Workshop Reports
What is the main purpose of a workshop report?
To record the customer's complaint, diagnostic findings, work carried out and final result.
Which is more appropriate in a technical report: “The battery was really hot” or “The battery temperature was above the recommended range”?
“The battery temperature was above the recommended range.”
Complete: “The coolant level was low, ___ the battery temperature increased.”
so / therefore
What should a technician record after finding a fault?
The fault, the evidence, the diagnostic checks and the action taken.
Rewrite professionally: “Car won't charge.”
“Customer reports that the vehicle does not charge.”
Name three pieces of information that should appear in a workshop report.
Customer complaint, diagnostic findings and repair carried out.
Rewrite this sentence using technical English: “The motor was making a strange noise.”
“An abnormal noise was detected from the electric motor.”
Complete: “The battery temperature increased ___ insufficient coolant flow.”
because of / due to
Why should a technician record measurements in a diagnostic report?
To provide objective evidence of the fault and support the diagnostic conclusion.
Rewrite professionally: “We changed the pump and everything is OK now.”
“The coolant pump was replaced. The system was tested and is operating correctly.”
What is the difference between a customer complaint and a diagnostic finding?
The complaint describes what the customer experiences; the finding describes what the technician identifies during diagnosis.
Rewrite: “The car gets hot when it charges fast.”
“Battery temperature increases during DC fast charging.”
Explain the relationship: low coolant flow → high battery temperature → reduced charging power.
Explain the relationship: low coolant flow → high battery temperature → reduced charging power.
A customer reports reduced charging speed. The technician measures high battery temperature. What should be written in the report?
“Customer reports reduced charging speed. Diagnostic testing identified high battery temperature.”
Write a short workshop report from this information: Complaint: reduced DC charging power. Finding: high battery temperature. Cause: low coolant flow. Action: coolant pump replaced. Result: charging returned to normal.
“Customer reported reduced DC charging power. Diagnostic testing identified high battery temperature caused by insufficient coolant flow. The coolant pump was replaced. The vehicle was tested and charging returned to normal.”
Why should a workshop report distinguish between a confirmed fault and a possible cause?
A confirmed fault is supported by diagnostic evidence, while a possible cause still requires further testing.
Rewrite this informal description using precise technical English: “The battery wasn't getting cooled properly and that's why the car charged slowly.”
“Insufficient battery cooling resulted in increased battery temperature. As a result, charging power was reduced.”
Use because, therefore, as a result and due to to explain a technical fault.
“Charging power was reduced because battery temperature was too high. The high temperature was due to insufficient coolant flow. As a result, the TMS limited charging power. Therefore, the cooling system required further inspection.”
A DTC indicates a battery temperature fault, but the sensor reading is normal. How should the technician describe this in a report?
“A battery temperature DTC was recorded; however, the current sensor reading was within the expected range. Further testing is required to identify the cause of the stored fault.”
Write a professional report using these details: Customer complaint: vehicle loses power during acceleration. DTC: motor control fault. Finding: abnormal resolver signal. Action: resolver circuit inspected. Result: damaged connector identified.
“The customer reported loss of power during acceleration. Diagnostic testing identified a motor control fault and an abnormal resolver signal. Inspection of the resolver circuit revealed a damaged connector. The connector should be repaired or replaced, followed by system verification.”
What makes a workshop report technically reliable? Give four characteristics.
It should be accurate, objective, clear and based on documented evidence such as DTCs, measurements, test results and observations.
Rewrite this entire statement professionally: “The battery was really hot, the cooling thing wasn't working properly, so the car slowed the charging down and we think the pump is probably broken.”
“Battery temperature was above the recommended operating range. Insufficient cooling performance was identified, resulting in reduced charging power. The coolant pump is suspected to be the cause; further testing is required to confirm the diagnosis.”
Write a technical paragraph explaining this chain: coolant pump failure → reduced coolant flow → increased battery temperature → TMS intervention → reduced charging power.
“A coolant pump failure resulted in reduced coolant flow through the battery cooling circuit. Consequently, battery temperature increased above the recommended operating range. As a result, the TMS reduced charging power to protect the battery. Further inspection of the cooling system is required to confirm the root cause.”
A vehicle has reduced charging power. The technician finds a high battery temperature, but the cause has not yet been confirmed. Write a diagnostic conclusion without presenting an assumption as a fact.
“The vehicle presented reduced charging power. Diagnostic testing identified battery temperature above the recommended operating range. This condition may be related to insufficient cooling-system performance; however, the root cause has not yet been confirmed. Further testing of the coolant circuit and associated components is required.”
Write a complete professional workshop report using this information: Complaint: vehicle will not charge. DTC: charging-system fault. Checks: cable and connector OK; AC supply OK; OBC fault detected. Action: OBC replaced. Verification: vehicle charged normally after repair.
A: “The customer reported that the vehicle would not charge. Diagnostic testing identified a charging-system fault, and the cable, connector and AC supply were confirmed to be operational. Further testing identified a fault in the on-board charger (OBC), which was replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's procedure. Following the repair, the charging system was tested and the vehicle charged normally. The repair was therefore verified as successful.”