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 for. It is then up to the Technician to use his experience and equipment to correctly identify the faulty item.

 

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 dealer level diagnostic 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.

 

We believe that as an Independent garage we can offer modern technology together with old fashioned values.

 

Our aim is to raise the standards within the motor industry and exceed all your expectations.