Elements and Performance Criteria

Ignition systems include Kettering, electronic ignition systems, magnetos and associated components for vehicles, plant, marine craft and outdoor power equipment
Faults may include engine difficult to start/will not start, engine misfire, poor performance, overheating
Components and mechanisms may include single and dual points, transistor assisted, single and multiple distributors, ballast and non-ballast primary circuits, suppressed and non-suppressed high-tension leads, advance mechanisms: mechanical, vacuum, electronic, CDI, magnetic pulse, optic and hall effect
Repair methods include pre- and post-repair testing; diagnosing and determining faults, conducting repairs, including disassembly, assembly, component replacement, adjustments and rechecks, electrical measurements, visual and functional assessments, including damage, wear
Critical precautions include manufacturer/component supplier procedures must be applied as poor working practices are likely to damage electronic system ECUs and/or other components, personal safety procedures which must be applied as contact with high output ignition systems may result in electrocution

Work requires individuals to demonstrate some judgement and problem-solving skills in managing own work activities and contributing to a productive team environment
Work is carried out in accordance with award provisions

OH&S requirements are to be in accordance with legislation/regulations/codes of practice and enterprise safety policies and procedures. This may include protective clothing and equipment, use of tooling and equipment, workplace environment and safety, handling of material, use of fire fighting equipment, enterprise first aid, hazard control and hazardous materials and substances
Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation/regulations/codes of practice and workplace policies and practices
Safe operating procedures are to include, but are not limited to the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with vehicular movement, toxic substances, electrical safety, machinery movement and operation, manual and mechanical lifting and shifting, working in proximity to others and site visitors
Emergency procedures related to this unit are to include but may not be limited to emergency shutdown and stopping of equipment, extinguishing fires, enterprise first aid requirements and site evacuation

Environmental requirements are to include but are not limited to waste management, noise, dust and clean-up management

Quality requirements are to include, but are not limited to regulations, including Australian Standards, internal company quality policy and standards and enterprise operations and procedures

Statutory/regulatory authorities may include Federal, State and local authorities administering acts, regulations and codes of practice

Tooling and equipment may include hand tooling, testing equipment, including multimeters, ohmmeters, voltmeters, tachometers, timing light, spark plug cleaner/tester, insulation testers, power tooling, air tooling, tune scopes, engine analysers, dynamometers and distributor test bench

Materials may include coil, condensers, transistors, leads and cleaning material

Communications are to include, but are not limited to verbal and visual instructions and fault reporting and may include site specific instructions, written instructions, plans or instructions related to job/task, telephones and pagers

Information sources may include, but are not limited to verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, memos, material safety data sheets, diagrams or sketches
Safe work procedures related to the repair of ignition systems
Regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to automotive industry, including Australian Design Rules
Engineer's design specifications and instructions
Organisation work specifications and requirements
Instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external persons
Australian Standards

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

It is essential that competence is fully observed and there is ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual situations in the critical aspects of:

observing safety procedures and requirements
communicating effectively with others involved in or affected by the work
selecting methods and techniques appropriate to the circumstances
completing preparatory activity in a systematic manner
completing the repair of a minimum of two ignition systems with a minimum of one electronic and one other (Kettering or magneto)
testing of ignition system/components
diagnosing and determining faults
repairing of ignition systems to manufacturer/component supplier requirements
post-repair testing of ignition systems to manufacturer/ component supplier requirements
completing of workplace and equipment documents

Relationship to other units
Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role

Underpinning knowledge

A working knowledge of:

OH&S regulations/requirement, equipment, material and personal safety requirements
ignition system principles of operation
construction and operation of ignition systems relevant to application
types and layout of service/repair manuals (hard copy and electronic)
testing and fault identification procedures
testing and fault identification procedures
adjustment procedures of systems/components
repair/removal and replacement procedures
work organisation and planning processes
enterprise quality processes

Specific key competencies, underpinning and employability skills required to achieve the performance criteria
These include a number of processes that are learned throughout work and life, which are required in most jobs. Some of these are covered by the national key competencies, although others may be added. The details below highlight how these competencies are to be applied in the attainment of this unit.

Application of the key competencies in this unit are to satisfy the nominated level in which:

Level 1 - relates to working effectively within set conditions and processes;
Level 2 - relates to management or facilitation of conditions or processes; and
Level 3 - relates to design, development and evaluation of conditions or process.
How will the candidate apply the following key competency in this unit? The candidate will need to:

Collect, analyse and organise information
Collect, organise and understand information related to work orders, plans and safety procedures for circuit and component testing, and major repairs/component replacement
Technical literacy and communication skills sufficient to interpret and apply common industry terminology, and interpret technical information and specifications
Research and interpretive skills to locate, interpret and apply operational and safety information
(Level 1)

Communicate ideas and information
Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications, coordination of work with site supervisor, other workers and customers, and the reporting of work outcomes and problems
Plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to dealing with others involved in the work
Questioning and active listening skills, for example when obtaining information on electrical circuit/component testing, servicing and replacement procedures
(Level 1)

Plan and organise activities
Plan and organise activities, including preparation and layout of worksite and obtaining of equipment and material to avoid backtracking or workflow interruptions
(Level 1)

Work with others and in a team
Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise workflow and productivity
(Level 1)

Use mathematical ideas and techniques
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete tests and measurements to determine electrical circuit/component major repair/replacement requirements
(Level 1)

Solve problems
Use pre-checking and inspection techniques to anticipate planning and scheduling problems, avoid wastage of time and material
Manipulative and dexterity skills to perform electrical testing, and repair/replacement procedures
Problem-solving skills for a range of procedural issues
(Level 1)

Use technology
Use workplace technology related to the repair of ignition systems, including the use of specialist tooling and equipment, measuring equipment, computerised technology and communication devices and the reporting/documenting of results
(Level 1)

Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Application of competence is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated worksite
Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment is to comply with regulatory requirements, including Australian Standards

Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed assessment guidelines of the automotive industry's RS&R Training Package
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies
Assessment may be applied under project related conditions and require evidence of process
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competence is able to be under the particular circumstance, and is able to be transferred to other circumstances
It is preferable that assessment reflects a process rather than an event and occurs over a period of time to cover varying quality circumstances. Evidence of performance may be provided by customers, team leaders/members or other persons subject to agreed authentication arrangements

Specific resource requirements for this unit

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace
material relevant to the repair of ignition systems
equipment, hand and power tooling appropriate to the repair of ignition systems
activities covering mandatory task requirements
specifications and work instructions