You all know the sci-fi computer that knows its own parts are malfunctioning, or the star ship that can tell you what is damaged where and how much. What would it take to have electronics know where they are malfunctioning? For example, a computer that has a bad transistor, a car that has a damaged radiator, or a building that has damaged wiring.
Self-diagnosing technology exists already, and has its places. Most modern cars have electronic engine diagnostics, where if a serious fault is detected it can drop the car into "limp mode" which reduces the engine power (to avoid or reduce further damage) until you can get to a garage (where they query the engine's computer to see what it wrong). Many buildings have sophisticated systems for their wiring, plumbing, alarms, etc. that detect and report faults on a central control/readout panel. Computers have always been able to report their own problems, after a fashion, in the form of error codes - you just have to know how to read them. However, I can't see anything beyond simple self-diagnostics finding their way into most consumer electronics. The extra cost of putting them in would be a problem against competitors without them (and lower prices as a result), not to mention damaging to the company's image ("Buy our stuff! It will go wrong, but when it does you know exactly what has broken!"). And there's also the old planned obsolescence card - if your stuff lasts longer because it's easier to diagnose the fault and rectify it, you won't be spending money on the latest models...