Good thing they don't have this...

[Schrade]

The code says, EGR fault. What do you do? Test the EGR? Of course not - you buy an EGR.

CTS fault code? Test it? You're kiddin'. You buy a new temp sensor.

Crank position sensor code? You know the deal - don't test it, just buy another.

If the guys in Detroit, who can't sell their cars were smart, they would change to ONE code:

DTC1 - car fault.

[silicon212]

You're overy simplistic.

An EGR fault code could indicate a bad or stuck valve. It can also indicate a faulty EGR relay, a defective vacuum line, or a defective/inoperative thermal vacuum switch.

A CTS fault could be caused by an engine which is running too cold (i.e. you don't have the correct thermostat installed).

You don't simply throw parts at a problem and expect the problem to be fixed. You diagnose and repair the root cause of the issue. Which could be totally different (but still related). I.E. - A rich oxy sensor fault is generally caused by a plugged air filter.

[luxeryvic]

yeah so wat r u sayin about detroit anyway? silicon is right sensors arent always the problem they usually point out other problems

[Schrade]

Originally Posted by luxeryvic

yeah so wat r u sayin about detroit anyway? silicon is right sensors arent always the problem they usually point out other problems

DUH!!!

Sensors are hardly EVER the problem. Even that don't matter, cause no one does diagnostics anyway. THEY REPLACE THE PART BLINDLY.

Detroit can't sell cars cause of tight money. But if they changed to only one DTC CAR FAULT, people would try a different car anyway, to see if THAT fixed the problem.




I know - you still don't get it.

[bobss396]

For the shade tree mechanic, often the best option is to replace a suspect component if it is cheap enough. On a high-mileage car, things wear out or fail and the sensor is only the symptom of the real problem.

Unfortunately, many shops cater to the parts changing mantra and do a poor job of properly diagnosing the root cause of an error code.

Your best bet is to get an understanding of what the sensor does and follow it "upstream" to see what it senses.

Bob