ENTRY-LEVEL TRUCK/HEAVY-DUTY ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT TECHNCIAN

 

Definition:  The truck/heavy-duty equipment electronics technician will demonstrate competence in diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing vehicle and equipment electronic management systems such as engines, drive line, braking, refrigeration, and communication.  A high degree of mechanical knowledge and hands-on skills are required as a prerequisite.

 

(Duties A-F are entry-level skills; G-K is apprentice-level)

 

A.                  PRACTICE SAFETY

 

A.1       Identify safety procedures

A.2       Follow safety procedures

A.3       Use personal protective equipment when required

A.4       Follow OSHA, DOT, FMVSS procedures such as lock-out tag-out, MSDS

A.5       Demonstrate pre-job safety planning; e.g., chock-block wheels

A.6       Identify potential safety hazards; e.g., high voltage

A.7       Report safety violations

A.8       Recognize and follow environmental regulations related to storage, handling, and disposal of materials

 

B.                  COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY

 

B.1       Listen, ask, and interpret feedback from drivers

B.2       Recognize and apply industry terminology such as acronyms

B.3       Demonstrate acceptable oral/written skills; e.g., progress reports and work accomplished

B.4       Complete vehicle history report

B.5       Interact with team members; e.g., company representatives, drivers, other technicians, supervisors, customers

 

C.                  DEMONSTRATE PROFESSIONALISM

 

C.1       Demonstrate customer relation skills for internal/external customers

C.2       Manage stressful situations

C.3       Utilize time-management skills

C.4       Recognize legal responsibilities; i.e., copyright laws, confidentiality, proprietary information

C.5       Participate in technical training as available such as specialized OEMs

C.6       Read professional and technical journals

 

D.                  DEMONSTRATE COMPUTER SKILLS

 

D.1       Demonstrate navigation skills in Windows, DOS, and other appropriate environments

D.2       Demonstrate skills in diagnostic tool hook-ups; e.g., PC, scan tools

D.3       Troubleshoot hardware; i.e., cabling, power supplies, digital/analog signals, and hardware interfacing (printer/PC driver)

D.4       Operate and configure software; e.g., load programs, copy files

D.5       Demonstrate appropriate care and maintenance of PC, disks, CD-ROMs, Modems, and peripherals

D.6       Observe copyright guidelines

 

E.                  DEMONSTRATE SKILLS IN ELECTRONICS

 

E.1       Demonstrate competencies in theory of AC/DC circuits; e.g., Ohm's Law

E.2       Demonstrate an understanding of general construct for system, IPO (Input, Processing, and Output)

E.3       Demonstrate understanding of basic digital theory in areas of gates, communication buses; e.g., 1708, 1939 and microphones

E.4       Demonstrate understanding of power distribution; e.g., ground loops

E.5       Recognize and interpret schematics and symbols

E.6       Demonstrate skills with electronic testing equipment

E.7       Perform correct wire, harness, connector repairs

 

F.                  PRACTICE TROUBLESHOOTING SKILLS

 

F.1       Isolate system containing the problem; e.g., engine, transmission, brakes

F.2       Assemble appropriate diagnostic tools, manuals, schematics, and bulletins

F.3       Retrieve and interpret fault information

F.4       Apply diagnostic procedure; e.g., flowcharts, schematics

F.5       Develop awareness of help lines; e.g., 800 #s

F.6       Isolate the problem

 

G.                 DIAGNOSE, MAINTAIN, AND REPAIR ELECTRONIC ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

 

GA.      ACTIVE CODE

 

GA.1     Retrieve active code and interpret pertinent data

GA.2     Assemble appropriate diagnostic tools, manuals, schematics and bulletins

GA.3     Apply diagnostic procedures; e.g., flowcharts and schematics

GA.4     Isolate the problem

GA.5     Take corrective action; e.g., replace sensors, actuators, adjustments, calibration

GA.6     Record and clear codes

GA.7     Validate repair

GB.      INACTIVE CODE

 

GB.1     Record code and time-stamp as inactive

GB.2     Refer to manufacturer's information regarding inactive code

GB.3     Clear code

GB.4     Attempt to duplicate the problem

GB.5     For duplicated code follow active code procedure

GB.6     Check history to confirm validity of code if possible

 

GC.      NO CODE

 

GC.1     Analyze and validate driver complaint

GC.2     Check customer parameters and vehicle configuration

GC.3     Examine vehicle history

GC.4     Take corrective action, if needed; e.g., replace sensors, actuators, adjustments, calibration

GC.5     Validate repair if appropriate

 

H.                  DIAGNOSE, MAINTAIN, AND REPAIR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

 

H.1       Determine which process to follow based on type of code; i.e., key-on, driving, system

 

HA.       ACTIVE CODE (i.e., component and system)

 

HA.1     Retrieve active code and interpret pertinent data

HA.2     Assemble appropriate diagnostic tools, manuals, schematics and bulletins

HA.3     Apply diagnostic procedures; i.e., flowcharts and schematics

HA.4     Isolate the problem

HA.5     Take corrective action; e.g., replace sensors, actuators, adjustments, calibration

HA.6     Record and clear codes

HA.7     Validate repair

 

HB.       INACTIVE CODE

 

HB.1     Record code and time-stamp as inactive

HB.2     Refer to manufacturer's information regarding inactive code

HB.3     Clear code

HB.4     Attempt to duplicate the problem

HB.5     For duplicated code follow active code procedure

HB.6     Check history to confirm validity of code

 

HC.       NO CODE

 

HC.1     Analyze and validate driver complaint

HC.2     Check customer parameter vehicle configuration

HC.3     Examine vehicle history

HC.4     Take corrective action, if needed; e.g., replace sensors, actuators, adjustments, calibration

HC.5     Validate repair as necessary

 

I.                    DIANOSE, MAINTAIN, AND REPAIR OEM INSTALLED SYSTEMS

 

I.1         Isolate the system; e.g., instrumentation, ABS/ATC/EBS, air conditioning

I.2         Assemble appropriate diagnostic tools, manuals, schematics, and bulletins

I.3         Apply diagnostic procedures; e.g., manuals, schematics, and bulletins

I.4         Isolate the problem

I.5         Take corrective action; e.g., replace sensors, actuators, adjustments, calibrations

I.6         Record and clear codes when appropriate

I.7         Validate repair

 

J.                   DIAGNOSE, MAINTAIN, AND REPAIR VENDOR COMPONENT SYSTEMS

 

J.1        Determine the complaint

J.2        Assemble appropriate diagnostic tools, manuals, schematics, and bulletins

J.3        Apply diagnostic procedures; e.g., manuals, schematics, and bulletins

J.4        Isolate the problem

J.5        Take corrective action; e.g., replace sensors, actuators, adjustments, calibrations

J.6        Validate repair

 

K.                  DIAGNOSE, MAINTAIN, AND REPAIR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS (e.g., cellular, satellite, RF)

 

K.1       Determine the complaint

K.2       Assemble appropriate diagnostic tools, manuals, schematics, and bulletins

K.3       Apply diagnostic procedures; e.g., manuals, schematics, and bulletins

K.4       Isolate the problem

K.5       Take corrective action; e.g., replace sensors, actuators, adjustments, calibrations

K.6       Validate repair

 

DESIRABLE WORKER TRAITS/ATTITUDES

 

Cooperative

Ethical

Flexible (multiskilled)

Good hygiene

Meticulous

 

Organized

Patient

Positive Attitude

Reasoning Skills

Responsible

Safety conscious

Sense of humor

Willing to learn

Willingness to help/train others

 

RELATED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

 

Basic math/calculations/conversions

Listening skills

Mechanical knowledge and hands-on skills for heavy-duty equipment

Oral communication skills

Problem solving

Reading comprehension for technical manuals

Telephone skills

 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

 

Air tools                                                                        Breakout boxes

Connector/Test adapters                                                 General shop hand tools

Ground straps                                                                Load tester

Logic probe                                                                   Multimeters

Oscilloscope                                                                 PC

Power tools                                                                   Scan tools

Torque wrench

 

FUTURE TRENDS

 

Tagging trucks - infrared technology

Electronic logbooks

Weight

Satellite communications - sensors ECM OBD3

Emissions inspections

Alternative fuels

ITS (Intelligent Truck Systems) - smart highways

Replace mechanical components with electronic and electrohydraulic components

Logistics

--- customer-- electronics that help coordinate business

--- government -- dual power

IKS (Intelligent Key System)

-- determines who drives, gates, time, down load

-- smart buttons

DACUM PANEL PARTICIPANTS

 

Panelists:

Bob Beatty, Manager, Carolina Trucks & Equipment, Inc. Columbia, SC

Harry Byrd, Manager, Vehicle Maintenance - Columbia District, US Postal Service, Columbia, SC

Mike Coley, Executive Director, Technical Services, ASE, Herndon, VA
Duke Drinkard, Director of Maintenance, Southeastern Freight Lines, Columbia, SC

John Fleure, Manager, Maintenance Field Support Services, Ryder Truck Rental Miami, FL

Christopher P. Moran, Service Training Instructor, Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, PA

Scott E. Nance, Co-Coordinator, Carolina Breakdown Service, Cherryville, NC

Wally Stegall, Technician, VES, Rock Hill, SC

Timothy Truesdell, Automated Product Manager, SE Region, Eaton Corporation, Charlotte, NC

Larry Viner, Technical Service Manager, Blanchard Machines, Columbia, SC

Terry Woodrow, District Trainer, United Parcel Service, Charlotte, NC

 

Facilitator:

Louise C. Rhyne, Dean of Learning Resources, York Technical College, Rock Hill,  SC

 

Recorder/Coordinator:

Sylvia L. LaValle, CPS, Administrative Specialist, York Technical College, Rock Hill, SC

 

DATE/LOCATION:

September 10 & 11, 1996

York Technical College

452 S. Anderson Road

Rock Hill, SC 29730