The "Other Shop" Told This Lady She Needed A New Instrument Cluster...
TLDRIn this engaging automotive repair video, the host addresses a 2012 RAV4's instrument cluster issue that was misdiagnosed by another shop. Initially told a new cluster was necessary, the host doubts this claim, suspecting a different problem. Upon inspection, he discovers that mice have damaged the vehicle's data network wiring. Through a methodical process involving the use of a multimeter, oscilloscope, and wiring diagrams, he identifies the broken wires and devises a repair plan. The host demonstrates how to repair the wires by soldering and using heat shrink tubing, then secures the area with rodent tape to prevent future infestations. He emphasizes the importance of having a diagnostic plan and utilizing available repair information, dispelling the notion that the repair was a 'miracle' and encouraging viewers that with the right information and approach, they too can tackle complex automotive issues.
Takeaways
- 🔍 The mechanic initially doubted the need for a new instrument cluster after inspecting the vehicle, suspecting it wasn't just a 'bad cluster' causing the issue.
- 🚗 The car's instrument cluster was lit up with all lights on, but the odometer was not registering mileage, and only the fuel gauge seemed to work.
- 🐭 Evidence of mice or rat infestation was discovered under the hood, with a significant nest and droppings present, suggesting potential damage to wiring.
- 🔌 Upon scanning the vehicle, there was no response from the ECM or other modules, indicating a possible broken wire in the data link connector.
- 🔧 After manually entering the VIN, the mechanic found that the data network was intact but showed signs of corruption on the oscilloscope.
- 🔍 A physical inspection under the hood and inside the car did not immediately reveal any damaged wiring, keeping the cause of the problem still uncertain.
- 🔥 The mechanic discovered that the data network's physical layer was open-circuited, likely due to rodent damage, upon testing the network's resistance.
- 📐 Using a wiring diagram and logical deduction, the mechanic identified two broken wires, which were part of a twisted pair leading to the AC amplifier and the steering sensor.
- 🧰 The mechanic repaired the broken wires by soldering them together and securing the repair with heat shrink tubing and rodent deterrent tape.
- 💻 The mechanic emphasized the importance of having access to service information and a structured diagnostic plan, which are key to solving complex automotive issues.
- 🛠️ After the repair, the vehicle's instrument cluster functions were restored, and all modules were communicating correctly, resolving the initial problem.
Q & A
What was the initial problem with the lady's 2012 RAV4?
-The lady's 2012 RAV4 had an issue with the instrument cluster. The 'other shop' she visited told her she needed a new instrument cluster, but they couldn't program it, so they recommended she go elsewhere.
Why was the auto technician skeptical about replacing the instrument cluster?
-The technician was skeptical because he had worked on these vehicles for a long time and had never seen a cluster go bad. He was also suspicious because the cluster was lit up, and only the fuel gauge seemed to be working, which was not typical for a bad cluster.
What was the first observation the technician made when he plugged in the scan tool?
-The technician noticed that the scan tool did not Auto ID, which was suspicious. When he tried to scan the vehicle, all the modules were grayed out, indicating there was no response, which was very unusual.
What did the technician find when he inspected the car's engine compartment?
-The technician discovered a mouse nest under the hood, with the hood blanket material torn up. This indicated that mice had been living in the engine compartment, which could have caused damage to the wiring.
How did the technician confirm that there was an open circuit in the vehicle's network?
-The technician used an ohmmeter to check the resistance between pins 6 and 14 of the data link connector. They expected to see 60 ohms but found 121.2 ohms, indicating an open circuit.
What was the final issue discovered with the vehicle's wiring?
-The final issue was that mice had chewed through two wires connected to a junction connector, specifically the white and purple wires that are part of the data network.
How did the technician temporarily fix the broken wires?
-The technician twisted the white wires together and then soldered a piece of wire to the broken connection. He then used heat shrink tubing and rodent tape to secure and protect the repair.
What was the outcome of the temporary fix on the vehicle?
-After the temporary fix, the vehicle's instrument cluster started working again, the tachometer was functional, and the vehicle cleared the fault codes, allowing it to start and run without the engine light on.
Why did the technician not immediately replace the damaged connector?
-The technician considered whether the repair was worth the effort (the 'juice worth the squeeze') and decided that a temporary fix was sufficient for the time being. He acknowledged that a proper repair would involve sourcing a new connector, but the temporary solution was functional.
What is the importance of having a diagnostic plan when dealing with complex car issues?
-A diagnostic plan provides a structured approach to identifying and solving problems. It helps the technician to logically work through possible causes, making the best use of time and resources, and avoiding unnecessary or less effective actions.
How does the technician ensure he has the knowledge to perform complex repairs?
-The technician relies on service information, which is available to everyone, especially in the US through services like Mitchell, Alldata, and MotoLogic. He emphasizes looking up information rather than memorizing it and having a basic understanding of systems like control area networks.
Outlines
🤔 Customer's 2012 RAV4 Instrument Cluster Issue
The video begins with the host addressing viewers about a 2012 RAV4 brought in by a customer. The vehicle's instrument cluster was suspected to be faulty by another shop, but the host doubts this due to his experience. He notes that all dashboard lights are on except for the odometer, which hasn't changed, and only the fuel gauge seems functional. The host also mentions an unsuccessful attempt at Auto ID with the altel and plans to perform a scan to diagnose the vehicle.
🔍 Diagnostic Scan and Physical Inspection
The host proceeds to perform a diagnostic scan, finding no response from the vehicle's modules, which is unusual as the vehicle runs and drives. He checks the vehicle's connections, confirming a network issue. A physical inspection under the hood reveals a mouse nest, suggesting the possibility of wire damage due to mice.
🐁 Mice Infestation and Network Inspection
The host discovers a significant mice infestation, which likely caused damage to the vehicle's wiring. He discusses the need for a visual inspection and to identify the vehicle's modules. The host finds the e96 Junction connector and plans to use a multimeter to check the network's integrity.
🔬 Network Resistance Test and Oscilloscope Analysis
The host performs a network resistance test, expecting a reading of 60 ohms but finds an open circuit instead. He then uses an oscilloscope to analyze the data network and observes an abnormal waveform, confirming network corruption. The host decides to disconnect the e96 Junction connector for further testing.
🔧 Pinpointing the Network Issue
The host identifies the specific pins on the e96 connector to test, expecting a 120-ohm reading. Upon testing, he finds an open circuit, indicating a broken wire. The host then uses logical deduction to determine which wires are damaged, likely due to mice chewing on them.
🔩 Repairing the Damaged Network
The host decides to repair the damaged network by soldering a new wire and using rodent tape to prevent future infestations. He emphasizes that while this repair method is not 'proper' in a strict sense, it is a practical solution given the circumstances. The host also clears the vehicle's codes and confirms that the instrument cluster is functioning correctly.
📚 Importance of Diagnostic Information and Thought Process
The host concludes by discussing the importance of having access to service information and the right to repair act. He stresses that anyone can perform such repairs if they have access to the correct information and the ability to devise a diagnostic plan. The host encourages viewers to learn and apply an analytical approach to problem-solving in automotive repairs.
📢 Closing Remarks and Encouragement
In the final paragraph, the host invites viewers to engage with him on social media and watch more of his content on Facebook. He also encourages viewers, stating that if he can perform the repair, they can do it too, and thanks them for watching.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Instrument Cluster
💡Programming
💡VIN
💡Scan Tool
💡Data Link Connector
💡Network Resistance
💡Open Circuit
💡Rodent Damage
💡Soldering
💡Heat Shrink Tubing
💡Diagnostic Thought Process
Highlights
A 2012 RAV4 was brought in for a quote on a new instrument cluster after being told by another shop that it was necessary.
The mechanic was skeptical about the need for a new cluster, having never seen one fail on this model.
Upon inspection, the instrument cluster lights were on, but the odometer was not tracking mileage.
The fuel gauge was the only functioning part of the cluster, and its accuracy was uncertain.
The vehicle started and ran, but the diagnostic scan tool did not auto-identify the vehicle.
The scan tool showed no response from the ECM and other modules, indicating a possible broken wire in the data link connector.
Visual inspection under the hood revealed a mouse nest and damage, suggesting rodents may have caused the issue.
The data network was found to be open-circuited, likely due to rodent damage.
The mechanic used a wiring diagram to trace the path of the network and identify the problematic module.
A broken wire was discovered, chewed off close to a connector, confirming the rodent damage theory.
The mechanic decided to repair the wire by twisting the broken ends together and soldering them.
Heat shrink tubing and rodent tape were used to protect the repair and deter future rodent damage.
After the repair, the vehicle's instrument cluster functions were restored, and the diagnostic scan tool could communicate with the modules.
The mechanic emphasized the importance of having a diagnostic plan and utilizing service information for effective repairs.
The repair process was documented to guide others through a similar diagnostic journey and to demystify the mechanic's role.
The mechanic used a combination of logical deduction, wiring diagrams, and diagnostic tools to solve the problem.
The final repair involved a simple soldering job and protective measures against future rodent interference.