Diagnostic soldiers- throwing parts in hope

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

We had an Isuzu truck in to the dealers to diagnose a "check engine" light/power de-rate.
They charged over 10 grand for a new fuel pump and injectors(common rail motor),it was back a week later looking for the same fault.They couldnt get it to fault and did nothing.
Next time it happens they want us to call them and they will send a spannerman out.OH,they expect us to leave it where it is with the motor idleing to they get here.They are 175kms away.Key off resets the issue and its not leaving a calling card in the ECU.
Andrew

---

Further info on this truck.
It is undergoing a major refit instead of trading it on a new truck:mad::mad::mad:.
Our mechanic found the turbo manifold to be cracked and the turbo had enough play in it to warrant a service,it was sent off to Turbotech.Came back all good after a service,it had a faulty wastgate causing overboost.
Im guessing that was the reason for the check engine light;);););).
Why didnt the dealer spot the cracked manifold and look at the turbo????
They also told us they removed and cleaned the fuel tank,funny thing is the bands that support the tank have never been undone,2 bolts are bent and all the dirt we sent it there with is still in place:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
Andrew

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nobbyclrk

I do have a no fix no fee service and will prove the part fitted is at fault.
Although I have aquired a few parts along the way where I got it wrong. But at least I can sleep at night.

---

exactly as it should be, too. well done:)

jc

In my youth i spent quite a while as a mechanic in a dealership and saw some really bad things going on. I could fill a book with it. I do also believe that things have got much worse.

The Manufacturers have also made is so trial swapping parts between vehicles is not as easy as in the old days.

Good on you nobbyclrk
Making mistakes in swapping parts that are not faulty also makes you wiser, more considerate and ultimately look at other possibilites first.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BBS Guy

In my youth i spent quite a while as a mechanic in a dealership and saw some really bad things going on. I could fill a book with it. I do also believe that things have got much worse.

The Manufacturers have also made is so trial swapping parts between vehicles is not as easy as in the old days.

Good on you nobbyclrk
Making mistakes in swapping parts that are not faulty also makes you wiser, more considerate and ultimately look at other possibilites first.

---

Hi colin,

Yes knowing the vehicle systems well is paramount to correct diagnosis/ repair, and having a few 'known working' electronic parts as testers also helps, I have a few ECU's for various models, some MAFs, TPSs, etc etc on the shelf just for that purpose.

I have however a early 80's V8 county in at the moment with a spark issue, have progressed to the harness running under the RH exhaust manifold to try and find the hot only spark cut out:mad:. Yes modules and pick up coils have already been tried, and it ONLY fails while driving and at a certain temp:eek:


JC

For many, the prospect of even attempting to fix their own vehicle problems, by any proper means, or even by swapping parts in hope has been an unreachable option, because even after finding and fixing a fault or replacing the right part, or otherwise they will still need diagnostic equipment to then clear the fault codes the problem caused to be logged and reset the system.

So getting a decent diagnostic system is never ever something anyone should consider to be the wrong way to go. However it will never be a brain substitute, and hopefully many will use the fact that they now have all the equipment required as a reason to start to learn about their vehicle systems and how they work or are supposed to when they are not working as they should.


Having Understanding is just as important if not more so to having the tools.

I have however a early 80's V8 county in at the moment with a spark issue, have progressed to the harness running under the RH exhaust manifold to try and find the hot only spark cut out:mad:. Yes modules and pick up coils have already been tried, and it ONLY fails while driving and at a certain temp:eek:


JC[/QUOTE]

Think that you mght be on the right track there, in the process of replacing those very same wires. (85 V8 county, whilst engine out.) The old ones were very brittle and had lost insulation in a few spots, one broken thru and corroded (Small brown didn't lead anywhere.) others just crusty.
Some thing else to look at that caught two mechanics and myself out was the offset male/ female conncetor between the distributor (electronic 35DM8) and module (Mine the remote one on wing). Finally worked that out that it was loose/ corroded in the driveway following two tow truck trips and replacement of the module and coil.:(
Be interested to hear what you found,
Cheers Phil.

Electronic Diagnostics

Any one that has actually had to do this on a daily basis would Know that it actually an Electronic BEST Guess using data collected.I would love it if it was a dead cas or coil.

in the work shop today our hino refuses intermitantly to fast idle.we have a hino scan tool that is next to useless.we have 2 other scanners.
so we spent 2 hours labour with no wiring diagram--not available.have to use other vehicles to test.Diagnostic soldiers- throwing parts in hope

the switch tests fine back to the ecu.the only cancel for fast idle is gear selection. no fault to ecu.
intermitant history logged of clutch switch fault.common with hino cruise control.currently operating.

how have we got to the point that its off to the dealer under new warranty [hopefully] with 4 hours labour + down time.
we purchased a product that was promised to be cheeper to operate and fully backed service.:)

but still every odd time its started the fast idle wont operate--used to operate PTO crane.

my last employer would stand there and say show me what the problem part is-spend days pulling stuff apart to find one fix all issue-then complain that the customer wont pay,knowing that the vehicle had been to other non repairer and it was name your price for fixing it deal.

in the 80's in a multi francise dealer we not only had electronic parts as test units but we also had complete cars to rob or test parts.
stuffed if i know how little country dealers--small work shops delt with new mindless tech improvement [humour].I know the phone rang often and you help as many in those days as you could---not happening now.

I read in a trade mag and we had a visit from holden club.rep-holden is looking at helping nongenuine repair workshops-----return to the 90's?

last few weeks the local transpot driver came to the shop to ask what i was doing with a few dead AU falcon.he had been to mechanics-over 18 months-electricians-and 2 dealers with his pride and joy to be told its normal for AU to stall when you turn on the A/C or the head lights to flicker or if you buy a new UTE then you get rid of you AU wories as these are dogs.the electricians told him its best to buy a cheep au thats running and swap bits.

I told him to look an earth wires battery charge and look for dodgey wiring.and see me if he need bits.

came in today and thanked me-the electrician said it had a tps and map code.so he swaped the manifold from a $300 car with the engine loom.
the gasket was missing in spots.then on the other side he noticed that the earth battery cable was attached to the engine and not the body.

carton beer in order.