subject: Diagnostic Tools for Automobiles [print this page] Diagnostic Tools for Automobiles
Advancements in technology have not left the automobile industry behind. Do-it-yourself equipment is a thing of the past. You can no more get under the hood of your vehicle to remove parts and put them together without worrying about the car's working. Now, fuel systems, ignition timing, temperature sensors, etc. are controlled and monitored through complex computer systems.
One of the main challenges associated with vehicles utilizing computer systems is how to extract diagnostic data, evaluate it to understand possible problems and determine how to fix them. As systems get more intricate, analysis of problems and the link between cause and symptom become less obvious. Thus, electronic systems need to have some level of self-diagnosis, which can offer communication with the user or the repairing personnel.
Initially, many systems used their own protocols, due to which garages had to have a large number of tools to analyze even one vehicle. To correct this, some standards were put into place, which allowed vehicle manufacturers and garage owners to produce and use common tools for vehicle repair. Thus, the OBD regulations came into the picture. Scan tools were developed for diagnosis. These were also called code readers since they read codes to detect a specific problem. In case of a problem, the code readersdisplays warning and service lights on the instrument panel alerting the user to have the vehicle checked and repaired by a mechanic. The system can be later reset, thus erasing the codes and turning off the warning and service lights.
The OBD II scanner gives a better understanding of what is going on with the engine. It provides engine operating information such as RPM, ignition timing and injector pulse width. It also reads from the O2 sensor, throttle position sensor (TPS), mass airflow sensor (MAF) and others that measure engine RPM, air and coolant temperature, crankshaft and camshaft positions and road speed. In addition, the OBD II scanner shows certain switch position signals. Its capture mode gives a picture' of what is happening when an intermittent problem occurs.
Hand-held and PC-based scan tools, data loggers and emission testers are some other kinds of diagnostic scan tools. Irrespective of their type, diagnostic scan tools help to not only find solutions to simple problems but also provide the data needed to resolve the more complex ones within the vehicle. They use the data to fine-tune the combustion process with the correct amount of gasoline and the correct ignition timing to provide efficient, clean combustion for good power, economy and low pollution.
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