Tech Tip: Ford Traction Control Light On/No DTC, or DTC P1889
Some 2005-’07 Five Hundred, Freestyle and Montego vehicles equipped with all wheel drive (AWD) may exhibit the traction control warning lamp on.
Directions: The Price of Neglect
While it’s good for independent repair shops that more than half of American drivers said they are holding onto their older vehicle because they do not want the financial burden of a new one, about 25% of car owners today admitted to neglecting repairs and maintenance on their vehicles in the past 12 months due to the economic climate.
Tech Talk: Boosting Your Technical Knowledge on Turbos
Supercharger and turbocharger Q & A with Dave Hobbs,
Delphi Product & Service Solutions service trainer. In addition to his work with Delphi, Dave Hobbs serves as an instructor for Indiana’s Ivy Tech Community College. He is also a frequent speaker at national training seminars, is a qualified hybrid instructor and writes for various industry magazines.
Tech Spec: Retro Work – Service Tips for the PT Cruiser
Although classified as a truck in the U.S. by the NHTSA for CAFE fuel economy reasons, The PT Cruiser was considered to be more like a car by most other standards.
Tech Tip: Kia Has Intermittent MIL On with No Fault Code Stored
In affected vehicles, an intermittent short to ground in a circuit only intended for testing purposes may cause the MIL to illuminate and a DTC P1330 (Spark Timing Adjust) to be stored. As soon as the fault disappears, the MIL may turn off and the fault code can also be immediately erased by the engine management system, making it hard to diagnose the concern.
Tech Feature: Kia Driveability Diagnostics
We’ll be taking a look at the Kia line of cars and SUVs this month with an eye toward driveability issues and check engine light concerns. My first point is that there should be no trepidation when a Kia finds its way to your bay. Kias enjoy a solid dealer network, good parts availability and a no-charge website for repair information so there is no reason that you shouldn’t welcome them into your shop.
Tech Tip: DeLorean Fuel Pump Replacement
DeLorean owners and enthusiasts know to be wary, a car left sitting that long and havoc ensues with the sensitive fuel system of a 25-year-old DeLorean. In fact, any car, left sitting for a lengthy period of time will eventually encounter fuel problems. One specific problem to note would be the need for a new fuel pump. Cars left sitting, and even daily drivers, can fall victim to fuel pump failure. Over time, debris and contaminants build up in the fuel tank.
Diagnostic Dilemmas: When Over-Voltages Electrocute PCMs
During the past nine months, I’ve had three instances of powertrain control module (PCM) failures on Jeep Wrangler vehicles that were evidently caused by an over-voltage condition. The first case involved an owner who requested that a local shop replace the fuel pump because his 1998 Wrangler was slow-starting in the morning. The shop found the pump pressure was marginal and replaced the pump. Because the Jeep still had the problem, the owner complained about the fuel pump, first to the shop and then to the local jobber supplying the pump.
Coil on Plug Ignition: The Wired Differences
For late-model vehicles, the norm is one ignition coil per cylinder, commonly known as coil on plug. The task of providing voltage potential to each spark plug is performed so reliably that it’s easy to take for granted. An underhood comparison of a variety of vehicles, however, reveals there are subtle differences among coils. For example, each individual coil may be connected to two, three or four control wires.
Tech Tip: GM Vehicle has DTC P0757 Set, MIL Illuminated and Slipping Transmission
Some customers may comment on any of the following conditions – an illuminated MIL (where DTC P0757 is found as a history code), no third and fourth gear and the the transmission does not shift correctly.
Tech Tip: Kia Optima Won’t Rev, Sets Code P0350
On some Kia Optima vehicles, a P0350 code is set, indicating a faulty ignition coil circuit. At times the engine runs bad and won’t rev up; that is when it sets the code.
Directions: Vehicle Age and Smaller Engines Increase Vehicle Maintenance
While the small increase in 2010 vehicle total mileage would seem to be negative for aftermarket product expansion, the changing driving habits of Americans are causing more vehicle wear per mile driven today than in the past.