Turbocharger Technology Continues to Improve
With the ability to increase fuel economy by up to 20% on gas vehicles and up to 40% on diesel vehicles, manufacturers have resorted to turbochargers to compensate for lowered engine displacement. Additionally, the improvements on turbocharging technology have increased the number of turbocharged vehicles on American roads. Some turbocharger manufacturers have even projected the number of turbocharged vehicles in the U.S. to quadruple in the next five years.
Launch’s Global Diagnostic Scan Tool Offers Unrivaled Communication Speed
Clear codes, view live data and much more with Launch Tech’s automotive scan tool.
Mercedes-Benz: Managing Misfires, Solving Those Strange, Intermittent Engine Vibrations
Automotive Electronics Diagnostician Sergio Fernandez discusses how to solve those strange, intermittent engine vibrations on a 2003 E320, with 3.2L V6 engine and 120,000 miles. The diagnosis begins with these findings: DTC P0305, misfire on cylinder #5; and DTC P0301, misfire on cylinder #1.
Service Solutions: The ‘CKP’ Script
The signal of the position or rotation speed of the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) contains a lot of information about the engine. When the engine is operating, the engine cylinders push on the crankshaft journal. This is why the crankshaft briefly accelerates after top dead center (TDC) on the expansion (or combustion) stroke. If the fuel did not ignite in the cylinder there would no acceleration.
Measure and Test Electrical, Electronic Components and Circuits with the OTC Tech-Scope
The OTC Tech-Scope (P/N 3857) is a stand-alone two-channel high-speed lab and ignition oscilloscope with multimeter that allows technicians to quickly test and measure virtually all of the electrical and electronic components and circuits in a modern vehicle. The tool features galvanic isolation for hardware protection and includes an ignition scope and a digital multimeter
Diagnostic Solutions: Ignition Coil Diagnostics
Import Specialist Gary Goms says there are a variety of opinions about how to test ignition coils and ignition systems. The most basic method is measuring a coil’s primary and secondary resistance. But meeting primary and secondary resistance specs on the bench is no guarantee that the coil will perform correctly under extreme heat and load.
Snap-on’s D-TAC ELITE Takes Multi-Tasking to the Next Level
Multi-tasking has become a lot easier with Snap-on’s new
D-TAC ELITE (EECS306C) diagnostic station. Service technicians can diagnose multiple problems with this device, which includes a diagnostic charger, battery, starting and charging system tester, engine starter, Digital Multi-meter (DMM), cable voltage drop tester and flash-reprogram device.
Tech Update: Can ‘Add-Ons’ Affect CAN Systems? Yes, They Can!
Get any teenager their first car and the first thing they want to do is modify it with new wheels, a different exhaust, seat covers or, the most important and popular upgrade, the stereo. You know, when they have to get to school with all their buddies in the car, they’ve got to have those tunes. They can’t be seen around town with a dull factory radio or wimpy stock wheels.
Tech Feature: Common Rail Systems May Soon Be Commonplace
Due to the conflict between consumer performance demands and more stringent EPA standards, the use of
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.