VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS/FAULT-FINDING TECHNICIANS IN SUTTON

Experts in engine diagnostics

If your warning lights come on while driving, either flashing or permanently on, they will have logged a fault code in the relevant ECU (Electronic Control Unit) because a fault has occurred.

There may, or may not, be any drivability issue but the warning light has come on for a reason. If on the next journey the light does not come on, the fault code will still remain logged in the memory of the relevant ECU. To find out the cause of such faults, we connect a diagnostic scan tool to the vehicle and interrogate the vehicle memory, scan for any fault codes and view the appropriate live data to see if any parameters are incorrect. The live data and fault codes present will enable us to look at components or conditions that may have triggered the fault code.

These then have to be investigated and associated components tested to confirm or eliminate the component being faulty.

Only then can corrective action be taken, either by replacing a component or sensor, or by remedial work being carried out. Some faults can be complex and difficult to locate, the customer will be advised of relevant costs and parts required at various stages of the investigation, so as to ensure that they are kept well informed.

The myth assuming “get it code-read and it will tell you exactly what’s wrong” is not usually the case. Fault codes will often have descriptions that contain the following: implausible signal – out of range – signal too high – signal too low – open or short to live or ground – electrical malfunction – limit exceeded – intermittent fault…and so on. The code description will not specify “replace coolant temperature sensor, it’s faulty…if only it were that easy!