Motor Mechanics Apprentice

First year apprentice, no experience required but would be an advantage.

Must have driving licence and rights to work in Ireland.

The work of a Motor Mechanic involves the servicing, maintenance and fault diagnosis of automobile and light commercial vehicle mechanical and electrical systems, vehicle component removal, installation or repair according to original manufacturers’ specification.

At the end of the apprenticeship, the craftsperson will be able to demonstrate competence in the following skills:

Servicing

Read, interpret and carry out manufacturers’ instructions for all vehicle service, maintenance and repair procedures. Complete a vehicle report form.

Fgas

Describe the overall aim of Regulation No. 842/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 in relation to the air conditioning systems of automotive vehicles (MACs).

List the dangers to personal health and related safety regulations related to the refrigerant gas contained in mobile air conditioning (MAC) systems.

Describe the location of possible leaks of refrigerant gas from an automotive air conditioning unit.

Engine

Diagnose faults, dismantle and reassemble the engine and its ancillary components.

Replace timing belts and chains.

Use all recommended bolt tightening procedures.

Electrical

Read and interpret relevant electrical wiring diagrams.

Use fault-code reader to interrogate ECU memory and OBD system.

Employ a logical and structured fault diagnosis methodology (use of diagnostic flow charts).

Measure and interpret quantities of electrical current, voltage and resistance.

Diagnose and resolve faults in starter, charging and lighting circuits.

Remove and replace vehicle lighting components.

Align headlamps.

Fuel/Ignition

Diagnose and resolve faults in electronically controlled fuel, ignition and emissions control systems.

Evaluate exhaust emission levels with reference to NCT/DoT VTM test requirements.

Transmission

Diagnose faults in manual transmission units.

Remove and refit manual transmission units.

Diagnose faults in clutch assemblies.

Remove and replace clutch components.

Remove and replace driveshaft joints and bearings.

Brakes

Diagnose mechanical and hydraulic faults in the braking system.

Remove and replace brake components.

Employ manufacturers’ recommended service and bleeding procedures.

Core SkillsSpecialist SkillsSteering/Suspension

Diagnose faults in steering and suspension systems.

Remove and replace steering and suspension components.

Align suspension and steering geometry.

Balance wheels.

Repair punctures.

Bodywork

Remove and replace bodywork components, e.g. door locks, windows and regulators.

Engine

Carry out complete engine overhaul on automobile and light commercial vehicle petrol and diesel engines.

Electrical

Check operation of, diagnose any faults present, and return to original manufacturers’ specification:

• Standard, multi-voltage and high voltage systems
• Inter-control module communication systems, e.g. CAN, LIN, VAN and MOST networks
• Multiplex wiring
• Climate control
• Cruise control
• Theft deterrence systems
• Comfort systems, e.g. electric windows and seat/steering adjustment
• Sunroof
• Central locking

Fuel Systems

Check operation of, diagnose any faults present, and return to original manufacturers’ specification:

• High pressure petrol injection systems (e.g. GDI and MED-Motronic)
• High pressure diesel injection systems (e.g. common rail)

Transmission

Check operation of, diagnose any faults present, overhaul and return to original manufacturers’ specification:

• Manual transmission assemblies
• Automatic transmission assemblies
• Hybrid transmission assemblies

Brakes

Check operation of, diagnose any faults present, and return to original manufacturers’ specification:

• ABS and EHB (Electro-Hydraulic Braking) systems
• ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
• TCS (Traction Control System)
• ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) systems

Occupant Safety

Examine, diagnose any faults present, and return to original manufacturers’ specification:

• Airbag systems
• Belt tensioner systems
• Rollover protection systems

Communication and Information

Check operation of, diagnose any faults present, and return to original manufacturers’ specification:

• In-car entertainment systems
• Telecommunication systems
• Vehicle information systems, e.g. technical monitoring displays and GPS (Global Positioning System)

Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) Systems

Discuss and demonstrate best practice for handling F-gas storage cylinders, the safe recovery and disposal of F-gas.

Perform full servicing of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, including:

• Leak detection
• Recovery
• Vacuum
• Refill

Common SkillsSpecialist Skills (cont’d)Servicing

Read, interpret and carry out manufacturers’ instructions for all vehicle service, maintenance and repair procedures.

Complete a vehicle report form.

NCT/DoT VTM

Determine the condition of automotive vehicles to NCT/DoT VTM requirements.

Engine

Diagnose faults and return to original manufacturers’ specification:

• Petrol engines and ancillary components
• Diesel engines and ancillary components

Electrical

Read and interpret relevant electrical wiring diagrams.

Use fault-code reader to interrogate ECU memory and OBD system.

Employ a logical and structured fault diagnosis methodology (use of diagnostic flow charts).

Measure and interpret quantities of electrical current, voltage and resistance.

Diagnose and resolve faults in starter, charging and lighting circuits.

Remove and replace vehicle lighting components.

Align headlamps.

Transmission

Diagnose faults and return to original manufacturers’ specification:

• Clutch system components
• Driveshafts and bearings

Brakes

Diagnose faults and return to original manufacturers’ specification:

• Brake friction linings

Steering

Diagnose faults and return to original manufacturers’ specification:

• Steering linkage
• Geometry settings

Bodywork

Remove and replace bodywork components, e.g. door locks, windows and regulators.