11 minute read
Training opportunities
Training review: EV Troubleshooting with Pro-Moto
I recently attended a new 2-day Electric Vehicle Troubleshooting Course created by Pro-Moto’s founder Eliot Smith at his HQ in Aldershot, Surrey. Eliot has notched up 40 years of experience in the trade, on the workshop floor as a BMW technician before moving into technical support for Honda. This saw him travelling around the globe, experiencing the latest hybrid and electric vehicle technology. He left to start an independent training business and Pro-Moto was born. One of his first tasks was to develop and write the national qualification for the UK aftermarket alongside the IMI and since then has been involved in educating not only technicians but many from outside the trade, including research and development companies, the police and fire rescue services.
The Pro-Moto training centre in Ash Vale is a recognised national training provider with IMI Awards. Eliot has developed three new courses to complement the Level 1 to 4 EV training he provides (he also offers courses on CAN-Bus, fuel injection, air con, electrics, and effective scoping.) ‘HV Battery Repair’, ‘HV Charging Systems’ and ‘EV Troubleshooting’ have been designed to keep up with the common faults identified within EV vehicle systems.
I went on the 2-day EV Troubleshooting Course, which addresses how to best diagnose, troubleshoot problems, and repair the systems and components. It covers insulation issues, battery degradation, HV battery imbalance, non-start battery faults, charging problems, and more.
I found Eliot very flexible with his approach to the course content and would tailor the course to your needs. The first day of the course began with a discussion on troubleshooting process – preferred methods, tools used and any experience we had on EV system faults. We were advised to take our time, use our instincts, be confident in what we did, make notes, take pictures, and then review our work.
Up for the task
Over the two days, we were guided through six scenarios. I do not want to give away too much detail and spoil it for future attendees so will give a glimpse into the content and teaching methods. One task involved a non-start Lexus Is300h, which did not have a ‘ready mode’ symbol displayed on the dashboard. Eliot would let you carry on with the diagnosis but would ask why you chose a particular tool or test method. We would review our methods and results and discuss what would we have done differently to help find the faults and fix the vehicles.
We were presented with a non-start Nissan Leaf, which had the high voltage warning light on. This task highlighted the need to always use the correct safety workwear and tools, to disconnect the auxiliary battery and the interlock service plug and wait until the capacitors had depleted the high voltage. The group then practised checking the voltages of the main
By Des Davies AAE MIMI of Top Gear Motor Services
cables to the HV battery (max 5V is safe to work on). We were then shown the correct procedures to remove the battery from the vehicle. Eliot explained in detail how to rebuild the battery and replace it then onto the vehicle frame.
Other tasks involved a Renault Zoe, which would not charge properly and checking the individual battery cells on a Toyota for imbalance.
Summary:
An excellent course with lots of activities and handouts given to enhance our learning journey on Electric vehicle systems, with real-world faults. Eliot is a very knowledgeable, approachable, and clever instructor who lets you diagnose the vehicles yourself but observes and closely monitors your progress and guides your diagnostic plans and methods.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience having gained a wealth of knowledge on completing this course. Highly recommended!
www.pro-moto.co.uk
Eliot discussing the battery cells and blocks
New to Range
We are proud to introduce our new extensive Starline battery range which covers not only the automotive market, but also batteries specifically designed for a number of applications including standard automotive, commercial, marine, leisure.
Starline batteries are designed for maximum starting power, completely maintenance free and meet the highest quality standards. Manufactured using the latest calcium technology to withstand higher temperatures with improved shelf life and overall performance.
Available in: • Standard automotive • Start-Stop, AGM and EFB • Commercial • Leisure
Find out more about this “Powerful” new range at omnipart.eurocarparts.com/Omnihub
We present a blend of live training and eLearning opportunities available on New Energy Vehicles
Your place or mine?
Autotech Training, a division of the Autotech Group who provides recruitment services to the trade, delivers various training programmes, including Electric Vehicle courses, within its training centre in Milton Keynes – upcoming dates are listed on the right.
Training can also be delivered onsite at a customer’s workshop, eliminating travel expenses and disruption to the business (courses can be booked over weekends and bank holidays). This option provides great value for money and in addition, the experienced trainer will also use, when appropriate, a workshop’s own equipment so employees are trained on the kit they use day-to-day.
Reader feedback
Josh Whittemore, Training & Development Co-ordinator at the Elite Garages network of independent garages, took the Level Two training at Autotech’s EV training suite in Milton Keynes, saying: “I thought they were really professional and that's when I decided to get our whole team trained by them.” Josh selected the number of vehicle technicians from each site to receive the EV training, based on the density of EV sales within their local area – smart thinking! Because of the high number of Tesla sales within Bournemouth, four vehicle technicians from Elite Garage Bournemouth were EV trained by Autotech. Josh saw this training as a much needed and logical step: “We need to be prepared. Not only to be able to create a new revenue stream and meet customer demand, but to safeguard our employees and equip them with the relevant skills to work safely on these high voltage vehicles.”
Autotech Training dates coming up in Milton Keynes
IMI Level 2 award in Electric/Hybrid Vehicles Routine Maintenance Activities
November 21, 30 December 5,19, 21 January 9, 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27
IMI Level 3 award in Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Systems Repair and Replacement
November 21 & 22, 30 & 01 December 5 & 6, 19 & 20, 21 & 22 January 9 & 10, 16 & 17, 23 & 24, 30 & 31 February 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21, 27 & 28
IMI Level 4 award in the Diagnosis, Testing and Repair of Electric/Hybrid vehicles and components
November 23 & 24 December 7 & 8
Using its OEM expertise, Delphi Technologies provides independents with the tools and training required to compete with franchised dealers for EV servicing.
Delphi’s DS180 BlueTech diagnostic tool is compatible with over 85% of the mainstream electric vehicle parc and covers more than 60 hybrid and electric vehicle models, giving technicians the ability to read fault codes and view live data for key modules such as the invertor, charger, motor and battery management system. There’s also the capability to perform special functions, such as recalibration following reduction gear or motor replacement. The tool also boasts new integrations over its predecessor, such as CAN FD, multiple CAN channels, and DoIP (Diagnostics over Internet Protocol).
Of course, having the right tool for the job also requires the right knowledge to use it. While the DS180 BlueTech is designed to be simple to use, there are a series of video tutorials on the Delphi Technologies Academy – the brand’s comprehensive e-learning platform. A dedicated EV/hybrid section includes a wide selection of courses and tutorials on everything from working with voltage and having the correct PPE/CPE to testing high-voltage insulation and the safety steps that must be adhered to when working on an electrified vehicle. The training course are designed to be part of a ‘blended’ learning approach that combines online and practical learning, with each earning credits towards the Institute of the Motor Industry’s Continuing Professional Development (IMI CPD) programme. Technical Services Manager, Luke Garratt, says: “Helping independents adapt their service offering to include electrified vehicles is something we take very seriously. Our size and expertise allow us to efficiently bring to market OE-spec service parts and other components for EVs, while customer feedback has enabled us to shape our EV diagnostic and training solutions to ensure that they meet the varied requirements of garages and technicians.”
Subsidised Level 3 Hybrid/EV course
The Independent Garage Association will continue to heavily subsidise Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Repair Level 3 courses for IGA members at a rate of £250 + VAT until the end of the year, as it prepares to launch a Level 4 Award in Diagnosis, Testing and Repair of Hybrid/Electric Vehicles and Components. This qualification covers working on live HEV high voltage vehicle systems and components. Contact the IGA to join the waiting list for the new course or enquire about available spaces on the Level 3.
01788 225 908
Now is the time to upskill
“While there are undoubtably challenges to deal with in the present, aftermarket operators have to have one eye on the future. And critically, the future has arrived,” says Bob Wiffen, Workshop Solutions Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts.
“Hybrids are increasingly commonplace in the independent aftermarket, and EVs won’t be far behind, once they start coming out of warranty at scale. Independent garages are already widely acknowledged to be ahead of the dealerships on quality of service and value for money. Now is the time to upskill, so that they can keep pace with a customer base that’s evolving. Those that move first will enjoy a competitive advantage locally, at least for the time being.”
According to LKQ Euro Car Parts, effective marketing is key, to all garages, but especially those with a point of difference when it comes to maintaining vehicles with zero-emission capability. As well as retaining existing customers that trade up to the latest, cleanest, greenest technologies – workshops that promote their expertise in working with battery-powered vehicles can win business from their competitors. The LKQ Academy has committed to training more than 2,000 technicians in EV and hybrid service, maintenance and repair in 2023, and is launching two new courses: EV troubleshooting and HV Battery Repair.
“As well as retaining existing customers that trade up to the latest, cleanest, greenest technologies –workshops that promote their expertise in working with batterypowered vehicles can win business from their competitors.”
Bob Wiffen, Workshop Solutions Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts
Our Virtual Academy offers technicians who have the Level 3 Award, the chance to supercharge their electric vehicle diagnostic skills with its EV Masters Roadshow, developed in partnership with HEVRA.
autotechnician joined six technicians on the last day of their EV Masters course within an RAC workshop near Brands Hatch back in March. Over four days, technicians are fully immersed in the practical diagnosis of hybrid and electric vehicles, giving candidates the skills, knowledge, and confidence to efficiently diagnose then carry out subsequent repairs of electrified vehicles, achieving the IMI Level 4 Award.
It’s very much a hands-on experience, with perhaps just three or four hours of the course within the classroom discussing theory. Peter told us: “Technicians do their job on their feet and work with their hands and the best place for training is in the workshop. Like a lot of people, learning through action and application cements knowledge in their minds. It’s about developing the skills as well, getting them comfortable working around the high voltage systems.” The EV Masters 4-day training is next taking place at Tilford, Surrey 22nd – 25th November, in York 6th – 9th December and Church Stretton 13th – 16th December.
Email Sales@OurVirtualAcademy.com or call 020 3286 2228 for more information.
https://www.ourvirtualacademy.com/ev-tech-roadshow
Climate Comfort System in New Energy Vehicles
As more new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include hybrid and electric vehicles, take to the roads, more will come into the workshop for routine climate system service, maintenance, or repair. Technicians need to be aware that they require special handling and safety procedures, as well as specialist knowledge to complete it successfully. Many NEVs rely on a heat pump solution, which is an advanced system compared to a standard air conditioning (AC) loop. Nissens Automotive discuss the step-by-step diagnostics of the heat pump system, from initial inspection to special procedures, including common problems and details of the specific components to check. Click the following link to view the article on the AT hub: https://
autotechnician.co.uk/how-to-service-theclimate-comfort-system-in-new-energy-
vehicles/.
