Engine Performance and Diagnostics

How to diagnose driveability complaints with a written strategy, scan data, lab scopes, current probes and pressure transducers, followed through an apprentice's final engine performance term at Ridgeline Auto Service in Calgary: service information and bulletins, freeze frame, calculated load and Mode 06 with altitude corrections, graphing and correlating data, scoping sensors and actuators, relative compression and in-cylinder waveforms, intermittent and no-code faults, safe module programming and security access, and a capstone diagnosis of a no-code hesitation from road test to verified repair.

AUTO-330 12 lessons · 4 h 14 min ▶ Video lessons coming soon

Offered by HSM University · Automotive Service

This is the Canadian version of this course. See the American version.

What you'll learn

Apply an eight-step diagnostic strategy to driveability complaints, rank possible causes by the evidence, plan tests that can prove a theory wrong, and document complaint, cause and correction
Use manufacturer service information, setting conditions, technical service bulletins, recalls, common-fix sources and professional networks, and judge how far each can be trusted
Interpret generic and enhanced scan data, freeze frame, calculated load and Mode 06 results, and check airflow and pressure readings against expected values corrected for altitude
Record and graph scan data with suitable parameters and triggers, and use statistics, step checks, correlation and lag to find faulty signals and their causes
Set up a lab scope's vertical scale, time base, trigger, coupling and sample rate, avoid aliasing, connect probes safely, and measure frequency, duty cycle and peak voltage
Scope crankshaft, camshaft, oxygen and mass airflow sensors, judge good and faulty waveforms, and relate crank and cam signals to valve timing
Scope port injectors, ignition coils, solenoids and motors, compare cylinders, and work safely around direct injector circuits
Use current probes correctly, perform relative compression and fuel pump current tests, and confirm results with compression and leak-down tests
Use pressure transducers for in-cylinder, intake, exhaust and fuel rail waveforms, and identify valve timing and sealing faults from in-cylinder pressure
Diagnose intermittent and no-code faults with interviews, log sheets, in-vehicle recording, provocation tests and correlation of events with conditions
Explain reprogramming, configuration, relearns and security procedures, perform a safe programming session, and respect the legal and ethical limits on programming
Diagnose a no-code driveability complaint from road test to verified repair, and document it with the evidence that proves the cause

Course content

12 lessons · 4 h 14 min total · final exam

1 A diagnostic strategy for driveability 26 min · quiz
2 Service information, TSBs and pattern failures 23 min · quiz
3 Scan tool data: PIDs, freeze frame and Mode 06 22 min · quiz
4 Graphing data and finding the fault in a data stream 22 min · quiz
5 The lab scope: voltage, time and triggering 21 min · quiz
6 Scoping sensors: crank, cam, O2 and MAF 20 min · quiz
7 Scoping actuators: injectors, coils and solenoids 19 min · quiz
8 Current probes and relative compression 20 min · quiz
9 Pressure transducers and in-cylinder waveforms 19 min · quiz
10 Intermittent and no-code driveability problems 21 min · quiz
11 Module programming, coding and security access 19 min · quiz
12 Capstone: a no-code hesitation from road test to verified repair 22 min · quiz
E Final exam 20 questions

Requirements

AUTO-230 Fuel, Ignition and Emission Systems

Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.