Description
Why do you need a PicoScope?
Could you use a scan tool instead of a labscope? No, you need both.
A scan tool only points you in the right direction, perhaps indicating a misfire on a specific cylinder, but rarely does it pinpoint a fault. For example, is the misfire caused by an ignition, injector, or a compression-related issue?
Reliance on a scan tool alone can lead you to “parts darts” where you might find yourself replacing more and more parts until the fault goes away.
Instead, a PicoScope helps you:
- Eliminate guesswork and test individual components before replacing them.
- Find troublesome intermittent faults.
- Investigate vehicle problems when there are no, multiple, or misleading fault codes.
- Diagnose charging and starting faults.
- Trace problems with actuators that are not monitored by the ECU, such as motors and injectors.
- Identify mechanical problems such as compression and slipped / incorrectly fitted timing belts.
- Prove the source of an NVH problem
- Report your objective findings back to your managers and customers
As a technician, a PicoScope brings you faster, more efficient diagnostics and a clear understanding of the vehicle’s workings.
As workshop owner, a PicoScope gives you a “fix it right” culture, with fewer parts changed on guesswork, and increased customer satisfaction, repeat business and profits.
