Vehicle Diagnostics and Electrical Repair Services
German Engineering and British Automotive Excellence in Rockville, MD
German Engineering and British
Automotive Excellence
- Advanced Electronics
- Precision Engineering
- Heritage And Tradition
- Luxury And Comfort
- Timeless Design
- Versatility
- Many Models, From Luxury Sedans To High-Performance Vehicles
Diagnostic Challenges in German and British Cars
- Complex engine management systems and electrical wiring
- Complex transmissions and drivetrains, especially in German vehicles
- Advanced infotainment systems
- Design features that get in the way of addressing electrical problems, especially in British vehicles
- Digital control modules
- Advanced safety features
- Advanced suspension systems
Vehicle Diagnostics & Electrical Repair
Services at MB Automotive Services
MB Automotive Services offers an extensive range of services tailored for German and British vehicles, especially in diagnostics & electrical repair. Regular adherence to factory-recommended maintenance can minimize the occurrence of breakdowns, including those that trigger the check engine light.
What the Check Engine Light Tells You
The vehicle’s air and fuel mixture is optimized to minimize emissions while maximizing engine power. Numerous sensors feed data to the vehicle’s computer system. Some sensors report conditions, while others facilitate adjustments by the computer. The computer might tweak the idle air valve to prevent the engine from stalling, for instance, while an oxygen sensor informs the computer about imbalances in unburned fuel levels.
If the electronic control module (ECM) fails to correct a detected problem, it logs a trouble code, resulting in the illumination of the check engine light. A challenge in diagnostics is that a code doesn’t always indicate a sensor malfunction. Rather, it suggests the sensor detected an issue that the ECM couldn’t rectify.
To illustrate, a code related to the camshaft sensor indicates its positioning relative to top dead center. In cars with both crankshaft and camshaft sensors, the pair cooperate to regulate fuel injection timing, solenoid valve actuation for nozzle injection systems, and the detection of cylinder knock. So, a camshaft sensor code doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an issue with the camshaft or the sensor – it’s more about the sensor picking up abnormal readings. Potential issues might involve the camshaft solenoid or failures in vehicles equipped with cylinder deactivation systems.
Diagnosing CompleX Issues
When you bring your vehicle to MB Automotive with an activated check engine light, our procedure involves a test drive followed by code extraction. These codes guide our technicians on where to begin troubleshooting. Our advanced diagnostic tools help pinpoint the exact reasons behind the problematic readings. For instance, a knock sensor detects “pinging” – premature fuel ignition before the piston reaches top dead center. Overlooking this can lead to damage to the piston, cylinder walls, and bearings.
When your vehicle throws a knock sensor code, we must look at several reasons, including:
- The knock sensor is malfunctioning (unlikely).
- You used a fuel with a lower octane rating that the engine was designed for.
- Accumulation of carbon in the cylinders.
- Carbon build-up that causes hot spots.
- Improper spark plugs.
- A disruption to the fuel-to-air mixture, such as when a fuel injector malfunctions.
- Carbon build-up on valve stems which prevents the valve from closing.
Once the root cause behind the ECM’s fault code is determined, the next step is to address it.
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