The Trainer #147: The key to efficient driveability diagnostics

March 28, 2024

Join Motor Age Technical Editor Brandon Steckler as he leverages the power of the Autel MS919 to perform a scan tool enhanced function mimicking that of the Ford factory scan tool platform.

Brandon Steckler

The key to efficient driveability diagnostics is to make easy-to-perform analyses by limiting hands-on testing time under the hood and without disassembly. This allows you to decide what is “good” on the vehicle so you can focus on the remaining potential faults when it is time to test. This is usually best accomplished by obtaining driveability data right from the driver’s seat. Utilizing a scan tool tends to yield us as diagnosticians what we need to make preliminary decisions about what system may be faulted and the driving conditions in which the fault surfaces. So, how do we handle locating the suspect cylinder when it comes to the intermittent misfire concern? Well, the Autel MS919 has you covered there.

Join Motor Age Technical Editor Brandon Steckler as he leverages the power of the Autel MS919 to perform a scan tool enhanced function mimicking that of the Ford factory scan tool platform, the Ford Power Balance Test. The test leverages the variation in crankshaft speed (as reported by the CKP sensor) and correlates it with the engine’s firing order and cylinder position. The combination of the acquired PCM inputs allows the ford Power Balance Test to indicate not only if a misfire is present, but also which cylinder is misfiring and whether it is intermittent.

The easy-to-view graphical data allows the scan tool to plot a live misfire data trace in the color blue (representing current crankshaft speed variations). The Ford Power Balance Test in the Autel MS919 will also provide a historical trace of crankshaft variations, in the color gray. This allows us to see if a misfire is present or has come and gone. It’s a great way to begin a misfire analysis on a Ford vehicle and is carried out obtaining data right from the DLC with no need to even open the hood. This allows the technician to gain insight right from the driver’s seat! Tune in to this episode of “The Trainer #147” and see just how powerful this factory-level enhanced scan tool function can be and how easy it is to perform!

About the Author

Brandon Steckler | Technical Editor | Motor Age

Brandon began his career in Northampton County Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was a student of GM’s Automotive Service Educational program. In 2001, he graduated top of his class and earned the GM Leadership award for his efforts. He later began working as a technician at a Saturn dealership in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he quickly attained Master Technician status. He later transitioned to working with Hondas, where he aggressively worked to attain another Master Technician status.

Always having a passion for a full understanding of system/component functionality, he rapidly earned a reputation for deciphering strange failures at an efficient pace and became known as an information specialist among the staff and peers at the dealership. In search of new challenges, he transitioned away from the dealership and to the independent world, where he specialized in diagnostics and driveability.

Today, he is an instructor with both Carquest Technical Institute and Worldpac Training Institute. Along with beta testing for Automotive Test Solutions, he develops curriculum/submits case studies for educational purposes. Through Steckler Automotive Technical Services, LLC., Brandon also provides telephone and live technical support, as well as private training, for technicians all across the world.

Brandon holds ASE certifications A1-A9 as well as C1 (Service Consultant). He is certified as an Advanced Level Specialist in L1 (Advanced Engine Performance), L2 (Advanced Diesel Engine Performance), L3 (Hybrid/EV Specialist), L4 (ADAS) and xEV-Level 2 (Technician electrical safety).

He contributes weekly to Facebook automotive chat groups, has authored several books and classes, and truly enjoys traveling across the globe to help other technicians attain a level of understanding that will serve them well throughout their careers.