Even if you don’t know much about car malfunctions, it is possible to diagnose them …..
It can be extremely difficult to troubleshoot car problems or core issues. Technology advances constantly, so new electronic components and more complex drives are added to vehicles. This increases the difficulty in diagnosing and fixing a problem.
It can be daunting for people who lack the ability to repair cars. There are simple ways to use our senses to diagnose car problems. Most car breakdowns are caused by symptoms. Automotive problems can be solved by at least being able to identify the source of the problem.
1- Fault Diagnosis via Smell
Examine your vehicle for unusual odors. You may have problems with your vehicle if you notice unusual odors outside or inside your vehicle. Unusual odors can be harder to spot than vibrations or noises. They are more obvious. Although there may be noise or normal vibrations behind a car, the smell is almost always more neutral.
Pay attention to strange odors in your car. These are some of the smells to be on the lookout for.
a) Exhaust gas smell
It is a sign that exhaust gas is inside your car. It’s a sign that exhaust gas is entering the cabin from underneath the vehicle.
Stop driving if you smell exhaust gas. To resolve the issue, contact a skilled service technician. Exhaust gas can contain carbon monoxide. Inhaled it can cause unconsciousness or even death.
b) Oil or gas smell
The engine compartment may smell like oil or gas.
There may be gas leakage from the tank, or under the vehicle. It is possible to see the source of the odor if there is a gas leak around the tank, under the vehicle or inside the engine compartment.
c. Antifreeze smell
Coolant has a sweet, pleasant scent. Coolant can be distinguished from other car fragrances. You can smell the coolant by opening the container.
Leakage of coolant can indicate that the engine is not being adequately cooled and could cause damage if it heats up. Contact a qualified mechanic if you smell an unpleasant odor.
d. Sulfur smell
When several parts malfunction or become damaged, sulfur can be a sign of trouble. This includes the battery, catalytic convertor, and other parts. You will notice a sulfur odor in the vehicle if the catalytic converter fails or is charged too high. This smell can also be caused by problems with fuel systems.
e) Burnt wood, rubber or other smells
When heated by friction, parts that are prone to friction can emit burning wood- or rubber-like odors. These odors can be caused by parts such as brake pads and clutches.
f) Musty smell
The problem is most likely in the car’s air circulation system if the car’s interior smells moldy. If it hasn’t been changed in a while, the cabin filter (pollenfilter) is what causes the unpleasant odor. It can also be caused due to problems with heating units or air conditioning.
g) Cable burned (plastic) smell
This smell usually means that there is a problem with the vehicle’s wiring or electronics. Plastic waste such as bags and other plastics can cause this smell. This can lead to an unpleasant odor. You must take the vehicle to an electrician who is qualified.
2- Diagnosis via Touch
You can use your hands and feet to diagnose mechanical problems. You can use your hands to diagnose any problem, from the heating and air conditioner to the steering wheel.
a) Touch your skin!
It is not necessary to touch each component individually in order to diagnose issues with your vehicle. Your sense of touch can detect abnormal vibrations that could indicate something is wrong.
b. Inspect control panel components and center console components
While the vehicle is parked, make a quick inspection of the center console and instrument cluster components. Check to ensure that equipment such as turn signals and windshield wipers are functioning correctly.
c. Check the air conditioner vents
To test the air conditioner fan’s performance, raise the stage and place your hand directly in front of the vent. Contact a trained technician if your AC system isn’t working or the control buttons aren’t working.
d. Steering wheel vibration
You can feel any issues you might be experiencing with the steering wheel by using your hands. A shaking steering wheel is an indication of a problem in the wheels or brakes. The steering may feel loose or shaky, which could indicate a problem with the ball joints or connecting rods. If the steering wheel becomes difficult or impossible to turn it could be a problem in the power steering components.
If your steering wheel does not respond properly, this could be a problem in the steering column or with the steering rack.
e) Gear lever vibration
While shifting the gear lever is normal in some vehicles, it can cause excessive vibrations or fluctuations.
f. Feel the pedals
You can also use your feet to diagnose faults. It is easy to identify the cause of a problem with any pedal.
The pedal sticking to the ground, or the throttle response being poor when you press the accelerator pedal will indicate a problem with the fuel system or pedal spring.
If your vehicle or steering wheel vibrates when pressing the brake pedal, it is most likely that the vehicle’s braking system is the problem. Problems with the brake pads or brake discs can be indicated by a vibrating pedal.
You will also need a clutch pedal if your vehicle has a manual transmission. A sudden loss of resistance is the most common problem with the clutch pedal. The pedal will go down to the bottom and stay stuck. It won’t return to its normal position. This could indicate that the clutch cable is damaged, has air in it, or its hydraulics have run out, or that the clutch center might be missing.
Listening can help you diagnose 3 faults
Make use of your hearing!
When you first start your car, whether it is at idle or while driving, pay attention to its sound level. If everything is working well and there are no problems, it’s important to remember how your car works. If you are familiar with your car’s language, however, you will be able to understand it. You will hear different sounds to indicate that there has been a problem.
You may hear the steering wheel making a crunch or squeaking sound while you turn. This can be caused by the tie rod or ball joint, balls, shock absorber, and other components. This can occur due to various issues in the front team such as
Low engine oil levels can be indicated by clicking or knocking sounds, worn tires, loose joints, damaged or flexible belts, and loose or distorted joints.
Problems with brake pads, calipers and discs can cause strange braking sounds.
Contact a professional service provider if you hear any of these sounds. They will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it.
4- Visual Fault Diagnosis
Keep your eyes open. Eyes naturally look out for hazards while driving. This is when we can see smoke coming from underneath the vehicle’s hood and understand that it has malfunctioned. The repair process will take longer if the situation is this severe. Therefore, costs will rise. It is important to recognize the problem as soon as possible.
Make sure to check the malfunction lamps on the instrument panel. You will see warning lights located on the instrument panel which will alert you to any serious problems with your vehicle.
The “Check Engine” light is the main indicator you should be paying attention to. If this light appears on your instrument panel, you should stop your vehicle immediately and have it professionally checked by a qualified technician.
