Many of us drive our vehicles (cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles) several times a week, and most of us are aware enough that when our cars start to act strangely or make weird noises, we know that something is not quite right. And unless it’s something obvious (a dead battery? out of gas?), most of us have no clue what’s wrong. That’s where the magic of computer diagnostics happens.
How Does This Magic Work?
For the past 10-20 years, cars have been built with an internal computer that can monitor the health and operation of many parts that make your car work – almost everything under the hood and more, including the engine, exhaust system, cooling system, transmission – even the brakes.
When something isn’t working correctly, the internal computer spits out a code and other information that identifies the system that has a problem. Each letter and number of each code translates to a function or malfunction and can help the technician narrow down the solutions. It won’t tell the technician exactly what’s wrong or what must be done to fix the problem, but it does help locate the issues.
Diagnostics check various aspects of your vehicle for:
- Your car’s engine or individual components may be malfunctioning
- A problem with your vehicle’s transmission or responsiveness
- Responsiveness issues with brakes
- Your car’s exhaust system may be contaminated or faulty
- Fuel injectors, ignition coils, and throttle show signs of wear and tear or breakage.
How Do Computer Diagnostics Help?
Unless you are a human computer your diagnostics could be way off, and that’s something you don’t want to leave to chance because:
- Detecting problems early with a car diagnostic test can save you money.
- It is vital to catch errors before they become more serious. The sooner you detect an error, the better the chance of saving the life of you or someone you love. For example, car diagnostic tests can tell you when brakes need replacing before they fail on the freeway.
- The onboard computer system in your car can also be tested through car diagnostics to determine whether any manufacturer notifications are stored.
Can’t I Do The Vehicle Diagnostics Myself?
Here are some reasons for having a professional handle computer diagnostics:
- You can find hundreds of diagnostic scanners on the internet for as little as $25, so why not just hook up your own car or truck to find and fix your problem? Think about the code reader like a thermometer you use to check for a fever. Yep, you have a fever of 101 degrees F. Now what? What caused the problem? Are you a doctor? That’s why you go to the doctor, urgent care office, or emergency room.
- As stated, a code reader may be able to pinpoint the location of the problem. It can’t tell you what’s wrong, though. Remember also that aftermarket scanners won’t work with all vehicles.
- Some cheap scanners will only get the code out and clear the code. As the price increases, you will see more options and capabilities like data analysis, freeze frame, component activation, and emissions monitoring.
- These scanners will work on the engine only and cannot access other vehicle systems, but may display the codes through the engine control module (ECM).
- Increasing the number of options that scanners can work with will likely cause their price to rise to thousands of dollars, which will include anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), body control modules (BCMs), transmission control modules (TCMs), anti-theft modules, and others.
So now you have a code that tells you where there may be a problem. Do you know how to repair that component? And do you even know what’s wrong? Do you have all the tools, drawings, and training? Probably not. Most of us need professional help.
When Do You Need a Vehicle Diagnostics Test?
Some owners will ask for a test whenever they perceive a problem; some won’t take their car into a repair shop until the dreaded “check engine” light is shining or until the car doesn’t work at all. You’ll see recommendations for yearly or even quarterly visits to the repair shop for a test run – what’s the actual requirement?
The check engine light is the one warning on your dashboard that drivers fear the most. Why? Well, mainly because it is a catch-all for many problems with your vehicle, so when it shows up, it is almost impossible to tell why. Many drivers will ignore a check engine light If the car appears to be running smoothly, but this is a mistake. Minor problems can become big ones if ignored, so getting this checked out ASAP is always a good idea.
When you own a vehicle, you commit to doing routine maintenance, like changing the oil or rotating the tires. Having your trusted technician run diagnostics on your car on a schedule can prevent surprises.
Whether your car has a mysterious problem or your check engine light is on, the only way to determine the answer is with computer diagnostics from KS Autocare in Elgin. This process is quick and painless and often leads our techs to the solution in a matter of minutes.
If you decide to have repairs performed with us, we back up all our work with a 3-year/36,000-mile nationwide warranty on all parts and services. Don’t let your vehicle’s mystery problem leave you waiting for a tow truck; call us or get your car into KS Autocare for computer diagnostics today.
