|
hi, im new to this forum and i must say its very informative and the responses are very quick , i would like some pointers as to where i could enrol in auto electrician courses or similar in the Nottingham area , i tried the open university web site looking for a correspondence course but i dont think they cater for such things, or does a dvd home mechanics tutorial exist? thankyou
Edited by Pugugly {P} on 02/02/2008 at 20:46
|
zookeeper
What do you do now and what branch of auto-electrics do you want to get into?
|
|
im interested in the whole topic and would like to be certified in this what are the qulifications please reply
|
|
|
|
|
www.castlecollege.ac.uk/ (formerly People's) do most of teh Motor Vehicle courses in Nottingham, but nothing on their site looks like exactly what you're after. I suppose most training in this field is by manufacturers for their own employees and franchises. You could enquire with C&G and BTEC to see if they have courses curriculums and who they sell them to.
|
|
I have remembered there is a big newish place near Ruddington/Edwalton which trains VW and Lexus technicians, if I find out what it is, I'll post on here.
|
99% sure that this is the place
Carter & Carter Apprenticeship Learning Ltd, Ruddington Fields Business
Park, Ruddington, UK-Nottingham NG11 6JZ.
|
|
|
Usually, most mechanic and technician training is done as part of a day release YTS type scheme - is that what you are looking for?
Alternatively, as Hamsafar says, manufacturer specific training houses are becoming more popular. The first blurb about Vauxhall College was just coming out as I left the trade.
As per Screwloose's question, what exactly do you want to learn about, and where do you want to go with it?
Number_Cruncher
|
|
thanks for all the replies , i just want to get to grips with modern systems , i dont want to spend £ 50 to let some spotty youth telling me i have a code issue on his lap top, am i being un realistic , or is the motor trade becoming a cash cow ... bleeding us dry because we dont have access to our own motors functions.. i dont want to be in the motor trade as im semi retired i dont want to be ripped off , simple as that!!
|
zookeeper
It's really a diagnostics course that you're after; I don't know of anywhere that caters for owners rather than mechanics as the amount that you would have to learn is staggering.
I believe Haynes do a book on the basics of engine management; maybe have a look on their website.
You'll need to spend over four figures just for a very basic scanner [and £800 a year for support] so the odd £50 to spotty youths [far more likely a grizzled old mechanic - the young don't take to this arduous work] is going to look like a bargain.
|
|
|
Try to get hold of a copy of Hillier's Fundamentals of Automotive Electronics, perhaps via your library While the book does not go into the detail of what code WXYZ means on any particular car, it does describe the principles, and the types of systems in use, and the component sensors and actuators.
For specific systems, Bosch used to produce a series of informative yellow booklets, explaining the system operation in detail (do they still make these books?)
Once you have read and understood these, there are many checks you can do on your car using only a decent multimeter. You'll need a good source of information on the systems you're working on. Autodata used to do some good books on petrol & diesel fuel injection systems - although I find their wiring diagrams almost impossible to follow!
This doesn't get you anywhere near being able to see live ECU data, or being able to scan and clear codes, but, used with intelligence, you can identify many (but not all!) faults.
Number_Cruncher
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Check out www.omitec.com they do some diagnostic courses . Its experience now days with vehicles, rather than training but the courses they run are electrical & diagnostic based & are quite educational as that is their specialised area.
Doc
|
I second NC's endorsement of Hillier's 'Fundamentals of Automotive Electronics'
Personally, I think a course would prepare you for the wrong environment - a dealer's workshop. You will not be able to get the same diagnostic equipment as the dealer, and you won't have the same level of information.
Does your car have any diagnostic modes - either by pressing dash buttons, or connecting pins on the diagnostic socket ?
Can you get full electrical specifications for your car ?
Not only full wiring diagrams, but pin-outs for connectors and sensor specifications.
A modern oscilloscope is probably your best diagnostic tool. This is quite different to what will happen in the workshop and you will first need to learn how your car works normally.
For some cars an alternative ECU (pin compatible with original) may provide diagnostic output to your laptop.
The ideal tool would be a datalogger - connected between ECU and harness and recording all signalling to/from the ECU. I did design one for my MGF, but got rid of the car instead of building it.
This is an area that demands significant involvement. you can't dabble in it (successfully).
|
|
thanks for all the replies to my post, i will try and get a copy of hilliers ' fundementals of automotive electronics' and see how i get on with it, thanks all
|
|
|
|
|
Hello there mate...
I know it's been awhile since this post, However, I'm really interested on your out come... Did you find anything positive to take your knowledge in 'auto diagnostics further?
If so, would you mind sharing them with me...
Cheers
|
|
|
