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

Rumble from Down Under (Muffler Replacement)

November 23, 2025

Weve all noticed them at one time or another on the street: a car or truck that drives by and the deep roar from their exhaust system sounds like a drag racer on the line. But what happens when that rumble is coming from under YOUR vehicle? Well, it could be a sign your muffler needs attention. ... More

Strutting Your Stuff (Shocks and Struts)

November 16, 2025

Ever wonder how your vehicle is able to move over bumps, potholes and other irregularities in the road and you hardly feel a vibration in the cabin? Its your shocks and struts doing the hard work along with the rest of your suspension and tires. They keep the ride smooth and are important for yo... More

No Charge (Why Won?t My Battery Hold a Charge?)

November 9, 2025

When your vehicles battery is dead, it leaves you with that horrible, helpless feeling. A dead battery means it wont hold a charge, and there are several reasons it wont. One is age. Batteries have chemical and electrical systems in them that create power, and as time goes by, they wont work we... More