Tech Tip: VW/Audi Throttle Body Alignment
Have you had a customer pull into the shop with a Volkswagen or Audi that just will not idle correctly? One of the possible causes is that the throttle position is not known. The ECU must know the full range of motion of the throttle in order for it to properly control the engine.
Diagnostic Dilemmas: The Market Value for a Repair to an Older Vehicle
It’s a sign of the times that many people are bringing older vehicles into shops for repairs that they would not have considered several years ago. So it’s not unusual to see people spending more to repair a vehicle than its market value.
Gonzo’s Tool Box: Shift Happens
Jo was a new customer referred by an old-time regular. Her little KIA had a transmission problem that seemed to be getting the best of the transmission shop. The story goes that the SUV was constantly in limp mode, and would never shift properly … ever.
Crankshaft and Camshaft Position Sensor Diagnosis
Nothing is more frustrating than diagnosing an intermittent cranking, no-start complaint with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and no apparent failure pattern. Much of the time, the cranking, no-start complaint lies with a failing crankshaft or camshaft position sensor. Many of these failures can be heat-related and might require several warm-up cycles to duplicate.
Tech Tip: Nissan MIL On with DTC U 1000 or U 1010 Stored in ECU
If you confirm the MIL is on with DTC U1000 (CAN COMM CIRCUIT) or DTC U1010 (CAN COMM) [2006 Models only] stored in the engine control unit, and there are no driveability incidents, determine if this bulletin applies by performing steps 1 and 2 of this Service Procedure.
Tech Tip: Saturn Crankshaft Position Relearn/Adaptives Reset Procedure
You may see a tell-tale service light flashes after replacement of the ECC on 1996 and newer Saturn vehicles. When this occurs, a Crankshaft Adaptives Reset Procedure and Crankshaft Position Relearn Procedure (Flash) must be performed.
Perspectives: Positive Service Implications from a Sophisticated Aftermarket
Arming consumers with vehicle information gives them a better understanding of the importance and complexity of the various automotive systems
Tech Tip: Kia Throttle Body Cleaning
Some Kia drivers may complain of an engine that is hard to start, or that won’t start at all. DTCs P2110, P2118 or P2119 (throttle valve stuck closed) may be present on Theta 2.0L/2.4L engine-equipped vehicles. The condition may occur from carbon deposits and/or fuel additives accumulated in the throttle body.
Tech Feature: MIL Diagnostics and Driveability
MIL diagnostics continues to be a “hot” topic for many import shops simply because the definition of the word continues to change. Looking at the history of modern vehicle diagnostics, most veteran technicians can remember the days when vehicles had no on-board diagnostic systems and, subsequently, required time-consuming pin-out procedures to diagnose electronic systems failures.
Tech Tip: Infiniti DTC P0505 Due To Incorrect Idle Speed
If one of the applied vehicles above has a DTC P0505 AAC/V stored, with no customer driveability incident, it may be caused by an elevated or incorrect engine idle speed setting. In some of these cases, the Idle Air Volume Learning (IAVL) procedure should be performed to resolve the incident. Use the Service Procedure outlined in this Tech Tip to identify and address this incident.
Tech Feature: Diagnosing Automotive Lab Scope Dilemmas
Although digital storage oscilloscopes or “lab scopes” have now become standard equipment for most modern automotive repair shops, they still possess a mystique that tends to intimidate many technicians. Right off the top, a lab scope is basically a voltmeter that displays voltage signals along a time base. The vertical scale measures the amplitude or amount of the voltage and the horizontal scale measures an incremental time line along which the signals are displayed.
Using OBD II Diagnostics to Communicate with Your Customer’s Volkswagen
This article is about communication faults and problems that have occurred on Volkswagens over the last 10-plus years. Many of the same problems still exist on the newest models, but as these vehicles age, get repaired or damaged, problems come up that can challenge even the very best technicians.