NZQA Expiring unit standard
15421 version 4
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Title
Test and diagnose faults in automotive automatic transmissions
Level
4
Credits
8
Purpose
This unit standard is for people in the automotive repair
industry. People credited with this unit standard are able to test
an automatic transmission on a car or light commercial vehicle,
and diagnose faults occurring with an automatic transmission.
Classification
Motor Industry > Automotive Transmission Systems
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Critical health and
safety prerequisites
Unit 919, Describe the operation of an automatic transmission
used on cars and light commercial vehicles; and Unit 8182,
Diagnose and rectify faults in automotive electronically
controlled systems; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and
skills; car driver's licence.
Explanatory notes
1
Before commencing diagnostic tests on vehicles with an automatic transmission, the
engine tune must be tested to ensure that it complies with manufacturer's
specifications.
2
The following legislation, publication, and amendments are to be consulted and
followed where applicable:
– Health and Safety in Employment Act, 1992
– New Zealand Road Code, Land Transport Safety Authority.
3
Reference to suitable tools and equipment means industry approved tools and
equipment that are recognised within the industry as being the most suited to
complete the task to a professional and competent manner with due regard to safe
working practices.
4
Because of the particular nature of this unit standard, it is essential that the practical
assessment evidence is obtained from commercial jobs in the workplace under
normal workplace conditions.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
15421 version 4
Page 2 of 3
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Test an automatic transmission on a car or light commercial vehicle.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Customer's explanation of fault is confirmed and recorded.
1.2
Safe working and driving practices are observed throughout the task.
Range
1.3
personal safety, safety of others, equipment and vehicle safety.
The transmission fluid is checked in the manner prescribed by the manufacturer
to ensure that its level is to specification, and its condition is determined.
Range
condition – normal, black and smelly, milky and frothy, varnish-like
deposits.
1.4
The vehicle is road tested for transmission operation in compliance with the
Road Code, and care is taken to avoid creating a hazard to self and other road
users.
1.5
The vehicle is operated to reproduce the fault symptoms, and the symptoms
and the conditions when they occur are noted.
Range
1.6
with and without the use of test equipment.
The self-test codes are activated, read, and interpreted, according to vehicle
manufacturer's instructions, to identify any circuit that has a fault.
Outcome 2
Diagnose faults occurring with an automatic transmission.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Safe working practices are observed throughout the task.
Range
personal safety, safety of others, equipment and vehicle safety.
2.2
Suitable equipment is selected and used to enable transmission faults to be
located.
2.3
The circuit indicated by the self test codes as being faulty is identified according
to vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
2.4
Fluid pressure tests are conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions, and the pressures in all ranges at idle and stall speeds are
recorded.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
2.5
The transmission is checked visually, and any obvious faults are identified and
rectified.
Range
2.6
15421 version 4
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fluid leaks, damage, loose components, oil cooling system.
An analysis is made of all the information on the test report sheet, and any
faults and their probable causes are identified.
Replacement information
This unit standard, unit standard 958, and unit standard
15422 have been replaced by unit standard 24314 and
unit standard 24690.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by
the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
23 February 1999
31 December 2016
Revision
2
16 April 2003
31 December 2016
Review
3
25 February 2008
31 December 2016
Rollover
4
19 November 2010
31 December 2016
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0014
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, or
an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can
report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading
to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Consent requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016