Full Diagnostics in Irving Park, Chicago — Grace Automotive
Most car problems don’t show up on command. That’s what makes them so frustrating.
The light comes on… then shuts off before anyone can look at it. The car makes a noise for two days… then goes quiet the minute you pull into a shop. The leak only shows up after it sits overnight. The battery dies “sometimes.” The car shakes at 60, but not at 55.
That’s what diagnostics is for. Not guesswork. Not “let’s start replacing parts and see.” Finding the real reason it’s happening.
A scan tool helps, but it’s only the first step. A code doesn’t say “replace this part.” It says “something here isn’t happy.” The job is proving what’s actually causing it—so you fix it once.
What we’re diagnosing when you come in
If your car is doing any of this, we can track it down:
- Check engine light and warning lights
- Fluid leaks (oil, coolant, power steering, transmission)
- Electrical problems and parasitic drains
- Overheating, coolant loss, or a heat/AC issue that’s acting strange
- Rough idle, misfires, hesitation, stalling
- Noises you can’t describe (rattles, squeaks, clunks, grinding)
- “It only happens when…” problems that other places can’t reproduce
That last category is most of what we see.
How we actually figure it out
When someone brings in a “mystery problem,” we don’t start with a speech. We start with questions that matter.
When did it start? Cold or warm? Only at speed? Only when braking? Only turning one direction? Only after it rains? Only after it sits? Those details aren’t small talk. They narrow the problem down fast.
From there, we do what the problem calls for. Sometimes it’s quick. Sometimes it takes some chasing. But it’s always the same idea: confirm the symptom, then confirm the cause.
Depending on what you came in for, that can look like:
Pulling codes and looking at live data, not just a code list
Visual inspection on the lift (because a lot of leaks and loose parts don’t need a computer)
Pressure testing for cooling system issues
Pinpointing leaks instead of guessing (dye, UV, clean-and-recheck)
Electrical testing when it’s not as simple as “replace the battery”
Road testing so we can hear/feel what you’re hearing/feeling
Then we tell you what we found in normal language. What it is, what it’s doing to the car, what happens if you keep driving it, and what it takes to fix it. If it’s urgent, you’ll know. If it can wait, you’ll know that too.
Why this saves money
People get burned when they chase symptoms. A code points to one thing, a shop replaces the easiest part, and the light comes back because the real issue was upstream. Same with noises—replace the wrong component and you’re still hearing it, only now you’ve spent money for nothing.
Irving Park diagnostics you can actually use
We’re right by Pulaski and Montrose. Most of our diagnostic work comes from Irving Park and the surrounding neighborhoods—Portage Park, Old Irving, Avondale, Mayfair, Jefferson Park—because this is the kind of problem people want handled locally, without getting talked in circles.
Ready When You Are
Bring the car in while it’s still “a little weird.” That’s when it’s easiest to catch and cheapest to fix.
📞 Call us: (773) 545-6770
📍 Grace Automotive at 3756 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641.
🕘 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Or book online—we’ll set a time that works for you.