Unit AE06 – Diagnose and Rectify Motor Vehicle Electrical Unit and
Component Faults
UNIT OVERVIEW
This unit is about identifying and rectifying electrical faults occurring within a variety of electrical
systems.
SCOPE OF THIS UNIT:
1. Electrical faults occurring within the following systems:
a. Infotainment
b. Comfort and Convenience
c. Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS)
d. Networking Systems
e. Body Electric Systems
2. Electrical and electronic testing equipment covers:
a. volt meters,
b. ammeters,
c. ohmmeters
d. multimeters
e. battery testing equipment
f. dedicated and computer based diagnostic equipment
g. oscilloscopes
3. Tools and equipment:
a. hand tools
b. special purpose tools
c. general workshop equipment
4. Diagnostic Testing is defined as:
a. Verify the fault
b. Collect further information
c. Evaluate the evidence
d. Carry out further tests in a logical sequence
e. Rectify the problem
f. Check all systems
5. Electrical and electronic testing techniques are:
a. voltage, resistance and current measuring
b. frequency measuring
c. visual
d. dedicated and computer based testing
Final Version Approved – February 2010
Institute of the Motor Industry
6. Rectification activities are defined as:
a. A suitable repair or replacement of a component(s) that rectifies the fault(s) identified
form the diagnostic activities carried out.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
You need to understand:
Legislative and organisational requirements and procedures
1. the health and safety legislation and workplace procedures relevant to workshop practices and
personal and vehicle protection when diagnosing and rectifying complex electrical faults.
2. legal requirements relating to the vehicle electrics (including road safety and refrigerant
handling requirements).
3. your workplace procedures for
• recording fault location and correction activities
• reporting the results of tests.
• the referral of problems
• reporting delays to the completion of work
4. the importance of working to recognised diagnostic procedures and processes and obtaining
the correct information for diagnostic activities to proceed
5. the importance of, documenting diagnostic and rectification information.
6. the importance of working to agreed timescales and keeping others informed of progress.
7. the relationship between time, costs and profitability.
5. the importance of reporting anticipated delays to the relevant person(s) promptly.
Electrical and electronic principles
9. electrical and electronic principles, including Ohms Law, voltage, power, current (AC/DC)
resistance, magnetism, electromagnetism and electromagnetic induction, digital and fibre
optics principles.
10. electrical symbols, units and terms.
11. electrical safety procedures.
12. how electrical and electronic units and components are constructed, dismantled and
reassembled.
13. how electrical and electronic units and components operate, including electrical component
function, electrical inputs, outputs, voltage/current variation and patterns.
14. the interaction between electrical, electronic and mechanical components within the systems
defined.
15. how electrical systems interlink and interact, including multiplexing.
16. the operation of the electrical and electronic systems for electric, hybrid and alternative fuel
vehicles (including regenerative braking systems).
Use of electrical testing equipment
Final Version Approved – February 2010
Institute of the Motor Industry
17. how to prepare and test the accuracy of diagnostic testing equipment.
18. how to use electrical and electronic testing equipment to correctly and safely diagnose
electrical faults
Auxiliary equipment electrical faults, their diagnosis and correction
19. the types and causes of electrical system, component and unit faults and failures.
20. electrical component and unit replacement procedures, the circumstances which will
necessitate replacement and other possible courses of action.
21. how to find, interpret and use sources of information on electrical operating specifications,
diagnostic test procedures, repair procedures and legal requirements.
22. how to carry out systematic diagnostic testing of electrical and electronic systems using
electrical testing techniques.
23. how to select the most appropriate diagnostic testing method for the symptoms presented.
24. how to interpret test results and vehicle data in order to identify the location and cause of
vehicle system faults.
25. how to rectify electrical and electronic faults
26. how to make suitable adjustments to components and units.
27. how to make cost effective recommendations for rectification.
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
To be competent you must:
a. wear suitable personal protective equipment and use vehicle coverings when using electrical
testing techniques and carrying out rectification activities.
b. support the identification of electrical faults, by reviewing vehicle:
• technical data
• diagnostic test procedures.
c. prepare, connect and test all the required electrical and electronic testing equipment
following manufacturers' instructions prior to use.
d. use electrical and electronic testing techniques which are relevant to the symptoms
presented.
e. collect sufficient diagnostic information in a systematic way to enable an accurate diagnosis of
electrical system faults.
• identify and record any system deviation from acceptable limits accurately.
• make cost effective recommendations for rectification based upon your analysis of
the diagnostic information gained.
f. use all tools and equipment required for your diagnostic and rectification activities, correctly
and safely throughout.
g. carry out all diagnostic & rectification activities following:
• manufacturers’ instructions
• recognised researched repair methods(see guidance document)
• health and safety requirements.
Final Version Approved – February 2010
Institute of the Motor Industry
h. work in a way which minimises the risk of :
• damage to other vehicle systems
• damage to other components and units
• contact with leakages
• contact with hazardous substances.
i. ensure all repaired and replaced electrical components and units conform to the vehicle
operating specification and any legal requirements.
j. when necessary, adjust components and units correctly to ensure that they operate to meet
system requirements.
k. ensure the electrical system rectified performs to the vehicle operating specification and any
legal requirements prior to return to the customer.
l. ensure your records are accurate, complete and passed to the relevant person(s) promptly in
the format required.
m. complete all diagnostic and rectification activities within the agreed timescale.
n. report any anticipated delays in completion to the relevant person(s) promptly.
Final Version Approved – February 2010
Institute of the Motor Industry
