In last month’s column we coveredSystem Overview and the excellentProtocol report features in Bosch ESI2.0, which allow you to not only check

the complete diagnostic state of a vehicle butalso to produce a professional report of allthe relevant functions and data to present tothe customer. This time around we’ll gothrough the Service Information System (SIS)and ‘Trouble-shooting’ functions of the tool,which are the ‘crown jewels’ of ESI 2.0 andBosch automotive diagnostics. We‘ll showyou how to get the best results from SIS usingthe Bosch KTS to help you to understandautomotive components and systems and, inmany cases, fix them first time.

The SIS trouble-shooting function of ESI2.0 consists of both a database with extensiveBosch technical content and a direct interfaceto the multi-meter and diagnostic tester withinthe KTS unit. By using this system correctlyit will reliably guide you, step-by-step, fromdetecting the symptoms of a problem and anyassociated diagnostic trouble codes, to thecause of the fault and then on to therectification of the problem on the vehicle. Inmost cases all of the information required forfault finding, maintenance and routine servicetasks is available on the tool in the hands ofthe technician (see Fig 1).

The amount of data available in ESI 2.0 isdependent upon the subscription level held bythe user. The two main ESI subscription types

for car and LCV applications are the‘Diagnostics package’ which has the fullfeatures of Serial Diagnosis (SD) and ServiceInformation System (SIS) trouble-shooting.You then have the ‘Master package’ whichalso comes with vast amounts of inspectionand maintenance data, comfort systems circuitdiagrams and technical service bulletins.

On the vehicle, when you read the errormemory of an ECU and there are fault codespresent you will see the DTC number,description and the status of the fault code –for example, whether it is static or sporadicand often applicable freeze frame data aswell. The ‘Instructions’ F8 soft key appears at

the bottom centre of the screen when there isa trouble-shooting guided repair instructionavailable for that DTC and system (see Fig2). Clicking ‘Instructions’ takes you straightinto the trouble-shooting tab and the guidedfault finding and repair instructions for all ofthe data that Bosch has associated to thatparticular fault code.

The first page of the guided help infogives you a list of other possible related faultcodes and a ‘Show additional information’link at the top of the page guides you to thefunctional description of the component to betested – whether it’s a sensor or an actuator(see Fig 3 & 4). This could be several pages

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DIAGNOSTICS &ENGINE MANAGEMENT

TECHNICAL

ROBERT BOSCH

KTS DIAGNOSTICS MADE ‘ESI’PART 3: TROUBLE-SHOOTING AND SIS REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

This regular series of technical articles from Bosch focuses on how to get the best out of its ESI[tronic] 2.0 software, which is

used in conjunction with the KTS range of diagnostic tools for vehicle fault diagnosis and service function procedures.

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long and is really useful if you need to knowwhat type that particular part is or how itworks and what it is responsible for. Thistype of information can help you to betterunderstand the system you’re working on anddemonstrates the benefits of ESI 2.0.

When you’ve reached the end of a chaptera confirmation pop-up box appears, asking ifthis section has been processed. Clicking“Yes” returns you to the original page and agreen tick is put through the ‘Functionaldescription’ link button.

This helps you to keep track of theprogress of the job, especially if you’reinterrupted at any point in the process. Alsothe confirmation adds an entry into theprotocol log (if configured) that we coveredin the last issue. Wherever any soft key iconbuttons are shown in the instructions you canhover your cursor over the button for a ‘tooltip’, to confirm what that button will do.

Clicking ‘Continue F12’ will take you tothe next page which usually gives you apicture or a diagram of the wiring connectorfor the component in question and a test planto check the power supply, ground connectionand signal wires (see Fig 5). The required pinassignments and test conditions will beclearly shown as well as the expected valuerange if all is well. The ‘Read measuredvalue’ button can be pressed to ‘pop up’ themulti-meter function of the KTS 540 or 570for a real time measurement (see Fig 6).

The detailed instructions will guide youthrough the process of a complete test plan bychecking the relevant values that are criticalto successful operation of that component orcircuit. Oscilloscope analysis may benecessary, in which case the test connectionset-up and correct waveform profile will beshown on the screen (see Fig 7).

If by this time you’ve not managed to pin-point the problem and find the cause of thefault, the instructions will also contain a listof other possible defects to be checked. This

whole process should help you through thejob from beginning to end and obtain thecorrect diagnosis of a fault on the vehiclewhich should lead to a first-time fix.

The usefulness and capabilities of theBosch ESI 2.0 trouble-shooting instructionsextend much further than this, in fact we’veonly just scratched the surface!

ECU selectionYou don’t have to enter the guided help filesfrom the instructions button of a fault code tofind the information. Maybe the vehicle has aproblem and there are no DTCs stored. In thiscase you can click straight onto the maintrouble-shooting tab along the top of thescreen and select an ECU from the systemgroup selection list for which you want tofind out information. This data can also beaccessed if the car isn’t present but you wantto research the system.

The menus of the trouble-shooting repairinstructions generally follow the same formatand layout, whichever vehicle or system you’relooking at. Again, this brings familiarity tothe use of the tool and helps you to work

smarter and more efficiently by finding theright information fast when fault-finding.

A latest feature on the ESI 2.0 is a directlink from the comfort system circuit diagramschematics to the SIS powertrain and chassiscircuit diagrams. Previously, the two sourcesof circuit diagrams for the vehicle were indifferent locations. Now with the 2015/3software update customers who subscribe to‘Master package’ will be able to view andaccess a complete list of schematics includedin ESI 2.0 within a single list in the ‘Circuitdiagrams’ tab, making the system easier tonavigate (see Fig 8).

The Bosch trouble-shooting informationcovers many topics for each systemincluding: safety measures, special tools,descriptions, guided trouble-shooting,CAS[Plus] interface links to the serialdiagnostic functions of KTS, wiringdiagrams, ECU connector pin assignments,component position, removal and installationinstructions and diagrams, to name but a few.We suggest, if you haven’t experiencedBosch ESI 2.0 already, that you have a lookyourself. You might be surprised!

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