Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
AUTO D360.
Course Title (CB02)
Automotive Electrical Systems
Course Credit Status
Non-Credit
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Principles of electricity, electronics, cranking and charging systems. Testing, diagnosis and repair of these systems.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This is a noncredit enhanced, CTE course that is included in the General Service Technician Certificate of Completion. This course is intended to better prepare students for work in the automotive industry in the areas of automotive electrical 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
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
99

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Not transferable

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
0.0
Maximum Credit Units
0.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours9.018.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
108.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
108.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
216.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
216.0

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

AUTO D350A and AUTO D350B

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

NONCREDIT: (This is a noncredit enhanced, CTE course.)

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. Reading from text
  2. Math review pretest
  3. Safety test
  4. Worksheets focusing on reading material and problem solving. The worksheets include multiple choice questions fill in the blanks and written sections.
  5. Handouts
  6. Multiple choice quizzes concentrating on the reading material
  7. Multiple choice midterm and accumulative final exam

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Completeness of assignments on worksheets
  2. Number of correctly answered questions on the quizzes
  3. Number of correctly answered questions on the midterm and final examinations

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Scientific calculator (TI 30 or equivalent)
  • Safety glasses for lab demonstrations
Essential College Facilities:
  • Access to automotive laboratory for demonstrations

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Halderman, James D. "Diagnosis and Troubleshooting of Electrical, Electronic and Computer System." Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall,7th Edition 2016.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
All DATA electronic information system (WEB based), http://library.alldatapro.com/alldata/LIB~C8951~R0~OD~N/0/34870081/56415648/56416313/56416327/34853741
Manufacturer's shop manuals as required.
Shopkey electronic information system (WEB based), http://www.shopkey5.com/mric/trypreauth.asp

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Practice electrical safety
  • Comprehend simple electrical circuits and ohm's law
  • Use analogical reasoning to solve series, parallel and series-parallel circuits
  • Operate circuit testers and digital meters
  • Evaluate wires, connectors and wiring schematics
  • Describe battery construction and diagnosis
  • Critique battery testing methods
  • Recognize starting and charging systems components
  • Appraise alternators and starters functionality
  • Assess lights, blower motor, horn and accessory circuits
  • Identify on-board diagnostic and computer control

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate the ability to diagram and construct simple electrical circuits, calculating and measuring voltage, amperage, and resistance using Ohm's Law and a digital multimeter.

  • Develop a testing sequence to diagnose inoperative charging, cranking, and battery circuits.

Outline

  1. Practice electrical safety
    1. Personal Protective Equipment
    2. Safety in Hoisting a Vehicle
    3. Fire safety
    4. First Aid and eye wash stations
    5. Hybrid electric vehicle safety issues
  2. Comprehend simple electrical circuits and ohm’s law
    1. Circuits
    2. Circuit fault types
    3. Ohm’s law
  3. Use analogical reasoning to solve series, parallel and series-parallel circuits
    1. Series circuit rules
    2. Parallel circuit rules
    3. Kirchhoff’s laws
    4. Series-Parallel circuit problems
  4. Operate circuit testers and digital meters
    1. Test lights
    2. Digital meters
    3. Voltage drop testing
    4. Diodes - as check valves and rectifiers
    5. Oscilloscopes
  5. Evaluate wires, connectors and wiring schematics
    1. Wire gauge
    2. Fuses and protection devices
    3. Wire repairs
    4. Schematic symbols
    5. Relays, solenoids, transistors and their use
    6. Circuit trouble-shooting
  6. Describe battery construction and diagnosis
    1. Battery construction
    2. Battery functionality
    3. Battery ratings
  7. Critique battery testing methods
    1. Open circuit voltage
    2. Hydrometer testing
    3. Load testing
    4. Conductance testing
  8. Recognize starting and charging systems components
    1. Cranking circuit
    2. Starter motors
    3. Charging circuits
    4. Alternators
  9. Appraise alternators and starters functionality
    1. Starter motor operation
    2. Starter’s control circuit testing
    3. Starter’s amperage testing
    4. Alternator operation
    5. Alternator voltage regulation
    6. Alternator output tests
  10. Assess lights, blower motor, horn and accessory circuits
    1. Identifying light bulbs
    2. Light operation
    3. Horn operation
    4. Blower motor operation
    5. Color-coding circuits
    6. Circuit testing
  11. Identify on-board diagnostic and computer control
    1. Computer fundamentals
    2. Input sensors
    3. Output controls
    4. Monitors
    5. OBD II numbering designation
    6. Scan tools
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