DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPUTER BASED AUTOMOBILE FALUT DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM

Abstract

This report on Design and Implementation of an Automobile fault diagnosis system is a web-based application developed to solve the issue of Automobile fault. The report is motivated by the need to guide car owners and learners of motor mechanics in the maintenance and troubleshooting of automobile problems without having to resort for presumptions and conjectures. The system features a simple user friendly interface that could allow you to search for solutions to faults developed by one’s Automobile. The methodology adopted is the Structured System Analysis Design Methodology (SSADM). The language used is Php (Hypertext preprocessor) for the server side development of the dynamic content, Mysql is used for the database design. The software is divided into two that is the admin area, and the user area.The developed software would ensure that automobile owners have proper assistance in time of crisis and will save them from the clutches of exploitative roadside mechanics.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION

In present time most households own at least one car. This figure shows that a car is very important to people’s lives as it completes the cycle of living. Having that we are in the  era of computer age and internet application, it would be nice if a web-based expert system can be developed to diagnose mechanical and other related faults in our vehicles.

Software for car faults diagnosis is a system that detects information about car faults and provides possible solutions to fixing the problem. It works by entering the type of fault your car is giving you, and then it will retrieve the information of the possible fault and also display the result of how you can solve the problem without the presence of an expert.

So, this web-based software is hoped to help those who are in need of guides to deal with their cars problems. Although it might not give a complete guide and help as a human expert, namely mechanics, at least it can give temporary assistance to those who are in need of instant help, as a result of the limitation of time and distance.

Faults occur in vehicles or automobiles very often than not. This can be due to several reasons.The ability to detect and isolate these faults in complex technical systems such automobile is important in order to fulfill dependability requirements.  Fault detection and isolation in automobiles is very important because it helps to maintain high vehicle operational efficiency, low exhaust emissions, high vehicle uptime, fuel consumption reduction or fuel economy, high vehicle safety and it guarantees efficient repair. These factors are very important because they help to reduce overall life-cycle cost of a  vehicle.

 1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

With the help of a car, movement from one place to another has been made easy especially for those who are always mobile in their jobs. Cars simplify our lives and make time to be more valuable as we can save more time using the car. But at the same time, people who own cars definitely don’t want to have a problem with their cars as the troubleshooting of a car can be a nightmare to them, especially women[2]. Some of those own a car individually don’t know how to deal with their cars whenever it has a problem. All they know is to start the engine, drag the clutch if it is not automatic, press the paddle and break when they need to. An even the worse situation is that they don’t even know how to fill the fuel tank, and that is not good. They won’t know what to do when something happens to their cars. All they can do at best is, call the automobile repairer for help.

So, this web-based software is hoped to help those who are in need of guides to deal with their cars problems. Although it might not give a complete guide and help as a human expert, namely mechanics, at least the expert system can give temporary assistance to those who are in need of instant help, as a result of the limitation of time and distance.