Tech Session: Autologic and Scanner Code Reading

WHEN: Saturday, July 25^th, 9:00am @ Reno Rennsport, 6 Cal Ln #2, Sparks, NV 89431

If you didn’t join us for this fun joint tech session with Porsche Club,
here’s what happened…

Our plan is to have a couple of cars representing both marques, plug the cars in and scan the cars for stored as sell as active fault codes – then explain what the codes mean as well as what we can and can’t do with the Autologic scanner to turn those faults lights off (ex: the CEL – check engine light). What parts and systems the codes point to that might need repair or replacing; as well as what kind of “real time” information a shop can get out of a factory level scanner like the ones used at Reno Rennsport.

Outline

The modern generation of factory level scanners do so much more than simply scan a car for fault codes. You can get all kinds of useful information on your car with a factory level scanner these days – and it’s how you use that information that points you to the real issue. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as just scan the car for fault codes; then replace the parts it tells you are bad…. Everything on modern cars is controlled by a complex series of modules, communication cables and sensors – and the only way to communicate with those is with a modern factory level scanner.

Subjects

What does the CEL (check engine light) actually mean? How many different faults can it be? Everything from emission related faults (ex: your gas cap being left loose will trigger and store a fault code) to a certain part being bad or starting to go bad (like a bad coil throwing a misfire code) to serious running issues that can cause major engine damage (like your engine running too lean).
What kind of fault codes can be noted then cleared out, and what faults are going to need to be addressed before the car will pass a smog test (a CEL being on is an instant fail) Or to protect your engine from serious damage (ex: by running an engine slightly too lean it’s more than possible to burn a valve or piston).
What kind of “real time” information can you see with a scanner, and how can you use that information to diagnose an issue?
What kind of features (bells and whistles) on your car can you change or adjust with a factory level scanner?
How do all the modules in a modern car communicate with each other? How does a bad module or cable in one location hide the real issue somewhere downstream?
What kinds of self-tests can you run with a scanner on your car, and what do those mean?
Why can’t (or why shouldn’t) I wait until the day before my registration is due, to get that CEL light turned off? Not only to avoid major damage to your car due to a serious problem, but most cars have to go through a somewhat lengthy “drive cycle” before the monitors will reset and you can pass your emissions test.

Thanks to Brian Lowder, (775) 331-4366