Diagnostic Dilemmas: Diagnosing Rodent Damage
Of all the technical innovations of the past century, the plastic-insulated copper wire is one of the most dependable components found in the modern automobile. Sure, this summer I had three different cases of the copper wire actually being broken inside the plastic insulation. In the first two instances, I had the intake air temperature
Bad Gas Update
How bad can it get? When the price of gasoline soared to over $3 a gallon after hurricane Katrina, people were shocked. They actually began to change their driving habits to conserve fuel by eliminating unnecessary trips, sharing rides to work, staying home in the evening instead of going out and doing what little they
Under Pressure: Maintaining Ford’s Electronic Returnless Fuel System
By Glen Beanard, Technical Contributor Here we go again. A simple electric pump pushing fuel up to the engine, with its pressure being controlled by a little valve, and returning the unused fuel to the tank was not good enough. Now, we need to make that all fancy by adding a new controller, adding a
Alternator Altercation Electricity Fundamentals
Electrical principles, like voltage, amperage and resistance, can be described as cars passing along the roadway. Voltage was referred to as the vehicle’s speed, amperage as the number of vehicles on the road at the same time, and resistance as potholes in the road’s surface. Basically, electricity is a supply of atoms with an excess
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
Performance Upgrades: Tuning, Tweaking & Boosting Your Way to New Profits
The import performance market offers a unique service opportunity for you. Import vehicle owners are accessorizing their vehicles like never before, and many are buying aftermarket performance parts in record numbers. Though many of these parts are sold to people who can install the parts themselves (things like wings, spoilers, lights, big bore mufflers, etc.),
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
How to Unlock the Potential of Your Management and Information Software
Software is a unique tool. Every time it is used, it becomes more valuable to your shop. With every customer profile, parts data and billing information that you input, it will become more valuable to your operation. Also, with every technical service bulletin or bit of repair information found, you become more valuable. For automotive
Adayana Launches Automotive Training Website
Adayana Inc. recently announced the launch of its automotive technical skills training system and website MyTechCampus (mytechcampus.com). The site provides access to Adayana’s library of automotive service, service management and safety courses developed specifically for the web. The site offers courses and support tools to service providers interested in training for their employees, and individual learners who wish to purchase online training.
Aftermarket News
esented by MAC Engineering on Sept. 29, 2004. The Future Vision Award recognizes East Penn for its commitment to continuous improvements in battery manufacturing technology and its partnership in exploring new processes and methods. MAC has been supplying East Penn for more than 25 years with battery manufacturing equipment including pasting, plate preparatory and stacking