Testing Procedure
To ensure correct diagnosis and repair, testing should be done in the following sequence:
- Record Customer Complaint: Ensure all customer complaints or observations are recorded. Test drive vehicle with customer when necessary for malfunction verification.
- Retrieve Diagnostic Trouble Codes: Connect appropriate scan tool. Retrieve codes and record any freeze-frame data (if applicable). See RETRIEVING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES .
- Clear Trouble Codes: See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES .
- Visual Inspection: Inspect all connectors of suspect circuit or component. Ensure all connections are clean and tight.
- Confirm Symptoms & Trouble Codes: Perform road test. Determine if original symptoms are still present. Retrieve codes.
- Diagnose & Repair Diagnostic Trouble Codes: Perform diagnosis and repair procedures as necessary. See TROUBLE CODE IDENTIFICATION table. If no codes are present, proceed to the TESTS W/O CODES article for diagnosis by symptom (i.e., ROUGH IDLE, NO START, etc.).
- Verification Procedure: After repairs have been completed, clear trouble codes. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES . Perform road test. Ensure no codes are present and all symptoms and/or complaints have been repaired.