Engine diagnostics are one of the most important tools available to automotive technicians. They allow problems to be quickly detected and repaired, saving you time and money. As your Honda dealer, we want to tell you more about how they work and some issues they can identify.
Sensors and Computers
Every important component in a modern vehicle has a sensor connected to it, and these sensors receive instructions from the computer and relay information to it that will be used to make decisions.
The sensors monitor their connected component for signs of trouble. They’re sensitive and will immediately inform the computer of minute changes that affect performance. If the computer can’t correct the issue, it logs the situation with an error code and activates the check engine light.
OBD-II Scanner
A lit check engine light tells you something’s wrong, not necessarily what it is. Before computers, mechanics could spend hours checking systems and components that could be the cause of the problem. This meant longer repair times and increased costs. Now, our technicians can trace the affected system in minutes.
We connect an OBD-II scanner to your computer. The scanner reads the error codes logged by the computer, and we compare this to the master list of codes for your Honda model to diagnose the issue.
Problems Diagnostics Can Identify
Damaged Oxygen Sensor
Air is vital for combustion, as fuel can’t burn in the cylinders without it. Efficient combustion requires a 14:1 ratio of air to fuel, and the oxygen sensors inform the computer of the current amount of available air so it can make any necessary adjustments.
A failed sensor means the computer must guess how much air is in the engine. If It guesses wrong, your engine could become fuel-rich and burn more fuel or fuel-lean and stall or misfire. Once we find the damaged sensor and replace it, it’ll help performance return to normal.
Blocked Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system, and it converts dangerous gases produced as byproducts of combustion into harmless chemicals. Once the conversion is complete, the new gases exit your vehicle via the tailpipe. The converter uses high pressure, intense heat, and chemical reactions to convert the engine gases.
Carbon is a byproduct of conversion. It builds up in the converter and will eventually block it. A blocked converter forces gases back into the engine. Their presence increases the engine’s internal pressure and can cause it to shut down. If this problem is identified, we’ll clear the blockage, and the converter will work effectively again.
If you have an illuminated check engine light, contact us today at Superior Honda in Orangeburg, SC.
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