Automotive Diagnostics Training Courses

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Pico Technology announces a series of diagnostics training courses focusing on the use of oscilloscopes to speed modern vehicle fault-finding


automotive training courses
  • Three dedicated one-day training courses
  • Various locations in the UK
  • Learn how to use advanced diagnostics solutions
  • Reduce the time it takes to fault-find a vehicle
  • Improve job turnaround time...
  • ...and therefore efficiency and profitability

MechanEx, GMEX, Manchester — 15 June 2004 — Pico Technology, the PC-based test and measurement company, has announced a series of three automotive diagnostics training courses aimed at garage and repair centre technicians and engineers. The courses are: Basic Engine Management Diagnostics; Advanced Engine Management Diagnostics; and Automotive PC Oscilloscope Training.

The courses focus on the use of PC oscilloscopes to diagnose the modern vehicle and demonstrate how the time it takes to fault-find a vehicle can be greatly reduced: through not only getting the most out of the diagnostics equipment but also through making full use of a library of automotive waveforms included in the oscilloscope software and available online.

Course content, registration and pricing information can be found at www.picotech.com/training. Alternatively, contact Pico Technology directly by email (training@picotech.com) or by phone (01480 396395). Attendees will receive a full set of course notes. Lunch and refreshments will also be provided.

Course organiser Ricardo Paloschi comments: “Because onboard diagnostics fault-codes only provide a clue or two as to what may be wrong with a vehicle, automotive technicians are increasingly turning to oscilloscopes to determine exactly what is wrong with the vehicle — rather than embarking on a series of component swaps in the hope of clearing the fault codes.”

The three courses have the common objective of reducing the time it takes to fault-find a vehicle. They also empower the technician to satisfy himself that any given fault really is down to a defective component and not an associated connector — or something else 'tricking' the OBD. “And the reduction in time spent fault-finding and the peace of mind that the component really has failed both equate to cost savings,” adds Paloschi.

Specifically, the diagnostics training courses are:

Basic Engine Management Diagnostics. This course, which is split between theory and practical demonstrations, includes the basic working principles of engine management systems, testing components and system diagnostics using an oscilloscope.

Advanced Engine Management Diagnostics. This course, which is also split between theory and practical demonstrations, provides an in-depth study into electronic engine management, including fuel and emission management/control. The focus is on the use of the PicoScope oscilloscope to evaluate engine management systems and their components, including sensors, actuators and injectors.

Automotive PC Oscilloscope Training. This course is aimed at current users of Pico Technology's award-winning Automotive Diagnostics Kit and already familiar with modern automotive systems/electronics.

Focusing on the use of Pico's diagnostics kit, the course has a brief introduction to using the PicoScope PC oscilloscope and viewing example waveforms before moving on to advanced scope operation — including the use of trigger controls and manually selecting timebases and voltage ranges.

Course attendees will also learn how to create their own custom test ranges and how to build a library of automotive waveforms.

Paloschi concludes: “By investing one day out to attend the course, auto technicians can reduce the amount of time it takes to fault-find the modern vehicle. Further, by building their own libraries of waveforms, subsequent investigations can be performed even faster.”

About Pico Technology's Automotive Diagnostics Kit

With its complete set of test leads, current clamps, clips and probes, the kit enables users to capture and measure any electrical or electronic waveform on a vehicle including:

  • CAN Bus
  • Primary and secondary ignition
  • Injectors and fuel pumps
  • Starter and charging circuits
  • ABS, crankshaft, camshaft, lambda (oxygen) and airflow sensors
  • Glow plugs and timer relays

At the heart of the kit is the PicoScope ADC-212, an easy-to-use high-resolution, dual channel PC oscilloscope. Its fast sampling rate supports the capture and viewing of high-frequency signals (such as CAN Bus) and its large memory means that complex waveforms, such as camshaft and crankshaft signals, can be recorded without sacrificing horizontal resolution.

The PicoScope ADC-212 also features a comprehensive library of automotive waveforms and presets. These can easily be accessed via the 'Automotive' menu, a drop-down menu that contains sub-menus for testing sensors, actuators, injectors and CAN Bus signals.

Sample waveforms can also be accessed by visiting Pico Technology's growing online library of automotive waveforms. Both 'good' and 'bad' waveforms are present within the online library, as good traces alone cannot always convey what may be wrong with a vehicle when a technician is unable to capture a similar trace. With access to 'bad' waveforms it is easier to draw conclusions as to which components are at fault.