As vehicles become more complex, so does the diagnostic process. From relying too heavily on fault codes to skipping essential steps, discover the key mistakes to avoid—and how using the right data and approach can lead to faster, more accurate repairs.
It can be easy to believe that once you have seen one fault, you have seen them all. This compliancy can lead to technicians skipping certain parts of the diagnostic process, rather than following the data from beginning to end to find the exact fault with the vehicle.
Staying on track and utilising the data provided increases the potential of a first-time fix. This will then reduce the likelihood of a vehicle returning to a workshop with the same fault, and the need to replace more parts at another cost for the consumer.
Diagnostic trouble codes are a starting point for fault finding, rather than the fault itself. Some technicians may feel that the quickest route to solve a problem is to just replace the part that is shown as ‘faulty’.
However, in many instances, it will be a problem further down the line that will be contributing to the failure of a component or sensor. Therefore, the fault code should be the start of the investigation. With vast amounts of data, from vehicle wiring to system traces, it is easier than ever to investigate the cause of the code, tracking the vehicle’s systems to the correct fault.
A driver will know their vehicle better than anyone. This means they are a great source of information about a fault. While a code can give information about where to start, customers can provide real-world information. The issue may be causing a knocking, or other sounds that are not regular. It may have begun on a cold, or warm day. Or they may have hit something in the road that seemingly caused the issue.
With modern fault diagnosis likened to a detective solving a mystery, the ability to gather evidence from all data sources is key. Understanding the information provided, and introducing logic into the solving of an issue, will provide a more detailed understanding of any problems and, therefore, a quicker fix.
It may be easy to think that once a vehicle takes to the road, any wiring diagrams or data linked to it will remain the same. This is, however, not the case.
While the vehicle components and systems will not update, the data surrounding them will. Technical information on vehicle operations can be amended, while potential fixes, fault information and component tests are also added on a regular basis.
In today’s world, digital data allows for a wealth of information to be added at a later point, making any vehicle repair and maintenance work more efficient. But to take advantage of this, updates need to be actioned regularly. Otherwise, technicians cannot benefit from the expertise provided.
Not every vehicle problem will generate a fault code. Some mechanical components will simply fail and need replacing.
This is a true test of vehicle diagnostics. In this scenario, understanding every aspect of the vehicle and its potential fault is crucial, and utilising both customer feedback and data to trace potential issues is required.
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