Mercedes-Benz: Managing Misfires, Solving Those Strange, Intermittent Engine Vibrations
Automotive Electronics Diagnostician Sergio Fernandez discusses how to solve those strange, intermittent engine vibrations on a 2003 E320, with 3.2L V6 engine and 120,000 miles. The diagnosis begins with these findings: DTC P0305, misfire on cylinder #5; and DTC P0301, misfire on cylinder #1.
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.
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.
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.
Top 5 Tools: David Nau, Ohio Body Shop
David Nau, owner Ohio Body Shop Canton, OH Reelcraft RT Series Medium-Duty Hose Reels AirVANTAGE LP 6” Random Orbital Sander Ingersoll Rand 2015Max 3/8” Drive Impactool OK Spark Coil On Plug Tester USA Sealants Stop Leak Send in your list of your five favorite tools and equipment that help you most in the shop, and
Tech Tip: Nissan Optical Distributor Test
Many Nissan vehicles have a power transistor controlling the coil (or igniter). The power transistor is a separate unit on optical distributors. It allows the signal sent from the ECU (low current) to activate the primary circuit in the ignition coil (higher current). This induces high voltage in the secondary windings of the coil, providing spark to the distributor cap and plugs. If this transistor is faulty, the necessary spark will not result.
New Emissions Technology: Fuel Economy, Global Warming & Alternative Fuels
We can expect to see more innovations designed to improve fuel economy and/or eliminate our dependence on oil altogether, says Technical
Ignition Sensor Diagnostics: Variable-Reluctor, Hall Effect and Magneto-Resistive Sensors
Although ignition failures are relatively common, they’re not the easiest problem to diagnose. To help you get started on what I call a “systems approach” to ignition diagnostics, this article is intended to provide an overview of how to identify ignition system configurations, identify three different types of ignition sensors and understand several basic sensor-operating strategies.
Mercedes-Benz Tech Tip: Battery Acid Leaking into Battery Box
If you receive customer reports in Model 163.154/157/172/174/175 vehicles, all model years, of acid leaking from the battery ventilation hole causing damage to the battery box, follow the remedy procedures below which detail installing a hose/receptacle combination.
Tech Feature: Cooler ‘Heads’ Prevail – Pouring Over GM’s LT1 Engine and Reverse-Flow Technology
The LT1 engine was used in a variety of General Motors models, including 1992-’96 Corvette (Y-body), 1993-’97 Camaro and Firebird (F-body), and 1994-’96 Chevy Caprice and Impala (B-body), Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac Fleetwood (D-body).