Tech Tip: Volkswagen Has MIL On, DTCs P1355, P1358, P1361 or P1364 Stored in ECM Fault Memory
This tip is associated with 2002-’04 2.0L Golf, Jetta, New Beetle and New Beetle Convertible vehicles.
Tech Tip: GMs, Hummers and Saabs May Experience Intermittent MIL with DTC P2138 and Reduced Power
Some customers may comment on an intermittent malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) being illuminated with a message or an indicator that displays Reduced Engine Power.
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Solving Late-Model Charging System Dilemmas
This month’s Diagnostic Dilemma involves a pristine 1995 Buick Park Avenue with a customer complaint of dimming instrument cluster lights, a flickering voltmeter needle, a driveability bucking complaint and a dead battery. The alternator had been replaced due to an indication of excessive AC ripple on the shop’s hand-held battery and charging system tester. A P1630 trouble code was present, indicating a high/low condition with battery voltage.
Memory Lane: Marketing 101 — Seeing things from the Customer’s Perspective
What is important to you may not interest the customer at all.
Tech Tip: Toyota Highlander’s Heater Goes from Hot to Cold on its Own
A loose control knob potentiometer could cause erratic behavior on a Highlander climate control system.
Tech Tip: Audi MIL Is On, Misfire DTCs P0300-P0312 Set
If an Audi customer complains that the engine has reduced performance without a significant loss of power or stalling, verify if Campaign 28F2/J1 has been performed (model years 2002-’07 only). Also determine if the vehicle is experiencing rough idle, the MIL is flashing or constantly illuminated, or one or more of the following DTCs are stored: DTC P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected); DTC P0301-P0312 (Cyl. 1-12 Misfire Detected).
A/C Update: Risky Business
As you may know, the air conditioning compressors in many hybrid vehicles are operated by an electric motor instead of a drive belt. The motor’s insulated windings are immersed in the compressor’s lubricating oil. The oils used in these compressors are formulated to have high dielectric properties, that makes them non-conductive.
A 360
Over the years, GM has saved a bundle on manufacturing the 3.1L engine by using the production line tooling it originally developed for the 2.8L V6. By simply changing the bore diameter, the displacement of the same engine block could now be increased for more power and torque.
Cadillac Announces an Electrified Coupe
Cadillac ELR, the luxury brand’s upcoming extended range electric car, will share Volt’s powertrain. The ELR will launch as a 2014 model year vehicle, but production will not begin until very late 2013 calendar year, meaning this will be a late arrival for the 2014 model year.
New Reality TV Show Based On Female Car Mechanic
Oakes Entertainment and Pam’s Motor City are proud to announce “Car E.R.,” a new reality series starring Pam Oakes and the employees of Pam’s Motor City in Fort Myers, FL. Sponsored by ACDelco, “Car E.R.” follows Pam, Peter (her long time fiance) and the rest of the gang at Pam’s Motor City as they deal with tricky automotive repairs, esoteric customers, and serious attitudes within the shop. Of course, not everything’s a problem, and there’s a lot of fun and good times, too.
Brake Light Diagnostics
So many manufacturers are now running the brake lights through BCMs, Integrated Power Modules, bulb detection systems, or the anti-lock brakes. Along with just about every other system in today’s cars, computers are doing a lot of the work for us. Diagnosing a simple inoperative brake light problem takes on a whole new aspect than before. This article will cover some of the basic testing procedures that I use on a daily basis to determine the location and how to repair a brake light wiring problem.
Nissan: Solving Rotating Electrical Issues
Maybe the warning light on the dash has caught the attention of the customer who was lucky enough to make it to your shop, or not so lucky and their car needs to be towed, says Import Specialist Contributor Bob Dowie. Whatever the scenario, don’t be too quick to jump to conclusions when diagnosing rotating electrical issues.