OEBD11 Diagnostics
All my customers who think that the 10 grands worth of diagnostic computer we have actually tells us what's wrong with their car. It only tells us which sensor is out of parameter not why and if it's you airflow meter it won't tell us that is broke. That's why it can take us several hours to fix it.

Oops was that a rant?
(johnners hitting things with hammers until they work, Thu 18 Mar 2010, 19:23, 5 replies)

They are not thick... or stupid
You are just not communicating correctly. That is the first time that someone has given me a cogent explanation of what goes on with computer vehicle diagnostics.
(gearanach #wankwankwank, Thu 18 Mar 2010, 19:51, closed)

No I think that most customers are not interested in what the 'grease monkey' has to say. The level of knowledge that I have amassed over the years would make most students go home and sob. I have to have an intimate knowledge of computers, mechanical systems, fridges (air con) thermodynamics, plumbing, geometry, spring design hydraulics the list goes on. But hay I'm just a grease monkey what do I know
(
(johnners hitting things with hammers until they work, Thu 18 Mar 2010, 20:10, closed)

Not me
I simply HAVE to know what's going on and really appreciate it if someone gets the bit out of the bin to show me what was wrong with it (this was most impressive with the knackered rocker plate on my Audi last year). I'm less impressed when they wont talk to me or answer my myriad questions e.g. when the Vectra was playing up (that was a main dealer but I use an small independent for the Audi (saves whacks of cash)). I do have history though, as I hail from 60s/70s rallying royalty (cant fix my own cars though - thats what you do).
(gearanach #wankwankwank, Thu 18 Mar 2010, 20:57, closed)

That's not ignorance.
People can't be expected to know every minute technical detail about everything in the world. That comes under specialist technical knowledge. This isn't stupidity or ignorance, it may well mean that people have skills in other areas that you don't.

It's a reasonably legitimate assumption that something described as "diagnostic equipment" is able to, well, diagnose the fault surely? It might not be correct, but it's not something to look down on people for.

I don't doubt that car repairs and maintenance are immensely difficult. In fact, I know they can be difficult, that's why I (and the majority of car drivers) take their vehicles to a (hopefully skilled and knowledgeable) professional when there's something wrong with it!

Now *that* is a rant.
( Mike Fishcake teamfishcake.co.uk - better than your mum's face, Fri 19 Mar 2010, 10:52, closed)

funny.
I've borrowed my in-laws diagnostic computer which cost under £200. It tells me which parameters are out of whack quite nicely. (Edit: don't get me wrong, I'm sure yours is better, just hard to believe there's that much more it could tell you without actually telling you what's wrong)

Like you say though, I still don't have a clue what's actually *wrong*, but I can stop the car moaning about it at least now.
(Spidge New sig needed, donations gratefully accepted., Fri 19 Mar 2010, 12:48, closed)