With the use of specialist diagnostic equipment faults within the engine management system can easily be traced. All modern vehicles have at least one E.C.U. (Electronic Control Unit) which constantly monitors ignition and fuel systems via sensors. This enables the vehicle to self adjust the ignition and fuel to produce optimum engine performance at all times.

Faults can also be diagnosed in the following systems:

ABS, Airbags, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, Audio Systems, Central Electronics System, Driver Info, Immobilizer, Instrumentation, Lighting Control, Chassis\Steering, Central Locking, Parking Aids, Convenience Systems and many more depending on vehicle type.

Service Lights can also be re-set on some makes of vehicle although most types can be re-set manually.

More Diagnostic Information

Most modern vehicles today use an on-board computer to monitor and manage several of your car's operating systems. These on-board computers have massive amounts of sensors and memory.

If the on-board computer detects a fault or any irregularities in your car's operating systems, it will often turn on a dashboard warning light or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp). This lamp is usually an orange symbol similar to an engine. Using various different specialised scanners, we can access the on-board computer via a 16 pin diagnostic socket inside the vehicle. The fault codes are then read off the computer. This enables us to give a more accurate diagnosis of the problem.

The European Commission introduced Block Exemption on the 1st October 2002.

Most vehicle manufacturers trouble codes were standardised. Now all cars use five character codes to report problems. The computer can even remember intermittent problems that have returned to normal. Many manufacturers still have information to other systems on vehicles which didn’t fall under the ruling of Block Exemption.

Block Exemption was for emission related systems only.

Systems like ABS, Airbags, DSC (Traction Control), Lighting etc need separate communication codes. These can be accessed by us with the use of specialist diagnostic equipment.

Dashboard warning lights come on for a reason, usually if something substantial has occurred. Less serious problems are also detected and stored for analysis using diagnostic equipment. Early detection of these problems can reduce repair costs and prevent breakdowns.