To be a truck technician requires a lot of time and energy, and requires a major investment in your physical and mental being. Yet, as with every major investment everyone looks forward to a great return. To ensure the best chance at a great return, you must start with taking care of your best โtoolโ. You! Here are some great tips and tricks to help you get the best of you from our own Chris Wenberg.
The TruckSeries Advantage
When it comes to diagnosing and repairing electrical systems these days it can be tricky. At first glance everything appears to look good, so then why doesnโt it work? Thatโs where Mitchell 1โs TruckSeries truck repair information comes in, as it gives you the advantage you need to quickly diagnose any issue and complete the repair without replacing unnecessary components.
Engine Control Connector End Views
A lot of what we diagnose these days involves a vehicle having symptoms and a DTC or a Diagnostic Trouble Code. However, occasionally a truck will come into a shop with symptoms and no DTC thus requiring the technician to pop open the hood and figure out what could be wrong. Mitchell 1โs TruckSeries truck repair software complete with 1Search PLUS allows you to search for DTCs, component service information, symptoms and more for the vehicle you are trying to diagnose.
5 Steps to a more accurate diagnosis
Diagnostic procedures usually help us to dot our iโs and cross our tโs when we take the time to follow them. Having a diagnostic path to follow is a great help, even though it may appear a bit laborious at times. Here are 5 steps from our own Jake Schell to help you get a more accurate diagnosis.
Could Not Duplicate. No Problem Found
Most of us have been on the customer side reading those fateful words for something where we know a problem exists. The frustration increases to monumental proportions when the problem is a blaring fault code indicator light on the instrument panel, yet still no concrete problem can be located. For technicians, the experience is nothing to celebrate either. Letโs face it, we all have better things to do besides taking the truck into the shop or spending time trying to re-create a problem. Letโs take a look at four basic steps that can help to more accurately and efficiently diagnose and resolve fault code issues.
So Your Truck Needs a Smoke Test?
When all systems are operating properly, todayโs newer diesel engines do not produce smoke like older diesel engines used to. The days of โrolling coalโ are over, and this is a great thing for our health and the environment, too. Learn about modern day smoke tests from our knowledgeable truck pros in this latest edition of our TruckSeries blog.
Checking Your Scan Toolโs Connection
Ever try to find the light switch in the middle of the night in an unfamiliar room? Well, walking around in the dark half asleep is much like trying to diagnose a diagnostic trouble code or a drivability issue without a scan tool on todayโs trucks. But maintaining that scan tool is just as important as using it. Learn from our own Jake Schell, on how important these scan tools truly can be.
Play It Safe
Time is money when you are working flat rate but maybe some of these accidents could have been prevented by taking the little extra time it takes to research the jack and lifting information. ย Take advantage of all the information provided in Truck Series to lift that truck safely and prevent a possible accident.
Smoking is Expensive!
While road hazards may not be avoidable and are well beyond the control of the technician in the shop, tire maintenance is a step technicians may take to keep tires in good order. Learn how Mitchell1 TruckSeries can help you out here.
Diagnostics: Donโt Jump to the Wrong Conclusion
There is no question that being familiar with a fault code โ both the cause and correction โ can be a great time-saver for the technician. After all, some diagnostic procedures can take a lot of time and effort as the technician works through the diagnostic steps to systematically eliminate potential issues. By knowing where the fault generally occurs, the technician can go directly there without going through all the steps that lead to that problem point. But, this can be risky. Learn how Mitchell 1 TruckSeries can help you out!
