Back to all

On Board Diagnostics for Clawson Motorists

May 8, 2017

Some Clawson vehicle owners wonder why Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson and other Clawson auto repair shops charge a fee for vehicle diagnostics.

Receiving a diagnostic charge at Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson for a tricky automotive problem shouldn't be a surprise. In the Clawson area, automotive diagnostics can cover quite a range. If you hear a noise in your vehicle brakes when you slow down in rush-hour traffic on a busy Michigan road, you pull off at the next off-ramp and take a quick visual check. That is usually enough to know what needs to be done. If you're having an intermittent problem with your vehicle engine, however, a Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson diagnosis may be much more involved.

Much of the Clawson driver's confusion comes when the problem involves the Check Engine light. The Check Engine light comes on when the engine management computer has sensed a problem.

There's a common misconception among Michigan drivers that the trouble code tells the Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson technician exactly what's wrong. They wonder why there is a diagnostic charge because the scanner quickly gave the diagnosis.

In reality, it is not that easy and straightforward. The computer monitors many sensors throughout the vehicle. When one of these sensors has a reading that's out of parameters, the computer will record a trouble code and turn on the Check Engine light.

The vehicle computer's trouble code just tells the Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson technician what engine parameter is out of range, not what's causing it. The technician needs to determine the underlying problem that's causing the malfunction.

There are many problems that could cause a troublesome sensor reading for Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson customers. The service advisor makes a list of the most likely causes and begins tracking down the source of the problem. This takes time.

Clawson service centers subscribe to databases that document possible causes for all the possible trouble codes. The databases outline procedures for confirming a diagnosis and provide the documented repair. These  databases are specific to each vehicle and engine combination.

Some diagnoses are quick and easy. Others are more involved, time-consuming and difficult. Of course Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson wants to figure out what's wrong with your vehicle and get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson
664 S Rochester Rd
Clawson, Michigan 48017
248-589-0980
http://www.toptechautorepairclawson.com

Need Service?

More articles from Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson

Breathe New Life into Your Engine (MAF sensor replacement)

April 21, 2024

If youve noticed your vehicle is hard to start, stalling, or has lost power, the culprit may be a part with an odd name: the MAF sensor. You may have never even heard of a MAF sensor, but its important that it be working correctly, or you may be experiencing some fairly significant engine issues... More

Fuel Injection Basics for Clawson

April 14, 2024

All modern Clawson vehicles come with fuel injection systems, so it's a topic Clawson drivers need to know something about. The mighty fuel injector is a valve that delivers the gas or diesel fuel to the right place, in the right amount at the right timeto be mixed with air and burned in the engi... More

The Easy Way to Save Cash in Clawson

April 7, 2024

The hottest Michigan news story may be different every day, but there's one topic that seems to come up over and over again the price of gas in Clawson. If you feel like most of your paycheck goes into your gas tank, this post is for you. Here are several basic things people in Clawson can do t... More