The goal of Strategy Based Diagnosis is to provide guidance when you create a plan of action for each specific diagnostic situation. Following a similar plan for each diagnostic situation, you will achieve maximum efficiency when you diagnose and repair vehicles. Although each of the Strategy Based Diagnosis boxes is numbered, you are not required to complete every box in order to successfully diagnose a customer concern. The first step of your diagnostic process should always be Understand and Verify the Customer's Concern. The final step of your diagnostic process should be Repair and verify the Fix. Refer to the following chart for the correct Strategy Based Diagnosis.

1.

Understand and Verify the Customer's Concern: The first part of this step is to obtain as much information as possible from the customer. Is there an aftermarket accessory on the car? When does the problem arise? Where does the problem arise? How long does the problem last? How often does the problem arise? To confirm the problem the mechanic should be familiar with the system's normal function and consult the owner's manual or the service manual for any information required.

2.

Vehicle Operating as Designed: This condition exists when the vehicle is found to operate normally. The condition described by the customer may be normal. Compare with another like vehicle that is operating normally under the same conditions described by the customer. Explain your findings and the operation of the system to the customer. If the customer is dissatisfied submit a Field Product Report.

3.	Preliminary Checks: Conduct a thorough visual inspection. Review the service history. Detect unusual sounds or odors. Gather diagnostic trouble code (DTC) information in order to achieve an effective repair.

4.	Perform Published Diagnostic System Check- Vehicle: The Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle verifies the proper operation of the system. This will lead the technician in an organized approach to diagnostics and identify what category of diagnostic to perform.

5.	Check for related Bulletins, Recalls and Preliminary Information (PI).

6.	Diagnostic categories:

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Current DTC: Follow the designated DTC diagnostic in order to make an effective repair. Refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle.

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Symptom - No DTC: Select the appropriate symptom diagnostic. Follow the diagnostic steps or suggestions in order to complete the repair. Refer to Symptoms - Vehicle.

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No Published Diagnostics: Analyze the Concern. Develop a plan for the diagnostics. The service manual schematics will help you to see system power, ground, input, and output circuits. You can also identify splices and other areas where multiple circuits are tied together. Look at component locations to see if components, connectors or harnesses may be exposed to extreme temperature, moisture, or corrosives (road salt, battery acid, oil or other fluids). Utilize the wiring diagrams, system description and operation, and system circuit description.

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Intermittent/History DTC: An intermittent condition is one that does not occur continuously, may be difficult to duplicate, and will only occur when certain conditions are met. Generally, an intermittent is caused by faulty electrical connections and wiring, malfunctioning components, electromagnetic/radio frequency interference, driving conditions, or aftermarket equipment. The following approaches/tools may prove to be beneficial in locating and repairing an intermittent condition or history DTC.

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Combining technicians knowledge with the available service information.

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Evaluate the symptoms and conditions described by the customer on the Customer Concern Verification Sheets.

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Follow the suggestions on Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections.

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Use the available scan tool, digital multi-meter, or J 42598 with data capturing capabilities.

7.	Isolate the Root Cause then Repair and Verify Fix: After isolating the root cause, make the repairs and validate for the correct operation by performing the Diagnostic Repair Verification. Verifying that the DTC or symptom has been corrected may involve road testing the vehicle.

8.	Re-examine the Concern: If a technician cannot successfully find or isolate the concern, a re-evaluation is necessary. Re-verify the concern. The concern could be an intermittent or normal condition.