Vehicle Diagnostics
Vehicle Diagnostics in Darlington
Vehicle Diagnostics
Tony Simpson ltd specialises in Vehicle Diagnostics. We have a team of 4 highly trained and experienced technicians who pride themselves for their work within this area. Tony Simpson Ltd uses the best and most up-to-date diagnostic equipment which, uniquely among specialist garages in the North East, allows us to apply dealer level diagnostics.
Vehicle diagnostics are the mechanics involved with identifying and assessing problems which may adversely affect the normal running conditions of a vehicle. Technicians may employ a wide range of techniques in conducting vehicle diagnostics, ranging from visual checks to computer based analysis.
Historically, effective vehicle diagnostics relied on the individual competence of a mechanic. Symptoms of a mechanical problem range from the obvious such as an oil leak to the indirect such as a rough running engine. Prior to the integration of computer systems into vehicles, mechanics had to be detectives in putting together the clues to diagnose a problem.
With the use of electronic control units (ECUs) in vehicles, the task of vehicle diagnostics has become more technical but more accurate. Through the use of ECUs, technicians can take advantage of computer technology to aid them in identifying and resolving malfunctions. Virtually all modern vehicles now come equipped with on board diagnostics (OBD) ports, which allow technicians to access the ECU data.
The ECUs within the vehicle monitor live data from the individual systems and warn the owner by the use of warning symbols within the display system when a given parameter is outside the relevant specification. The technician is able to access stored fault codes and live data information, and by use of Technical Information Systems (TIS) unique to each type of ECU, pinpoint more accurately the likely cause of the fault, thus reducing diagnostic time and cost to the customer.
An experienced technician is still crucial to resolving the problem however, as experience may reduce the unlikely causes and allow concentration on the more likely causes on any particular vehicle.
Some mechanical problems such as rattles and other noises, steering which pulls to one side, excessive brake wear and tyre noise are all examples of complaints which may not be registered by the ECU, but can be successfully resolved by a skilled technician.