Opel Frontera UBS. Manual

6E–37

ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

Diagnosis

Strategy-Based Diagnostics

The strategy-based diagnostic is a uniform approach to
repair all Electrical/Electronic (E/E) systems. The
diagnostic flow can always be used to resolve an E/E
system problem and is a starting point when repairs are
necessary. The following steps will instruct the technician
how to proceed with a diagnosis:
1. Verify the customer complaint.

To verify the customer complaint, the technician
should know the normal operation of the system.

2. Perform preliminary checks.

Conduct a thorough visual inspection.

Review the service history.

Detect unusual sounds or odors.

Gather diagnostic trouble code information to
achieve an effective repair.

3. Check bulletins and other service information.

This includes videos, newsletters, etc.

4. Refer to service information (manual) system

check(s).

“System checks” contain information on a system
that may not be supported by one or more DTCs.
System checks verify proper operation of the
system. This will lead the technician in an
organized approach to diagnostics.

5. Refer to service diagnostics.

DTC Stored

Follow the designated DTC chart exactly to make an
effective repair.

No DTC

Select the symptom from the symptom tables. Follow the
diagnostic paths or suggestions to complete the repair.
You may refer to the applicable component/system check
in the system checks.

No Matching Symptom

1. Analyze the complaint.
2. Develop a plan for diagnostics.
3. Utilize the wiring diagrams and the theory of

operation.

Call technical assistance for similar cases where repair
history may be available. Combine technician knowledge
with efficient use of the available service information.

Intermittents

Conditions that are not always present are called
intermittents. To resolve intermittents, perform the
following steps:
1. Observe history DTCs, DTC modes, and freezeframe

data.

2. Evaluate the symptoms and the conditions described

by the customer.

3. Use a check sheet or other method to identify the

circuit or electrical system component.

4. Follow the suggestions for intermittent diagnosis

found in the service documentation.

Most Tech 2s, such as the Tech II and the
5–8840–0285–0 (Fluke model 87 DVOM), have
data-capturing capabilities that can assist in detecting
intermittents.

No Trouble Found

This condition exists when the vehicle is found to operate
normally. The condition described by the customer may
be normal. Verify the customer complaint against another
vehicle that is operating normally. The condition may be
intermittent. Verify the complaint under the conditions
described by the customer before releasing the vehicle.
1. Re-examine the complaint.

When the Complaint cannot be successfully found or
isolated, a re-evaluation is necessary. The complaint
should be re-verified and could be intermittent as
defined in

Intermittents, or could be normal.

2. Repair and verify.

After isolating the cause, the repairs should be made.
Validate for proper operation and verify that the
symptom has been corrected. This may involve road
testing or other methods to verify that the complaint
has been resolved under the following conditions:

Conditions noted by the customer.

If a DTC was diagnosed, verify a repair by
duplicating conditions present when the DTC was
set as noted in the Failure Records or Freeze
Frame data.

Verifying Vehicle Repair

Verification of the vehicle repair will be more
comprehensive for vehicles with OBD system
diagnostics. Following a repair, the technician should
perform the following steps:

IMPORTANT:

Follow the steps below when you verify

repairs on OBD systems. Failure to follow these steps
could result in unnecessary repairs.

1. Review and record the Failure Records and the

Freeze Frame data for the DTC which has been
diagnosed (Freeze Frame data will only be stored for
an A or B type diagnostic and only if the MIL(”Check
Engine” lamp) has been requested).

2. Clear the DTC(S).
3. Operate the vehicle within conditions noted in the

Failure Records and Freeze Frame data.

4. Monitor the DTC status information for the specific

DTC which has been diagnosed until the diagnostic
test associated with that DTC runs.

Opel Frontera UBS. Manual - part 1167