Tips for diagnosing a car with multiple problems
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- Опубликовано: 11 июл 2024
- Have you ever pulled trouble codes on a car only to find more codes stored then you knew existed!?! Or, how about worked on one that had so many symptoms you didn't know where to start? Well, in this video we will walk you through a process that use when those vehicles show up in our garage. This process will show you how to take complex issues and break them down to smaller pieces that can be much easier to figure out.
0:00 Intro
0:24 Diagnostic process
0:44 Ford F-150 Case study
1:23 Applying process to Ford F-150
3:53 Solving F-150 problem with process
5:06 Starting process on Chevy Cruze
5:48 Applying process to Cruze
7:09 Visual inspection
8:09 Sorting codes and symptoms
9:15 Conclusion 
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A former coworker had a vehicle with multiple codes. In our Ford (for city fleet) training, the instructor said, "If you get multiple electrical codes, check powers including fuses and grounds first." I told the coworker to get the wiring diagram for this truck. Sure enough, common power from one fuse. He checked the fuse IT WAS MISSING! Installed new fuse, test drove truck all was good in Fordland that day. Soon as I saw the multiple codes on your white board I remembered that coworker and the truck's problem. Never figured out why the fuse was missing.
Thankyou for this video.
Hey Mike,
Thank you for watching!
A missing fuse sounds like a interesting diagnosis! Good thing you told him to check out the wiring!
~Ryan
Thanks Ryan
While he went to get the wiring book, I did a quick visual check, saw the missing fuse, when he came back I looked in the book, saw it was the missing fuse, but he pointed it out to me after I saw it. After that he went on to solve other electrical problems by using the book and visual chec.
Supposed to be "check." I'm not an instructor, but I tried to pass on electrical tech tips to help other techs and avoid LONG, ENDLESS (in some cases) DIAGNOSTICS.
Hey Mike,
That's awesome, that exactly what we are trying to do at GoTech. No matter how complex or simple we just try to share what we have learned along the way to help people out. Hats of to you sir!
~Ryan
Thanks for the great videos guys! I graduated Northwestern Auto/Diesel back in 95. They were just starting to prepare for their high performance classes and OBD2 was being whispered about. Oh the days of the old brick(Snap-on) and the endless adapters. I'm in to fixing machines in warehouses now. Still work on cars on the side. Trying to keep up with all the electronics they are using on these cars. That Aes Wave wire adapter kit is a must have. In todays cars you have to have a service manual to properly fix them. The biggest thing I learned over the years is to don't overthink it and be patient.This video is spot on to what I have experienced in the real world.
Hello,
Oh yeah, I started out with the old red brick and a GM Tech 1. I agree sometimes you just have to take a step back and be patient. I'm glad you liked the video!
Thanks for reaching out!
~Ryan
I've been watching automotive RUclips channels for the last 15 years I can tell you this was a really good video This guy is good
Hello Hurlburton,
Thank you so much! I really do use this process, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment. It gives us the drive to keep making videos.
~Ryan
This is excellent, please keep this kind of contents coming 👍
Hello,
Will do! Thanks for reaching out!
~Ryan
Visual inspection is done with your eyes. I would advise not to be pulling and shaking wires. You may inadvertently 'fix' your circuit codes temporally. Other than that you're spot on !
Hey Mark,
I agree, it would be wise to have testing equipment hooked up before you start poking around too much.
Thanks for watching and reaching out!
~Ryan
Nice work, Ryan! Just like someone said to me when I was looking at a motorcycle wiring diagram for the first time, and feeling overwhelmed: "Take LITTLE bites!" One part, one section at a time. 👍👍
Hey,
"Take little bites" That's great advice, I like it!
~Ryan
Very clear! Thank you!
Thanks for teaching 🙏
Thanks for watching Salvador!
~Mike
great stuff, it pays to step back, gather the data, do a visual. thanks for posting
Exactly! Make a plan!!!! Thanks for Watching!
~Ryan
once again good diagnostic work!
Hey Robert,
Thanks for the kind words!
Glad you liked the video!
~Ryan
Great video, guys! Here’s an idea for another diag video which comes at the solution from a different angle - one code (P0300) which can have 10-15 different causes. How do you go about deciding which possible causes to investigate first, second, third, etc?
I’ve got a 2004 Chevy Astro at around 100K miles - due for plugs and wires which are notoriously difficult to change. I’d rather isolate/solve the issue first if I can get away without doing the plug/wire change first.
I decided to address the cam/crank sensors first since those are relatively easy to get at and cheap to replace. Now I’m studying how to bench test and on-vehicle test to rule them out.
That is an awesome idea!
Thanks for reaching out!
~Ryan
Excellent video lots of meat and right to the point 👊🏻
Glad you enjoyed it !
Thanks for watching!
~Ryan
Outstanding!
Thanks for checking out the video! Glad you liked It!
~Ryan
I go back forth between being glad for the clear simple explanation and weeping for the lack of critical thinking it represents in the case study. Going to the PCM when you have a bad fuse that is a common link in the system is just ridiculous.
Hey Mark, thanks for watching! I could not agree more. Sometimes I think shops may just end up too quickly down the rabbit hole of diagnosis without spending the time to take a look at the bigger picture...but to not look for commonalities between 10 different pieces of a puzzle only to decide "well must be a PCM" seems almost negligent as a repair facility. Appreciate you watching!
~Mike
great video simplified things
Hello,
Exactly! Helps not to get too overwhelmed!
Thanks for reaching out!
~Ryan
Excellent plan of action take little steps.
Hey Kyle,
For sure! A little bit of research can save a lot of time!
~Ryan
exselente esplicasion master mui bien
Gracias!
03 Regal with no codes, no check engine light at all except for bulb check, runs great but has idle speed control issues. No blown fuses.
Hey Andy,
What engine is in that regal? Have you tried checking the IAC and cleaning the throttle body?
~Ryan
@@GoTechTraining V6 engine.
@@GoTechTraining I unplugged the idle air control and TPS while the engine was running and the computer did not recognize any code problem. Will not have a chance to look at it again till next week.
Excellent video. Hey, I have a ised car dealer. Limited mechanic skills, new to this diagnostic world. What is a scan tool that you recommend. I was looking at Autel, would be greatvif it could work with keys, bidirectional, programming modules etc.
Thanks
An Autel scan tool is prolly a good choice for that. But most scan tools that do programing and keys are not set up for diagnostics. The IM608 is great programing tool for keys, The Maxysis Elite is a great bi-direction scan tool and has programing capability.
~Ryan
@@GoTechTraining Thanks for the information.
I need to take exception with this video. On the first half, short story was the fuse (per you) was to blame. Since you did not describe the condition of the "open" fuse i cannot use the blanket explanation of "the fuse was merely a symptom and not the cause". That out of the way, the fuse had a story to tell and it's story develops diagnostic skills, blaming the fuse and replacing is not proper diagnostics and is merely making a tech a parts changer. Yes, I realize it was test driven by both the shop and turned over to the customer with the advice to "keep an eye on it" ! But, it would be extremely helpful to give the customer and those watching this vid a solid explanation of the what and what if's.
On the second half of the video, you spent a very reasonable amount of time with diagnostics and decent explanation, to bad you missed the mark on the first half
Hello,
I agree that any blown fuse needs to be investigated, and the cause of the blown fuse is the core issue and not the blown fuse itself.
The reason we did not go after the fuse in this F-150 case, is that there were multiple new parts found during our visual inspection and the fuse did not blow after it was replaced, My thought process was that the new parts may have fixed the issue that was causing it to blow.
I agree I skimmed over the new part aspect of the video and should have better explained the repair.
Thanks for reaching out and watching the video
~Ryan
Think he did hit it bank one sensor 1 the heater circuit may have taken the fuse out.was not short any longer to blow the fuse.just a thought bro
EKA Motors, I am not and up until a few minutes ago (after searching for an explanation of the acronym) did I realize there is such a group
F"ck off; he clearly stated that he replaced the fuse and did several test drives to ensure that there wasn't a short. The short could have come from a shorted O2 heater sensor that they replaced but didn't do due diligence to check for KOEO power and grounds. With shorts; there is usually a cause; a test drive ensures that the cause is covered. He could have spent a lot of time checking for a short that may have been fixed when a part was replaced and not necessarily an intermittent short to ground as the car moves, etc.
Also said other shop replaced a O2 sensor
If the shop wanted you to program a pcm that’s what you were paid to do. Most shops would have programmed the pcm then say oh btw this didn’t fix it. You want to pay us to diagnose it now
Hey Phil,
I agree %100, and a lot of time that is what would happen. But this car seemed like a good teaching moment and was a major part of the reason we spent the time. We also try our best to help out when we can and work together with people to earn trust back in the industry.
Thank you for reaching out!
~Ryan
As soon as you said multiple circuit codes I new it was going to be a fuse. I group the codes and then pick the most harmful or expensive problem to fix first. You can also clear the codes after you write them all down to see what problem comes back first and tackle that.
Can you do a video on reading wiring diagrams? I have a very basic understanding of wiring diagrams.
Fuse is one of the options. It could have been anything that these circuits have in common. Fuse is one, but also an open, or a short to power, or a short to ground could have caused similar issues, as well as high resistance. Short to ground usually leads to a blown fuse.
Hey Thomas,
That is a really good method. I should have talked about that. Going after the most expensive problem is good on some cars too, Especially if your a tech. The first diagnosis might total the car, or be over the customers price range to fix.
Check out our past videos, Mike did a few really good videos on reading wiring diagrams.
Thanks for watching
~Ryan
grabbing wires is a no no
Hi Thomas,
In some cases I agree, but a wiggle test is a good way to find intermittent issues. Now if they are wrapped in orange conduit , I would definitely leave them be.
Thanks for watching!
~Ryan
Just start with code with lowest number?
Hey Charlie,
In this case, I guess I did pick a low number. Most of the time I will pick the code with components or test points that are the most accessible.
Thanks for watching!
~Ryan
@@GoTechTraining I like the one that will be the most expensive repair. Say p0017' if the customer doesn't want to fix that then you are wasting ur time and can ship it. Don't worry about small leak detected then.😉
Hey Charlie,
I agree, I have been there before. You spend a hour finding a small EVAP leak only to find the coolant smell is a $3000 leaking head gasket job and the customer junks it.😒
~Ryan
PROFICIENT Go Tech Ryan Wilsing
My teacher Go Tech Ryan Wilsing
The tutorial is brilliant video is amazing thank you very helpful information video
Take care and have a great evening with all your family around you
PROFICIENT Go Tech Ryan Wilsing
From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧
Hey Nick,
Hope all is well!
Thanks for all the support!
~Ryan
Where’s Mike lol
Hey dude, i'm still here, just splitting the load with Ryan :)
~Mike
@@GoTechTraining I See That Now I Was Looking At Some Other Videos And Noticed A Different Face lol. Most All Others I Have Watched We’re Videos You Had Done. Thanks.
Its nice to have some help, I think Ryan does a great job. What do you think?
~Mike
@@GoTechTraining Absolutely Sir He Did Great.
All I have to say is; f*ck that shop for not doing their job; should be out of this industry where we professional techs are seen as bad guys because of parts changers.
Definitely glad we got a look at before the PCM was programed!
~Ryan
common sense is no longer common
Hey Richard,
I agree! I also think some techs are in such a rush to pin point the issue, they forget to step back and research there approach. I still have this issue sometimes.
~Ryan
This sounds like Uneducated Scotty kilmore post You're not out of help people you're out to get ratings
I'm sorry you feel this way.
I believe this video is very informative and could help a lot of people with vehicles that have multiple codes and symptoms.
~Ryan
That wasn't nice. I always check thru the codes to see if they might be related. That way you can fix one and maybe get lucky and it fix the others.
Thanks for watching Terry ❤
~Mike
Nice info
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for checking it out!
~Ryan