Gonzo’s Toolbox: How ‘Bout Friday? What Happens When Customers Can’t Afford to Pick Up Their Vehicle
A rather slow week at the shop turned into a very interesting one. With the economy slowing things down to a crawl, it’s understandable that people can’t afford to have their cars in for repair like they should, and regular maintenance is usually not that high on the list of things to be concerned about.
Gonzo’s Toolbox: Found It On the Internet
A customer comes into the shop the other day with a handful of papers about his car. Each page was full of information and diagrams pertaining to a repair. He was extremely proud of himself, and proceeded to tell me how he found this wealth of knowledge on the Internet.
Tech Update: Can ‘Add-Ons’ Affect CAN Systems? Yes, They Can!
Get any teenager their first car and the first thing they want to do is modify it with new wheels, a different exhaust, seat covers or, the most important and popular upgrade, the stereo. You know, when they have to get to school with all their buddies in the car, they’ve got to have those tunes. They can’t be seen around town with a dull factory radio or wimpy stock wheels.
Tech Feature: Exhaust Leaks and the Stoichiometric Ratio
When I was a kid, I used to watch my dad, who started out as a diesel mechanic, tune up cars and trucks from time to time. He would turn the adjustment screws on the carburetor until the engine smoothed out and started to purr. Then, after listening closely to the rumbling of the motor, the adjustment screws would get one final tweak. He would always bend down and cup his hand around the belching tail pipe exhaust and take a big sniff of the fumes, and then go back to his adjustments. That was back in the 60s and 70s before PCMs, O2 sensors and catalytic converters.
GONZO’S TOOLBOX: I SMELL A ‘RAT’: Murphy’s Law Was This Time Disguised as a Pesky Rodent
A 2002 Lexus LS430 came in the shop earlier this year. It was stumbling and sounded rough. It had a slight misfire but, overall, the owner said he couldn’t feel it vibrate. The check engine light was on and it didn’t seem to have the power it used to have.
Tech Update: HVAC Diagnostics
Leave it to the OEMs to take a simple system like heating and air conditioning and turn it into an electronic jumble of wiring, sensors and computer components.
Gonzo’s Toolbox: I Smell a ‘Rat’
A 2002 Lexus LS430 came in the shop earlier this year. It was stumbling and sounded rough. It had a slight misfire but, overall, the owner said he couldn’t feel it vibrate. The check engine light was on and it didn’t seem to have the power it used to have. There were two codes, P1310 (misfire on #3 cylinder) and P0330 (knock sensor code). I figured I better start with the misfire code and see where it leads. It could be that the knock code was a result of the misfire.
Transmission Update: Speed Sensor Diagnostics
Weird and unusual problems are my bread and butter diagnostics. By the time these odd problems get to me the owner of the vehicle has more than likely reached their threshold of poor diagnostics skills and bad results. Their opinion of every technician out there comes down to the same inevitable answer: “We’re all the same.” I doubt that very seriously. It’s almost laughable when you start quizzing them on where they had their car prior to bringing it in.
K-I-S-S Method: Listen to the Customer Before You Grab the Scanner
An older gentleman came to the shop with wipers that would not turn off. This customer was insistent that it had to be a serious malfunction. He was so sure of himself that it made me think there was something seriously wrong with the car.
Airbag Service and Diagnostics: What You Need to Know
Since 1998, all new cars have been required to have Supplemental Restraint Systems as standard equipment. A study done in December 2001 found that a record was set with 7,585 confirmed prevented deaths by proper airbag/seatbelt usage. If that isn’t enough to make you appreciate the airbag systems in today’s cars, I don’t know what will.
Ford Reflash Tech Tip: PC Settings
So, you’ve just finished up a Ford, and you’re about to try and start it up. However, it needs programmed. You’ve decided to use a J2534 tool, but there are certain things you’ll need to consider before purchasing that subscription at www.motorcraftservice.com.
Gonzo’s Toolbox: Second Guessing a Second Opinion
Who out there knows everything about automotive repair? Who out there has seen it all, and wouldn’t be surprised if something so common to do now turns out to be not so common? Well, one thing is for sure, it is not me. I learn something new about this crazy car business every day. Especially when it comes to the electronics in today’s cars.