AUTO 1073 Vehicle Electrical Systems I Syllabus H02 Fall 2026

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Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 2 Clinical/Lab Hours 2
Type of Credit
Occupational/Technical
CIP Code
47.0604
Course Meeting Time

1:00pm-6:00pm

Course Description

In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of automotive electrical systems, including wiring repair, meter usage, low-voltage battery systems, and starting systems. Students will also gain hands-on experience in utilizing electrical testing equipment to diagnose and repair electrical issues in vehicles.

Explanation of Course Alignment
AUTO 1073 Vehicle Electrical Systems I provides students with the foundational electrical knowledge and diagnostic skills required for modern automotive service and repair. Students will develop an understanding of electrical principles, circuit operation, electrical measurement, wiring diagrams, circuit testing, and common automotive electrical components and systems.
The course emphasizes the development of technician-level diagnostic thinking rather than simply identifying components or replacing parts. Students will learn to predict expected results, perform accurate electrical measurements, compare actual results to expected values, and use the evidence gathered during testing to determine the next diagnostic step.
Students will develop these skills through a combination of Electude learning activities, instructor demonstrations, guided laboratory exercises, electrical circuit activities, wiring repair, and automotive diagnostic applications.
The course supports the Automotive Technology program by establishing the electrical foundation required for subsequent coursework in Vehicle Electrical Systems II, computerized engine controls, electrified vehicle systems, and advanced automotive diagnosis and repair.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
William (Bill) Perakis
Faculty Email
wperakis@kcc.edu
Faculty Phone
815-802-8866
Faculty Office Number
v120
Faculty Student Support Hours

1/2 hour before and after class

Faculty Information

William (Bill) Perakis

Course Information

Textbook/s and Course Materials
Required Materials
  • Electude online training subscription
  • Access to Canvas and KCC email
  • Clear safety glasses meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards
  • Work pants or jeans
  • Short-sleeve shirt appropriate for laboratory activities
  • Calculator capable of performing basic electrical calculations
Course Materials
Students will utilize:
  • Stafford Automotive Lab Series™ Electrical 1 Diagnostic Workbook
  • Electude online learning modules
  • Instructor-developed course materials
  • OEM service information
  • ALLDATA
  • ShopKey
  • Wiring diagrams and electrical service information
  • PHeT circuit simulations
  • Digital Volt-Ohm Meters (DVOMs)
  • Automotive electrical components and training equipment
  • Automotive electrical systems and laboratory vehicles
The Electrical 1 workbook specifically identifies ALLDATA, ShopKey, OEM service information, Electude, and PHeT circuit simulations as course resources.
KCC will provide specialized laboratory equipment and electrical testing equipment required for course activities.
Methods of Evaluation
Methods of Evaluation
Final course grades will be determined using the following grading categories:
  • Electude Learning Modules – 35%
  • Hands-On Laboratory Activities – 35%
  • Quizzes, Tests, and Practical Assessments – 30%
Electude Learning Modules
Electude modules are learning activities, not simply quizzes or tests. They are designed to prepare students for classroom instruction, laboratory activities, and hands-on application.
🟢 Completed by the deadline with a score of 60% or higher: Full credit
🟡 Completed by the deadline with a score below 60%: Credit will be based on the student's demonstrated completion and understanding of the assigned material.
🔴 Completed after the deadline: Maximum of 50% of available points.
Electude modules remain available after the deadline so students can return to previous material for review and reinforcement.
All homework must be completed before the final class meeting or final assessment. No regular homework assignments will be due after the final class meeting or final examination.
Hands-On Laboratory Activities
Laboratory activities evaluate the student's ability to safely use tools and test equipment, perform electrical measurements, interpret test results, follow service information, construct and repair circuits, and apply electrical diagnostic procedures.
Practical Assessments
Practical assessments require students to demonstrate electrical skills independently. Students may be required to explain what they are testing, why the test is appropriate, what result is expected, and what their actual measurement indicates.
Course Policies
Attendance, Punctuality & Participation
Attendance is critical to success in this course. Vehicle Electrical Systems I is a hands-on course, and important electrical testing procedures, demonstrations, diagnostic techniques, and laboratory activities are completed during scheduled class meetings.
Students are expected to:
  • Attend every scheduled class.
  • Arrive on time and remain for the entire class period.
  • Be prepared to participate in classroom and laboratory activities.
  • Follow all laboratory safety procedures and instructor directions.
  • Take responsibility for obtaining information missed because of an absence.
  • Communicate with the instructor as soon as possible when an absence is unavoidable.
Make-up opportunities for missed laboratory activities are not guaranteed. When an absence occurs under appropriate circumstances, the instructor may provide an opportunity to make up missed work when practical and when the necessary equipment, vehicles, facilities, and instructional time are available.
Students who miss class are responsible for communicating with the instructor and making a reasonable effort to address missed work. Because this course contains essential hands-on electrical activities, students who repeatedly miss class, fail to communicate about absences, or do not make a reasonable effort to address missed required work may be required to withdraw from the course.
Electude Learning
Electude learning activities are an important part of preparing for classroom and laboratory instruction. Students are responsible for completing assigned Electude activities by the published deadlines.
Electude assignments will be made available after students receive access to the Electude course. No Electude assignment will be due before students have access to the assigned material.
Electude modules are learning activities, not simply quizzes or tests. Students are expected to work through the material, understand the concepts, and use that knowledge during classroom and laboratory activities.
  • 🟢 Completed by the deadline with a score of 60% or higher: Full credit
  • 🟡 Completed by the deadline with a score below 60%: Credit will be based on the student's demonstrated completion and understanding of the assigned material.
  • 🔴 Completed after the deadline: Maximum of 50% of the available credit.
Electude modules remain available after the deadline so students can return to previous material for review and reinforcement.
All homework must be completed before the final class meeting or final assessment. No regular homework assignments will be due after the final class meeting or final examination.
Laboratory Expectations
Electrical diagnosis requires careful testing and accurate information. Students are expected to approach laboratory activities as technicians rather than simply completing a checklist.
Students are expected to:
  • Read instructions and service information before beginning a task.
  • Identify the correct meter setting before testing.
  • Predict the expected measurement before performing a test.
  • Use proper meter connections.
  • Protect electrical components and test equipment from damage.
  • Record accurate measurements.
  • Explain what their measurements indicate.
  • Verify their work before considering a task complete.
  • Ask questions when they are uncertain about a procedure or test.
Students should never continue with an electrical test because they think something is "probably correct." Stop, verify, and ask questions when necessary.
The course emphasizes the diagnostic process:
Observe → Verify → Diagnose → Service → Verify Again
Students will be evaluated not only on whether a task is completed, but also on their ability to explain what they are testing, why they are testing it, what they expect to find, and what the results mean. This reflects the technician expectations established in the Electrical 1 workbook.
Electrical Safety
Students must follow all electrical laboratory safety procedures and instructor directions.
  • Clear safety glasses meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards must be worn during laboratory activities.
  • Dark, tinted, or sunglasses-style safety glasses are not permitted.
  • Inspect test equipment, leads, connectors, and wiring before use.
  • Use the correct meter function and lead connections for the test being performed.
  • Never measure resistance or continuity on an energized circuit.
  • Verify circuit conditions before connecting test equipment.
  • Do not intentionally short circuits or electrical components.
  • Report damaged equipment, damaged wiring, or unsafe conditions immediately.
  • Ask the instructor before performing a test when the circuit or testing procedure is not understood.
Electrical testing can damage components or test equipment when performed incorrectly. When in doubt, stop and ask.
Professional Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner consistent with expectations in the automotive service industry.
  • Treat classmates, instructors, vehicles, tools, equipment, and facilities with respect.
  • Follow instructor directions regarding the use of vehicles, tools, and laboratory equipment.
  • Keep the work area clean and organized.
  • Return tools and equipment to their proper locations after use.
  • Report broken or damaged equipment immediately.
  • Cell phones must be silenced and stored away unless their use has been authorized for a course activity.
  • Headphones and earbuds are not permitted during classroom or laboratory activities.
  • Students are responsible for leaving their work area clean and ready for the next student.
Service Information & Diagnostic Accuracy
Students are expected to use appropriate service information when performing electrical diagnosis and repair. This may include wiring diagrams, OEM service information, ALLDATA, ShopKey, Electude, and other instructor-approved resources. Your workbook specifically treats the wiring diagram as part of the technician's test equipment.
Guessing is not an acceptable diagnostic method. Students should make a prediction, perform the appropriate test, compare the result with the expected value, and use the evidence to determine the next step.
This is especially important when using a DVOM. A meter provides information; the technician must interpret that information.

 

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in both the classroom and online learning environment. The same 
standards of professionalism, respect, safety, and personal responsibility apply whether students are working in the laboratory, 
participating in classroom discussion, or completing online learning activities. 
Classroom Expectations 
Students are expected to: 
• Arrive on time and be prepared to participate. 
• Listen to and follow instructor directions, particularly during laboratory activities. 
• Treat classmates, instructors, vehicles, tools, equipment, and facilities with respect. 
• Participate actively in demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on activities. 
• Ask questions when they do not understand a concept or procedure. 
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area. 
5 KCC Syllabi
• Use cell phones only when permitted for a course-related activity. 
• Keep headphones and earbuds stored during class and laboratory activities. 
• Use laboratory equipment only as instructed and for its intended purpose. 
• Communicate professionally with classmates and the instructor. 
Online Expectations 
Students are responsible for regularly checking Canvas and KCC email for course announcements, assignments, due dates, and other 
important information. 
Students are expected to: 
• Complete assigned Electude learning activities by the published deadlines. 
• Read instructions before beginning an assignment. 
• Participate appropriately in online discussions and activities when required. 
• Submit their own work and maintain academic integrity. 
• Communicate with the instructor when questions or problems arise. 
• Maintain professional and respectful communication in all online interactions. 
Electude Expectations 
Electude is used as a learning and preparation tool for this course. Students are expected to work through the assigned learning 
material rather than simply attempting to obtain a passing score. 
Students should use Electude to prepare for the hands-on work performed during class. Students are encouraged to return to completed 
modules after the deadline to review concepts and reinforce their understanding. 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) 
Artificial Intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and similar technologies may be used to support learning, studying, and 
understanding course concepts. 
AI may be used for study guides, practice questions, reviewing terminology, summarizing course material, and other instructor-approved 
learning activities. 
AI may not be used to replace independent learning, critical thinking, hands-on practice, electrical testing, diagnosis, or repair procedures. 
Students may not use AI to generate answers for quizzes, tests, practical assessments, or other graded assessments unless specifically 
authorized by the instructor. 
Students are responsible for verifying AI-generated information using appropriate course materials, service information, and instructor 
guidance. 
AI is a supplemental learning tool—not a substitute for learning, practicing, measuring, diagnosing, or performing the work.

Course Calendar

 

Week
Class Meeting
In-Class Focus
Electude Due
1
Aug. 20
Course orientation; electrical fundamentals; DVOM orientation; introduction to voltage, current, resistance, and circuit safety
No Electude due
2
Aug. 27
Electrical measurement and DVOM application
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Electrical Fundamentals — Aug. 26 by 11:59 PM
3
Sept. 3
Series and parallel circuits; circuit operation and measurement
Chapter 2 – Electrical Measurement Tools — Sept 2 by 11:59 PM
4
Sept. 10
Schematics and circuit interpretation
Chapter 3 – Series and Parallel Circuits + Chapter 4 – Schematics — Sept. 9 by 11:59 PM
5
Sept. 17
Relays, electronic components, wiring repair preparation
Chapter 5 – Relays and Electronic Components — Sept. 16 by 11:59 PM
6
Sept. 24
Wiring and wire repair; Wiring Repair Practical
Chapter 6 – Wiring and Wire Repair — Sept. 23 by 11:59 PM
7
Oct 1
Lighting/signaling circuits; battery testing and diagnosis
Chapter 7 – Lighting and Signaling Circuits + Chapter 8 – Battery — Sept. 30 by 11:59 PM
8
Oct. 8
Charging and starting systems; comprehensive review; final assessment
Chapter 9 – Charging System + Chapter 10 – Starting System — Oct. 7 by 11:59 PM

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.
Copyright & Syllabus Disclaimer

The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright. 
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.