Repair diagram

Thanks for the response about online auto repair manuals. I understand what you mean about All-Data and Mitchells in reference to their auto repair information quality. I had looked at the two, and tried the “demo” on All-Data which actually let me view (as you know) actual info like I would get in a subscription to a particular vehicle.

The one downside I [thought] was when I looked up DTC’s and test procedures for them it always referred to the Manufacturer or Dealer type scan tool. Even though it listed, in one place, a choice of tools (manufacturer/dealer, other, etc) to view this info for, it said that info was not available for any except the Manufacturer style [dedicated] diagnostic tool?

I got to this by clicking on the online auto repair manuals “Honda demo” since my daughter has a Honda (older than the demo, but I was looking to see what all it included). I then clicked on Powertrain Management and then Computers and Control Systems all these along the left column.

Then I clicked on Reading and Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes under “Testing and Inspection” in the right column. This brought me to a page which had links to With Manufacturers Scan Tool, With Generic Scan Tool, Without Scan Tool and “Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes”.

If I click on Using Generic Scan Tool, I get the page saying the Manufacturer doesn’t provide auto repair information for this. While it may be painfully obvious to most, I wasn’t sure the info would all work with a tool like the Actron CP9180 or the AutoXray AX6000 or such.

You raised another topic related to online auto repair manuals. You said you think the Actron CP9180 will generally do the job most folks need for DIY auto repairs.

I had been looking at such tools as the Auto Xray AX7000 and Auto ingenuity laptop scanners for their ability to do “manufacturer specific” and “other than powertrain” code diagnostics. Are these not generally a good return on money (bang for the buck) for the DIY car repair guy? I really appreciate your time and thoughts.

By the way, I found that the demo on the Mitchell site, while it showed some good examples of graphics, [I found] less than useful to determine whether I liked the format of their site or not. Sorry if I am rambling I know you are not necessarily an advocate for one online auto repair manuals over the other, I just get off on rants.

Thanks again for the response
George

Online auto repair manuals

Hi George: You make good and true points about online service manuals. They are directly ported from the manufacturer. In extremely complicated diagnosis this can leave the diy auto repair guy out in the cold.

The results you experienced with the Honda vehicle could be different for subscriptions to other make vehicles. The information supplied to all-data depends on the ability of that manufacturer to co operate. And some company’s furnish more information then others.

But there is no better choice for auto repair information that I know of. In fact the online professional automobile manual is far seperior in the way it represents repair diagrams and troubleshooting tree charts. Take a look at this auto repair manuals video for a common repair to see what I mean.

I also find that in some cases I can put on my thinking cap and break out my multimeter to get past a step that they say requires a manufacturer scan tool. Or worst case scenario skip a step in the troubleshooting diagram and see where it leads me.

Diy auto repair scanners

As far as the Actron 9180 it is only about 140$ and does include a snap shot mode and an o2 sensor test. So I consider it a good value. But a laptop scanner has many advantages over it. The main one is the amount of data the laptop car scanner can display at one time.

I do not have a laptop but we do at work. We use the elm scan 5 blue tooth. It is very slick but also can get stuck on some manufacturer specific codes. I find these codes are rare and generic codes are much more common. But the auto repair world is like a box of chocolates ” you never know what your gonna get”

Yes I have told the mitchell people they need to get up to speed and offer a demo like all-data. The e-auto repair system is very similar to alldata it just harder to dig out the information your looking for. But is also ported from the car makers manuals.

Nice talking with you and good luck with your auto repairs.

Mark

When you are tracing electrical circuits using a standard automotive wiring diagram you always want to work from the load or component back to the battery. Find the load device first, for example: light, horn, solenoid or actuator, then find its ground, and then find the battery on the diagram.

Trying to read a schematic from positive battery voltage to negative or ground does not work well. Always work from your load back toward the battery. This rule is important because it gives you a standard and correct direction of diagnosis. If you have proper power and grounds to your load component then you have just solved your problem on the first diagnostic test indicating that the failure is in the device and not in the wiring.

When you are studying troubleshooting manuals and repair diagrams take note that there is usually only one load component per circuit. This simple fact creates a straightforward diagnostic path with better results.

If you are looking at a large repair diagram, and you see more than one load, example starter, light bulb, backup alarm. You will know that each of these items are on separate circuits, and usually run to separate fuses or circuit breakers. In most cases you will find electrical failures isolated to one circuit.

If you find yourself jumping around into multiple circuits for diagnosis, it’s time to take a step back and return to rule number one of electrical problem diagnosis. First sit down and read the repair diagram until you fully understand how the circuit works. This first step may take a little while but will pay big dividends during diagnosis.

Do not be concerned with how long this first step takes it is not a sign of weakness or lack of intelligence. If you take some time to understand the circuit and the flow of the repair diagram you will be able to pick out the malfunction, much quicker. Spend some time now and save a lot of time later.

Just like most things in life the more you use a troubleshooting manual, the easier the repair diagnosis becomes. This is yet another case of practice makes perfect.

If you are interested in fixing your own car I have more information on auto repair manuals and many more articles for the do it yourself auto repair mechanic.