8 Common Diagnostic Mistakes
Many diagnostic mistakes that become “diagnostic dilemmas” are caused by basic oversights or incorrect assumptions on the part of the technician. Research time and testing time have become the cornerstones of modern diagnostics.
Air Ride: Compressor Diagnostics
On most modern vehicles, the compressor and air ride control unit are very intelligent components. Most communicate with the Body Control Module (BCM) on a high-speed serial data bus. These systems have malfunction indicator lights on the dash and require the use of a scan tool to diagnose the system.
Tech Tip: Ford Vacuum Leakage Noise and MIL On with Lean Codes
Some 2005 Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with a 3.0L 2V and some 2003-2005 Lincoln LS vehicles equipped with a 3.0L 4V engine may exhibit a vacuum leakage noise or lean codes and/or malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on.
Tool and Equipment Distributors Associates Host 2011 Vendor Meeting
The 17th annual TEDA (Tool and Equipment Distributors Associates) Vendor Advisory Meeting, held June 6-9 at The Hotel at Turf Valley in Ellicott City, MD, provided vendors a great opportunity to meet with distributors one-on-one — inside and outside (on the golf course). This year, according to TEDA President Glen Pratt, the event offered
Tech Tip: Heater Core Electrolysis/Leakage
The majority of repeat heater core leaks are due to high flow rate or use of poor quality coolant. However, electrolysis should also be checked, especially when repeat repairs have occurred.
Tech Feature: Clearing the Air on CAFs
Are you inspecting the cabin air filter on your customers’ vehicles? If not, you should be. It’s a health benefit for your customers, as well as their vehicle.
Top 5 Tools: Kurt Schutzeus, Kurt’s Auto Body, Pittsburgh, PA
Kurt Schutzeus Kurt’s Auto Body Pittsburgh, PA Lincoln Welder Bear Alignment Machine Mac Tools OBD II Scan Tool Sun A/C Machine Heath Rotor Lathe
Tech Feature: Eliminating the Con-‘Fusion’ of Servicing Ford’s Mid-Size Vehicles
Nestled into the marketing space between the Focus and the Taurus/Five Hundred is the Ford Fusion. The Fusion came with a choice of four-cylinder and six-cylinder Duratec powerplants. The inline four-cylinder Duratec 23 is a 2.3L 16-valve DOHC engine.
Carley’s Corner: The Pitfalls of Extended Warranties
New car warranties keep getting longer and longer, much to the dismay of the aftermarket.
Tech Feature: Engine Technology Gets a Boost
As a technician, you’ll need to understand how Ford’s EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine works, since the automaker plans to incorporate it in 90% of its new vehicles over the next three years.