Tech Tip: Motor Mount Inspection Guidelines
Most motor mounts are relatively simple in design and consist only of metal attachment plates and large rubber insulator blocks. But some vehicles have “hydraulic” or “hydro-mounts” with hollow chambers filled with glycol or hydraulic fluid.
Tech Tip: Diagnosing Faulty Spark Plug Wires
Ignition systems have changed a great deal in recent years, with coil-on-plug (COP) ignition systems being the most common setup on many late model engines. COP ignition systems have a single coil for each spark plug mounted on top of the plug. This setup eliminates the need for a spark plug wire and the troubles it can cause. Most other distributorless ignition systems (DIS) still have plug wires, as do older vehicles with distributors.
Diagnosing A/C Systems with Automatic Climate Control
Diagnosis is often the biggest challenge, especially if the cause of a no-cooling problem is not obvious. Is it the refrigeration circuit, an electrical problem or a control issue?
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
Tech Tip: Educating Drivers About Cabin Air Filters
Most cabin air filters are flat panel filters, but some have unusual shapes so they will fit the HVAC inlet duct. Some may also be in two sections to make replacement easier. These filters can trap pollen, dust, smoke and other pollutants that would otherwise enter the vehicle and possibly irritate the nose and lungs of the driver and passengers.
Tech Feature: What’s New with Oil Pumps, Pickups and Pans
Good oil pressure is critical to engine longevity, whether an engine is in a race car or a daily driver. Oil lubricates the bearings, rings and valvetrain components, and also helps cool the engine internally (especially the pistons and bearings).
Tech Feature: Detecting Misfires in OBD II Engines
With OBD II, there’s no missing misfires. Most engine control systems with OBD II monitor the speed of the crankshaft between cylinder firings to detect misfires. The powertrain control module (PCM) notes the relative position of the crankshaft via the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) each time a trigger pulse is sent to the ignition system.
Brake Safety Technology: Mercedes-Benz Brake Assist & Sensotronic Systems
One of the new safety technologies you’ll find in a growing number of European and Asian vehicles is Brake Assist (or BAS for Brake Assist System). The technology actually was invented more than a decade ago, and was first used back in 1996 on Mercedes S-Class and SL-Class cars. In 1998, Mercedes made Brake Assist standard on all of its models.
Carley’s Corner: The Pitfalls of Extended Warranties
New car warranties keep getting longer and longer, much to the dismay of the aftermarket.
Tool Feature: Scan Tools and Software Updates
Though some vehicles have diagnostic modes that can show fault codes and other diagnostic information via the instrument panel, climate control system or driver information display, most simply turn on the check engine light or another warning light when a problem occurs. So without a scan tool, there’s no way to tell what the problem might be, let alone make an accurate diagnosis of which sensor or other component may need to be replaced.
Tech Feature: Making $ (Money) with Mode $06
Mode $06 is one of the nine diagnostic modes that is part of the OBD II on-board diagnostics system on all 1996 and newer vehicles.
What is Mode $06 and the other OBD II Modes?
OBD II modes are organized into nine categories, each of which is assigned a particular mode number preceded by a $ sign to symbolize the hexadecimal code it represents.