ENTRY-LEVEL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN Definition: An entry ...

ENTRY-LEVEL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN Definition: An entry-level automotive technician performs diagnosis and repair to gasoline powered cars and light trucks with limited supervision. The last two bands of duties, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle and Engine Performance represent important duties and tasks of automotive technicians, but may not be required for entry-level technicians. A.

PRACTICE SAFETY

A.1 A.2 A.3 A.4 A.5 A.6 A.7 A.8

Follow company procedures and policies Wear personal protective equipment as required Use tools and equipment according to manufacturer's specifications Handle hazardous materials according to guidelines Maintain clean shop environment Use fire extinguisher properly Report safety violations Lift vehicle using proper techniques; i.e., manufacturer’s specifications

B.

APPLY COMMUNICATION/PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

B.1 B.2 B.3 B.4 B.5 B.6 B.7 B.8 B.9 B.10 B.11 B.12 B.13

Practice active listening Ask appropriate questions Work as a team member Demonstrate customer-service focus; i.e., customer's interests first Write legibly and accurately Read and follow work orders Fill out work order information completely Demonstrate telephone etiquette Demonstrate computer skills Read and interpret service manuals in print and computer formats Check mail; e.g., voice, email Attend training sessions Read professional publications; e.g., service manuals, trade journals

C.

FOLLOW DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

C.1 C.2 C.3 C.4 C.5 C.6 C.7 C.8

Verify/duplicate complaint Perform diagnostic circuit check Keep accurate records Determine the problem Estimate repair cost and parts availability Obtain authorization Perform repair Retest

D.

CONDUCT PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

D.1 D.2 D.3

Change oil and lubricate parts Replace filters Rotate and balance tires

D.4 D.5 D.6 D.7 D.8 D.9 D.10 D.11 D.12 D.13 D.14

Perform 4-wheel alignments Replace spark plugs Change automatic transmission fluid and filter Flush transmission system Replace belts and hoses Conduct visual inspection of vehicle; e.g., wiper blades and head, tail, and brake lights Conduct brake inspection Check for leaks; i.e., transmission, engine, brake, cooling system Service crank case ventilation Flush cooling system Change manual transmission and rear-axle fluids (per OEM specs)

E.

BRAKES

E.1 E.2 E.3 E.4 E.5 E.6 E.7 E.8 E.9 E.10 E.11

Perform preventive maintenance Check basic brake system type Road test and verify complaint; i.e., noise, vibration, harshness Diagnose, replace master cylinder Diagnose, replace power brake booster Diagnose, replace, repair lines and hoses Replace wheel cylinder Replace brake calipers Replace brake pads and shoes Measure and resurface drums and rotors according to OEM specs Adjust park brake cable

F.

STEERING AND SUSPENSION

F.1 F.2 F.3 F.4 F.5 F.6 F.7 F.8 F.9 F.10

Perform preventive maintenance Perform 4-wheel alignment Diagnose and repair problems related to springs, struts, shocks, control arms, and linkages Check for faults in the steering column and connections Adjust steering gear Inspect, replace rack and pinion and conventional steering Evaluate tire wear patterns Disable air bag prior to operation Repair CV joints and wheel bearings Mount and balance tires

G.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

G.1 G.2 G.3 G.4 G.5 G.6 G.7

Demonstrate knowledge of electronics; e.g., Ohm's Law Perform basic diagnosis of electrical system Read and properly use multimeters Diagnose and repair problems related to charging and starting systems Read and understand electrical schematics components and systems Remove and replace electrical components Perform wiring repair according to OEM specifications

H.

ENGINE REPAIR

H.1 H.2 H.3 H.4 H.5 H.6 H.7 H.8 H.9

Perform preventive maintenance Identify engine noise Replace engine components; e.g., water pumps, seals and gaskets, timing belts Determine origin of fluid leaks; e.g., oil and coolant Diagnose and repair all internally lubricated parts or components; e.g., rod and main bearings, oil pump, cam and lifters Diagnose and repair cooling system Tear down, inspect and reassemble engine Remove and replace engine Change engine and transmission mounts

I.

HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING

I.1 I.2 I.3 I.4 I.5 I.6 I.7 I.8

Perform preventive maintenance Identify basic operation of heating and air conditioning systems Identify types and operations of heating and air conditioning systems Recover and recycle refrigerant Diagnose and repair cooling fan operation Understand and repair control panel; e.g., vacuum selector, actuated doors, cable controls Diagnose and repair blower motor circuit Diagnose and repair heating and air conditioning systems

J.

MANUAL DRIVE TRAIN

J.1 J.2 J.3 J.4 J.5 J.6 J.7

Determine causes of drive line noises and vibrations Diagnose and repair manual transmission Diagnose, remove, and replace clutch disc, pressure plate, release bearing, and flywheel Diagnose, remove, and replace drive shaft and “U” joint Road test, inspect, install, and set up gears and bearings of rear axle Diagnose, inspect, and replace axles and axle bearing oil seals Recognize differences between hydraulic clutch and mechanical clutch

K.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE

K.1 K.2 K.3 K.4 K.5 K.6 K.7 K.8 K.9

Perform preventive maintenance Determine type of problem; i.e., drivability or transmission Identify basic transmission operation Determine type of transmission problem; i.e., hydraulic or electronic/hydraulic Read powerflow chart Read hydraulic flow chart and perform line pressure test Adjust/replace external components Remove and repair automatic transmission Replace flywheel

L.

ENGINE PERFORMANCE

L.1 L.2

Perform preventive maintenance Recognize and diagnose primary and secondary circuitry of various types of ignition systems Determine types of fuel injection Perform fuel pressure test Diagnose and replace fuel system components; e.g., fuel pumps, fuel regulators, fuel injectors Determine types of components of the computer system; e.g., TPS, MAP Diagnose, repair, or replace components of emissions system; e.g., AIR system, OBDII

L.3 L.4 L.5 L.6 L.7

BASIC SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Ability to research Internet, manuals, and service bulletins Air braking systems Basic math and measurement Basic electrical knowledge

Basic engine Basic supplemental and primary restraints Computer skills Metric conversion

DESIRABLE WORKER TRAITS/BEHAVIORS Accepts feedback Common Sense Endurance (mental and physical) Good communication Good listener Loyalty to company Manual dexterity TOOLS Alignment machine Basic hand tools Bearing removers and installers Brake lathe Charging systems tester Coil spring compressor Combustion gas detector Compression tester

Patience Positive Pride in work Problem solving Punctual Self-motivated Willingness to learn

Dial calipers Dial indicators Micrometer Multimeter Personal computer Pressure tester Race installers Recovery machines (R12 & R134A)

Scan tools Test light Timing light Tire machine Torque wrenches Transmission dyno Vacuum gauge Wheel balancer

ACRONYMS ABS AIR EMI LOF MAP OBDII OEM TPS TV

Antilock Brake System Air Injection Reactor Throttle Valve Electrical Magnetic Interference Lubricate Oil and Filter Manifold Absolute Pressure On Board Diagnostic Second Generation Original Equipment Manufacturer Throttle Position Sensor Throttle Valve

PANEL PARTICIPANTS Panel Mr. Harry Abercrombie, Mechanic, Abe’s Garage, Chester, SC Mr. Charles Carroll, Shop Foreman, Honda Cars of Rock Hill, Rock Hill, SC Mr. Jim Dickerson, Vice President, Dickerson Ford, Dickerson Motor Co., Inc., York, SC Mr. Timothy E. Gilgallon, Service Tech II, City of Rock Hill, Rock Hill, SC Mr. Derek Robinson, Sub Shop Foreman (Mechanic), Pep Boys of Rock Hill, Rock Hill, SC Mr. John Weaver, Team Leader, Burns Chevrolet Cadillac, Rock Hill, SC Facilitator: Mrs. Lori Ochsner, Instructional Developer, York Technical College – Rock Hill, SC Recorders/Coordinators: Mrs. Sylvia L. Maupin, CPS, Administrative Specialist, Instructional Development Mrs. Teresa Smith, Administrative Specialist, Health and Human Services Program Manager: Mr. Jamey Abercrombie, Automotive Department

Adapted from a DACUM competency profile developed at York Technical College in 1997. Any changes, additions, or deletions have been made by listed panelists participating in a DACUM validation workshop at York Technical College on November 15, 2006.