CAFs: Searching for Hidden Services
They call it the “hidden filter” because many motorists don’t realize their vehicles have separate air filters for the passenger compartments. Cabin air filters first appeared back in the mid-1980s. The earliest applications were on Audi and other European makes. Today, about 80% of all new import and domestic vehicles have a cabin air filter
Diagnostic Solutions: Cooling Fan Failure Diagnosis
Cooling fan operation is often taken for granted by many technicians because testing a cooling fan requires at least 15 minutes of fast idling or running until the coolant temperature reaches 220-230° F. If the cooling fan doesn’t activate, a coolant temperature sensor, fan relay, fan electrical circuit or the fan itself may be at
Diagnose Problems Faster and More Easily with the Raytek MiniTemp Infrared Thermometers
Portable IR thermometers have become indispensable tools for automotive troubleshooting and diagnostics. Quick noncontact temperature measurements make it easy to spot cooling system faults, identify engine misfires, check for proper A/C performance, verify catalytic converter operation and much more.
Diagnostic Oddities
This article is dedicated to some Ford specific issues that, after being brought to light, can save your shop thousands of dollars in wasted time and liability. There may be some other makes out there with some similar designs and quirks, but the only technical references will be for Ford vehicles. By Glen Beanard Giddy
Management: Simple Ways to Make Sure Your Shop is ‘Top of Mind’ with Your Customers
You’ve just finished your customer’s vehicle, but don’t let a simple, cost-effective advertising opportunity slip away. We’ve used a three-step in-house advertising plan for years, and we’ve always had a favorable response from our customers. Here are the nuts and bolts of the plan.
News: KYB Taps Mike Fiorito
KYB America LLC recently named Mike Fiorito to the position of director of business development, announced KYB Senior Vice President Mike Howarth. “As KYB continues to expand in the North American aftermarket, and with the recent announcement by CARQUEST that KYB will become its full line shock and strut supplier, we had a need to
BMW Maintenance: The Right Equipment and Information Make Service Profitable
Well-designed and durable, the cars from Bavaria have had a reputation for handling and performance that many other manufacturers only aspire to. In the last 50 years, BMWs have gone from the three-wheeled Isetta microcar of the 1950s to today’s powerful and comfortable high-performance machines with all of the latest technology. One of my favorite
Weather Report
Today’s forecast is hot — damn hot with sprinkled patches of grease, burns, scrapes and fussy service managers. Does this sound like your shop in the summer? The alternative calls for waaaay cold with reports of numb fingers and aching feet and toes from standing on ice-cold concrete for eight hours at a time. The
Dorman Adds More New Aftermarket Revenue with New Products, New Solutions and New Opportunities
Dorman Products has announced its new product introductions and line extensions that were introduced at the 2005 AAPEX show in Las Vegas. The new product categories and extended coverage provide distributors with more revenue opportunities and the opportunity to allow service dealers to source these products from their preferred supplier – their aftermarket distributor. In all, the company will introduce more than 2,000 new parts to the aftermarket in 2006.
Investigating Intermittent Stalling Problems
Diagnosing an intermittent stalling problem can be a challenge, especially if the engine only stalls occasionally and won’t stall for you (only your customer). And if there are no pending codes, hard codes or history codes in the vehicle’s computer to give you some direction, you may find yourself guessing at a diagnosis. Every engine