Core On-Board Diagnostic Skills Required by Motor Vehicle Mechanics for Troubleshooting Engine Performance and Transmission System of Modern Automotive in Niger State

Abstract

The era of depending solely on trial by error method and the experience of motor vehicle mechanics when troubleshooting various systems and subsystems of modern automotive is gradually coming to an end. This study was therefore carried out to identify the core on-board diagnostic (OBD) skills required by motor vehicle mechanics for troubleshooting engine performance and transmission system of modern automotive in Niger State. A survey research design was employed for the study. The population for the study comprised 833 motor vehicle mechanic master craftsmen and 29 automobile technology lecturers. A structured questionnaire which was designed by the researcher was used for collecting data from the respondents. The instrument was validated by three experts. Cronbach alpha reliability method was employed to determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire items and reliability coefficient of 0.84 was obtained. Two research questions guided the study while the two null hypotheses formulated were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while z-test statistics was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 levels of significance. It was found out that all the forty skills suggested are required by motor vehicle mechanics for troubleshooting engine performance and transmission system of modern for modern automotive. It was therefore recommended that all the skills identified in this study be included in the training given to motor vehicle mechanics apprentices in Niger State. The state government should come to the aid of the motor vehicle mechanics by providing funds to enable them undertake the training as well as procure OBD scan tool.