On-Car Rotor Resurfacing
Are you doing it Right?
Tech Feature: Gaining Access to Perimeter Anti-Theft Systems
It could use the same acronym, but is perimeter anti-theft the same as PATS? No, PATS, which stands for passive anti-theft systems, is a system that is designed to identify the key, and was discussed in the July 2007 issue of Underhood Service. Perimeter anti-theft is a system designed to identify unauthorized vehicle entry. There
Unlocking an Ignition Switch Repair
The ignition key cylinder on the Ford Focus is a common leak point, especially when the vehicle has racked up enough miles to get out of warranty. Over time, the tumblers wear out causing them to not completely retract resulting in a key cylinder that won’t turn. Of course, this is seldom without warning. Usually
So There is No Con-Fusion
came on the scene in 2006. The 2006 Ford Fusion shares a design platform with the Mercury Milan and the Lincoln Zephyr. In 2007, the Zephyr is replaced by the Lincoln MKZ. The Fusion comes with a choice of 4-cyl. and 6-cyl. powerplants. The four cylinder is a 2.3L 16-valve DOHC engine. It uses a
Exorcising the Accessory Demons
Big exhaust pipes, big tires, big rims…some of that stuff may seem, well, ridiculous sometimes, but it can mean big profits. It’s funny, some people will spend two grand for a set of rims for a $500 car. But if that’s what they want to do, why not help them spend their money? If you’ve
Five Minutes: Talking Your Way into More Sales
Five minutes isn’t long is it? What can you do in five minutes? Not much, but then again, five minutes can mean a lot. My wife was telling me the other day about something one of her friends and her were talking about. It involved a pediatrician that we both use for our kids. My
Exterminating Electrical Parasites
Any electrical circuit that is wired “hot at all times” has the potential to become a parasite to the battery. There are some wanted parasites on the vehicle that are necessary to have, and some that are not. We’re going to find out how to “fingerprint” and track down the unwanted ones systematically. A parasitic
Staying On Track
You’ve seen the “Advance Trac” badges on the backs of Explorers and Expeditions, but what is it? Have you ever been asked by your Ford dealer parts department if a vehicle you are working on has “IVD”? What’s IVD? Not all vehicles that are equipped with Advance Trac carry the Advance Trac insignia. Advance Trac
There’s No Escaping Hybrid Service
high as 40 mph (64 kph). Plus, when conditions are right, the engine may shut off at stops and not restart until after 25 mph. As a result, the advertised fuel economy of a full hybrid vehicle is typically much higher for the city driving conditions than the highway driving conditions. In theory, assuming the
Mischievous Cats
By definition, a catalytic converter should last the lifetime of the vehicle. It can last this long because a catalyst is something that, just by being present, causes a reaction to other materials without itself being a participant in the reaction. However, real life has proven that the life span of a catalytic converter varies
Decoding the Past
“I’d like for you to hook it up to the code machine and see what it says to replace” – anonymous customer Sound about right? It sure does. Of course, as auto repair professionals, we know better. We know that reading the code is not diagnostics, but rather that is where diagnostics might begin. We
2006 Ford Explorer Pointers
Photo 2). Another change for the 4.6L in 2006 is that it no longer uses a knock sensor. Both, the 4.0L and the 4.6L use a PCM-controlled heated PCV valve. The PCV valve on the 4.0L SOHC engine is located in the back of the left valve cover, mounted horizontally, and is well hidden from