Diagnostic Theory

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The shortest route to an accurate diagnosis results from:

system knowledge, including comparison with a known good system.
system history, including repair history and usage patterns.
condition history, especially any relationship to repairs or sudden change.
knowledge of possible sources.
using a systematic diagnostic method that divides the system into related areas.

The diagnosis and correction of NVH symptoms requires:

a road or system test to determine the exact nature of the symptom.
an analysis of the possible causes.
testing to verify the cause.
repairing any symptoms found.
a road test or system test to make sure the cause has been corrected or brought back to within an acceptable range.