Investigating Intermittent Stalling Problems
Diagnosing an intermittent stalling problem can be a challenge, especially if the engine only stalls occasionally and won’t stall for you (only your customer). And if there are no pending codes, hard codes or history codes in the vehicle’s computer to give you some direction, you may find yourself guessing at a diagnosis. Every engine
Rotating Electrical Parts Back to the Seller
Fighting the Urge To Return Electrica Components
Flushing Away Engine Problems
When motor oil isn’t changed often enough, varnish deposits and sludge begin to form inside the engine. If the oil is neglected long enough, it will eventually turn into goo and ruin the engine. “Oil sludging” has become a serious problem in recent years for a number of reasons. One is that more new car
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.
Carley’s Corner: Sorry Charlie, No More Free Auto Repair Advice
As technical editor for Babcox, I frequently receive e-mails and letters from readers who ask me for free auto repair advice. Most of these requests are not from professional automotive technicians, but from motorists who have seen one of our publications while visiting a service facility somewhere. One guy in particular seems to think I’m
Servicing Solutions: Working on Customers’ Work Vehicles
One of the finer lines to walk in the service and repair industry is how deep in the mud you’re willing to get when a customer brings in a vehicle with an intermittent driveability problem. An intermittent surge with a vehicle that is driven once a week is one thing. An intermittent stall on a
Light Diesel Service Opportunities are Growing
Diesels are back! During the past six years, more than 2.5 million new diesel-powered cars and light trucks have been sold in the United States. Though the numbers are not huge, they are growing. Diesel usage in U.S light vehicles has almost doubled over the last five years (from 2.2% in 1999 to 3.9% in
The Top 5 Favorite Tools of Top Technicians
Don Frantz Frantz Automotive Center Cary, NC I own and operate Frantz Automotive Center in Cary, NC. We are a six-bay shop with four techs – all of whom are ASE certified. I, myself, am ASE certified with L1 Certification as well. Frantz Automotive was recently voted "Best of Cary" by the readers of the
Aftermarket Update
Free PR and Check-Up Forms for National Car Care Month Events Freebies abound for service providers offering in-house vehicle check ups during National Car Care Month in April. First, the official check-up forms are free from the Car Care Council. Simply estimate the number needed and call 1-240-333-1088 or order online at www.carcare.org. Second, there’s
Servicing Saturns: A Different Kind of Car Repair?
On January 7, 1985, Saturn was born. That day, Roger Smith, the president of General Motors, announced the decision to create a whole new car company from the ground up. There were 99 people chosen to create a vision of what GM needed to do in order to prosper in the small car business into