On-Target Troubleshooting - Updating your diagnostic methods will help you solve even the trickiest of problems. - Motor Age - Automotive training, certification & parts info
Sound troubleshooting techniques will help keep your tech staff on-target with diagnostics.
I've met and worked with a lot of technicians over the years, the majority of whom were honest, intelligent individuals.
A few could be considered "Top Guns," able to handle nearly any diagnostic situation handed to them. What separated these
few from the majority? I believe there are several factors, all of which you can easily develop for yourself.
PC screen of Oem1stop.com, a source for links to the majority of OEM service information pages.
First, these technicians understand the need for continuing their education, staying current with the changes in technology.
Second, they have a solid understanding of the basics on how these systems operate and interact with one another. Third, they
are always learning new testing techniques, giving them an arsenal of tools to apply to the situation at hand. Fourth, they
don't rely on generalizations or "silver bullet" fixes, but prefer to test for themselves and trust those results. Last, but
certainly not least, the subject of this month's discussion: they follow a logical method in isolating the problem, and its
cause.
Step 1: Verify the Complaint
The ECM has a lot to say, even if the MIL isn't on.
I'm going to focus on troubleshooting drivability issues in this discussion, but the method outlined can be applied to any
problem you are trying to solve. It starts with verifying the complaint.
The object, of course, is to duplicate the problem the customer is having. This can be as simple as seeing the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (MIL) on for yourself, or taking a test drive with the customer and feeling what they feel. Doing so provides
some initial idea of what the problem may be, and also allows you to form a baseline for verifying your repair after it's
completed.
Basic tests, like fuel pressure and volume, are often overlooked when "tunnel vision" strikes.
It may be a little more involved. What if the problem occurs only once in a while? Then a talk with your customer might be
in order. Try to find out as much as possible about when the problem occurs. Does it happen only when the engine is cold or
after a hot soak? Is it more noticeable at highway speeds or in city traffic? If you can't duplicate it for yourself, it becomes
more difficult to diagnose. Some shops have even developed customer questionnaires for their service writers to help ensure
that as much information surrounding the complaint as possible can be passed along to their technicians.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Once you have verified the problem, it is time to move on to the most important phase of the diagnostic process.
Peter Meier is an ASE-certified Master Technician, member of iATN and full-time tech in Tampa, Fla. His experience reaches back over 30 years, and his contributions to Motor Age reflect a wide variety of experience with almost every make and model.
Articles by Peter F. Meier
