Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes required to diagnose and repair faults in the spark ignition engine management systems of vehicles or machinery. It involves preparing for the task, selecting the correct diagnostic procedure, carrying out the diagnosis and the repair, performing post-repair testing, and completing workplace processes and documentation.
It applies to those working in an automotive service and repair industry. Spark ignition engine management systems include those in agricultural machinery, heavy commercial vehicles, light vehicles, marine vessels, mobile plant machinery, motorcycles or outdoor power equipment.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance Criteria Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold and italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Prepare to diagnose and repair spark ignition engine management system | 1.1 Job requirements are determined from workplace instructions 1.2 Diagnostic information is sourced and interpreted 1.3 Diagnostic options are analysed and those most appropriate to the circumstances are selected 1.4 Hazards associated with the work are identified and risks are managed 1.5 Diagnostic tools and equipment are selected and checked for serviceability |
2. Diagnose engine management system | 2.1 Diagnostic tests are carried out according to workplace procedures 2.2 Faults are identified from diagnostic test results and causes of faults are determined 2.3 Diagnosis findings and recommendations for necessary repairs or adjustments are reported according to workplace procedures |
3. Repair engine management system | 3.1 Repair information is sourced and interpreted 3.2 Repair options are analysed and those most appropriate to the circumstances are selected 3.3 Repair tools, equipment and materials are selected and checked according to manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures 3.4 Repairs and component replacements and adjustments are carried out according to manufacturer specifications, workplace procedures and safety requirements, and without causing damage to components or systems 3.5 Post-repair testing is carried out according to workplace procedures to confirm fault rectification, and any further problems detected as having been introduced during the repair process are rectified |
4. Complete work processes | 4.1 Final inspection is made to ensure work is to workplace expectations and vehicle or machinery is presented ready for use 4.2 Work area is cleaned, waste and non-recyclable materials are disposed of, and recyclable material is collected 4.3 Tools and equipment are checked and stored and any faulty electrical equipment is identified, tagged according to workplace procedures 4.4 Workplace documentation is processed according to workplace procedures |
Evidence of Performance
Before competency can be determined, individuals must demonstrate they can perform the following according to the standard defined in the unit’s elements and performance criteria, range of conditions and foundation skills:
diagnose and repair a fault in the spark ignition engine management systems of three different vehicles or machinery, including:
faults in two system input sensors
faults in one system output actuator.
Evidence of Knowledge
Individuals must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
work health and safety (WHS) and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements relating to diagnosing and repairing spark ignition engine management systems, including procedures for:
using specialised tools and equipment
using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
identifying hazards and controlling risks associated with:
working on vehicle high voltage ignition systems
wearing jewellery while working around high current wiring systems
working with high pressure petrol fuel systems
operating principles of spark ignition engine management systems and associated components, including:
combustion, including:
air-fuel ratios and chemistry of combustion
composition of petrol fuel, including octane rating
indirect and direct fuel injection
application, purpose and operation of spark ignition engine management systems and components, including:
fuel system, including:
fuel filters
fuel pumps
fuel pressure regulators
fuel injectors
electronic control system, including the following system inputs:
throttle position sensors
coolant temperature sensors
oxygen sensors
load sensors and air flow meters
intake air temperature sensors
crankshaft position sensors
camshaft position sensors
battery voltage
accessory load sensors
knock sensors
key features of electronic control units (ECUs), including:
read-only memory (ROM)
programmable read-only memory (PROM)
electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)
random access memory (RAM)
multiplexing
adaptive learning
short-term fuel trim (STFT)
long-term fuel trim (LTFT)
sensor reference voltages and sensor grounds
system outputs, including:
injectors
idle speed control devices
fuel pump relays
engine cooling fans
air conditioning compressor controls
broadband intake manifolds
exhaust gas recirculation solenoid controls
carbon canister purge controls
throttle motor (drive by wire) controls
variable valve timing controls
assembly line diagnostic link (ALDL)
ignition systems and components, including:
spark plugs
ignition leads
ignition coils, including electromagnetic induction
ignition timing, including varying ignition timing according to engine load, speed and knock sensor input
dwell period
ECU control of ignition coil switching and methods of generating timing signals, including:
profile ignition pick-up (PIP) and crankshaft position sensor signals, including inductive pick-up, Hall effect and light emitting diode (LED)
waste spark ignition systems
coil-on-plug ignition systems
integrated ignition systems
diagnostic testing procedures for spark ignition engine management systems, including:
diagnostic flow charts
fuel system testing, including:
low pressure fuel system testing
high pressure fuel system testing
testing electrical systems, including procedures for:
accessing electrical terminals and using test probes without damaging connectors, fuse holders or wiring
injector testing
sensor testing
actuator testing
accessing and interpreting industry-relevant test equipment data, including:
fault codes
live data
freeze frame data
waveforms
repair or replacement procedures for spark ignition engine management systems, including procedures for:
removing and replacing the following electrical or electronic components:
sensors
actuators, including fuel injectors and fuel pumps
adjusting and recalibrating components and associated systems
post-repair testing procedures, including procedures for:
clearing fault codes
assessing engine performance
checking for electrical connector mating.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessment must include direct observation of tasks.
Where assessment of competency includes third-party evidence, individuals must provide evidence that links them to the spark ignition engine management systems that they have worked on, e.g. repair orders.
Assessors must verify performance evidence through questioning on skills and knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.
The following resources must be made available:
automotive repair workplace or simulated workplace
workplace instructions
manufacturer specifications for spark ignition engine management systems
three different vehicles or machinery with spark ignition engine management system faults
diagnostic equipment for spark ignition engine management systems, including:
multimeter
scan tool
tools, equipment and materials appropriate for repairing spark ignition engine management systems.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skills | Description |
Learning skills to: | identify and locate various sources of information efficiently. |
Reading skills to: | interpret text, symbols and wiring diagrams in diagnostic and repair information from manufacturer specifications and workplace instructions and procedures. |
Writing skills to: | legibly and accurately fill out workplace documentation when reporting diagnostic findings, making repair recommendations, and recording parts and material used. |
Oral communication skills to: | clarify instructions report diagnostic findings and make repair recommendations. |
Numeracy skills to: | match spark ignition engine management system components and identification numbers to workplace instructions, vehicle and component part lists, and manufacturer specifications interpret vehicle spark ignition engine management system voltages and readings measure voltage, current and resistance and use basic mathematical operations, including addition and subtraction, to calculate deviations from manufacturer specifications. |
Planning and organising skills to: | plan own work requirements and prioritise actions to achieve required outcomes and ensure tasks are completed within workplace timeframes. |
Technology skills to: | use specialised equipment, including multimeters and scan tools. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.
Safety requirements must include: | work health and safety (WHS) and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including procedures for: using specialised tools and equipment using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) identifying hazards and controlling risks associated with: working on vehicle high voltage ignition systems wearing jewellery while working around high current wiring systems. working with high pressure petrol fuel systems. |
Sectors
Technical - Electrical and Electronic
Competency Field
Electrical