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Technical Vehicle Solutions - what is considered advanced diagnostics

What is Considered Advanced Diagnostics?

Modern cars are more computer than machine. With multiple ECUs, complex wiring networks, and hundreds of sensors, finding the root cause of a problem isn’t always as simple as plugging in a code reader.

That’s where advanced diagnostics comes in. But what exactly does that mean and how is it different from a basic scan?

Basic vs advanced diagnostics

A basic diagnostic scan:

  • Connects a simple OBD-II tool.
  • Reads and clears fault codes.
  • Provides limited live data.

Useful, yes. But it often only points to the symptom, not the cause.

Advanced diagnostics, on the other hand:

  • Uses professional-grade equipment.
  • Accesses manufacturer-specific systems (ABS, transmission, airbags, infotainment, etc.).
  • Interprets data in real-time across multiple modules.
  • Involves skilled technicians who understand the logic behind the data.

This allows for true fault finding, not just fault reading.

Technical Vehicle Solutions - Advanced Vehicle Diagnostics in Cambridge

What does advanced diagnostics include?

At Technical Vehicle Solutions, advanced diagnostics typically covers:

  1. Full-system ECU interrogation
  • Access to all modules, not just the engine.
  • Identifying communication faults across the car’s CAN bus network.
  1. Live data monitoring
  • Watching sensor readings in real-time.
  • Comparing against manufacturer values to spot irregularities.
  1. Component activation tests
  • Forcing specific parts (fans, pumps, valves) to run via the ECU to confirm correct operation.
  1. Advanced coding & adaptation
  • Resetting or calibrating modules after repairs.
  • Programming new parts like injectors, batteries, or keys.
  1. Oscilloscope testing
  • Analysing electrical signals at high resolution.
  • Essential for intermittent faults that don’t log error codes.

Why advanced diagnostics matters

Modern vehicles can throw up fault codes for dozens of reasons. For example:

  • A misfire code doesn’t always mean the spark plug is faulty. It could be an injector, coil pack, wiring fault, or ECU issue.
  • A “low fuel pressure” code may point to anything from a blocked filter to a failing high-pressure pump.

Advanced diagnostics helps pinpoint the true root cause, saving time, money, and unnecessary parts swapping.

The tools behind advanced diagnostics

Professional workshops invest heavily in:

  • OEM-level diagnostic software for deep access.
  • High-quality oscilloscopes for waveform analysis.
  • Smoke testers for vacuum leaks.
  • Specialist sensors and probes to measure current, pressure, and temperature precisely.

It’s a world apart from the £20 handheld scanners you can buy online.

The role of the technician

Even the best tools are useless without the expertise to interpret them. Advanced diagnostics relies on:

  • Experience – recognising fault patterns across different makes and models.
  • Training – keeping up with evolving systems like ADAS, hybrid, and EV drivetrains.
  • Methodical approach – using data logically rather than guesswork.

At Technical Vehicle Solutions, our technicians combine the right equipment with years of knowledge to find answers quickly and accurately.

Examples of advanced diagnostics in action

  • Electrical drain issue – Using an oscilloscope to trace a parasitic current draw to a faulty module that basic scans missed.
  • DPF regeneration fault – Analysing live exhaust gas temperature sensors to confirm a failing pressure sensor rather than an expensive new DPF.
  • Gearbox warning light – Performing adaptation resets and pressure tests to prove it was a software calibration issue, not a £3,000 gearbox replacement.

So, what is considered advanced diagnostics?

In short:

  • It goes beyond reading and clearing fault codes.
  • It combines professional tools with expert interpretation.
  • It identifies the true cause of problems, not just the symptoms.

For modern vehicles, advanced diagnostics isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Need advanced diagnostics for your car?

Whether you’ve got a stubborn warning light, intermittent fault, or a car that just doesn’t feel right, we can help. At Technical Vehicle Solutions, our advanced diagnostics service finds the root cause fast, saving you time, money, and stress.

📞 Call us today on 01763 230411 to book your diagnostic appointment.

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