What are the methods for diagnosing car faults?
3 Answers
Methods for diagnosing car faults are as follows: 1. Observation and Inquiry Method: When a car develops a fault that requires diagnosis, the repair personnel should make a preliminary judgment about the car's model and age upon first sight. The model can be identified from the exterior; by observing the exterior or flipping the cab to expose the engine, the age can be determined. Experienced repair personnel can even immediately diagnose the car's fault. 2. Experience Method: As the name suggests, the Experience Method for diagnosing faults relies on the basic skills and extensive experience of the driver and repair personnel to quickly and accurately diagnose car faults. 3. Observation Method: The Observation Method involves the car mechanic carefully observing the fault phenomenon at the location indicated by the car user, then making a judgment about the fault. This is one of the most commonly used, basic, and effective fault diagnosis methods. 4. Auditory Method: Using hearing to diagnose car and engine faults is the most common and straightforward method. When the car is running, the engine operates under different conditions, producing a noisy yet regular sound. When a fault occurs in a certain part, abnormal noises will appear. Experienced individuals can immediately diagnose the car fault based on the abnormal noises. 5. Testing Method: Using the Testing Method to diagnose car and engine faults is one of the common methods. The Testing Method can be used to check the functions of the car and engine without or with minimal disassembly, to achieve the purpose of diagnosing faults.
I think there are multiple methods for diagnosing car faults. I used to rely on visual inspections, first examining the exterior of the car for any oil leaks or fluid stains, which is the first step. Then, I would open the hood and carefully check the fluid levels and colors; if the engine oil is black or the level is too low, it usually indicates insufficient engine lubrication. There’s also auditory diagnosis—listening for unusual engine noises, such as a ticking sound suggesting valve issues or a squealing noise pointing to a loose belt. Combining this with dashboard warning lights, like the engine light turning on, may indicate an electronic system fault. Additionally, using an OBD scanner to plug into the port and read fault codes, then interpreting the codes and cross-checking the components, can quickly pinpoint the issue. Don’t forget the feel test, such as sensing abnormal steering wheel vibrations, which often point to tire or suspension problems. In short, combining visual, auditory, and tool-based methods is the most effective approach.
My experience in diagnosing car issues tells me it mainly relies on daily observation and simple testing. First, pay attention to the car's behavior, such as engine hesitation during startup or lack of power during acceleration, which may indicate fuel system problems. After opening the hood, inspect electrical connections for burnt smells or loose plugs, as these could be sources of short circuits. Listening to noises while driving is also crucial; clunking sounds from the chassis often point to suspension damage, while a popping sound from the exhaust suggests a muffler leak. Feel the tires with your hands to check for wear patterns—uneven wear indicates alignment issues. I recommend regularly scanning with an OBD tool to read error codes for confirmation, then test functions like lights to ensure all sensors respond properly. When encountering unusual symptoms, don’t overlook checking the cooling system to prevent engine overheating.
