Computer diagnostics has several meanings when it comes to checking out your vehicle. The main use for computer diagnostics is when we hook up to the on board computer that runs your car and download information.

As you can see it is a complex system that operates extremely fast to make sure your car is running at its peak performance. With the latest equipment, technical training andinformation, we can test your system to make sure it is running properly . We will perform diagnostic tests on individual subsystems, locate and repair problems that effect the way your car runs. Ropat Auto Electric Service has always been committed to electrical and computer control systems. As technology advances we continue to stay at the leading edge in computer systems diagnostics. At Ropat Auto Electric Service we are computer diagnostics specialists.

Intermittent Problems

Intermittent problems are some of the most challenging and hard to understand problems you can experience with your automobile. The best way to describe how intermittent problems occur, is to use a lightbulb as an example. Everyone has at one point in time been in a room with the light on, or turned the light switch on and "pop" the room goes dark. At that very moment the lightbulb went from working to not working. You may have even touched a burned out lightbulb to change it, and all of a sudden the bulb lights up. How can this happen? When a lightbulb blows out the filament (wire) that glows to give off light breaks into two pieces ­ creating a short. When we go to change the bulb the movement of the bulb causes the two sections of filament to touch. The electricity fuses them together and all of a sudden the bulb is once again lit. Believe it or not almost all the circuits in your car are like lightbulbs. Computers are filled with circuit boards and electronics that can act like light bulbs ­ when the circuit shorts, the light goes out and the car does not run correctly. If the broken circuit gets close enough to make contact, it may fuse together completing the circuit and the car runs great again. Corroded connections in wiring can cause similar problems. In Western, New York the salt from the road works into your electrical system and causes checmical reactions in wiring that breaks it down ­ just like rust breaks down the metal in your fender. This corrosion interferes with the circuit and can cause it to short out intermittenly effecting the way the electronics perform.

Fortunately, Ropat Auto Electric Service has been working on intermittent electrical problems since they first opend their doors in 1960. Over the years Ropat has developed several procedures and trade secrets that allow them to diagnose and locate your intermittent problem. When your automobile is acting up intermittenly, let Ropat put its years of experience to work for you. Get it fixed at Ropat Auto Electric Service.

Warning Lights

Check engine, ABS (anti-lock braking system), and air bag lights are the way our vehicles tell us there is trouble.

However, there is still a problem that needs to be checked before the system can no longer compensate and a breakdown occurs. If any of these lights comes on, call us and set up a time to get the system checked. We will give you all the information needed to make the proper repair to the vehicle and ensure the best performance for the life of your car.

Test Flight

The "test flight" as we call it is probably the best diagnostic procedure we can perform for a driveability or intermittent problem.

If we tell you that you need a part it is because tests have shown that the part is bad. We only replace and repair what your car needs. We also know that it may be necessary to really drive you car, not just around the block but for miles. Some of today's intermittent problems require long test drives. In certain situations, with your approval, we will even take a car home with us - allowing us more of an opportunity to reproduce your problem, and solve it.

Brief History of Computers and Cars

Back in the early 1980's, we first started seeing computers in everyday cars. Some import and domestic cars were already using computers in some applications but this was the first time we started seeing computers in almost all makes and models. When they first started using computers, they did not control that much. They did allow more time between tune ups and fewer necessary adjustments. The first computers allowed the carburetors to adjust the mixture (amount of fuel) to compensate for aging engines and tune up parts.

As time went on, fuel injection became mainstream and computers were responsible for several more functions necessary to run the engine. This continued to lengthen the time between necessary service.

In the late 1980's we began to see the next generation of computers come out. These computers allowed for several sub systems to be integrated into one and eliminated some moving and wearable parts.

Today, the computers in vehicles run everything - the engine, transmission, power windows, locks, climate control, brakes, air bags, etc. Just about anything in a car nowadays is tied into a computer. That's why it's more important than ever that the service you receive for your vehicle is performed by someone with the education, skills, equipment, and information necessary to make the right repairs. At Ropat we are constantly updating our equipment, test data, and our education to stay at the top of our field.