For as long as there have been vehicles on the roads, there have been mechanics who are trained to repair problems with these vehicles. In the beginning, and for a number of decades, the only way a mechanic could tell what was wrong with a vehicle was to take things apart and try to figure it out. Not only was this extremely time-consuming, it was also quite costly to customers. Today, computers are used for diagnostic testing, which cuts down on a lot of wasted time, and correctly diagnoses the problems with any vehicle.
In 1996, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a mandate that all vehicles sold in the United States must have computer systems that meet the On-Board Diagnostics, version II (OBD II) standard. This would allow mechanics in any part of the country to be able to quickly and easily diagnose any problems with any vehicle, and that all mechanics across the country were using the same standard system. This cut down on a lot of vehicle repair bills for customers. When doing a car diagnostic in Boulder, CO, mechanics can use a simple computer scan to diagnose problems in minutes. The test gives a report that is made up of codes that represent various problems.
There are a number of things that a diagnostic test can tell mechanics about vehicles. These include ignition timing issues, whether or not ignition coils fire, how well the fuel injector performs, rpm levels, throttle opening, crankshaft and camshaft positions, if there is a buildup in the combustion engine, and much more. The computer tells the mechanic what problems need to be repaired, so they don’t have to waste a whole lot of time trying to figure out the problem themselves.
The cost of a car diagnostic in Boulder, CO can depend on a number of factors. Depending on the make of and model of the vehicle, it can be anywhere from $20 to $400. To find out how much it would cost for any particular vehicle, contact Spruce Street 4X4, offering personalized service to area customers for over 50 years.
