacturers service manuals as required
All Data and Mitchell on demand on line transmission and vehicle information systems, http://library.alldatapro.com, http://Shopkey5.com
Printed transmission diagnostic and repair manuals

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Identify and describe the operation and powerflow in the automotive and light duty truck powertrain.
  • Develop a systematic approach to the solving of automotive and light duty truck powertrain problems.
  • Establish repair procedures

CSLOs

  • Retrieve a transmission related fault code from the on board computer system and determine a course of action to institute a repair.

Outline

  1. Identify and describe the operation and powerflow in the automotive and light duty truck powertrain.
    1. Identification and verification of the problem
    2. Verify the customer complaint - road test procedures
    3. Using scanners to obtain codes and data
    4. Pressure testing procedures
  2. Develop a systematic approach to the solving of automotive and light duty truck powertrain problems.
    1. Diagnosis by symptom
    2. Diagnosis using codes and data
  3. Establish repair procedures
    1. Verify the customer complaint - road test procedures
    2. Teardown inspection and repair cost estimation
    3. Determining your repair procedure

Lab Topics

  1. Basic scanner use
  2. Speed sensor diagnosis
  3. 4XRE electrical diagnosis
  4. Adaptive transmission value analysis
Back to Top