Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Lit Diamante Traction Control Lamp
Darrel’s wife has a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante that she uses for shuttling around her real estate clients. Recently, the Diamante’s TCL (Traction Control Lamp) came on. Concerned for his wife’s safety, Darrel brought the car by for an inspection. We retrieved a code 72, but could not come up with a cause for the code. I talked to a friend who works for a Mitsubishi dealer and he turned me on to the solution.
Tech Tip: Resetting Service Lights on BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Honda and Toyota
For all BMWs you must have the driver-side door shut to reset the service lights. On E60 and later models, it may also be necessary to buckle the driver-side seat belt in order to reset the service light.
OTC LeakTamer Plus Offers Industry Best Practices for EVAP System Testing
The LeakTamer Plus EVAP Smoke Machine (P/N 6521) by OTC, a business unit of SPX Corporation, is a versatile, diagnostic, one-button tester built from the ground up to specifically test and repair OBD-II EVAP system leaks while operating in accordance with major automakers’ EVAP testing specifications and needs.
Redesigned SOLUS PRO Scanner Gets the Job Done Right the First Time
The new SOLUS PRO Scanner from Snap-on Diagnostics gives its users a competitive edge in the always evolving automotive repair industry. SOLUS PRO delivers VIN-specific coverage for a wide range of models from more than 30 vehicle makes. SOLUS PRO provides a depth of trouble codes, data parameters, bi-directional tests and legendary Fast-Track Troubleshooter repair strategies.
Tech Tip: Diagnose and Repair ABS on Ford Trucks
As you are all very well aware, occasionally anti-lock brake system (ABS) malfunctions can be very complicated and hard to diagnose. In the case of some late-model Ford truck anti-lock brake systems, however, several malfunctions may have a very simple solution.
Tech Tip: Electronic Basics
Sophisticated automotive electrical systems can cause increasing amounts of dead batteries, intermittent warning lights and general electrical complaints. When addressing these issues, staying focused on the basics can save you time, money and nerves. Automotive electrical basics are: connection condition; battery condition; and alternator condition.
Mitchell 1 Updates OnDemand5.com to Version 1.8
Mitchell 1 has updated it popular OnDemand5.com software to version 1.8. The v1.8 software release further enhances the OnDemand Live feature, allowing technicians to share real world information within a repair article.
With Snap-on’s Software Bundle 7.2, Problems are ‘Fixed-Right-First-Time’
One of the many benefits to Snap-on’s new Software Bundle 7.2 is that technicians can use their MODIS, SOLUS or MT2500 Scanner to make the EVAP monitor run on late-model Ford and Chrysler vehicles. This saves valuable time by verifying that the repair was "fixed-right-first-time" so the customer won’t have to return.
Viewpoint: Human Resources Opening Up at Work
Hiring, firing and quitting are unavoidable tasks in the automotive repair industry. Everybody hates to deal with these aspects of the business because it can be risky on both sides of the table, and not just monetarily, but emotionally. I have seen war veterans more open to talk about the most bloody battles than some
Automatic Transmissions: From Mechanical to Electronic to Hybrid
A long time ago in a service bay, preventive maintenance for an automatic transmission was an oil change, band and throttle linkage adjustment. The 1960s saw the end of external band adjustments. In the 1970s, the drain plug went away and the pick up screen was replaced with a filter. In the 1980s, a turbo