Diagnostic Solutions: Alternator Testing Tips
When we’re attempting to diagnose a charging system failure, it helps to think of the battery’s state of charge (SOC) as a type of checking account. If we overdraw our account, we wake up the next morning with an engine that won’t crank. Or, if we overdraw our account and not balancing our account at the end of the day, we again are greeted with a slow-cranking engine and an overdrawn charging system account.
Tech Feature: Valve Timing Terror Tales
While a lot has been written about timing belt replacement intervals, not a lot has been written about diagnosing timing belt and valve timing-related driveability complaints. In this article, Gary Goms reports that he is beginning to see more driveability problems caused by faulty valve timing.
Diagnostic Solutions: Conducting Non-Intrusive Cooling System Inspections
Perhaps the best way to begin when we get a cooling system overheating complaint in our service bay is by using a series of quick, non-intrusive cooling system tests that establish the basics without removing major parts.
Talking Shop: An All-Access Pass to Shop/Repair Information?
If you’ve spent hours struggling to master a new computer software system, you can well understand how a modern auto technician might feel when confronted with not just one, but hundreds of different software configurations built into the platforms of the 17 different vehicle manufacturers now being sold in our domestic market.
Tech Feature: Identifying Suspension Bushings that Cause Squeaks, Knocking Noises and Vibration Complaints
Worn or hardened suspension bushings can cause many mysterious squeaks, knocking noises and vibration complaints. Unfortunately, in their rush to sell ride control products like MacPherson struts, shock absorbers and springs, techs often forget to inspect and replace rubber suspension bushings, explains Import Specialist Contributor Gary Goms.
Tech Feature: Lack of Power Leads to Exhaust Restriction Analysis
In the early days of carburetors and mechanical fuel pumps, most lack-of-power complaints stemmed from vapor locking on the fuel pump or the fuel filter clogging. But that’s becoming the exception rather than the rule.
Tech Feature: The Nuts and Bolts of Belt and Hose Service
Today, belts and hoses are a routine inspection item and may not need replacement even at 100,000 miles or more of service. Unfortunately, many vehicle owners and technicians forget that heat, load, pressure and atmospheric pollutants eventually deteriorate a vehicle’s rubber parts.
Brake Tech Feature: Rotors and Friction Service
Years ago, a brake replacement would pass muster if it allowed a vehicle to stop in a reasonable distance at highway speeds. Today, a brake replacement must meet consumer-oriented criteria in areas of braking noise, pedal sensitivity, side-to-side pulling, pedal pulsation, frictional qualities, fade resistance, wheel dusting and friction longevity.
Ignition Sensor Diagnostics: Variable-Reluctor, Hall Effect and Magneto-Resistive Sensors
Although ignition failures are relatively common, they’re not the easiest problem to diagnose. To help you get started on what I call a “systems approach” to ignition diagnostics, this article is intended to provide an overview of how to identify ignition system configurations, identify three different types of ignition sensors and understand several basic sensor-operating strategies.
Catalytic Converter Tech Feature: Diagnosing P0420 or P0430 DTCs
Although modern OBD II technology has simplified catalytic converter diagnostics, it’s still important to understand the basics of catalytic converter operation when dealing with a P0420 or P0430 DTC. Gary Goms explores the basics of catalytic converter chemistry and summarizes how common converter failures can be diagnosed.
Tech Feature: Diagnosing the Blue Car Syndrom of a Random Stalling Condition
Blue Car Syndrome is the non-technical term for a very common phenomenon. It is the experience that many people possess regarding having a specific observation, idea, experience, etc., enter one’s consciousness, and then having it seem that the same observation or experience begins to occur with increased frequency.
Tech Feature: Handling Hybrid Service
Right now, the service opportunities lie mainly in the future as hybrids move out of warranty and into the independent service bays. However, it’s entirely realistic to expect hybrids to become a growing part of the automotive service market.