Method and system for diagnosing machine malfunctions

A computer implemented method of dignosing a malfunction of a mobile vehicle, the method comprising:

• recording sequential operating parameter data from the vehicle;
• receiving a fault indication from the vehicle;
• selecting sequential operating parameter data from a selectively focused time interval about the fault indication;
• developing characterizing information from the selected sequential operating parameter data over the selectively focused time interval;
• and
• using characterizing information and the fault indication to diagnose a malfunction of the vehicle.

An apparatus for diagnosing a malfunction of a machine, the apparatus comprising:

• an operating parameter database containing sequential operating parameter data from a machine;
• a fault log database containing fault log data from the machine;
• a processor connected to the operating parameter database and the fault log database;
• programed instructions executable by the processor to select a fault event;
• programmed instructions executable by the processor to select sequential operating;
• parameter data from a selectively focused time interval about the fault event;
• programmed instructions executable by the processor to develop characterizing information from the selected sequential operating parameter data over the selectively focused time interval;
• and
• programmed instructions executable by the processor to use the characterizing information and the fault event to diagnose a malfunction of the machine.