Tech Tip: Ignition System Service in a Changing Market
Distributors started disappearing from engines back in the late 1980s and early 1990s as the automakers began to phase in distributorless ignition systems (DIS) followed by coil-on-plug (COP) ignition systems. Everybody said distributors and eventually spark plug wire sets were going away. Well, here it is more than 20 years later and auto parts stores still carry a hefty inventory of distributors, caps, rotors and spark plug wire sets. But in addition to these parts, store shelves are also stocked with DIS coil packs and COP coils.
Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Cylinder that is Misfiring
A flashing Check Engine light and a P0301 to P0312 diagnostic trouble code are sure-fire indicators that one or more cylinders are misfiring. Occasional misfires may pass unnoticed, but a steady misfire is hard to miss. The engine usually feels rough, lacks power and uses more gas than usual. Sometimes a misfire may feel like a vibration. A misfire also will cause a huge increase in hydrocarbon (HC) emissions out the tailpipe, which can cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
Tech Tip: Wrangler Chirping Noise is for the Birds!
The customer may experience a chirp-like sound coming from the accessory drive belt. The sound may become more pronounced at higher engine speeds. Investigation may reveal accelerated accessory drive belt wear even though the belt is properly installed on all pulleys. The accessory drive belt chirp-like sound may be caused by the misalignment of the power steering pump pulley to the shaft of the power steering pump.
Toyota Tech Tip: Prius Hybrid Lacks Power
Some 2001-’03 model-year Prius vehicles may exhibit a Master, Hybrid and MIL warning light on with DTC P3130, and possibly P3125 with sub code 264. When the vehicle is parked after prolonged operation in heavy stop-and-go traffic, or sustained high speeds in ambient temperatures above 90° F (32° C), and when attempting to restart, the vehicle may experience an abnormally low power output condition or inability to "Ready On."
Tech Tip: Headlight Service on Volkswagen New Beetles
The body of the New Beetle is cute, and the flush mounting of the exterior lighting likely improves aerodynamics. But that mounting also creates problems as far as retaining the lights. There is a rotating, sliding, cam-locking piece of plastic that is retained in a plastic track that collects things like dirt, water, sand or anything else that can jamb two plastic parts and make them one. When everything is clean and dry, the headlight units come out using these procedures.
News Update
Ingenuity Welcome At Johnson Controls
EGR Issues: Dealing with P0401 Codes
ht=”245″ alt=”” align=”right” /> As emission controls got tighter, and with the advent of OBD II, things started to change. We not only saw additional driveability complaints, but we also had the check engine light (CEL) telling the customer there was an emissions failure that had to be dealt with for the good of the
Tech Feature: Diesel Service… VW Glow Plugs
Diesels are up to 30% more efficient than gasoline engines because they use high compression to ignite the fuel rather than spark plugs. High-pressure fuel injectors spray fuel directly into the combustion chambers when the pistons near top dead center. The heat of compression, combined with residual heat in the piston and cylinder head from
Directions: What Dreams May Come
The new year gives the auto industry a new opportunity to deliver an exciting crop of vehicles. Many in the industry are hoping that next 12 months are better than 2007. This is especially the case for the Michigan-based automotive manufacturers, as the year 2007 seemed to be one endless stream of setbacks, bad news
Exterminating Electrical Parasites
Any electrical circuit that is wired “hot at all times” has the potential to become a parasite to the battery. There are some wanted parasites on the vehicle that are necessary to have, and some that are not. We’re going to find out how to “fingerprint” and track down the unwanted ones systematically. A parasitic