The Trainer #64 - What Is Your Diagnostic Process?

The focus of this year’s “The Trainer” series has been on the diagnosis and repair of common emissions-related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). Dealing with a customer concern of an illuminated Check Engine light is one that many of us cut our diagnostic teeth on, so we’ll take what we’ve learned so far and move on one more step - learning a diagnostic process that will help lead us to the cause of the DTC and from there, to its successful repair.
When I worked fulltime in the bays, I paid attention to the process many of my fellow techs seemed to be using when faced with a “MIL on” concern. Step 1 - connect a scan tool and read the DTC(s) stored in the Engine Control Module (ECM). Step 2 - clear the code(s) before removing the scan tool from the vehicle. Step 3 - select the replacement parts based on the ones referenced in the DTC (an oxygen sensor for all oxygen sensor codes, a MAF sensor for all MAF sensor related codes, and so on). Step 4 - install said part and return the car to the customer. Step 5 - see if the customer came back with the same code (if not, the repair was successful. If so, refer customer to the dealer).
No, I’m not kidding. I knew several techs that worked just that way!
Needless to say, this approach is not the best way to tackle the problem. So, log on, sit back and come watch as I take you through a more logical process you can apply to any diagnostic situation!
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Due to factors beyond the control of Motor Age, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Motor Age magazine (UBM Americas - Automotive Group) assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Motor Age recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Motor Age, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Motor Age magazine or its corporate parent, UBM Americas.

[@noseeum6385]

Much needed and appreciated education on the newer diagnostic uses available and pure logical analysis of old. Thanks.

[@richard1835]

MotorAge Training is giving us invaluable instructional videos. Thank you Pete and Company.

[@nickh3809]

The worst part about this video? The fact that it only has 1,000 views. You guys do great work, have a TON of information and knowledge you are sharing for FREE. I live & bleed for Automotive, it is my passion & i couldn't be happier, but to see all these stupid music videos & random prank videos having millions of views gets the best of me. It is a hint as to what the future holds(or doesn't*). Thank you for posting great videos & keep up the good work. SOME of us who actually watch them whether we already know the information or not, will be 1000x ahead of 90% of society. (But really the only negative thing i can find with yalls videos are that some of them run incredibly long, and could be edited, most people dont have the time to sit through an hour long video). Other than that theyre great & i have alot of your study guides for the A & T series ASEs

[@Ediburrito]

Well KZbin is mainly an entertainment website. I agree though most people don't see the other side of KZbin, which is the educational side. These videos are great.

[@billsmith2212]

This beats watching cat videos . And you get to learn something .

[@keithdefazio9613]

One thing I would add is that I never listen too long about which parts have been replaced recently. Doing so makes you lose sight of the most important part which is letting your testing of the system and it's results lead you to the problem. The word NEW means nothing in this day and age in relevance to parts. So we cannot look at a new Crank sensor and assume it's good. Let the testing and your knowledge of vehicles lead you rather than X part was replaced and it didn't fix it. And always test the new part ! And Most of all Thanks again to Pete for doing all he does for the industry

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Thanks Keith! That is a great point. Unfortunately, there are too many that still rely on the shotgun approach to troubleshooting. While the info may be helpful, I do the same - take it with a grain of salt and start my own process from the beginning.

[@steveguest8028]

That’s very true,also have seen new components fitted that have been faulty,my thoughts are only fit genuine electrical components because a lot of aftermarket stuff is junk

[@antoniotrujillo547]

Thank you for the steps, very good explanation. great class as always

[@richardmcwhirter9396]

Thanks again you're a great teacher,looking forward to the fuel trims

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

I appreciate the kind words. Thanks for watching!

[@russnolan7519]

I love the the sticker on his tool box! What part of thou shall not don’t you understand?

[@James-fs4rn]

👍 you're the best! thanks for sharing.

[@willefixit]

good stuff been out of the field for while kind of gun shy going back great videos eric o sent me from sma read the mag for years. thanks again.you have a gift of explaining things .

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Thanks!

[@johnmckamy6398]

hope you keep making these Mr. Pete

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

I'm sure going to try! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@almamydiop57]

Thanks, very clear.

[@nickayivor8432]

Good Afternoon Pete Meier motor age Take care and have a great day Pete Meier. Great information 👍 👌 👏 From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

[@chrisczarnik3439]

Great video👍👍👍, just bought a Xtool D8 scan tool, got a lot to learn. From 🇦🇺

[@jbfairbanks4740]

Great info- thank you and God bless you🙏🏼✝️

[@stevenshackelford1937]

I like your thinking 👌🏼

[@stevenmchenry9276]

Pete you the best in the business, right along with all my teachers. Keep it up.

[@billyr9840]

Nice as always !

[@tecnaman9097]

Thanks for the series. Great info for the new technician and old alike. Next time i'll think to myself..now what would Columbo do!

[@anthonybeaudry6066]

Columbo, hell I thought i was the only OLD School out here. you are dating yourself my friend. But i here exactly what your saying. Great series though Pete.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Thanks Anthony.

[@EddieLeal]

You know its over if you hear Columbo say," Just one more question..." 😉

[@josephtucci3666]

A great vid. my friend. It all makes sense But so hard to do sometimes Best of luck friend.

[@romanjaspe4172]

Thanks so much pete

[@IsshmanGarcia]

good info.

[@vincedelpezzo8209]

You convinced me to subscribe ,

[@steveguest8028]

Customers description of a fault can also sometimes be miss leading,a woman came into my garage complaining of the vehicle surging which turned out to be an engine misfire which was kind of incorrect information

[@bbkmm1]

Another problem with flowchart is they are often wrong. In the last SMA video for a heated thermostat, the flowchart kept telling him to replace the ECM because it had a shorted heater.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

lol! All to often, the final step is "replace the ECM" or other control module. Too bad the people that write the charts don't have to pay you back for the module when they're wrong.

[@bbkmm1]

True that. Keep up the good work Pete!!! There are millions of KZbin channels on how to replace parts. There are only a handful of channels that teach understanding and diagnostics. I am grateful for these channels.

[@joshleduc1771]

Do you know who writes the troubleshooting flow charts? Is it the engineers that designed the systems? You would think buy now that manufactures would have service technicians with a fair amount of experience on the design teams for vehicle lines. Often we can look at something and point and say that is not going to work when it comes time to fix or service that.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Yeah, you would think. The OEMs do try to make serviceability easier, though. Here's an interview I did a few years ago with Ford you might find interesting...kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYmxZGuwaNd1rpo

[@littlebeargaming8267]

Mr Pete, how would you start diagnosing a car that won't start when hot? Most of the time, people often think a bad ect sensor can cause a no start, particularly when hot.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Assuming that cranking speed is OK and it's a "no start" only issue, I'd monitor the three keys needed for the engine to start - fuel, ignition and compression. If compression went away, you'd hear that in the way the engine turns over. So how about we use 4 channels to monitor: CKP, CMP, ignition primary current and injector current and see what's missing. But you raise a good point. It's been a while since an ECT sensor alone could cause a serious driveability issue, and jumping straight to that is a symptom of a weak diagnostic process. Not yours, of course, but any tech that jumps to an unsupported conclusion in an attempt to hurry up the repair will just cost themselves more time in the long run.

[@littlebeargaming8267]

Thank you

[@IsshmanGarcia]

Any ETA on the next How2 with the Low Amp Clamp ?

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Isshman, is there something in particular you'd like to see covered?

[@IsshmanGarcia]

I was just waiting for the continuation from where you left off last episode. I believe you said you'd do the injectors. Actually, I'd like to see the injectors(grouped), as well as just one injector, if possible. Another great episode would be using the low Amp probe on the fuel pump via the fuse/relay with the uScope( that's the scope I own). Thanks for the reply. You do a great job educating the DIYers , as well as the pro's.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Well, I was going to start up a series on the ignition system but the injector idea works for me! I try to have a new "How2" every Wednesday. Look for this one tomorrow!

[@aul3025]

五步诊断法

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

是的，每次使用流程是取得成功的关键。