Diagnostics Leeds

Diagnostics

Diagnostics refers to fault finding on vehicle electronic components and systems.

This is an area that the majority of garage repair centres are not prepared to get involved with, due to the amount of investment and training needed to gain a good understanding of how electronic systems work.

We at AutoCare Centre see this as a priority to invest in training and diagnostics equipment so that we are able to fully diagnose and rectify the faults of the modern motor vehicle.

There are a number of sensors that provide the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) with all necessary inputs such as the engine temperature, ambient temperature, vehicle speed, load. According to these inputs, the ECU makes initial adjustments adding or subtracting fuel, advancing or retarding the ignition timing, increasing or decreasing idle speed, etc.

Below is a small list of those sensors and the role they play.

There is a primary oxygen sensor installed in the exhaust before the catalytic converter that monitors the quality of combustion in the cylinders. Based on the feedback from this oxygen sensor the ECU makes fine adjustment to the air-fuel mixture to further reduce emissions. On some vehicles there can be another secondary oxygen sensor installed after the catalytic converter that monitors the catalytic converter's efficiency. Besides that there are few additional emission control related vehicle systems. For example, there is an Evaporative system (EVAP), designed to prevent fuel vapours from the fuel tank from being released into the atmosphere. It also contains a number of sensors and actuators controlled by the ECU.

The ECU has self-diagnostics capability and constantly tests the operation of sensors and other components. When any of the sensor signals is missing or out of normal range, the ECU sets a fault and illuminates the "Engine Management " or "Service Engine Soon" light also called the Malfunction Indication Lamp (Mil) storing the corresponding Diagnostics Trouble Code (DTC) in the ECU memory.

The stored trouble code can be retrieved with a special diagnostics tool. The code itself does not tell exactly which part has failed or which part to replace, it only gives a direction where to look. It is then up to the Technician to use his experience and testing equipment to correctly identify the faulty item.

Flash Programming

Has become an integral part of servicing and repairs for the majority of newer vehicles. This is because car manufacturers are producing increasingly complicated vehicles, with multiple ECU's at the very heart of their operating structure. When the Manufacturers launch a vehicle, they can be subsequent problems found during daily use. These problems are often fixed by the manufacturers releasing a "reflashing" fix for the ECU. Similar to the software patches released my Microsoft to fix known bugs within the latest program. Flash programming can address issues such as transmission shifting problems, hesitation, rough engine idle, drivability, poor performance, check engine lights, and emissions quality. And any number of other operational problems. More frequently flash programming is the only way to repair a vehicle and cure these issues. Over 100 million cars on the road today support flash programming.

As the computer management of your car becomes more complex so does the diagnostics software required to keep your car on the road. As part of an on going investment programme in vehicle diagnostics, and to keep up with modern electronic systems. We have invested heavily in high end dealer level equipment. We now have what is quite possibly the most comprehensive and up-to date equipment in the area. We have ATA registered technicians as well as an on going training programme for all our staff so that we can carry out all the diagnostics that traditionally has only been able to be carried out at the main dealerships.

Autologic Diagnosis

The site of our technicians salivating over a piece of equipment is not something I like to dwell on, and yes we have used and tested some excellent diagnostic tools in the past but Autologic has always been the one to beat when it comes to vehicle specific software and hardware. So when the box arrived in our reception I knew they would be like a dog with a new bone. With ever increasing advances in vehicle technology, the key question is 'to what level does the Independent garage want to go'? If a garage views diagnostics simply as a necessary evil and remains focused purely on what it's been doing for the last ten years. Then it's in for a major shock within the next five. Often employing the need for specialist intervention reappears, as revenue is redirected to a third party. This is critical to garages who are serious about securing their future. So really, the key question then is not 'to what level does a garage want to go'? but actually, 'how much further can an Independent garage actually go with the right tool and technical support'? We believe that as an Independent garage we can offer modern technology together with old fashioned values.