WHAT IS VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS?Modern cars have an Engine Control Unit (ECU), continually assessing the performance of your car, with a range of sensors letting the ECU know if their are any issues with you car, things like a raised engine temperature, low fluid levels, problems with emission or even your windscreen wipers.
The ECU displays an error once a problem has been found, lighting up the dashboard warning light. But there are hundreds of potential error codes, which only specialist diagnostic equipment can read. So when a warning light flashes on the dashboard, a diagnostics check is needed to assess how bad the problem is, and what may have caused it.
The warning light is just the beginning – it doesn’t give the whole picture. There are hundreds of parts in your engine, so the exact nature of the fault may not be immediately apparent. A diagnostic check properly identifies the fault, avoiding more serious problems that could lead to costly repairs, potential safety hazards or worse damage. With these tests, your car is plugged into sophisticated diagnostic equipment which reads the error codes your car’s ECU has generated to explain the issue in full. Diagnostic checking looks for errors across various vehicle systems, including tyres, engine management, lights, emissions and more.
Live data shows multiple readings from across the engine to assess whether everything is working as it should. The equipment can also check and rectify braking systems where there’s an electronic handbrake, and adjust headlights where possible. You don’t need to go to a dealership to get diagnostic testing done. Most garages and workshops will carry out diagnostic testing for nearly all models and types of vehicle. Most places charge a fixed fee for diagnostic testing, which can be done while you wait. This can usually be done within an hour, but if further work is required, it will clearly take more time. Equally, if you’re not sure whether you need diagnostic testing or not, some places may offer free, no-obligation advice.
WARNING LIGHTS ON YOUR DASHBOARD?
Alan Thompsons expert technicians can quickly identify the problem and stop costly component failure, with the help of our Hella Gutmann diagnostic tools we can make sense of baffling fault codes and advise on any necessary repairs.
