6 Step Troubleshooting guide procedure

6 step throubleshooting guide procedure - Your can problems was succes perform the 6 step troubleshooting procedure. Accurate and consistent vehicle repairs do not happen by accident. They are the result of sound diagnostic practices and principles. The 6 step troubleshooting procedure is a time-proven, problem solving method.

Step 1. Verify Concern

Before any troubleshooting process can progress beyond the first step, it is essential to verify the customer concern.To verify the concern, it may be neccesary to operate the vehicle under the same conditions the customer does when the problem occurs. 

It is essential to get an accurate description of the problem condition from the customer. Test driving the vehicle with the customer is also an excellent way to verify the issue. 
You should no perform any repairs unless you are able to verify and isolate the problem. An exception to this rule would be when specific service information, such as that found in a service Bulletin, direct a repair.Under this circumstance, it is permissible to perform a repair when certain conditions exist. 

It is permissible to perform a repair when :

• The symptoms described by the customer match those described in the Service Bulletin and no other symptomp are present.
• The model year, the platform, the system, or other identifying descriptions match the Service Bulletin description.

In some cases, the only verification of a problem you may be able to obtain is the presence of a diagnostic trouble code (DTC), which indicates a problem has accured. If any DTC are present, you should accurately record them on the repair order. 

Verification of a problem may also be limited to the presence of noises or other mechanical factors indicating a problem has accured. 

After verification and throughout the repair process, always keep the original customer concern in mind.

Step 2. Determine Related Symptoms 

This step is a continuation of the first step because you are still gathering information and have not performed any repairs. Sometimes the actual fault conditions causing a customer concern effect other systems as well. 

Qonsequently, the repair process should include operational checks pf all vehicle systems that are related to the oroginal problem.

Refer to service information and any diagrams to determine how they may be related. You should be aware of problems that effect only a single function of a system, an entire system, or multiple systems. If you identify multiple problems, attempt to determine how they may be related. When systems share common component, a single repair can often correct multiple conditions.

Step 3. Analyze the Symptoms 

Step 3 is dependent of verification of the problem and builds on the information gathered from step 1 and 2. During this step, you determine what component are required for the affected system to operate properly by using service information. 

Whenever possible, you should use the proper diagnostic tools to verify the operation of each component or system. Each item that functions properly can likely be ruled out as a possible causes of faulty operation.

When analyzing symptoms :

• Use service information to identify the components required for proper operation.
• Use diagnostic tools verify components and system operation.

When you have an electrical problem, some of the things you should monitor and attempt to verify are :

• The supporting module or modules are active.
• The supporting switch and sensor states can be detected and are correct.
• The supporting outputs or devices can be actuated and are working correctly.

For mechanical problems, verify that :

• The system operates as intended.
• The supporting components are functioning and direct.
• No bent, broken, or misalignment components are present.

For all problems where there is a DTC, you must dtermine if the DTC observed relates to the fault condition. Refer to the possible causes listed in service information for a description of the conditions that cause the specific DTC to set. With this information, you can then use the diagnostics tools to either  associate the DTC to the problem, or clear the vehicle systems and circuits listed in the possible causes section as the causes of the DTC.The more complete your interrogation of the vehicle is, the more time you will save letter.

When a DTC is set, you must either :

• Associate the DTC to the problem.
• Clear the vehicle systems and circuits listed as the causes of that DTC.

During this step, you should :

• Develop an action plan it is important to know specifically what must be verified about the vehicle systems based on your interrogation before beginning.
• If possible, identify any components test procedures from service information that may help you identify suspected components.

Step 4. Isolate the Cause

Depending on the problem, step 4 can have many variables. If proper planning was performed during step 3, this step should provide positive results.

To isolate the problem are you might :

• Isolate a single components.
• Disassemble part of the vehicle.
• If traced to a specific component, subtitute that part with a known good part.

Be aware that swapping certain modules on CAN bus vehicles can result in the loss of the vehicle build configuration, which can disabled the vehicle. During the isolating the cause phase of the repair process, you must be constanly aware of any vehicle conditions that have changed.

Step 5. Repair the Concern

If all the other steps have been done correctly, this should isually consist of :

• Replacing the faulty component that was the source of the problem.
• Repairing any wire connections or harness required.
• Reinstalling and securing all removed components.

You should consider the cause of the fault condition when making repairs. For example, if incorrect routing of the wiring caused the problem, the repair should include recolating the harness to the correct location to provent the problem from reccuring. Or, if water intrusion caused the condition, you must address the cause of the water entry.

Step 6. Verify Vehicle Operation

This step may require operating the vehicle through the same conditions as steps 1 and 2.

When verifying proper operation :

• All vehicle systems should be tested, including those that were not officially part of the repair, to determine if the repair procedure caused any undesirable conditions.
• Check for DTC if any were present originally, a final check should not detected any DTC.

Always after the repair is complete test Drive performed.

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