Initiative, work ethic, independence & inquiry....the puzzle pieces falling together...

Ah..the pieces have finally fallen together for many of the TTJ3 students.  The components I refer are the routine and systematic approach , the diagnois, the process, the documentation of your process, the inquiry, the trouble tree, the repair and the verification of the repair.  All completed with an awesome blend on student knowledge, skill and technical literacy; not just memory based but more importantly were and how to access the vehicle data, the dtc's, the operation of the system in question, how to identify the faulty component and the specifications.  It is important to point out that it is impossible to know every process, every step, every dtc and every spec.  But knowing how, when and were to access all of the puzzle pieces is an astonishing accomplishment.

Brief over view...today...

  " keys please.  I need to get my coveralls, I drove the escape (ford) today.  I need to determine where the exhaust leak is and measure the pipes to order replacement sections. I also need to scan for dtc's, the engine light is on and it is running rough.  It is sitting in front of bay 1, can I use the hoist and can you drive it in?"  Student said.

I turned to my colleague and he looked at me and inquired who is that student. He was awestruck and I will admit my jaw too dropped a little, not that I let onto the student.  I should also mention that this was before the first bell of the day.

So long story short ( I won't bore you with all the tidbit data) 

  Employability skills , check

  Initiative , check

  Verification of problems, check

   Set hoist up, check

   Inspect physical condition and measure, check & document with pics, check

   Lower hoist, check

   BT1 & Ipad, scan dtc's and view data, check

   Access service literature, determine conditions for setting dtc, prioritize dtc's, diagnosis dtc's, check

   Repair faulty components and/or order and price parts, check

      Clear dtc's and run up vehicle to meet dtc setting requirements....

      Dtc did not reset, verified repair...double check.

   Remove vehicle from hoist, teacher move vehicle outside

   Sweep floor, wash up, complete additional documentation of job and complete work order.

Ah...that's a pretty complete "puzzle" for a grade 11.  Guess who has a coop placement next year?

Guess who I would hire?

She did an excellent job both in successfully repairing the vehicle, using the technology, access the vehicle service literature and employing the necessary employability, thinking and learning skills that further employers and educator strive to encounter.

  

   

BT1 & I Devices (Further Exploration and documentation - Part I )

We continue to explore the possibilities using the BT1 and Ipad Mini's, thus far some students have experienced the general use of the technology.  While other students still shy away from diagnostics, which is general trend that myself and Mr. Dulong have observed over the years.  In the past the traditional scanners, the required automotive knowledge and complexity of setup has greatly hindered student use and similarly created much anxiety it scanner use.  Which adapter to use, reference manual A, plug proper power supply in.  enter vin number, refer to supplement manual, refer to appendix, determine correct OBD II keyadapter and insert into OBD II connector...now scroll through the menu and sub-menu (which look like DOS)

    

The use of the BT1 and I devices has greatly aided in decreasing the complexity and student ease of use.  Simply Awesome!!  From the GUI interface (I Device) the students can easily navigate through the APP and access data the the BT1 is reading from the vehicles PCM (powertrain Control Module).  As some of the senior TTJ students further their exposure with diagnostics, the vast majority have tried both the traditional scanner and the BT1 technology; preference to date as recorded through google forms seems to the simpler and more GUI interface (I device & BT1).  We have instructed/requested that students must first try the traditional scanner (Snap-on) and then can verify and clear  codes with the BT1; therefore creating additional  exposure to both methods.      

                      

      

The students initial "scanner" use and BT1 use are recorded using a google form.  Thus recording their perspective on the technology use.  Refer to   IIT Auto Poll    For initial use of BT1 technology   

Once the students have used the technology once they are to complete a different form; which parallels a work record card; work order.  Organizes the technology use, the data they used which app they used to access the OBDII system.  Along with the steps, resources and verification of repair.  (Following the diagnostic tree)     Refer to   BT1 & Idevice Technology Jobs/Tasks Form      For all jobs and tasks using BT1 technology

We continue to collect the data and push the use of technology.

Vehicle Diagnostics on ward...to infinity and beyond...

Well maybe not to inifinity and beyond....

But definitely moving forward in exposure to easily accessible automotive diagnostics.
Our proposal was  “HHSS Diagnostic Skills Development, Utilizing GUI Interfaces for Qualitative Automotive Diagnostics in a Collaborative Environment”

Note there are great possibilities for this combination of technology, which in many cases is currently being used in the states are college and dealership levels to aid in diagnostics.  Now that we have recieved our Dongle (BT1, bluetooth OBDII interface) and its linked to the Ipad Mini's its time to experiment with the free apps....who better to experiment that two senior level girls in Mr. Dulongs.'s TTJ4 class.  Plus we could trust them to care for the technology and also they used an old Ipad II  (protective cases had not arrived....they are here now)

First they hooked up a traditional Snap-on scanner to a Mazda pickup which had DTC's present (ses light, diagonistic trouble codes)  A process that took approximately 12 minutes, finding the right adapter key, getting the vehicle VIN data, plugging in the data. accessing the data stream and DTC menus.  They verified what codes were present.

 Note that this scanner is approxiamtely likely about 10 years old and original purchase price was likely towards the 4000 dollar mark.

They then used the free apps from goPoint and had great success accessing the vehicles ECM (computer) and retrieved the same DTC codes.  Way to go girls!!  Simplicity of the interface and working knowledge of how an Ipad works made this process very quick for the female techs.

 The following pictures show the pad in use accessing the free app BT1 Monitor.  Wicked quick, easy hookup/link up once we enable the bluetooth.

Note the ladies obtained the same codes as the snap on scanner and they did it in less than 5 minutes including a bluetooth hicup.   Way to go Ladies!!

 
 More to follow folks.....don't want to ramble too much more.   We are very excited to further impliment the procedure and technology.  Mr. Dulong has since purchased a paid app to support the Dongle; Dash Commander as supported by goPoint technologies.

Post experience for the female techs,  NB and SB; they have filled out and submitted a IIT - Auto Poll as part of our data collection process. (via google Forms)

If curious....check out....http://goo.gl/kNzaAt

Lots more to follow....implimenting the process
                             ....technology exploration
                             .....diagnotic trouble codes
                             .....diagnostic trouble trees
                             .....vehicle repairs and verification of repair
                             .....live streaming data sets.....
                            .....data interpertation
                            .....emmission monitors
                            .....pairing with CDX jobs
                            .....e-portfolios............just the tip of infinity...