Ignition Misfires
A flashing Check Engine light and a P0301 to P0312 diagnostic trouble code is a sure-fire indication that one or more cylinders are misfiring. Occasional misfires may pass unnoticed, but a steady misfire is hard to miss. The engine usually feels rough, lacks power and uses more gas than usual. Sometimes a misfire may feel
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Internal Engine Diagnostics
The nuts and bolts of measuring cylinder leakage In OBD II diagnostics, most of us know that an external component like a faulty fuel injector, ignition coil, spark plug or spark plug wire is usually responsible for a P0300-series cylinder misfire trouble code. Nevertheless, even with more sophisticated onboard diagnostic strategies, the PCM usually can’t
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Fuel System Foul Ups
Are the fuel pump returns from your shop going up? Understanding the root cause of technician errors is the first step to successfully managing fuel system parts purchases and returns. Over the years, vehicle fuel systems have become more complex as OEs look to improve fuel burning and engine efficiency. And during that time, industry
Olds Engines: Gone But Not Forgotten
By Larry Carley Times change and vehicle makes and nameplates come and go. The last official Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line on April 29, 2004, when General Motors pulled the plug to stop the hemorrhage of red ink in their ailing Oldsmobile car division. Though the brand is now history, there are still millions
Diagnostic Solutions: Upgrades That Deliver Performance and Pizzazz
Checking the Basics Saves Time When Chasing Check Engine Codes
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Diagnosing Rodent Damage
Of all the technical innovations of the past century, the plastic-insulated copper wire is one of the most dependable components found in the modern automobile. Sure, this summer I had three different cases of the copper wire actually being broken inside the plastic insulation. In the first two instances, I had the intake air temperature
VW OBD II Revisited: Good Vehicle Service History Helps Determine Causes of Repeat Failures
After 10-plus years of dealing with OBD II, it should be apparent that we are on a learning curve that probably has no end. Almost daily we have a VAG model come into the shop with a check engine light on, or a “state OBD II failure” form. Although we have the latest scanner software
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Code Talking
This being the 60th anniversary of the end World War II, I’ve seen several television programs and movies about how Navajo Indians used their native language to relay a simple military code in the war’s Pacific theater. In order to break any code, it’s important to understand the language in which it’s transmitted. The Navajo
Battery, Charging & Ignition System Diagnosis: Getting Around those Difficult-To-Diagnose Faults
What do you really need to know about diagnosing and repairing starting, charging and ignition systems? Basically two things: that electrical and ignition problems are often difficult to diagnose (especially intermittent faults), and that a lot of electrical and ignition parts are unnecessarily replaced in an attempt to repair problems that are hard to diagnose.
Selling Service for Low-Maintenance Ignition Systems
ition system maintenance as long as it feels like it’s “running good.” In reality, spark plugs eventually develop high electrical resistance because the electrodes wear away. When this happens, the secondary ignition voltage will increase until the ignition coil, ignition cable, spark plug boot or spark plug develops a high-voltage leak. When a high-voltage leak