Motor Vehicle Electrics

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EES4 is a computer-based instructional module that has been designed to teach the fundamentals of automotive electrical systems.

The module incorporates both hardware and curriculum materials.

The hardware is provided in the form of a computer-linked simulator panel trainer.

The curriculum materials provided in the module are divided into a series of on-screen, interactive assignments.

All assignments incorporate continuous assessment through questions. When used in conjunction with a ClassAct networked management system, this provides instant feedback of student performance.

On-screen assignments may be theory-based or practical-based.

Theory-based assignments provide essential knowledge of automotive electrical systems. They are supported by standard automotive textbooks.

Some practical-based assignments direct students to carry out tasks in the laboratory using the supplied hardware. Others require students to perform tasks in a workshop on real vehicle systems.

Students are guided through their laboratory and workshop tasks by printable job sheets.

Simulator panel trainer

The panel trainer provides a complete simulation of a typical vehicle electrical system. It provides realistic fault finding facilities using automotive style schematic diagrams. An easily understood schematic system representing the basic electrical components of an automobile is screen-printed on the panel front.

From this the student are able to see the exact operation of the various circuits and can gain a hands-on introduction to each of the components and devices found in typical systems. All practical activities are carried out using the electrical / electronic circuits and devices mounted on the panel trainer together with a digital multimeter and oscilloscope.

Curriculum material topics include:

• Vehicle wiring.
• Battery and fuses.
• Starter and solenoid.
• Horn and relay.
• Light circuits - front, side, rear, indicator, reverse, brake, hazard, vanity and interior lights.
• Electrical circuit diagrams.
• Electrical components.
• Electrical circuits.
• Electrical circuit faults, short circuits, bad components.
• Electrical components and their symbols.
• Troubleshooting method.
• Automatic fault insertion and malfunctioning repair practical exercise.

Typical practical tasks include:

• Identify battery and fuse circuit operation.
• Perform battery state-of-charge test, capacity test, and slow/fast charge.
• Inspect, clean, fill and replace battery.
• Inspect and clean battery cables, connectors, clamps, and hold-downs.
• Start a vehicle using jumper cables and a battery or auxiliary power supply.
• Inspect and test fusible links.
• Measure and diagnose the cause(s) of abnormal key-off battery drain.
• Inspect & test switches, connectors, relays, & wires of electrical circuits.
• Diagnose incorrect horn operation.
• Identify the operation of bulbs and vehicle side, rear and headlamp circuits.
• Diagnose the cause of brighter than normal, intermittent, dim, or no light.
• Inspect, replace & aim headlights & bulbs.
• Inspect and diagnose incorrect direction indicator or hazard light operation.
• Identify the operation of brake, reverse, and interior light circuits.

Competence-based reporting

Each on-screen assignment is designed around a list of performance objectives. These include academic, technical, and occupational objectives.

The assignments are written in such a way as to enable a student to attain the performance objectives, with the assessment questions linked to these in order to provide a measure of true competency.

The performance objectives are used by the ClassAct management system to generate a comprehensive portfolio of student competency reports.

The module includes default competence reports that address the requirements of US Automotive Awarding Bodies.

Instructor Materials

A range of instructor materials is provided, including:

• An Instructor Guide, containing full installation instructions, health & safety guidance, typically completed work, and correct answers to all questions.
• A Task Summary / Cross Reference List Guide that contains a cross reference of assessable practical tasks that students may perform by following instructions on student assessment sheets.
• Student assessment sheets (allowing student tasks to be assessed against specific practical statements), plus assessor marking sheets.
• Student response sheets (allowing students to record their question responses if the ClassAct management system is not available).
• Health and safety sheets.
• US Automotive Qualifications - Course Mapping Guide.

The items supplied with this instructional module include:

• EES4 Instructor’s Guide
• EES4 On-Screen Multimedia Manual CD-ROM
• Autolab Instructor’s Resources CD-ROM
• Test & Measuring Equipment Interactive Instructor CD-ROM
• Book – Auto Electricity and Electronics Technology by James E. Duffy
• Book – Automotive Technology a Systems Approach by Jack Erjavec
• Health and Safety Sheet
• PT7.1 Panel Trainer
• PT7.1 Accessory Kit
• Digital Multimeter