Fuel Pump Diagnostics
Electric fuel pumps are a vital part of any electronic fuel injection system because achieving an accurate air/fuel mixture ratio depends upon the fuel injector receiving adequate fuel pressure and volume. Because electric fuel pumps have moving parts that wear out, they also have a relatively predictable service life and, therefore, become a predictable profit
Electrical System Service
Electrical System Service
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Battery-Related Driveability Issues
Any experienced automotive trainer will tell you that the automotive starter battery is the foundation of a vehicle electronics system. Of course, most of us nod our heads in agreement and then proceed to diagnose a driveability problem without first testing the battery’s condition! Unfortunately, short-cut procedures don’t work on the really tough no-code engine
Tech Tip: Replacement of Gear Lubes Can Prevent Expensive Driveline Problems
The lubricants that are used in manual transmissions, transaxles, differentials and transfer cases include a variety of different oils. Most of these lubricants are long-lived and hold up well for tens of thousands of miles. But none will last forever. The combination of heat, shearing action and oxidation eventually breaks down the oil and reduces its ability to lubricate and protect.
Dual Mass Flywheel/Clutch Replacement Options
Dual-mass flywheels are a unique kind of flywheel that have been used on a variety of pickup truck and passenger car applications since the late 1980s. You’ll find them on 1987 Ford F-Series 6.9L diesels, 1987-98 Ford F-Series 7.3L diesels, 1992-1996 Chevy/GMC 6.5L diesel trucks and 1992-02 Chevy/GMC 8.5L diesel trucks. Dual-mass flywheels have also
Timing Belt Replacement: Safeguarding Your Customers’ Vehicles From Major Engine Damage
Although better materials and manufacturing technology have extended the timing belt replacement intervals on many nameplates, timing belt replacements remain one of the most profitable scheduled maintenance services. They continue to be profitable because many other scheduled services like spark plug replacements, filter replacements, coolant changes and transmission fluid changes can be packaged with a
Electrical System Service
Diagnosing Activated PSM Warning Light in Instrument Cluster
Component Connection: Water Pumps…Why They Fail and When to Replace Them
If you’ve wondered how much work a water pump must do, remember that only about 30% of the heat energy produced by combustion results in mechanical energy. That estimate, of course, is a mathematical comparison between the heat value of the gasoline going into the engine, and the heat value of the mechanical energy coming
Handling the Load
It takes a lot of amps to power the lights, electric defrosters, wipers, power windows, power seats, power liftgates, the ignition system, fuel injectors, fuel pump, cooling fan, A/C compressor, heater fan, heated seats, audio system and navigation systems on today’s late-model vehicles. Since alternators can generate only so many amps, their output may depend
4WD Clutch Replacement
Here in the upper part of the West Coast, four-wheeling is a very large part of outdoor recreation. Vehicles of all kinds are taken to the forests and mountains every weekend. There are miles and miles of off-road trails, and organized clubs are available for every make, model and size of 4WD vehicle. Toyota trucks
Accelerate your Throttle-by-Wire Repairs: Ford Electronic Throttle Control
What Was Wrong with a Cable? As if a simple cable linking the gas pedal to the throttle plate wasn’t good enough, engineers have now made that design complicated too. Why do engineers do these things to us? That expensive throttle body can’t cost less than a cheap little throttle cable; or can it? Are
Clearing Up the Cooling System Confusion
Would you believe cooling system failures are the No. 1 cause of mechanical breakdowns on the highway? That’s what statistics published by the U.S. Department of Transportation tell us. It’s not surprising considering how badly most cooling systems are neglected these days. In April, the Car Care Council offered motorists free vehicle inspections at more