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Sherlock Holmes Diagnosis NACAT July, 2010. Jim Morton Jim Halderman. Introductions. Jim Morton- (aka Sherlock Holmes) Jim Halderman- (aka Mr. Watson). Topics to be Discussed. Teaching the diagnostic process Interviewing the customer Interviewing the vehicle
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Sherlock Holmes DiagnosisNACATJuly, 2010 Jim Morton Jim Halderman
Introductions • Jim Morton-(aka Sherlock Holmes) • Jim Halderman-(aka Mr. Watson)
Topics to be Discussed • Teaching the diagnostic process • Interviewing the customer • Interviewing the vehicle • Interviewing the vehicle history • The repeatable diagnostic procedure • Tips and tricks
Teach Diagnosis? Do you teach a diagnosis procedure? • If so, in which course? • All of them? • We both teach diagnosis in all courses • It helps make the subject “real world”
Here is What We Hear • We get asked for help after they have tried EVERYTHING • What we usually find is that they had no real direction or approach • Is this happening to you too?
Isn’t this what is important? • We all teach how to perform tests such as a compression test • Is a compression test the first test that should be performed for a driveability problem? • Not so much how to test, but a TRUE game plan on each driveability concern
General Tests • Decide what GENERAL test would eliminate some of the possible causes • In most cases we have the problem nailed after 3 general tests to the right circuit or component
Pinpoint tests • We then decide what Pinpoint test to perform to find the root cause
The Old Days My father opened the hood and felt the movement or play in the cooling fan Sir, you need a water pump
How Does it Work Today? • We have to go through a diagnostic procedure to determine the root cause of the concern • Then isolate the circuit or part and perform a pinpoint test to determine the root cause • It is easy Mr. Watson if you ask the right questions
“The” Plan • 8 steps • Easy to remember • Repeated the same way each time • Has to be continuously repeated to students otherwise they tend to forget it
Like Peeling an Onion • Get to the heart (root cause) of the problem requires some peeling and a plan of action
Finding the “ROOT CAUSE” • In my mobile diagnostic business, a VERY normal statement is made to me “The SAME component keeps failing” • An example of this would be 3 electric fuel pumps in 2 years replaced on the same vehicle
First Step • Verify the concern (sounds better than complaint?) • If the concern can not be verified then the repair can not be verified either • Interview the owner (driver)
The Diagnostic Interview • Also called the Sherlock Holmes Interview • Interview the customer
Tech Tip • Make sure you are talking to the person that noticed the problem/concern or the person that drives the vehicle the most ! • NOT the person that happens to be the most convenient to drop the vehicle off • Remember YOUR time is valuable also.
Is there a Problem? • Describe the problem/concern • Is there actual a problem? • Does the customer know how to work all of the accessories etc.? • Does the technician know?
Sherlock Asks Concern just Start? Last Week? Last Month? What happened or what repairs were done right before the problem started?
“The Milkman” • My techs called me the “Milkman” • They always saw me with my metal tray with a handle carrying handheld diagnostic tools
“The Milkman” • What the “Milkman” was doing was going from vehicle to vehicle with the diagnostic interview sheet and performing basic “G” (General) tests
“The Milkman” • Results of my “visual inspection” and “G” tests would indicate what circuits or components I felt needed “P” (pinpoint) testing
Milk the DTCs • A VERY good thing to look for when a DTC stores is the FREEZE FRAME • look at what the fuel trim is, especially when there is a P0420 catalyst efficiency code • Was the PCM trying to make a correction for fuel delivery?
Milk the DTCs • P0420 Worksheet • 1. Check for TSBs and calibration updates 2. Check exhaust condition (leaks) 3. Verify fuel control 4. Replace the catalytic converter 5. Verify the repair
Fuel Trim Control • The fuel trim value is a very important diagnostic tool, if the fuel trim is very positive, like +23%, why did the PCM have to add some much extra fuel to it’s base calculation ?
Checking TSBs • FORD: • 2005-2006 Crown Victoria LINCOLN: • 2005-2006 Town Car • This article supersedes TSB 06-02-8 to update the Service Procedure. • ISSUE: • Some 2005-2006 Crown Victoria police and taxi vehicles built before December 13, 2005, and 2005-2006 Lincoln Town Car Limo vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0305, possibly accompanied with P0316, P0171, and/or P0174, especially after extended idle. This condition may be caused by fuel vaporization near injector Number 5.
Comparing PIDs A bad redundant ground circuit causing the TP and MAF to go haywire
Comparing PIDs Take notice of unstable idle due to ignition timing changing
High Authority Inputs • The engine RPM signal comes from the CPK sensor and it must be able to calculate the engine speed very quickly • As the number goes up, the engine is going faster • This is usually the most important input
High Authority Inputs • This signal is used as the basis for the fuel injector pulse signal.
Take Note that frame #9 there is only 1.7 “hg of manifold vacuum In frame # 17 there is 10.2 “hg of manifold vacuum
Narrow the problem to a system or cylinder • This is where the “G” and “P” testing comes in • Use a “G” (general) test to isolate the problem to a system or cylinder (or bank) • Then use a “P” (pinpoint) test to drive down that FUNNEL in order to find the problem.
Finding the ROOT CAUSE • As stated in Jim Halderman’s Advance Engine Performance book • Always ask the “5 WHYS” • When you find the customer’s complaint, ask WHY 5 times
Finding the ROOT CAUSE • Example of this would be a P0420 code (low catalyst efficiency) • 1 why – because the pre & post oxygen sensors reading incorrectly • 2 why – because air fuel ratio is too lean • 3 why – because the fuel delivery is inadequate • 4 why – because the fuel pump pick-up is partial clogged • 5 why – dirt in fuel tank