Chabot College
Fall 2005
Course Outline for Automotive Technology 71
Powertrain and Vehicle Performance
Catalog Description:
71 – Powertrain and Vehicle Performance
May be repeated three times
8 Units
Continued study of electrical/electronic and fuel control systems, including engine
management systems, emission control systems, emissions testing, drivability and vehicle
performance diagnosis and repair. May not receive credit if Automotive Technology 60B
and 61B have been completed. Prerequisites: Automotive Technology 60A and 61A. 5
hours lecture, 11 hours laboratory
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course the student should be able to:
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Identify and interpret electrical/electronic system concern, and determine
necessary action;
Diagnose electrical/electronic integrity for series, parallel and series-parallel circuits
using principles of electricity (Ohm’s Law);
Demonstrate the proper use of a digital multimeter (DMM),test lights and fused
jumper wires during diagnosis of electrical circuit problems;
Measure and diagnose the cause(s) of excessive key-off battery drain (parasitic
draw);
Inspect and test fusible links, circuit breakers, and fuses, repair wiring harnesses
and connectors, and perform solder repair of electrical wiring;
Perform battery state-of-charge test; capacity test, and confirm proper battery
capacity for vehicle application;
Perform battery service, perform slow/fast battery charge, inspect and clean battery
cables, connectors, clamps, and hold-downs, repair or replace as needed;
Start a vehicle using jumper cables and a battery or auxiliary power supply;
Perform starter current draw tests, generator (alternator) output tests, circuit
voltage drop tests;
Inspect and test starter relays and solenoids;
Remove and install starters and alternators;
Inspect, adjust, or replace generator (alternator) drive belts, pulleys, and
tensioners; check pulley and belt alignment;
Inspect and test ignition primary and secondary circuit wiring and components
Inspect, test and service distributor;
Inspect and test ignition coil(s)Check and adjust ignition system timing and timing
advance/retard (where applicable);
Inspect engine assembly for fuel, oil, coolant, and other leaks;
Diagnose abnormal exhaust color, odor, and sound;
Perform engine vacuum analysis;
Prepare 4 or 5 gas analyzer; obtain exhaust readings, interpret readings and
determine necessary action;
Retrieve and record stored OBD I diagnostic trouble codes; clear codes;
Inspect and test mechanical and electrical fuel pumps and pump control systems
for pressure, regulation and volume, and perform necessary action;
Replace fuel filters;
Chabot College
Course Outline for Automotive Technology 71, Page 2
Fall 2005
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Check and adjust idle speed and fuel mixture;
Inspect the integrity of the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipes, muffler(s), catalytic
converter(s), resonator(s), tail pipe(s), and heat shield(s); perform necessary
action;
Inspect throttle body, air induction system, intake manifold and gaskets for vacuum
leaks and/or unmetered air;
Diagnose emissions, and drivability problems resulting from malfunctions in the
positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
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Diagnose the cause of brighter than normal, intermittent, dim, or no light operation
in lighting systems;
Inspect, replace, and aim headlights and bulbs;
Inspect and diagnose incorrect turn signal or hazard light operation;
Inspect and test gauges and gauge sending units for cause of intermittent, high,
low, or no gauge readings;
Inspect and test sensors, connectors, and wires of electronic instrument circuits;
Diagnose incorrect wiper/washer operation, and perform necessary action;
Diagnose incorrect operation of motor-driven accessory circuits, and determine
necessary action;
Diagnose supplemental restraint system (SRS) concerns; determine necessary
action;
Diagnose body electronic system circuits using a scan tool;
Obtain and interpret scan tool data, retrieve and record stored OBD diagnostic
trouble codes;
Diagnose the causes of emissions or drivability concerns resulting from
malfunctions in the computerized engine control system with or without diagnostic
trouble codes;
Inspect and test computerized engine control system sensors, powertrain control
module (PCM), actuators, and circuits using a graphing multimeter (GMM)/digital
storage oscilloscope (DSO), and perform necessary action;
Access and use service information to perform step-by-step diagnosis;
Diagnose ignition system related problems such as no-starting, hard starting,
engine misfire, poor drivability, spark knock, power loss, poor mileage, and
emissions concerns on vehicles with electronic ignition systems, and determine
necessary action;
Check and adjust ignition system timing and timing advance/retard (where
applicable);
Inspect and test ignition system pick-up sensor or triggering devices, and perform
necessary action;
Diagnose hot or cold no-starting, hard starting, poor drivability, incorrect idle speed,
poor idle, flooding, hesitation, surging, engine misfire, power loss, stalling, poor
mileage, dieseling, and emissions problems on vehicles with carburetor and fuel
injection systems;
Perform exhaust system back-pressure test, and determine necessary action;
Diagnose malfunctions of emission control systems causing vehicle performance
problems, and determine necessary action;
Chabot College
Course Outline for Automotive Technology 71, Page 3
Fall 2005
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Adjust valves on engines with mechanical or hydraulic lifters;
Diagnose and verify correct camshaft timing, and determine necessary action;
Use vehicle dynamometer to perform emission testing, and engine
performance/drivability issues;
Course Content:
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Fuel Injection Systems
a. fuel delivery and storage
b. fuel injectors
c. pressure controls
d. fuel delivery control
Emission Control Systems
a. positive crankcase ventilation
b. air injection systems
c. air intake systems
d. exhaust gas recirculation
e. fuel evaporation
f. catalytic converters
Electronic Ignition Systems
a. distributor type
b. distributorless type
c. coil-on-plug
Computer Control Systems
Electrical/Electronic Body Control Systems
a. windshield wipers
b. electric windows
c. door locks
d. communication bus system
e. lighting systems
f. supplemental restraint systems
Automotive diagnostic equipment
a. oscilloscopes
b. digital multimeters
c. diagnostic analyzers
d. dynamometer
e. pressure and vacuum gauges
f. exhaust gas analyzers
g. specialized test equipment
Methods of Presentation:
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Lecture/demonstrations (use of multimedia)
Laboratory
Laboratory work sheets
Guest speakers
Field trips
Chabot College
Course Outline for Automotive Technology 71, Page 4
Fall 2005
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Read chapter on Electronic Fuel Injection and Operation and be prepared
to discuss
b. Complete worksheet utilizing information from lecture
c. Demonstrate use of fuel pressure testing equipment.
d. Demonstrate use of the exhaust emission analyzers
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Class participation
b. Performance in the laboratory projects
c. Laboratory work sheets
d. Home work
e. Quizzes
f. Tests on chapter sections.
g. Final examination (written and/or lab practical)
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Automotive Engine Performance, James D. Halderman, Prentice Hall, 2003
Diagnosis and Troubleshooting of Automotive Electrical, Electronic, and Computer
Systems, Third Edition, James D. Halderman, Prentice Hall, 2001
Special Student Materials:
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Safety glasses
Shop/safety clothing
Three ring folder
Sas 10/2004
AT 71 course outline.doc