Lesson 1Visual inspection checklist: intake, vacuum lines, ignition, fuel system, sensorsThis lesson gives a step-by-step visual check routine before fancy tests. You'll inspect intake parts, vacuum hoses, ignition bits, fuel setup, and sensors you can see to spot obvious problems fast.
Inspecting intake ducts and air filter boxChecking vacuum hoses and PCV routingReviewing coils, wires, and spark plugsLooking for fuel leaks and line damageSensor connector and harness inspectionLesson 2Repair planning: parts to consider (fuel filter/pump, injectors, ignition coils/plugs, MAF, intake gaskets), special tools, torque specs lookup strategyThis guides you on planning fixes after finding faults. You'll list possible parts, check they fit, plan tools needed, and find torque specs and steps to dodge repeat visits and wasted effort.
Listing probable parts by systemChecking part numbers and compatibilityIdentifying needed special toolsFinding torque specs and sequencesPlanning workflow to reduce reworkLesson 3Interpreting diagnostic results: mapping symptom -> data pattern for common causes (vacuum leak, faulty O2/MAF, weak fuel pump, ignition fault, coolant/temp sensor)This teaches linking symptoms to data patterns for root causes. You'll match fuel trims, O2, MAF, misfire data to issues like vacuum leaks, weak pumps, ignition problems, and coolant sensor faults.
Recognizing vacuum leak data signaturesPatterns of weak fuel pump or restrictionIdentifying faulty O2 or MAF behaviorIgnition fault clues in misfire countersCoolant sensor errors and warm-up dataLesson 4Post-repair validation: warm-up behaviour, fuel trim normalisation, CEL verification, test drive acceptance criteriaThis shows how to confirm fixes by watching warm-up, fuel trims, and check engine light. You'll set test drive paths, pass criteria, and record steps to ensure the issue is fully sorted.
Verifying cold and hot restart performanceMonitoring short and long term fuel trimsConfirming CEL status and code clearingDesigning a representative road test routeDefining pass or fail criteria and notesLesson 5Sensor and control component testing: MAF cleaning/check, intake vacuum/leak detection, EVAP leak test, cam/crank correlation checkThis covers testing key sensors affecting start, idle, fuel use. You'll do MAF clean and check, vacuum leak hunt, EVAP leak tests, and cam-crank sync verification.
MAF visual check, cleaning, and output reviewSmoke and propane tests for vacuum leaksEVAP leak test basics and common faultsCam and crank signal correlation checksInterpreting scan data from key sensorsLesson 6Basic bench and in-vehicle tests: fuel pressure, fuel rail leakdown, injector balance, compression test, cylinder misfire isolationThis handles basic bench and on-car tests to split fuel, air, mechanical faults. You'll measure fuel pressure, check leakdown, balance injectors, do compression tests, isolate bad cylinders safely.
Static and running fuel pressure measurementFuel rail leakdown and regulator evaluationInjector balance and flow comparison methodsCompression and relative compression testingCylinder disable tests for misfire isolationLesson 7Customer communication script: plain-language explanation of findings, recommended repairs, risks of delay, maintenance adviceThis shows simple talk scripts for findings and fixes. You'll cover what was found, suggested work, delay dangers, costs, and easy upkeep tips to earn trust.
Explaining fault codes in simple termsDescribing test results without jargonPresenting repair options and prioritiesDiscussing risks of delaying repairsGiving preventive maintenance guidanceLesson 8Cold-start and warm-up road test procedure and expected observationsThis outlines controlled cold-start and warm-up road tests. You'll learn steps, safety, expected RPM, idle, temp rise, fuel trims from start to full warm.
Pre-start checks and ambient conditionsObserving initial crank and first idleMonitoring warm-up RPM and idle changesWatching coolant temp and closed loop entryRecording fuel trim trends during warm-upLesson 9Targeted customer intake questions for engine starting and idle issuesThis focuses on key questions revealing start and idle patterns. Ask about conditions, fuel use, lights, past fixes, driving to guide quick, sharp diagnosis.
Clarifying cold versus hot start conditionsQuestions on idle quality and stall eventsHistory of recent repairs and fuel qualityDriving patterns, trip length, and load useDocumenting warning lights and noisesLesson 10OBD-II scan strategy: reading freeze frame, pending/confirmed codes, live data PIDs to monitor (RPM, long/short fuel trims, O2, MAF, MAP, IAT, engine coolant temp)This explains step-by-step OBD-II scanning. Read freeze frame, pending/confirmed codes, pick PIDs like RPM, fuel trims, O2, MAF, MAP, IAT, coolant temp for diagnosis.
Capturing and reading freeze frame dataSorting pending versus confirmed codesSelecting essential live data PIDsUsing fuel trims to narrow fault areasSaving and printing reports for recordsLesson 11Pre-drive and lift safety checks: battery, fuel leak, EVAP, cooling, mountsThis details checks before drive or lift to keep safe. Inspect battery, fuel/EVAP leaks, cooling, mounts before road test or hoisting the vehicle.
Battery state, terminals, and cable securityFuel, EVAP, and exhaust leak inspectionCooling system level, leaks, and fan checkEngine and transmission mount conditionVerifying tire, brake, and steering basicsLesson 12Electrical and ignition tests: primary/secondary ignition checks, coil-on-plug testing, spark analysis with scope or substitute methodsThis targets electrical/ignition tests for hard start, rough idle. Do primary/secondary checks, coil-on-plug tests, spark check with scope or backups.
Primary ignition voltage and control checksSecondary ignition pattern interpretationCoil-on-plug resistance and output testsUsing scopes for spark and trigger signalsSubstitute tools when scopes are unavailableLesson 13Estimating labour and parts costs: time study approach, labour guides and parts sourcing checklistThis explains estimating labour/parts for drive issues using time studies, guides, checklists. Account for diagnostics, rechecks, real pricing for spot-on quotes.
Breaking jobs into estimate line itemsUsing labor guides and flat rate dataBuilding a parts and consumables checklistComparing OEM and aftermarket optionsIncluding diagnostic and recheck time
