Hats at the ready! New tools available
Published: 06 October, 2017
There’s just one week until Hats on 4 Mental Health Day on 13th October 2017!
Join your colleagues in the automotive industry and raise awareness about mental health challenges, while also raising funds to help support industry colleagues who may be suffering in silence.
How to take part:
1. Visit www.hatson4ben.co.uk for tools
2. Wear a hat to work on 13th October
3. Post your selfie
4. Donate £1 to Ben
There's new tools available to help you get ready too: http://hatson4ben.co.uk/toolkit/?ct=t(Hats_on_Individual_Email_6_10_2017)
- Mike Brewer becomes first Ben Celebrity Ambassador
Ben has announced that Mike Brewer has become its first ever Ben Celebrity Ambassador. Mike Brewer is renowned in the industry for his role as presenter of Wheeler Dealers, and he is also a journalist, producer, campaigner and motoring enthusiast.
- Would you like to diagnose more vehicles first time?
As we reach March, 2019 is well and truly underway. In fact by the time you read this one third of the year will have whizzed by never to be seen again. Now, I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions (they’re so last year), but I am the type of chap that likes constant progress when it comes to developing a technician’s career.
There’s so much to be said for small steps taken everyday that on first look appear don’t appear to make a difference, but when gazed back upon over a 12 month period have a staggering affect on your capability to diagnose a vehicle first time, in a timely manner.
Pitter-patter of tiny feet
Small steps are all well and good but where do you start? After all, you don’t know what you don’t know, and you’d like to start your journey to diagnostic success off on the right foot. In this instance I’d start with the end in mind and reverse engineer the outcome you desire. It’s a logical process that works, and can be replicated time and time again in your diagnostic routine.
Your ‘end in mind’ in this instance is a vehicle where the fault no longer exists, that won’t appear back across the threshold of your workshop anytime soon. But how do you guarantee that?
One test to rule them all
I love nothing more than when the delegates working through our training programs have a technical epiphany. This happens at many points on their path of learning, but none more than with bypass testing.
Bypass testing is step nine in Johnny’s diagnostic circle of love (our 15 step routine), and often the key element in the first time fix. The good news for you is that it doesn’t require mythical creatures to forge their magical powers into an object that only one technician can possess. It’s something that every tech can learn, and become a diagnostic wizard.
What is bypass testing?
Quite simply it’s fixing the vehicle before you fix the vehicle. Let me explain.
Wouldn’t it be great if you suspected that a Mass Air Flow sensor was at fault and you could prove that you were right before you fitted a new part, or spoke to the owner of the vehicle. If you could do that then the positive effect it would have on you and the business you work for would blow you away.
Picture this: Your customer has reported that the vehicle is low on power. You’ve diligently questioned them, experienced the problem with them on a road test, and the bought the vehicle into the workshop.
You’ve pulled codes and found none present, followed by taking a look through serial data to hunt for diagnostic clues. It doesn’t take you long to identify that the MAF sensor frequency looks a little low at 1.5 Khz and your fuel trim data is incorrect and making a positive corrections. You’ve seen a bunch of these before and know that 1.85 Khz is a suitable value for this vehicle.
You’re keen to prove that the serial data is leading you in the right direction so confirm the sensor output with your oscilloscope. The oscilloscope frequency mirrors that of the serial tool and your starting to get that warm fuzzy feeling that an you’re onto something.
Steady the buffs
You’ve been close to success before though, only to be thwarted in the final moments so you’re keen not to be caught out twice. You know that documenting the reasons that the MAF output could be incorrect is the way to go, and duly make a list of tests required to confirm your theories.
- Christmas is coming – but it’s not ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ for everyone
With Christmas just around the corner, Ben is running a new campaign and has launched new resources on its website to support individuals to cope with anxiety during the festive season.
- Limited spaces still available for first REPXPERT Academy LIVE event
The first REPEXPERT Academy LIVE training day is set to take place on Saturday 16 November at Lincoln College. Spaces are still available, but techs are urged to book now to avoid disappointment. Doors open at 9.30am, and the day runs until 4pm.
- This is a low? Ben launches new online depression support
Ben has launched new online support to help automotive industry people who are struggling with depression.
