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Southwest Texas Junior College
2401 Garner Field Rd.
Uvalde, Texas 78801
Joe Garcia
Miller
830-591-7246
FAX 830 591-7354
jlgarcia535@swtjc.edu
College Year: 2010-2011
Section: 1
AUMT 1407
Automotive Electrical Systems
Course Description
An overview of automotive electrical systems including topics in operational theory,
testing, diagnosis, and repair of batteries, charging and starting systems, and electrical
accessories. Emphasis on electrical schematic diagrams and service manuals. May be
taught manufacturer specific. Credit: Four semester credit hours. Two lecture and six
laboratory hours per week. TSI Requirement: M1; R1; W1. Prerequisite: None Lab Fee:
$24
Textbook and Readings
Automotive Electricity and Electronics 4th Edition. Barry Hollembeak Copyright @2003
Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Other materials including
handouts will be provided during class.
Tools! Materials
#2 pencils, spiral notebook, three ring binder, high lighter pen, hand tools and toolbox.
NOTE: Student will be provided a tool list. (Adopted 1/1/2000)
Technology Requirements
Webadvisor, Portal and Mitchell 1
Program Outcomes for "Automotive Technology"
The program outcomes noted with an asterisk (*) are addressed in this course.
*1. Practice safety precautions, to protect yourself, others, and the environment.
2. Communicate clearly with team members, co-workers and customers.
3. Demonstrate skills in suspension and steering.
4. Demonstrate skills in brakes.
*5. Demonstrate skills in electrical/electronic systems.
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6. Demonstrate skills in engine repair and engine performance.
7. Demonstrate skills in automatic transmission and transaxle.
8. Demonstrate skills in manual transmission.
9. Demonstrate skills in air conditioning/heating.
10. Demonstrate an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
11. Communicate ideas and information effectively both orally and in writing.
Course Outcomes
The following course outcomes will be addressed in this course:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Utilize appropriate safety procedures.
Interpret wiring schematics and symbols.
Explain electrical principles.
Explain the theory and principles of battery starting, charging systems, and basic
automotive electrical circuits.
5. Demonstrate diagnosis and repair of battery starting, charging systems, and basic
automotive electrical circuits.
6. Demonstrate proper use of electrical test equipment.
Lecture Topics
The following general lecture topics will be covered in this class:
Safety and lab rules
Basic Theories of electricity
Introduction to automotive electrical and electronic systems
Electrical and electronic components
Wiring and circuit diagrams
Automotive Batteries
Starting System and Charging systems
Student Objectives
In order to complete this course, the student must be able to:
Course Goals
The following list of course goals will be addressed in the course.
(All goals are crucial goals)
1. Attend all lectures and labs.
2. Demonstrate job safety.
3. Apply course rules.
4. Explain the theories and laws of electricity.
5. Describe the difference between insulators, conductors and semiconductors.
6. Define voltage, current, resistance.
7. Define and use Ohms Law correctly.
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8. Explain the difference between AC and DC currents.
9. Define and illustrate series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits.
10. Explain the proper use of a test light.
11. Explain the proper use of a digital volt/amp/ohmmeter.
12. Use Ohms Law to determine electrical values in different types of circuits.
13. Explain the operation of the electrical controls, including switches, relays.
14. Describe the basic operating principles of electronic components.
15. Explain the purpose of a circuit protection tool.
16. Define circuit defects including opens, shorts, grounds, and excessive resistance.
17. Locate and repair open circuits.
18. Locate and repair short circuits.
19. Explain when single-stranded or multistranded wire should be used.
20. Explain the use of resistive wires in a circuit.
21. Describe the construction of spark plug wires.
22. Explain how wire size is determined by the American Wire Gauge (AWG) and
metric methods.
23. Describe how to determine the correct wire gauge to be used in a circuit.
24. Explain how temperature affects resistance and wire size selection.
25. Explain the purpose of wiring diagrams.
26. Identify the common electrical symbols that are used.
27. Explain the purpose of the component locator.
28. Demonstrate the proper troubleshooting process.
29. Perform repairs to copper wire using solderless connections.
30. Solder splices to copper wire.
31. Replace fusible links.
32. Read a wiring diagram to correctly determine the operation of a circuit.
33. Use the wiring diagram to diagnose possible causes for the system fault.
34. Explain the purposes of the battery.
35. Define the main elements of the battery.
36. Describe the differences, advantages, and disadvantages between different types
of batteries.
37. Describe the different types of battery terminals used.
38. Describe the methods used to rate batteries.
39. Determine the correct battery to be installed into a vehicle.
40. Describe the different load or demands placed upon a battery during different
operation conditions.
41. Explain the major reasons for battery failure.
42. Demonstrate all safety precautions and rules associated with servicing the battery.
43. Perform a visual inspection of the battery, cables and terminal.
44. Test the capacity of the battery to deliver both current and voltage and to
accurately interpret the results.
45. Perform a 3-minute charge test to determine if the battery is sulfated.
46. Explain the purpose of the starting system.
47. List and identify the components of the starting system.
48. Explain the principle of operation of the DC motor.
49. Describe the purpose and operation of the armature.
50. Describe the purpose and operation of the field coil.
51. Describe the operation and features of the permanent magnet starter.
52. Perform a systematic diagnosis of the starting system.
53. Determine what can cause slow crank and no-crank conditions.
54. Perform and accurately interpret the results of a current draw test.
55. Explain the purpose of the charging system.
56. Identify the major components of the charging system.
57. Explain the function of the major components of the AC generator.
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58. Describe the two styles of stators.
59. Describe how AC current is rectified to DC current in the AC generator.
60. Describe the three principle circuits used in the AC generator.
61. Explain the operation of charge indicators, including lamps, electronic voltage
monitors, ammeters and voltmeters.
62. Diagnose charging system problems that cause and undercharge or no-charge
condition.
63. Diagnose charging system problems that cause an overcharge condition.
64. Inspect, adjust and replace generator drive belts, pulleys and fans.
65. Perform charging system output tests and determine needed repairs.
66. Remove and replace the AC generator.
67. Describe the three major functions of an ignition system.
68. Name the operating conditions of an engine that affect ignition timing.
69. Name the two major electrical circuits used in ignition systems and their common
components.
70. Describe the operation of ignition coils, spark plugs and ignition cables.
71. Describe the operation of a distributor-based ignition system.
72. Describe the operation of a distributor-less ignition system.
73. Perform a visual inspection of ignition system components, primary wiring and
secondary wiring to locate obvious trouble areas.
74. Test the components of the primary and secondary ignition circuits.
75. Test individual ignition components using test equipment such as a voltmeter,
ohmmeter and test light.
76. Service and install spark plugs.
77. Test and set (when possible) ignition timing.
78. Test individual EI system components using test equipment such as a voltmeter,
ohmmeter and lab scope.
Course Evaluation
1. Test equal to 100 points each with a total of about
six per block.
2. Some quizzes.
3. Discards are at instructor’s discretion. (Test Only).
4. Lab grades will be calculated on:
A. Performance
B. Quality of work
C. Neatness
D. Ability to work with other studentsin
their group.
E. Ability to follow instructions.
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5. Pop quizzes and test are averaged equally.
6. Lab grades weigh twice.
7. At instructor’s discretion:
A. Lockouts
8. An absence equals to 5 points off final lab grade.
9. A late equals to one point off lab grade.
10. 5 points off daily lab grade for not bringing tools to lab.
“NOTE†SWTJC is not responsible for loss or damage of students tools.
A = 100 to 90
B = 89 to 80
C = 79 to 70
D = 69 to 60
F = Below 60
Note: Students will be provided a handout.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement
Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to
speak directly to the Counseling Department (see below) as early in the semester
(preferable within the first week) as possible. All discussions will remain confidential.
Crystal City Idalia De La Cruz (830/374-2828)
Del Rio Marilyn Casson (830 775-1560)
Eagle Pass Brenda Hoffman (830/758-4102)
Uvalde Lorena Lopez (830/591-7346)
Academic Integrity Statement
Academic integrity is highly valued in our campus community. Academic integrity directly
concerns ethical behaviors which affect both the academic environment and the civic
community. Academic dishonesty seriously violates the integrity of the academic
enterprise and will not be tolerated at Southwest Texas Junior College. Academic
dishonesty is regarded as any act of deception, benign or malicious in nature, in the
completion of any academic exercise. Examples of academic dishonesty include
cheating, plagiarism, impersonation, misrepresentation of idea or fact for the purpose of
defrauding, use of unauthorized aids or devices, falsifying attendance records, violation
of testing protocol, inappropriate course assignment collaboration, and any other acts
that are prohibited by the instructor of record.
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)
Southwest Texas Junior College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools (SACS). SACS requires that every institution develop a Quality
Enhancement Plan (QEP). SWTJC's QEP is entitled Enhancing Critical Reading Skills.
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SWTJC enhances students' critical reading skills by implementing reading instructional
interventions in the Gateway classes (History 1301, Math 1314, and English 1301).
SWTJC also facilitates reading skills improvement throughout the institution by providing
reading tutorial support. For questions about the QEP, please contact Charles
Garabedian or Rachel Rivera, QEP Co-Directors, at cagarabedian@swtjc.edu and
rrivera17001@swtjc.edu, respectively.
Class Schedule
Week 1 Personal Safety, Tool and Equipment Safety, Hazardous Materials, Electrical
System Safety, Test 1
Week 2 Ohms Law, Electrical Circuits, Magnetism Principles, Electrical Components,
and Circuit Protection, Test 2
Week 3 Automotive Wiring, Wiring Diagrams, Test 3
Week 4 Conventional Batteries, Maintenance Free Batteries, High Voltage Batteries Test
4
Week 5 Starting Motors and Charging Systems Review for Final Test
Created: 2010-2011 Revised: 9/29/2010