Diagnosing Check Engine Light Codes
Not a day goes by that we don’t receive a phone call from someone who has had the diagnostic trouble codes or DTC’s retrieved from their vehicles computer system, either with a generic code reader or another auto repair shop. And their first question is what is it going to cost to fix this code. Or they were told that the code means they need to replace a part and they have done that and the check engine light or service engine soon light is still on, and they don’t understand why.
The truth is that most people can’t memorize the entire DTC list for every vehicle from every manufacturer. And if they could memorize all of the DTC’s it is doubtful they can memorize all of the diagnostic trees for diagnosing those DTC’s.
What is a diagnostic tree you may be asking? Well, a diagnostic tree is a step by step method that the vehicles manufacturer has designed to properly find out what needs to be replaced or repaired to elminate the check engine light or service engine soon light.
Where people run into problems is the definition for the DTC gives a brief description of the system in the vehicle that is being effected and they are told or assume that replacing one part will fix the problem. Don’t get us wrong some DTC’s that is the only thing that is in the diagnostic tree is to replace that one part and the problem is fixed. But in almost all cases there are at least four or five steps of things to check before you have determined what really needs to be repaired or replaced. And some of the DTC’s have a small book of tests that need to be performed in order to find the problem.
This is why they are called diagnostic trees you need to start at the bottom of the tree first and climb up to the first branch before you can get to the second branch and continue on one branch at a time until you get to the top of the tree. Every branch of a diagnostic tree is a test that needs to be run and it will have a yes or no answer and that will lead you to the next branch or test that needs to be run. And just like climbing a real tree you can not skip a branch to get to the top of the tree.
Hopefully this has given you some insight as to what is involved with the proper diagnosis of your check engine light or service engine soon light.
C. Ray Brower
209-463-2700
209-463-2769 Fax
info@browertrans.com Email
http://www.browertrans.com Website
Brower Tranzpro Transmission
1204 Enterprise Street
Stockton, CA 95204
San Joaquin County’s Most Referred Transmission Shop
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_Brower
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