Service Information

Captiva

Vibration Analysis - Road Testing

Special Tools

•	EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyzer

•	EL-38792-VS Vibrate Software

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools and Equipment .

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

Obtaining rotational speed for the components rotating at tyre/wheel speed is critical to systematically eliminating specific vehicle component groups. These component rotational speeds can be generated by using the EL-38792-VS Vibrate Software, or through calculating them manually.

Note: Be certain to OBSERVE for disturbances that match the customer's description FIRST, then look at the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser frequency which corresponds with that disturbance.

Proper location of the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser, sensor onto the component which is most excited by the vibration disturbance is critical to obtaining an accurate frequency reading.

This test will duplicate virtually any disturbance which occurs while the vehicle is in motion.

Accelerate to a speed high enough above the speed of the disturbance to allow for the time needed to shift into NEUTRAL and for the engine to decrease in RPM to idle speed, before freewheeling down through the disturbance range.

This test will either eliminate or confirm the engine as a contributing cause of the customer concern.

Step

Action

Yes

Warning: Refer to Road Test Warning in the Preface section.

Did you review the Diagnostic Starting Point - Vibration Diagnosis?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Vehicle

Did the customer concern indicate that the vibration occurs ONLY while the vehicle is standing still?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 3

Visually inspect the tyre and wheel assemblies, steering components and suspension components for any possible faults.

Are the tyre and wheel assemblies, steering components and suspension components in good working condition?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

Note: Do NOT operate the vehicle until the faults are corrected.

Correct the faults with the tyre and wheel assemblies, steering components, and/or the suspension components before proceeding.

Did you correct the faults with the tyre and wheel assemblies, steering components, and/or the suspension components?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 3

Obtain the drive shaft final drive ratio.
If the EL-38792-VS Vibrate Software , IS available, obtain the transmission gear ratios.
If the EL-38792-VS Vibrate Software is NOT available, take note of the tyre size on each axle, then calculate the tyre rotational speed for each size tyre used and calculate the propeller shaft rotational speed, if equipped. Refer to Component Rotational Speed Calculation .

Did you obtain the powertrain ratios for use with the EL-38792-VS Vibrate Software , or calculate the component rotational speeds, if EL-38792-VS Vibrate Software is NOT available?

Go to Step 6

Install a scan tool.
With the scan tool, bring up the Powertrain Control Module data list and select Engine Speed.

Is the scan tool operating properly?

Go to Step 7

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

Using the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser , is the preferred method for gathering necessary vibration frequency data.

If the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser is not available, the necessary vibration frequency data will have to be obtained based on symptoms observed during testing. Review Symptoms - Vibration Diagnosis and Correction to become familiar with the possible frequency ranges. Review Symptoms - Vibration Diagnosis and Correction, as necessary throughout the remainder of diagnostics.

Is the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser available for use?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

Install the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser .

Is the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser operating properly?

Go to Step 9

Go to Electronic Vibration Analyzer (EVA) Description and Operation

Did the customer concern indicate that the vibration occurs ONLY while the vehicle is standing still?

Go to Vibration Analysis - Engine

Go to Step 10

Did the customer concern indicate that the vibration occurs ONLY during heavy acceleration at launch?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 14

Install the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser sensor, if available, to the pinion area of the drive axle. Route the sensor lead wire clear of rotating parts and loosely secure the wire clear of moving parts. If it is not possible to install the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser sensor, if available, to the drive axle, install the sensor to an exposed portion of the floor panel or seat track in the area that the customer noted is most respondent to the vibration.
Select a smooth, level road.
With the vehicle at a stand-still, apply the regular brake and place the transmission in the lowest forward gear.

Note: Do not accelerate to the point of causing the drive wheels to squeal, slip or hop - this would obscure the results of the test.

Release the regular brakes and accelerate aggressively to 32 km/h (20 mph).
Observe the vehicle for disturbances that match the customer's description and note the following conditions:

•	The vibration frequency reading, if detected by the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser

•	The feel and/or sound of the disturbance

If a reading could not be obtained by the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser , move the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser sensor, if available, to another part that is respondent to the vibration and repeat steps 3-5.

Were you able to duplicate the customer's concern?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 14

Is the vehicle primary driveline configuration rear wheel drive?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 14

Is the vehicle equipped with a solid drive axle?

Go to Vibration Analysis - Driveline

Go to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input

Install the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser sensor, if available, to the component identified by the customer as most respondent to the vibration. If no component was identified, install the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser sensor, if available, to the steering column. You may have to move the sensor to other locations later.
Select a smooth, level road and slowly accelerate the vehicle up to motorway speed.
Observe the vehicle for disturbances that match the customer's description and note the following conditions:

•	The vehicle speed

•	The engine RPM

•	The transmission gear range and the specific gear

•	The vibration frequency reading, if detected by the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser

•	The feel and/or sound of the disturbance

If the vibration seems to excite a particular component of the vehicle more than the steering column, then move the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser sensor, if available, onto that component and repeat steps 2 and 3.

Were you able to duplicate the customer's concern?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 15

Is the vehicle equipped with selectable four-wheel or all-wheel drive?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 17

With the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser sensor still installed in the same position, activate/engage all-wheel drive.
Select a smooth, level road and slowly accelerate the vehicle up to motorway speed.
Observe the vehicle for disturbances that match the customer's description and note the following conditions:

•	The vehicle speed

•	The engine RPM

•	The transmission gear range and the specific gear

•	The vibration frequency reading, if detected by the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser

•	The feel and/or sound of the disturbance

If the vibration seems to excite a particular component of the vehicle more than the steering column, then move the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser sensor, if available, onto that component and repeat steps 2 and 3.

Were you able to duplicate the customer's concern?

Go to Step 17

Go to Vibration Diagnostic Aids

Accelerate the vehicle to a speed higher than the speed at which the disturbance occurs.

Note: If the vehicle is equipped with a continuously variable type automatic transmission, let the vehicle coast to a stop before shifting back into gear.

Shift the vehicle into NEUTRAL and allow the vehicle to freewheel down through the disturbance range.

Does the disturbance still occur while freewheeling-down in NEUTRAL?

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 18

Select a smooth, level road and slowly accelerate the vehicle up to the speed at which the disturbance occurs.
Decelerate and safely downshift by one gear range.
Operate the vehicle at the same VEHICLE SPEED at which the disturbance occurs.

Does the same disturbance still occur while going the same vehicle speed in a lower gear range?

Go to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input

Go to Vibration Analysis - Engine

If the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser is not available, refer to Symptoms - Vibration Diagnosis and Correction .

Did the EL-38792-A Electronic Vibration Analyser detect a dominant frequency?

Go to Step 20

Go to Symptoms - Vibration Diagnosis and Correction

If the EL-38792-VS Vibrate Software IS available, use the drive axle final drive ratio, the specific transmission gear ratio, and the engine RPM to make a comparison to the dominant frequency reading recorded.
If the EL-38792-VS Vibrate Software is NOT available, compare the dominant frequency reading recorded to the component rotational data which you calculated previously.

Does the frequency data clearly fall within the tyre/wheel parameters ONLY?

Go to Vibration Analysis - Tyre and Wheel

Go to Step 21

Does the frequency data clearly fall within the propeller shaft parameters ONLY?

Go to Vibration Analysis - Driveline

Go to Step 22

Is the vehicle equipped with a solid drive axle?

Go to Symptoms - Vibration Diagnosis and Correction

Go to Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input