Tools, tools, tools!
There are so many tools that help you diagnose problems with your customers’ vehicles. While there may be plenty of battery, charging and starting system diagnostic tools to choose from, the key is making sure you have the most updated equipment in your shop to keep up with the modernization of today’s vehicles.
In this Tire Review Continental Tire Garage Studio video, we talk about the best diagnostic tools to have in your shop and why keeping them up to date is so important.
Charging systems include the alternator, battery and engine control module which improve fuel economy, battery life and alternator operation. When diagnosing starting and charging systems, it is recommended to perform a voltage drop test on the battery, starter and alternator cables. Voltage drop tests involve using a tool like the digital multimeter to test the actual circuit voltage and compare it with the desired circuit voltage. While the multimeter will provide amperage readings, charging system diagnosing requires a scan tool. This means scan tools are something that you definitely need in your shop.
Thanks to how common digital battery testers are, you and your techs probably have your own. It’s a great tool to have because they are quick and accurate, even on a battery that is not fully charged. It’s also a great upsell for you – be the shop that finds and fixes battery issues, not the one that lets them go!
In the past, traditional battery load testers were the norm to test issues with your customers’ batteries. If there’s any question about battery condition after using a digital tester, a traditional load tester will give you absolute results. A weak battery cannot hide from a load tester.
A traditional load tester can diagnose starting and charging systems as well. Today’s testers are easy to hook up and feature digital displays and a higher degree of accuracy.
When diagnosing modern vehicle systems, scan tool data from those systems and diagnosing tools, in general, are imperative to ensure your shop is up-to-date with the latest technological trends.
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