BROADVIEW, Ill. — In today’s environment of ever-more-complex and sophisticated automobiles and trucks, training is all-important to the technicians who service and maintain these vehicles. Robert Bosch Corporation, a supplier of automotive systems and components, has placed itself in the forefront of those that supply the advanced technical training needed by the automotive service community.
Bosch, for instance, is currently offering comprehensive automotive training at its headquarters in Broadview, Ill., and at Rio Hondo College in Whittier, Calif. The training is available to any of Bosch’s more than 8,000 Bosch Auto Parts Specialists (BAPS) who stay up to date on the technical issues facing the automotive service community today.
The BAPS program supports service dealers who sell and install Bosch aftermarket parts. Service dealers that join the program receive point-of-purchase (POP) merchandising material, periodic mailings and a Bosch identity program. They also gain access for toll-free service information and classroom training courses geared to the professionals servicing today’s vehicles.
Current Bosch training courses include:
BAPS1– Designed to enable the technician to diagnose, test, repair and adjust fuel injection systems, including Bosch K, K-Lambda, KE-Jetronic (Versions 2, 3, 5), KE-Motronic, L-Jetronic, LU-Jetronic and LH-Jetronic (Versions 2.2, 2.4, 4.1) systems. This course includes construction and operating principles of individual components, interaction within the complete system, failure mode analysis, component testing, troubleshooting and testing of the systems in the vehicle. Use of related service tools and test equipment is also covered.
BAPS2 — This course enables the technician to diagnose, test, repair and adjust Honda/Acura PGM-Fuel Injection, Toyota/Lexus TCCS, Nissan/Infiniti ECCS, Hyundai/Bosch Motronic systems and Asian anti-lock brakes. This course also includes an introduction to On-Board Diagnostics II. Covered are construction and operating principles of individual components, interaction within the complete system, failure mode analysis, component testing, troubleshooting and testing of the systems in the vehicle and on-engine stands. Additionally, use of related service tools and test equipment is covered.
BAPS EL1 (Electrical) — Providing the technician with a functional and diagnostic understanding of automotive electrical systems and components to properly service Bosch automotive systems and products. This course enables the technician to properly utilize Bosch information to locate system or component diagnostic procedures. The course enables the technician to diagnose, test and repair charging and starting systems.
A working knowledge of electrical component function such as diodes, resistors, solenoids, relays, etc. is provided. Functional automotive circuits are built utilizing diagrams and electronic test boards with actual components. Hands-on testing of electrical circuits using diagnostic principles includes practical use of Ohm’s law, current flow and voltage drop.
An additional segment covers battery, charging and starting systems, and teaches theory of system operation and component function. This segment provides a working knowledge of repair procedures of components, circuits and systems, including operating instructions for required special tools (DVOM, scan tool, scope.)
BAPS EL2 (Electronics) — This course is designed for automotive technicians with good technical knowledge of and experience in servicing automotive passenger car electrical systems, electronic fuel injection (EFI) and anti-lock braking systems (ABS). One-year practical experience and completion of BAPS EL1 is required.
This advanced course enables the technician to recognize and understand the electronic component function used in late-model vehicles: transistors, capacitors and diodes; input sensors and output devices; PCM operation, analog and digital functions; output control theories – voltage, current, frequency and duty cycle.
Discussed in detail is construction and operating principles of individual components, interaction within the complete system, failure mode analysis, component testing, troubleshooting and testing of systems in the vehicle and on-engine stands. Additional course material includes use of related Bosch Service Information Systems, service tools and test equipment. Individual component diagnosis and troubleshooting using A-Tech simulator boards, is also demonstrated.
Bosch training for the remainder of 2004 includes:
East (at Broadview, Ill.) BAPS 1: Sept. 20-24 BAPS 2: Oct. 25-28 BAPS EL1: Dec. 13-16 BAPS EL2: Sept. 13-16 and Nov. 1-4
West (at Rio Hondo College, Whittier, Calif.) BAPS 1: Sept. 20-24 BAPS 2: Dec. 6-9 BAPS EL1: Aug. 30-Sept. 2 BAPS EL2: Oct. 4-7
“Installers who participate in the Bosch Auto Parts Specialists program are actually functioning as an extension of Bosch, through their own individual organizations. There are many ongoing benefits of the program — but the training is what makes the BAPS program so unique and valuable. This training can’t be beat, and it keeps the automotive technician right on top of what he needs to know today,” said Al Krenz, director of service for Robert Bosch Corporation.
Krenz urged any interested automotive service dealer to contact Jeanette Urato at 708-865-5237 for information on how to become a Bosch Auto Parts Specialist. “That will be one of the smartest decisions you ever make,” Krenz said.
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