Handling Automotive Diagnostic Service Routines

By Michelle Howe


Most car buyers are keen to land a vehicle with state of the art security features. A typical modern automobile in the showroom will have an intricate combination of mechanics, hydraulics and electronics working as a system. An automotive diagnostic service garage should have an assortment of tools that aid in the troubleshooting of everyday faults.

The control system has safety as its major priority, sometimes robbing the driver of his command to thwart accidental tendencies. For instance, automatic braking systems are designed to detect the commencement of slip at the road wheels. When a vehicle slips due to sudden application of brakes or because of a poor motoring surface, the driver will have a harder time regaining control at the wheel.

A magnetic sensor working in conjunction with a rotating perforated disc monitors the number of revolutions the wheel makes per minute. The sensor converts its input into an electrical signal transmitted to the electronic control unit. The high pressure system conveying the braking force to slave cylinders is also governed by valves and pressurizing systems operated by a preprogrammed microcontroller.

Locating the faulty component in conventional vehicle models was relatively easier. For instance, a leverage mechanism from the accelerator pedal may have collected some rust and gotten caught up in a narrow passage and result in erratic engine performance. The same symptom in an electronically controlled vehicle may be a manifestation of faulty sensors, blocked injectors or a shorted solid state component in the circuitry.

Computerized fuel metering has nevertheless introduced a whole range of benefits. Foremost is the evident improvement in terms of miles per gallon of fuel. There has been a corresponding reduction in the emission of controlled exhaust compounds. Such systems are not susceptible to erratic response at high engine speeds as witnessed in some conventional models.

Nowadays, some auto builders have also successfully come up with computerized automatic gearboxes. Through making a note of the accelerator positioning and engine speed, the control module makes a choice on the gear selection. These inventions hold an appeal to novice drivers but motorists who treasure road experiences may prefer a manual transmission. Rallying calls for sudden rev ups and gear shifts that may be impractical with automatic systems.

Today, many technicians prefer approaching their job with a diagnostics kit. Kits are easily obtainable from manufacturers but limitations in the number of models they could monitor makes them unpopular for the independent technician. A program that could be loaded into an ordinary pc and then used to check faults may be the next big thing. While some developers have seized this opportunity, most of their products are wanting when it comes to graphical presentation of system parameters.

To retain a competitive edge, all automotive diagnostics services garages should strive to acquire top of the range kits and hire the most skilled technicians. Consider booking a random checkup if you get the feeling that your car has displayed queer behavior on the road. While a quack may charge you the lowest prices, he exposes your auto to risk which could cost you much more in the future.




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