Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is designed for students with no previous industry experience. Students will develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to perform, with limited supervision, the appropriate procedures involved in ignition system diagnosis and adjustments on cars, pickups and vans. This course will prepare students for the Auto Shop Lab capstone courses which provide the opportunity to practice learned skills on customer and school controlled vehicles in a “live shop” setting. This will begin the skill level necessary for employment at an apprentice level.

The course material will be presented in a lecture/laboratory format and include videos, handouts and hands-on lab experience in the shop. Students are required to read assigned materials, take notes, complete homework assignments and research information in service manuals and with electronic service information systems.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Perform engine performance inspection, maintenance, diagnosis and repairs relating to ignition systems.
• Access and utilize repair information in a rapidly changing technology.
• Develop and implement strategies and processes to solve engine performance problems relating to ignition systems.
• Perform repair of engine performance ignition systems to professional and ethical standards.
• Communicate professionally with employers, customers and co-workers using industry standard language and following industry standard protocols.

• Students will demonstrate effective work with fellow technicians in the following ways:.
• Attendance requirements include penalties for excessive days missed and lates.
• Lecture participation requirements include bringing textbooks to class, being prepared to take notes and remaining attentive in class.
• Laboratory participation requirements include demonstrating good craftsmanship, using time wisely, treating equipment properly, using procedures properly, demonstrating acquired skills and correct use of tools.
• Demonstrate preparedness for ASE testing by achieving a passing score on all written exams and completing homework assignments.
• Scoring worksheets completed in the laboratory.

• Define and discuss the automotive Scan Tool
• Discuss ignition system primary operation, components and circuits.
• Discuss ignition system secondary operation, components and circuits.
• Define and discuss testing and adjusting base timing.
• Discuss the operation and testing of spark advance systems.
• Discuss removal and replacement procedures for distributors.
• Define and discuss spark knock and control systems.
• Utilize the Scan Tool for diagnosis and repair.
• Evaluate properly working ignition system primary circuits.
• Evaluate properly working ignition system secondary circuits.
• Utilize a timing light to properly adjust base timing.
• Evaluate properly working advance systems and repair failures.
• Utilize correct procedures to remove and replace distributors.