After last month’s technical overview of an emissions fault on a DAF CF MX-13, Brett Edkins, Technical Manager at Eclipse Diagnostics, explains how to identify and correct a fuelling fault on the same vehicle.
Identifying faults on many modern commercial vehicles is increasingly difficult given the rising levels of technology employed by manufacturers across all aspects of the vehicles, including trailer units. This ever-increasing technology embedded in vehicles means that users are having to adopt increasingly sophisticated equipment to enable their engineers to maintain performance and effectiveness in the workshops and when out on remote call-outs.
The Eclipse Jaltest package has all the requirements to address the technological advances and as an example, the analysis of the Engine fault on a DAF CF MX13 Euro VI model shows how the Eclipse Jaltest package is becoming the go-to diagnostic solution for the commercial vehicle industry.
The problem
A DAF CF MX-13 has an engine warning light on the instrument panel and has failed to run correctly. It has, therefore, been recovered to the workshop so the engineers can use the diagnostics equipment to diagnose and rectify the fault.
Initial assessment
The engineer will firstly make an initial diagnosis of the engine control module checking for any logged faults whether they are present or historic in the diagnosis memory, this will be able to assist us in finding the cause of the fuelling fault.
One active code is listed in the diagnostic memory which is P0087 – this relates to a fuel pressure fault or a wiring fault to the fuel pressure sensor.
Jaltest analysis
The Jaltest software can take the vehicle analysis down to the component level as well as being able to show the necessary wiring diagrams. So, in this case, the engineer can easily trace the wiring diagram for the engine and see the fuel pressure sensor and check the wiring has all the correct voltages that are required to make sure the sensor is working correctly. Also, the engineer can check the measurements within the software to make sure all the readings are correct.
Correcting the fault
First of all, the engineer will look into the system checks that are available with the Jaltest. There are numerous checks that can be carried out and the engineer will be carrying out a high-pressure pump unit check to ensure the correct pressure is getting to the injection rail. They will follow this by carrying out the cylinder cut-out test as well as many other checks the Jaltest offers. Using the Jaltest wiring diagrams, the engineer will be able to trace the wiring to the ECU to look for any breaks.
Having followed the diagnostic procedure, the fault has been cleared and a new fuel pressure sensor was fitted to the vehicle and the vehicle returned to service with minimal downtime.
If this was the first time that the engineer had carried out the high-pressure pump test, the Vehicle Technical Support service from Eclipse would help them carry out the procedure, knowing they had an expert on the end of the phone. This unique service offered by Eclipse is the reason why it is the go-to company for multi-brand diagnostics.
Every Eclipse Testpad Extreme Pro PC is installed with Eclipse Assist software which allows the Eclipse Technical Support team to remotely access the customer’s Eclipse Testpad Extreme Pro PC via internet.
The team, with the customer’s agreement, can access the customer’s Testpad Extreme Pro and assist with vehicle related support. This service allows the Eclipse Specialists to virtually sit next to the customer and see what the customer can see on screen, whilst taking control.
Eclipse looks after its customers
Eclipse has developed its business around the core philosophy of customer support from when the system is first purchased and throughout its life. That support begins with the software which is updated three times a year to reflect new models and more information as it becomes available, and continues with the Eclipse support services.
A range of features and services are available including a comprehensive training package which also includes full training programmes held at the Eclipse Training Centre and cover from the Technical Support Service.
The Technical Support Service is a key part of the overall Eclipse package and, together with Jaltest and the Eclipse Testpad Extreme Pro, sets the company apart from others, helping to ensure that it remains the leading supplier of multi-brand diagnostic software for all commercial vehicles.
