4WD Clutch Replacement
Here in the upper part of the West Coast, four-wheeling is a very large part of outdoor recreation. Vehicles of all kinds are taken to the forests and mountains every weekend. There are miles and miles of off-road trails, and organized clubs are available for every make, model and size of 4WD vehicle. Toyota trucks
Accelerate your Throttle-by-Wire Repairs: Ford Electronic Throttle Control
What Was Wrong with a Cable? As if a simple cable linking the gas pedal to the throttle plate wasn’t good enough, engineers have now made that design complicated too. Why do engineers do these things to us? That expensive throttle body can’t cost less than a cheap little throttle cable; or can it? Are
Ignition Control Modules
Their Important Role in Creating Voltage at the Spark Plug Electrode
Is Your Shop Safe From Computer Viruses?
If you’re not sure, your PC may need a little TLC, starting with antivirus software updates
Rotating Electrical Parts Back to the Seller
Fighting the Urge To Return Electrica Components
Diagnosing Automatic Transmission Complaints
Automatic transmissions are a mystery to most motorists. They may know the transmission requires some kind of fluid, but have probably never checked the level or even looked for the dipstick unless they drive an older vehicle with a leaker. When internal problems cause the transmission to act up, it takes a fair amount of
Manual Tranny/Clutches: Pre-Installation Inspections Boost Clutch Performance & Reduce Warranty Claims
Because a good “stick shift” driver can always squeeze a few more miles per gallon out of a manual transmission or otherwise out-perform their automatic transmission counterparts, it’s no wonder that clutch replacements continue to be a good business for most import repair shops. In most cases, a routine clutch replacement requires very little in
Battery, Charging & Ignition System Diagnosis: Getting Around those Difficult-To-Diagnose Faults
What do you really need to know about diagnosing and repairing starting, charging and ignition systems? Basically two things: that electrical and ignition problems are often difficult to diagnose (especially intermittent faults), and that a lot of electrical and ignition parts are unnecessarily replaced in an attempt to repair problems that are hard to diagnose.
Servicing Mazda Electrical Systems: Starting and Charging Diagnostics
While it sounds obvious, the battery is often overlooked when dealing with an electrical problem. Actually, the battery should be more of a maintenance item than a repair issue. I have to think by now all successful import specialist shops are relying on maintenance work to keep their bays profitable. Checking and servicing the battery
Battery Tech: How to Inspect, Charge and Replace
The first test of a battery is a visual inspection. There are certain things a technician should look for when inspecting a battery. Some things to look for include the quality of the connection from the battery to the cables. Cracks or other leaks can cause acid spills. Missing battery hold down hardware can cause
Understanding How a Battery Operates
In the automobile, the battery serves three main functions. First is the obvious. It supplies electrical power for the ignition system, starter, computer system and every other electrical component while the engine is not running (or any other instance when the alternator is not charging). Second, it serves as a reserve power source, should the
Renewable Fuel to Get You On the Road Again
Lying in bed last month about 1:30 a.m. while listening to one of my favorite radio talk show programs, “Coast To Coast A.M. with Art Bell,” I heard the distinct voice of country legend and environmentalist Willie Nelson who was touting his biodiesel fuel brand and his biodiesel-fueled tour bus. According to Nelson, just by