Automotive Electrical/Electronics System Technician

Course Description

AER0360C – Automotive Electrical/Electronics System Technician is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in the Automotive Service Technology program, aligned with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Curriculum Framework for CIP code 47.0604 (Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician). The course aligns with the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) A6 – Electrical/Electronic Systems certification area and the ASE Education Foundation Maintenance & Light Repair (MLR), Auto Service Technician (AST), and Master Auto Service Technology (MAST) program standards.

Students develop competencies in diagnosing, servicing, and repairing automotive electrical and electronic systems, including batteries, starting systems, charging systems, lighting, body electrical, instrumentation, accessories, and computer-controlled networks. The course combines classroom instruction with hands-on laboratory and live-vehicle experience using current diagnostic equipment, scan tools, and digital multimeters (DMMs).

This course is offered at 41 Florida technical colleges and is part of the Automotive Service Technology 2 program sequence. As a 900-series PSAV course, hours apply toward program completion and ASE certification eligibility but are not automatically transferable to associate-degree programs.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of electrical fundamentals — voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's Law, series and parallel circuits, and the use of wiring diagrams and electrical symbols.
• Use digital multimeters (DMMs), test lights, scan tools, and oscilloscopes to diagnose electrical and electronic faults to the manufacturer's published procedures.
• Diagnose, service, and replace batteries, including state-of-charge testing, load testing, conductance testing, and proper disposal procedures.
• Diagnose and repair starting systems, including the starter motor, solenoid, ignition switch, neutral safety switch, and related wiring.
• Diagnose and repair charging systems, including alternators, voltage regulators, and charging system warning circuits.
• Diagnose and repair lighting systems, including headlamps, exterior and interior lighting, turn signals, hazard lights, and brake-light circuits.
• Diagnose and repair gauges, warning indicators, and driver information systems.
• Diagnose and service horn, wiper/washer, and accessory systems, including power windows, power locks, power seats, and cruise control.
• Demonstrate safe work practices when working with high-current circuits, hybrid/EV high-voltage systems (awareness level), airbag/SRS components, and electrostatic-discharge (ESD) sensitive components.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on equipment availability and program emphasis, students may also:

• Diagnose body control modules (BCMs) and serial data networks (CAN, LIN) using OEM scan tools.
• Service and replace supplemental restraint system (SRS) components following all manufacturer safety procedures.
• Diagnose keyless entry, immobilizer, and anti-theft systems.
• Perform basic diagnostics on hybrid and electric vehicle high-voltage systems with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and lockout/tagout procedures.
• Use OEM service information systems (e.g., AllData, Mitchell1, Identifix, ProDemand) to research wiring diagrams and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs).

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Electrical Fundamentals: Atomic structure, voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's Law, series/parallel/series-parallel circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic induction.
• Wiring Diagrams and Service Information: Reading OEM wiring diagrams, electrical symbols, component locator, connector views, and ground distribution.
• Test Equipment: Digital multimeter (DMM) usage, test light usage, current probes, lab scope/oscilloscope basics, scan tool operation.
• Battery Service: Battery construction, ratings (CCA, RC, Ah), testing procedures (open-circuit voltage, load test, conductance test), charging, jump-starting, and recycling.
• Starting System: Starter motor operation, solenoid testing, voltage drop testing, current draw testing, related circuits and components.
• Charging System: Alternator construction and operation, voltage regulation, output testing, voltage drop testing, drive belt service.
• Lighting Systems: Headlamp aim and replacement, daytime running lights, exterior/interior lighting, turn signals, brake lights, fog lamps, and LED/HID systems.
• Body Electrical and Accessories: Power windows, power locks, power seats, mirrors, sunroofs, defoggers, horn, wiper/washer, cruise control.
• Instrumentation and Driver Information: Analog and digital gauges, warning lamps, electronic instrument clusters, message centers.
• Workplace Safety: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), shop safety, hazardous materials handling (HazCom), electrical safety, hybrid/EV safety awareness.

Optional Topics

• Body Control Modules and Serial Data: CAN bus, LIN, Class 2, network topology, module communication diagnostics.
• Supplemental Restraint Systems: Airbag system components, deployment circuits, sensors, safe handling and disposal.
• Anti-theft and Keyless Entry: Immobilizers, transponder keys, remote keyless entry programming.
• Hybrid/EV High-Voltage Awareness: System identification, lockout/tagout, Class-0 gloves, isolation testing.
• Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS): Sensor identification, basic operation, calibration awareness.

Resources & Tools

• Test Equipment: Digital multimeters (Fluke 88V, 87V or equivalent), test lights, current probes, lab scopes (Pico, Snap-on Vantage Pro)
• Scan Tools: Generic OBD-II scan tools, enhanced/OEM-level scan tools (Snap-on, Autel, Launch, OEM-specific)
• Battery Service Equipment: Conductance testers (Midtronics), battery chargers, jump packs
• Service Information: AllData, Mitchell1 ProDemand, Identifix, OEM service portals
• Reference Standards: ASE Education Foundation Task List (current edition); SAE J1930 standardized terminology; OSHA 29 CFR 1910 safety standards
• Recommended Texts: Modern Automotive Technology (Duffy), Today's Technician: Automotive Electricity and Electronics (Hollembeak), or current ASE-aligned texts
• FLDOE Curriculum Framework: Automotive Service Technology 2 (CIP 0647060406) — published standards and student performance benchmarks

Career Pathways

Completion of AER0360C supports entry into and advancement within the following automotive service occupations:

• Automotive Electrical Specialist — Diagnoses and repairs electrical and electronic systems at independent shops, dealerships, and fleet operations.
• Automotive Service Technician (SOC 49-3023) — General-line technician with strength in electrical diagnosis, often the highest-billing area in modern shops.
• Drivability Specialist / Master Technician — With additional certifications, advances to lead diagnostic roles.
• Fleet Maintenance Technician — Services electrical systems on commercial fleets, municipal vehicles, and rental fleets.
• Mobile Auto Electrician — Specialized field service, particularly for fleet and commercial accounts.

Florida's automotive service sector — concentrated in Miami-Dade, Broward, Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Jacksonville metros — has sustained demand for technicians with strong electrical diagnostic skills, particularly as vehicle electrification accelerates.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course aligns with the following industry-recognized credentials:

• ASE A6 – Electrical/Electronic Systems certification exam (primary alignment)
• ASE Education Foundation MLR/AST/MAST task lists for Electrical/Electronic Systems
• EPA Section 609 certification (when refrigerant-related electrical components are covered)

Florida provides ASE student certification testing fee reimbursement through the FLDOE for eligible programs. Students completing the Automotive Service Technology 2 program are typically eligible to sit for ASE certification once 2 years of relevant work experience are accumulated (or 1 year with completion of an ASE-accredited program).

Program Context

AER0360C is one of several specialty courses in the Automotive Service Technology 2 program. The full program sequence prepares students for ASE Master Automobile Technician certification across the eight A-series areas (A1 Engine Repair, A2 Transmission, A3 Manual Drivetrain, A4 Suspension/Steering, A5 Brakes, A6 Electrical, A7 HVAC, A8 Engine Performance). This course covers the A6 area exclusively.

Articulation

Per Florida statewide articulation agreements, completion of the Automotive Service Technology PSAV program may articulate into the Automotive Service Management A.S. degree at participating Florida colleges. Students should consult the receiving institution for specific articulation credit awards.