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.
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 Tip: Acura A/C Compressor is Not Working
The A/C compressor on a 2005 Acura RL 3.5L is not working. The scan tool reads A/C compressor “ON” and the A/C compressor clutch relay does click.
Tool Tip: BMW A/C System Leak Testing Procedure Update
The customer complains of poor or no air conditioning cooling. After further diagnosis, the system is found to be low or empty of a refrigerant charge, but when using an electronic leak detector, no leak can be found. Before replacing parts, perform a nitrogen leak test to confirm the location of the leak.
Tool Tip: Prepare to Repair: The Importance of Equipment Maintenance
Situation A commercial vehicle — a 1996 Chevrolet 3500 van — was recently brought in for service with the customer complaining of low fuel pressure. The vehicle had recently had its fuel module and fuel pressure regulator replaced, due to a low fuel pressure concern and the vehicle was still experiencing the same issue. Procedure
Tool Tip: Honda Revises Alternator Testing Procedures
American Honda is developing new equipment and procedures for testing alternators and starters. Until this equipment is released, use the following information.
Tool Tip: MIL Is Illuminated, DTC P1776 Set
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the 2004 or 2005 Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or the 2003 Transmission Control Module (TCM) with new software and performing the TCM Quicklearn procedure with the DRBIII.
Tech Tip: Does a Generic OBD II Tool Show All Volkswagen Codes?
Generic OBD II tools may not give the complete picture of what is happening with a car. Consider what happened to me with my 2000 VW GTI 1.8T. The car had been intermittently stalling out over a period of a few weeks. The check engine light was not lit. One evening, as I was leaving work, the car stalled again. Fortunately, I had my laptop with me and had several diagnostic programs installed, so I ran a scan.
Tool Tip: Intermittent Chuggle/No DTCs Set
Some customers may comment on an intermittent chuggle or fishbite on light acceleration or at steady-state highway speeds (typically 50-65 mph) with no PCM DTCs set. This condition may lead the technician to suspect the TCC circuit or torque converter. This condition may be caused by intermittent operation of the Throttle Position (TPS) Sensor.
Tool Tech Tip: Impact vs. Chrome Sockets
Chrome hand sockets and impact sockets have differences that are a lot more than skin deep. Each is designed and manufactured with specific applications in mind, and they are built to handle that job only. The user must be careful not to use a chrome hand socket on an impact gun.
Tech Tip: Scan Tools Needed for Some ABS, ESC and A/C Service
Some new technologies may require the use of scan tools to service them – in unexpected ways. A scan tool may be necessary when servicing vehicles equipped with ESC (Electronic Stability Control), for instance, even with simple service such as an alignment. This scan tool helps perform the steering center calibration, which, if not performed correctly, can result in the vehicle pulling to one side or the other.
Tech Tip: A/C Service Tools & Equipment
Hot weather is fast approaching, and that means it’s time to tool up for summer air conditioning service work. A lot has changed in recent years. A whole new generation of smarter, more accurate, more efficient A/C recovery machines and recharging stations have been introduced to handle today’s reduced refrigerant capacity vehicles.