Basic Electrical Diagnostic's

When it comes to engine performance issues such as a check engine light or some body electrical issue, there is always an easy way to troubleshoot and a wasteful way to diagnose. From my personal experience, its always best to not guess but test first. The following are some basic routines that are very helpful and important.

• Do you have a complete understanding of how the particular component is supposed to function?
• Always use the correct wiring diagram to understand the layout of the system/component.
• Verify proper voltage supply to component, control unit or fuses, always check with a Digital volt ohm meter (DVOM).
• Inspect all relevant electrical connections, ground points, check for Voltage Drop.
• The use of a Scan tool is invaluable to diagnose and test.
• Always check for fault codes and reference any technical information available such as Technical service bulletins.
• When replacing a part, always use a quality OEM spec part, as some aftermarket components can make new problems or not fix the issue at all.

These are just some basic things but we can get more technical later on specific issues on the various Porsche models later.