Problem jobs: why finding the root of the problem is good for business

You'll have many tools at your disposal, use them together to ensure success, advises Pico Technology

Problem jobs: why finding the root of the problem is good for business
The diagnostic journey: finding the cause of the problem with PicoScope.

To understand how you to get the very best out of oscilloscope diagnostics, you must first understand where PicoScope fits into the diagnostic process.

Let us start with an example: a customer arrives with an engine running issue.

Just like all forms of mechanical diagnostics, the first step is to ask the customer about the problem.

This is often accompanied by a dashboard warning light.

Fault codes

Your general first port of call will be to attach a serial diagnostic tool to the vehicle.

In our example, this gave the fault codes ‘P1345 Cam/Crank Synchro fault’ and ‘Camshaft Sensor Open Circuit’.

With a degree of knowledge we might assume that the most likely cause of these codes would be a faulty camshaft sensor.

The camshaft sensor was replaced, the engine code erased, and the vehicle returned to the owner.

In this example, the customer returned the next day with the same fault.

Finding the root cause of the problem

The above is a simplistic view, but let us consider a workshop that has invested in PicoScope and is using it as an everyday tool for diagnostics.

In this case, following the fault code readout from the serial diagnostic tool, it would be common practice to connect the PicoScope to the camshaft sensor to test it before it is removed.

When the test was completed, the PicoScope results initially gave the view that the camshaft sensor was working correctly.

When you capture data with PicoScope, it stores data in the Waveform Buffer, allowing you to scroll through frames of data post-test and to review your waveform captures.

Intermittent fault

Zooming in on the camshaft waveform, it soon became clear there was an intermittent fault.

Running the test again, while gently wiggling the wiring loom, it quickly became apparent that there was a wiring issue.

Further inspection of the wiring revealed chafing between the camshaft sensor wires.

This fix was quick and simple to resolve without replacing any components.

Following the wiring repair, the test was repeated with PicoScope which showed a clear fix, the fault codes were erased and the vehicle was returned to the customer.

The workshop was confident that the root cause had been found and fixed.

The customer left the workshop, happy with a successful diagnosis.

Future business

With no fault recurrence, this professional diagnostic workshop ensured future business with their customer.

This is of course just one example of where PicoScope fits in the diagnostic journey.

As technicians you will understand there are many tools at your disposal, including: technical information, training, knowledge, serial diagnostic tools, gas analyzers, and of course PicoScope.

It’s your ability to use these together that will ensure you remain a successful workshop in the future.

Armed with PicoScope and the knowledge that you are able to see, analyze and understand the electrical signals that vehicle components produce, you will be confident that you can discover the root cause of a problem.

This in turn will enhance the image of your business as professional diagnostic providers.

More than twenty of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers already use PicoScope in their dealer diagnostics.

For more information about Pico Technology, select ‘more details’ below.

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