In most cases a diagnostic test can be completed in a matter of minutes, but not everybody are familiar with what exactly is done during such a diagnostic? When you bring your vehicle to us, we will hook it up to a machine that uses software that will accesses your vehicle's computer processor, sensors, and microchips. The diagnostic test will inform us about the condition of your vehicle's engine, such as ignition timing, level of build-up in the engine, the performance of the fuel injector, firing of the ignition coils, engine rpm levels, air and coolant temperatures, airflow, crankshaft and camshaft position, throttle opening, transmission, exhaust system, brakes, etc. By manner of this diagnostic session, we can pinpoint any problem areas that may require attention.
These steps will give you an additional understanding of what you can expect when you have your vehicle diagnosed.
Step 1: The technician will interview the vehicle owner and document the symptoms.
Step 2: The technician will then conduct some basic vehicle checks.
Step 3: The technician may then check for any service updates related to the symptoms described by the vehicle owner. This refers to failures that may occur due to a faulty batch of parts, which may result in recalls and service updates.
Step 4: The skilled diagnostic technician will then conduct a logical systematic diagnostic procedure.
Step 5: Technicians may at times need to contact a technical support hotline in order to share data; the hotline may then work together with the technician to diagnose the problem efficiently.
Step 6: Once the problem is diagnosed, the technician will report the findings to the vehicle owner.
Step 7: An estimation of the repair costs will be shared with the customer in order to get approval to proceed. Sometimes a defective part may need to be replaced in order to continue the diagnosis itself.
Step 8: Once the problem is repaired, the technician will run another diagnostic on the vehicle. The data of the diagnosis are usually saved in the computer.
Step 9: The technician will finalise the documentation regarding the repairs done.
Step 10: Once everything is documented, the vehicle is given a test drive before it is ready to be returned to the customer.
You may now have a better understanding of what a vehicle diagnostic is and what it entails. A few last words in this regard. Keep in mind that a skilled technician usually have good critical thinking and problem solving skills. Why is this? It is simply because these are essential skills to have whenever you have to assess and identify a problem in a computerised vehicle where dozens of things can go wrong in a myriad number of ways. This reiterates the fact that a thorough diagnostic scan should always be conducted by a reputable workshop with trained and skilled technicians.
It will also do you no harm to have your vehicle regularly diagnosed, because we hope you know that early detection is far better than costly repairs (or being left stranded) later. Furthermore, the ‘check engine light' should not be your cue to have your vehicle diagnosed. Practice a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance by including frequent diagnostic scans into your personal maintenance schedule. Some more sound advice; if you consider buying a used vehicle, then have the private seller or dealer agree to a diagnostic test before you commit to buying it. Do you too smell something fishy if they refuse to have a diagnostic test done? A clear sign that you should walk away from the deal.