Vehicle diagnostic tool
First Claim
1. A method of diagnosing the power plant of a vehicle with diagnostic instrumentation including a microprocessor, the power plant including an engine, a power train control module, sensors and a key for starting the engine, the method including the steps of:
- (a) programming the microprocessor to extract parameter identification data (hereinafter “
PID data”
) from the power train control module;
(b) programming the microprocessor with values in the form of Break Points;
(c) programming the microprocessor to process extracted PID data to generate values in the form of calculated PIDS (hereinafter “
CPIDS”
);
(d) with the key in the on position and the engine off (“
KOEO”
), extracting PID data from the power train control module with the diagnostic instrumentation and, with the microprocessor, generating from such KOEO extracted PID data at least one CPID, and checking at least some of such KOEO extracted PID data against at least one value selected from the group including Break Points and CPIDS;
(e) with the key in the on position and the engine cranking (“
KOEC”
), extracting PID data from the power train control module with the diagnostic instrumentation and, with the microprocessor, generating from such KOEC extracted PID data at least one CPID, and checking at least some of such KOEC extracted PID data against at least one value selected from the group including Break Points and PIDS; and
(f) with the key in the on position and the engine running (“
KOER”
), extracting PID data from the power train control module with the diagnostic instrumentation and, with the microprocessor, generating from such KOER extracted PID data at least one CPID, and checking at least some of such KOER extracted PID data against at least one value selected from the group including Break Points and CPIDS.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An analysis tool which extracts all the available parameter identifications (i.e. PIDS) from a vehicle'"'"'s power train control module for diagnostic decisions. This is done by checking these PIDS and other information (e.g., calculated PIDS, Break Points, charts and algorithms) in three states; key on engine off, key on engine cranking, key on engine running. In all three modes the tool is comparing the live data from PIDS and voltage to the other information (e.g, Break Points). If any of this data are outside the programmed values a flag is assigned to the failure or control problem. The relationship between a particular PID and its associated preprogrammed value(s) may be indicated by a light. The depth of the problem (if any) is conveyed by the color of the light. Also included are tests/charts for fuel trim, engine volumetric efficiency, simulated injector, power, catalyst efficiency, and engine coolant range.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of diagnosing the power plant of a vehicle with diagnostic instrumentation including a microprocessor, the power plant including an engine, a power train control module, sensors and a key for starting the engine, the method including the steps of:
-
(a) programming the microprocessor to extract parameter identification data (hereinafter “
PID data”
) from the power train control module;(b) programming the microprocessor with values in the form of Break Points; (c) programming the microprocessor to process extracted PID data to generate values in the form of calculated PIDS (hereinafter “
CPIDS”
);(d) with the key in the on position and the engine off (“
KOEO”
), extracting PID data from the power train control module with the diagnostic instrumentation and, with the microprocessor, generating from such KOEO extracted PID data at least one CPID, and checking at least some of such KOEO extracted PID data against at least one value selected from the group including Break Points and CPIDS;(e) with the key in the on position and the engine cranking (“
KOEC”
), extracting PID data from the power train control module with the diagnostic instrumentation and, with the microprocessor, generating from such KOEC extracted PID data at least one CPID, and checking at least some of such KOEC extracted PID data against at least one value selected from the group including Break Points and PIDS; and(f) with the key in the on position and the engine running (“
KOER”
), extracting PID data from the power train control module with the diagnostic instrumentation and, with the microprocessor, generating from such KOER extracted PID data at least one CPID, and checking at least some of such KOER extracted PID data against at least one value selected from the group including Break Points and CPIDS. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification