A diagnostic platform includes a processor, storage media and user interfaces, including a display screen, the processor being coupled to engine analyzer hardware and adapted to be coupled to a
scanner for downloading data from vehicle on-board computers. The
system stores libraries of information regarding vehicle identifications, drivability symptoms exhibited by vehicles, vehicle
system and component tests and service codes which can be registered by the vehicle on-board computer.
System software permits the user to input an identification of the vehicle under test and, in one mode of operation, displays a
library of faults, such as symptoms or service codes, from which the user can select those exhibited by the vehicle, whereupon the
system selects from the test
library those tests pertinent to diagnosis of the causes of the selected faults and displays them in a hierarchically ranked order based on likelihood of successful diagnosis of the faults. The user can then select and initiate any displayed test. In other
modes, the system initially displays one of the libraries of system or component tests, from which the user selects those deemed appropriate, whereupon the system highlights icons which can be selected for initiating pertinent
test procedures. Selected
test procedures may include links to the engine analyzer or
scanner hardware or other appropriate test modules.