Instructional Videos and Active Website Links Now Included in GM Service Information

As the saying goes, pictures are worth a thousand words, but videos are also pretty helpful in explaining a step in a service procedure. And, if there is a website that can offer additional information or services, those details are useful too. The GM Service Information now has both.

Users of Service Information (U.S. and Canada) are now able to view short videos covering service procedures and terminal repairs (Fig. 1) as well as select active website links to outside sources of related information, such as the GM Center of Learning, ACDelco, and others.

Fig. 1

Embedded Videos

Recent updates to the Service Information platform allow embedded videos to be included in the service procedure information. The videos are not designed to replace the written step-by-step instructional procedures, but to enhance them by showing how to perform complex steps within the written procedures. The videos are short, concise, and only focus on one step of a procedure. They do not include any audio at this time.

Currently, there are a number of videos highlighting various repair procedures. These include repairs using special tools during a procedure, removing or installing parts correctly, and repairing connectors with a terminated lead (as outlined by the GM wiring harness service strategy in Bulletin 13-00-89-008A). (Fig. 2) All connector repair videos may not represent the connector in regard to color or keying, but they do accurately illustrate the steps in removing terminals from the connector body. As more videos are completed for current repairs as well as for new components and procedures, they’ll be added to the Service Information.

Fig. 2

TIP: Due to the limitations of some operating systems, including those that are geared more toward consumer use, video playback at this time only works on Windows- and Android-based PCs and portable devices.

Video Player

Similar to the graphics that are included with the service procedures, the new videos are positioned directly before the procedure step that they support. The procedure with a video will include a blue and white “play button.” To launch the video player, click the “play button” graphic. (Fig. 3) Clicking the magnifying glass only enlarges the graphic.

Fig. 3

Once the video player is shown, click the Play button on the player to start the video. (Fig. 4) The videos will not begin playing automatically. Also use the control buttons on the player to control video playback. Double-click on the video while it’s playing to convert to full screen viewing.

When viewing is complete, select the Hide Video text to hide the video player and return back to the blue and white “play button.”

Fig. 4

Active Website Links

In the past, accessing websites published in the Service Information required a user to retype the website address or copy it from the text and paste it into an internet browser. Now, those website addresses are active links, so the website can be viewed by simply clicking the link. (Fig. 5)

This is a rolling change that is currently being implemented, so there may be some instances where the websites do not have active links yet and still require the link to be copied and pasted. When a link is selected, a new browser window will open to the website.

Fig. 5

 

– Thanks to Kevin Jakobiak and Sean Mulloy

 

Updated January 30, 2018