Scan tools like modis. Any help for a newb?

[Nanashi]

I have been in the light truck and cars automotive field for the last six months as an apprentice with no prior schooling. I know some basics, my dad was a mechanic so I am not completely oblivious. Anyway, most of what I am learning is on the fly, hands on. My weakest link is the knowledge of components on the car and what their specific functions and or operations seem to be. Thus this leads me to be very weak in the department of diagnosing issues that are engine related.

So anyone have any good reads on diagnostics or using a scan tool to its full potential. The conclusion I am drawing here is that the newer cars with all their sensors make it very easy for a person with the proper knowledge to determine the exact problem allowing the mechanic to fix the problem on the first shot with little guessing/trial and error. If thats the case the future of diagnostics with scanners is extremely bright, meaning obd3, 4 or whatever is going to make pinpointing problems very accurate in the hands of knowledgeable individual. Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[blackz26]

I can't help you on which scanner. But I do know not all code's aren't The source of the problem. Some code's are sourced by non related problems. Or throw you off altogether. One members here had a miss fire on cylinder 5 on his 5.4 expedition when it was cause by cylinder 4. If I remember that right.

Do you do this as a career? If so, no offence, how did you get in with basics? Serious question, because I'm interested in going into mechanics.

 

[junkman104]

Check out scannerdanner on you tube.

 

[wssix99]

Get the factory service manual for the car. Regardless of what scanner you use, this will help you with the diagnosis after you have scanned for the code.

What kind of vehicle is it?

 

[Bender78]

Check out scannerdanner on you tube.

^^^THIS^^^

I have found these videos to be very informative. Free education.....what's not to like about that?

 

[Tarheelgarage]

No scanner will give you the magically answer you are needing to do the repair. Schooling and experience will be your best teachers.

When a customer asks me to hook the machine up to their car and tell them what is wrong, I look at them and say "I am the machine" The look on their face is priceless.

 

[LShee778]

The most reliable way about learning to diagnose a problem is to learn how the parts function and their role in the grand scheme of things. You said this is your weak point, but unfortunately a scanner will not make up for this.

REAR READ READ.

I have a father and lots of other family and friends who are gearheads so i learned a lot at a young age but lots of my car "know-how" comes from what i've taught myself from reading (books, magazines, forums, etc.) and then accomplishing the task with my new found knowledge. Just like any other trade, there are tricks. Take what you learn from the old timers and remember it. Lots can be applied to the newer stuff.

I suggest finding a project vehicle that is older with less electronic junk to get caught up in and learn the ins and outs of it while having fun. You'll be surprised how much you can apply to the next car that rolls into the shop and knowledge only grows from there.

 

[SuperD]

Ask any current day experienced Auto Tech, diagnostics of the OBD is far better than it used to be, but everyone of these techs will tell you horror stories as well. Decent diagnostic scanners start at about$1500.00 and go as high as $12000.00. Never forget the sound basics of an internal combustion engine. Keep up to date on the manufacture bulletins, and don't start to think that there will be a code when you have an erratic or intermittent problem. Try to partner up with an experienced tech is the best way to go.

 

[Nanashi]

I work in a small 3 bay 2 person garage. The scanner we have is a modis and its up to date for most foreign and domestic. I have experience with working on family vehicles for my father for years as a kid and teen. My dad was a tech for 25 years, I have a project car. My weak points are really names of components and functions of a few components. Diagnoses is not all scan tool but also knowledge of how things work and function. However, such knowledge will be gained with on hand experience and reading over the next few years. I just wanted some good tips for using scan tools and possibly some help understanding what some of the read outs are actually telling me. Basically some good links to getting the most out of a scan tool.

The links are good and thanks, guys. I have a basic knowledge but expanding on that is always a good thing. I am not doing that bad at all for not being in school. Im a bid slow on time but putting things back together and pulling them apart has been easy. Its the diagnosing and trouble shooting thats going to take time. I am fully aware that scan tools are not the end all but they are very helpful especially when you know how to use them to full potential.

Ill check out more from scannerdaner. I watched a video on freeze frame that he had up the other night.

 

[Nanashi]

I can't help you on which scanner. But I do know not all code's aren't The source of the problem. Some code's are sourced by non related problems. Or throw you off altogether. One members here had a miss fire on cylinder 5 on his 5.4 expedition when it was cause by cylinder 4. If I remember that right.

Do you do this as a career? If so, no offence, how did you get in with basics? Serious question, because I'm interested in going into mechanics.

I have a background with cars and a friend of mine owns a shop. He recently let go an employee and was looking for long term honest help. I have just enough to get in the door and my integrity got me the rest of the way. Being a small shop we are pushing out a lot of small work. Suspension, brakes, and light motor work. Although I have already completed, full transmission replacements and a few head gasket jobs. My real weakness is diagnoses. When I see car running rough on the board I feel useless. Even though there is plenty of other work on the board for that day I dont like seeing something I cant work on. The guy is pretty awesome and is being very helpful to me. He understands my limitations but is willing to train me because he knows he can trust me with the business when hes not around. I guess even with times being tough its still hard to find good help. Plus I am probably affordable com paired to a trained/seasoned individual.

 

[LShee778]

I understand you have a basic knowledge and must be intelligent enough to pick up things on the fly. Thats a good trait to have, bit what I was getting at is that you need to learn what a part or mechanism does and not just how it comes off and goes back on. Reading up on these things will go a long way towards diagnosis with and without a scanner. A working knowledge of electronics and circuitry will help too. Many of todays vehicle computers run on resistance and supply voltage.

Knowing how each part functions in the grand scheme of things will help you to grasp how or why the vehicle isn't running correctly.

On a side note, when someone says a vehicle is running rough remember FAT. Fuel, Air, Timing. A knowledge of these systems and their components (applied in general towards most fuel injected modern cars) will help you immensely.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The conclusion I am drawing here is that the newer cars with all their sensors make it very easy for a person with the proper knowledge to determine the exact problem allowing the mechanic to fix the problem on the first shot with little guessing/trial and error.

I disagree. There are too many cases where an error code could be caused by more more than one issue. Classic is lean on one cylinder. Could be injector, could be vacuum leak. Probably other causes.

If thats the case the future of diagnostics with scanners is extremely bright, meaning obd3, 4 or whatever is going to make pinpointing problems very accurate in the hands of knowledgeable individual. Any advice is much appreciated.

For whatever reason, EPA and CARB have chosen not to increment the OBD number. Probably because there have been no major "across all manufacturers" changes. The flip side is, both EPA and CARB are forcing manufacturers to make changes every year on parts of their OBD-II strategy that were previously approved. This keeps the software people busy !

We are no where near the case where the PCM can diagnosis with near 100% accuracy, even though now more than 50% of the PCMs memory is used for OBD-II compliance.

(I know at least 2 people who are their corporate spokesperson for communicating with CARB and EPA. Their jobs certainly are NOT getting any easier.)

 

[Alta_Racer]

The best way to start learning scan tools, or any diagnostic equipment, is to start hooking up to "known good" cars. You cant tell what looks wrong if you don't know what right looks like. I have a vast library of known good images with scopes, it is a valuable tool when trying to figure out the really hard ones.

 

[joecon]

get a book and look up what you don't know. I would look though old auto books
and read what ever caught my eye. Start with the basics and work from there.
Always ask questions and you will learn.

 

[jimindm]

As far as what the tool will do and how to do it, the snapon site is pretty good. IATN is a great site to surf around. Not sure how much you will see by not being a member. Membership is like $15 a month. It is the best money you will spend. Every shop should be a member. You could read on the site for hours.

 

[Alta_Racer]

iATN is a fantastic resource, and membership does have its privileges. Being able to search the database for posts and screen captures will make you much more that the $15/mo. I have been a member since early 90's, and have made some great friends there. We even have a secret society on Facebook. I have been to many gatherings with many friends I have made there, from around the world.