Engine Diagnostics: Mazda
We’re going to take a look at the Mazda line of cars and trucks with an eye on driveability service and diagnosis. In particular, we’ll look at some driveability problems that may result in an illuminated check engine light, as well as some problems that will illuminate the light but may not result in a
Pumping Oil
For me, sourcing automotive chemicals and motor oils goes all the way back to 1957 when I worked at my corner service station. Since we were a small town without a local parts jobber, we bought our oil additives and chemicals from an out-of-town distributor. Our gasoline and motor oil came from our local-branded petroleum
Diagnostic Dilemmas: The Misfire Code As a Symptom
Without question, the 1996 and newer OBD II systems have greatly simplified the diagnostic process. Veteran mechanics well remember the technical loopholes that riddled the old proprietary OBD I systems. All too often, the complex diagnostic charts supplied by the auto manufacturers were time-consuming, erroneous and often concluded with the infamous “replace with component of
Nissan Tech Tip: ECM Replacement Service Procedure
If you confirm that the Electronic Control Module (ECM) needs to be replaced on a 2000 MY or later Nissan vehicle, or a 1999 MY vehicle Frontier (D22), Quest (V41) or Pathfinder (R50) from VIN JN8AR07**XW350101, complete the following actions.
Braking with Tradition: Siemens VDO Plans Series Production of By-Wire Brake this Decade
Siemens VDO has developed a vehicle braking concept consisting of about 30 percent hardware and 70 percent electronics – a 180 degree change from traditional hydraulic braking systems.
Mitchell 1’s OnDemand5.com Experiences Tremendous Customer Growth
Mitchell 1 recently announced that its Internet-based OnDemand5.com product has achieved record popularity this year and is on pace to once again double the product’s customer base in 2006.
Getting Started
It’s no secret that the first automobiles were started by hand cranking. It’s also pretty obvious that, somewhere along the way, someone replaced the hand crank with an electric motor. In 1911, a friend of Henry Leland, founder of Cadillac, died from injuries sustained while restarting a car for a lady. The need for a
News Update: AMI Announces 2006 Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarship Recipient
The Automotive Management Institute (AMI), in conjunction with Babcox Publications, recently announced Steve Sallinger, owner and president, Ole Metairie Car Care, Inc., Metairie, LA, as the recipient of the “Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarship.” The scholarship recognizes a management-oriented member of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Mechanical Division. The recipient receives $1,000 to be applied
Mercedes-Benz: Transmission Service and Other Maintenance Essentials
Consistently rated as well engineered and well built, the Mercedes line fills almost every class of vehicle today, from small fuel-efficient people-movers like the Smart Car, to large over-the-road trucks and every niche in between. Our shop performs routine maintenance and more involved repairs on hundreds of Mercedes vehicles every year. Most of the models
Up in Vapor
Gasp! It’s the “Gas Cap Code”! Oh no, you just pulled a code P0422, evaporative purge small leak detected… Here goes the needle in the haystack syndrome. So what do you do? Recommend a new gas cap and ship it? Well you could do that, but would that be in your or your customer’s best