Lesson 1Visual inspection checklist: intake, vacuum lines, ignition, fuel system, sensorsGives you a step-by-step visual check routine before diving into fancy tests. You'll eyeball intake bits, vacuum pipes, ignition setup, fuel lines, and sensors you can see to spot obvious problems quick-smart.
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 strategyWalks you through planning fixes once you've pinpointed the faults. You'll list probable parts, check they fit, sort out tools needed, and hunt down 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)Shows you how to link symptoms to data clues for spotting root causes. You'll match fuel trims, O2 readings, MAF, and misfires to troubles like vacuum leaks, dodgy pumps, ignition glitches, and temp sensor mix-ups.
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 criteriaTeaches you to double-check fixes by watching warm-up action, fuel trims settling, and ensuring the check engine light stays off. You'll map out test drive paths, pass marks, and paperwork to confirm the issue's sorted proper.
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 checkCovers testing vital sensors and controls impacting start, idle, and fuel sip. You'll handle MAF clean and checks, sniff out vacuum leaks, test EVAP for leaks, and verify cam-crank timing lines up.
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 isolationHits the key bench and on-car tests to split fuel, air, and mechanical woes. You'll gauge fuel pressure, test rail leakdown, balance injectors, do compression runs, and pin down dodgy 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 adviceDemonstrates explaining test results and fix plans in everyday talk. You'll rehearse scripts covering discoveries, suggested jobs, delay dangers, costs, and easy upkeep tips that earn customer 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 observationsLays out a managed cold-start and warm-up drive test. You'll follow steps, safety checks, and note expected RPM, idle smoothness, temp climb, and fuel trims from startup to fully 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 issuesZeroes in on key questions to uncover patterns in start and idle gripes. You'll ask about conditions, fuel thirst, warning lights, past fixes, and driving ways to steer straight to the right tests.
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)Breaks down a step-wise OBD-II scan plan. You'll grab freeze frames, pending and set codes, and pick core PIDs like RPM, fuel trims, O2, MAF, MAP, IAT, and coolant temp to direct your 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, mountsSpells out pre-drive and hoist checks to keep you, the car, and folks safe. You'll check battery state, fuel and EVAP leaks, cooling setup, and engine mounts before hitting the road or lifting.
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 methodsTargets electrical and spark testing for tough starts and shaky idles. You'll run primary/secondary checks, test coil-on-plug gear, and eyeball spark strength with scopes or backup tricks.
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 checklistShows how to figure labour and parts for driveability jobs using time trials, guides, and sourcing lists. You'll factor in diagnostics, retests, and real parts prices 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
