Back to all

The Sovel's Auto Service Guide to Vehicle Diagnosis

April 21, 2024

Modern Novi vehicles have several computers on board that control all kinds of things like engine functions, transmission shifts, traction control, anti-lock brakes, stability control, emissions – and on some vehicles, even steering, braking and the throttle.

Think about that for a minute – things that used to be controlled by simple mechanical connections now have electronic controls that rely on computers, software and sensors. It's no wonder that when something goes wrong with their vehicle it can be pretty complicated for Novi drivers to track down the source of the problem.

To help your service advisor at Sovel's Auto Service figure out what's wrong, your vehicle is equipped with on-board diagnostics. The Check Engine light comes on to tell you there's a problem and the engine management computer stores a trouble code. Your friendly and knowledgeable Sovel's Auto Service technician connects a scan tool to your vehicle's diagnostic port and retrieves the trouble codes as well as other important data.

Trouble codes are like clues for the technician to follow as he diagnoses what's wrong with your vehicle. In a way, it's like going to your Novi doctor with a problem. She'll run some additional tests and gather the information she needs to make a diagnosis and form a treatment plan. How much a vehicle diagnosis costs at Sovel's Auto Service in Novi depends on how much time it takes to sort out the symptoms and find the underlying problem.

Give us a call.

Sovel's Auto Service
248-348-7337
41425 W. 10 Mile Rd.
Novi, Michigan 48375

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Sovel's Auto Repair Novi

A Door No One Can Step Through (Fuel Door Repair and Maintenance)

August 24, 2025

Your vehicle has lots of doors including that one usually near the back on the vehicle's side. That's the fuel door, something you use every time you gas up. These endure hundreds of open-and-close cycles, usually without any problems. But when they act up, it can be a major inconvenience for ... More

Road Ready (Trip Inspection)

August 17, 2025

Maybe you've been cooped up for a while and are yearning for a change of scenery. Or maybe you need to visit a relative who lives far away. You choose not to fork out the big bucks for airline tickets, so it's time for a road trip. Make sure you're road ready by having your vehicle professiona... More

A Hot Mess (AC System-Compresser)

August 10, 2025

Air conditioning used to be a real luxury in a vehicle, but now it's standard in most. Your vehicle's air conditioning system is built to last a pretty long time, but like anything mechanical, sometimes it fails. It helps to know a little about how the A/C works. There's a compressor that press... More