Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
AUTO D099A
Course Title (CB02)
Automotive Electricity, Battery and Cranking Systems
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Automotive electricity including the electron theory, fundamentals of circuit construction and interpretation, principles of magnetism as applied to electric motors, relays and coils. Diagnosis, troubleshooting and servicing of automotive battery and cranking systems including system repair procedures. Developing skills in the use of test equipment including the DVOM and electrical load testing tools for the analysis and diagnosis of these types of electrical systems.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This CTE, CSU transferable course belongs on the Certificate of Achievement-Advanced and AS degree in Automotive Technology. It is also intended to better prepare students for work in the automotive industry in the areas of battery, starting and charging systems, as advised by our industry advisory committee.

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
7.0
Maximum Credit Units
7.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours9.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
108.0
Total
156.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

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 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 text and syllabus
  2. Lab assignments per National Automotive Technology Education Foundation (NATEF) task list including battery and cranking system testing and evaluation.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Multiple-choice quizzes that requires the students to identify and diagnose battery and cranking systems.
  2. Final exam consisting of multiple-choice questions that requires the students to identify and diagnose battery and cranking systems.
  3. Lab assignment completion per NATEF task list
  4. Performance Final exam including battery and cranking system testing that requires the students to critically analyze and diagnose findings during the exam.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Basic tool set and Tune-up tool set
  • Approved shop clothing, safety shoes and safety glasses
Essential College Facilities:
  • Classroom with automotive lab access
  • "Alldata" electronic information system at www.alldata.com
  • "Mitchell on-demand" electronic information system at www.mitchell1.com

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Halderman, James D. "Automotive Electrical and Engine Performance." 7th Edition. Prentice Hall, New York 2016

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
"Alldata" electronic information system at www.alldata.com
"Mitchell on-demand" electronic information system at www.mitchell1.com

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Identify the components of basic automotive electrical systems
  • Classify the different types of power supplies
  • Describe how magnetism is used to operate electrical devices
  • Describe circuit testing and troubleshooting procedures
  • Testing and servicing the storage battery
  • Rebuild and service the automotive cranking system
  • Explain circuit protection devices
  • Identify various types of electrical switches
  • Describe electrical tools and equipment used to diagnose circuit failures

CSLOs

  • The student will demonstrate the ability to perform a battery load test, a starter draw test, a charging system test and analyze the readings.

Outline

  1. Identify the components of basic automotive electrical systems
    1. Composition of matter and the Electron Theory
    2. Conductive and insulating materials
    3. Laws of circuitry and calculations
    4. Electrical symbols and wiring diagrams
    5. Electrical loads and controls
    6. Circuit construction and measurement techniques
    7. Circuit analysis
    8. Test instruments
  2. Classify the different types of power supplies
    1. Electrochemical cells - the storage battery
    2. Photovoltaic cells
    3. Power supplies
    4. Testing and servicing techniques
  3. Describe how magnetism is used to operate electrical devices
    1. Relays and solenoids
    2. Motor principles
    3. Coils and transformers
    4. Testing and service techniques
  4. Describe circuit testing and troubleshooting procedures
    1. Meter and test-light usage techniques
    2. Wiring diagrams and schematic interpretation
  5. Test and service the storage battery
    1. Battery construction
    2. Battery applications, numbering system, and identification techniques
    3. Safety and handling precautions
    4. Testing and battery system repair procedures
    5. Recharging procedures
    6. Circuit construction and measurement techniques
  6. Rebuild and service the automotive cranking system
    1. Component identification
    2. Component operation, test procedures, and specifications
    3. Disassembly procedures
    4. Cleaning and inspection procedures
    5. Repair equipment operating procedures
    6. Assembly procedures
    7. Bench testing and installation procedures
  7. Explain circuit protection devices
    1. Fuses
    2. Circuit breakers
    3. Fusible links
    4. Troubleshooting and replacement procedures
  8. Identify various types of electrical switches
    1. Manual
    2. Electromagnetic
    3. Troubleshooting procedures
  9. Describe electrical tools and equipment used to diagnose circuit failures
    1. DVOM
    2. Test light
    3. Self-powered test light

Lab Topics

  1. Identify the components of basic automotive electrical system
  2. Testing and servicing the storage battery
  3. Rebuild and service the automotive cranking system
  4. Bench testing and installation procedures
  5. Battery safety and handling precautions
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