Troubleshooting Wideband O2 Sensors
Many late-model imports such as Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and others use Air/Fuel sensors rather than conventional oxygen sensors to monitor the exhaust gases coming out of the engine. What’s the difference? An air/fuel sensor can read a much wider and leaner range of fuel mixtures than a conventional O2 sensor. That’s why they’re also called “wideband” O2 sensors.
Tech Tip: Toyota MIL On with DTCs Set in Subfreezing Temperatures
Following a cold soak in subfreezing ambient temperatures, some 2003-’08 Corolla and Matrix vehicles equipped with a 1ZZ-FE engine may exhibit an MIL on with one or more of the following DTCs as the result of a vacuum leak at the intake manifold.
Tech Feature: Oxygen Sensors are Key to Performance and Fuel Economy
Do you know your oxygen sensors? Oxygen sensors have been used for more than a quarter of a century, dating back to 1980 when the first computerized engine control systems appeared. The oxygen (O2) sensor is part of the fuel management system. It monitors unburned oxygen in the exhaust. The powertrain control module (PCM) uses this information to determine if the fuel mixture is rich (too much fuel) or lean (not enough fuel).
Toyota Underhood Maintenance
Our twin daughters just graduated from high school. For a graduation present, we allowed (and funded) them to accompany a group of other students on a 30-day trip through nine countries in Europe. They stayed in hostels, traveled by train and rental vans, and did a fair share of hiking. They took thousands of pictures, and gained experience and stories that will serve them for years.
Tech Feature: Detecting Misfires in OBD II Engines
With OBD II, there’s no missing misfires. Most engine control systems with OBD II monitor the speed of the crankshaft between cylinder firings to detect misfires. The powertrain control module (PCM) notes the relative position of the crankshaft via the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) each time a trigger pulse is sent to the ignition system.
Tool Feature: Scan Tools and Software Updates
Though some vehicles have diagnostic modes that can show fault codes and other diagnostic information via the instrument panel, climate control system or driver information display, most simply turn on the check engine light or another warning light when a problem occurs. So without a scan tool, there’s no way to tell what the problem might be, let alone make an accurate diagnosis of which sensor or other component may need to be replaced.
Kia Preventive Maintenance: Chassis, Engine & Brake Repairs
More Kias on the road means more repair and maintenance opportunities for the import car specialist, so don’t let them pass you by. In this article, Bob Dowie focuses on the most common problems and maintenance items that have them finding their way into your bays – like check engine light, brake and chassis repairs.
Toyota Tech Feature: Diagnosing Today’s Complex Electronics Systems
Find out the latest innovations in scan tool technology, and what your scan tool should be doing for you.
Tech Feature: Mass Airflow Sensors Are Critical In Today’s Engine Management Systems
In addition to providing an exact measurement of airflow into the engine, airflow sensor inputs can be used to provide a load-sensing input to the powertrain control module (PCM) to help control the shift points and shift quality of an automatic transmission.
Tech Feature: Servicing Ford’s 3.0L Engine
The 3.0L Duratec V6 was introduced in 1996 to replace the aging 3.8L V6 in the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. Unlike its conventional pushrod predecessor, the 3.0L V6 has dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and an aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder liners.