SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Service and repair conventional automobile ignition systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
376603  Service and repair conventional automobile ignition systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
12220  Service and repair conventional automobile ignition systems  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners accredited with this standard will have knowledge of interpreting diagrams of ignition systems, finding faults and diagnosing system problems using appropriate tools and equipment, maintaining, testing, and servicing the conventional distributor, servicing and testing ignition systems. The standard involves the application of both the theory and skills to achieve these autotronics-specific outcomes.

Learners credited with this standard will be able to:
  • Interpret diagrams of ignition systems.
  • Test the conventional ignition system.
  • Service the ignition system.
  • Maintain, test, and service the conventional distributor.
  • Find fault and diagnose system problems. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • All tasks are performed bearing in mind health and safety requirements. Safety includes work area safety, electrical safety and electro-static safety.
  • All tasks carried out are documented as per company procedure.
  • The abbreviation HT stands for high tension and LT stands for low tension. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Interpret circuit diagrams of ignition systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Circuits include spark ignition cylinder engines.
  • Symbols include battery, low and high-tension cables, ignition coil, distributor (breaker points and condenser), spark plug cable. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The components in an ignition system are identified and described in terms of their functions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Components include battery, low-tension cables, ignition coil, distributor (break points and condenser), coil high-tension cable, spark plug cables and spark plugs, ballast resistor, centrifugal advance, vacuum advance mechanism, ignition switch.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Symbols associated with the ignition system are listed and interpreted. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Test the conventional ignition system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Test equipment includes multi-meter, continuity tester, test lamp, feeler gauge, timing light, dwell angle meter, oscilloscope.
  • Testing includes ignition coil testing, distributor testing, HT lead testing; rotor testing, condenser testing, distributor cap inspection. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Important safety measures and ignition specific cautions are applied before and when working on an ignition system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ignition system is inspected to reveal the reason for hard starting or misfiring and problems are addressed as per procedure, using appropriate tools and equipment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Problems include: corrosion in connections; cracks, kinks and breaks in LT wires, plug leads, plugs; cracks in distributor and plug caps; sprung carbon brush not sliding up and down; connections on coil; leaking of HT electricity from coil, distributor, HT leads, plugs, dwell angle, point resistance, incorrect timing.
  • Tools and equipment include screwdriver, insulated screwdriver, insulated pliers, fine file.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The low tension circuit described and checked to find cause for hard starting of automobile. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    LT circuit includes battery, ignition switch, contact-breaker, primary winding of the coil, interconnecting cables, ballast resistor, bypass circuitry.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The high-tension circuit is checked to diagnose ignition failure or misfiring, using appropriate tools and equipment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tools and equipment include insulated pliers, insulated screwdriver and multi-meter.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Spark plugs are cleaned, gapped and fitted according to standard procedure, using the appropriate tools and equipment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tools and equipment include plug spanner, paintbrush, foot pump, fine file or grit blaster, feeler gauge or gapping tool, small screwdriver, soft wire brush, soft cloth, torque wrench.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Service and repair the ignition system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Service includes spark plug service, distributor service, checking vacuum advance, centrifugal advance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ignition system distributor is removed according to standard procedure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tools include flat -bladed and crosshead screwdrivers, open-ended spanners, ring spanner or socket to fit crankshaft pulley, short and long-nosed pliers, plug spanner, test lamp.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Distributor components are inspected and replaced, if required, as per standard procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Adjustments and tests are performed to distributor components to manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Adjustments made to points (dwell angle), mechanical advance (if applicable) and capacitor/condenser.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Distributor is tested according to standard procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Distributor is refitted according to standard procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Static and stroboscopic timing is adjusted and mechanical and vacuum advance operations are checked as per manufacturer's specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tools for static timing include spanners or sockets, plug spanner, circuit-tester or test lamp, screwdrivers.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Maintain the conventional distributor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Inspect and replace distributor components as per standard procedure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Tools include screwdrivers, spanners, long-nose pliers, and spring (or pull) scale.
  • Test equipment includes multi-meter and condenser tester or capacitor measurement meter.
  • Components include distributor breaker points, condensers, distributor cap and rotor.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Dwell angle is set according to standard procedure, using appropriate tools and equipment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tools and test equipment include multi-meter, condenser tester or capacitor measurement meter, timing light, feeler gauge.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Adjustments are made to ignition system components according to standard procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Distributors are tested on a distributor tester according to standard procedure. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Names and functions of:
    > Ignition system components.
    > Fuel.
    > Four stroke engine.
  • Purpose of:
    > Cleaning.
    > Using removal and fitting procedures.
    > Ignition system components.
    > The secondary and primary circuits.
    > Ignition systems.
    > Purpose of relevant documentation.
  • Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties:
    > Characteristics of an ignition coil.
    > Condenser.
    > Distributor.
    > Spark plugs.
    > Four stroke engine and related components.
    > Fuel.
  • Sensory cues:
    > Use of sight to visually inspect all ignition system components.
  • Causes and effects, implications of:
    > Implications of not using personal protection.
    > Implications of not following procedure.
  • Procedures and techniques:
    > Safety procedures.
    > Testing procedures.
    > Removal and fitting procedures.
    > Vacuum advance setting.
    > Setting spark gap.
    > Setting timing.
    > Firing order.
  • Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
    > Related manufacturer's safety standards.
    > Applicable safety, health and environmental legislation.
  • Theory: rules, principles, laws:
    > Electromagnetic induction.
    > Operation of ignition coil.
    > Capacitance.
    > Operation of condenser.
  • Relationships, systems:
    > Relationship of the battery to that of the ignition system as the power source when starting. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Testing ignition systems and diagnosing faults.
  • Interpreting test results. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively when:
  • Interpreting circuit diagrams of ignition systems.
  • Performing tests using testing equipment.
  • Servicing ignition systems using appropriate equipment.
  • Repairing distributors.
  • Removing and refitting distributors. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to:
  • Interpret test results and solve problems/faults. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others by:
  • Using tools and equipment according to manufacturer's instructions and workplace procedure. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that the problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when engaging with faults on the distributor and ignition system. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 12220, "Service and repair conventional automobile ignition systems", Level 3, 6 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  78923   National Certificate: Autotronics  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.