Diagnostic Dilemmas: Taking Charge of Vehicle Voltage Testing
Although checking charging voltage at the battery terminals is the most popular method for testing an alternator, a charging voltage test seldom reveals less common problems like open or shorted alternator diodes, intermittent high or low charging rates, charging system wiring problems, intermittent cranking/no-start complaints or intermittent dead battery complaints. In addition, testing charging voltage
Power Your Profits with Performance Mods
The sport compact car market is certainly a good place to be these days. One of the advantages of doing import performance modifications and upgrades is that you don’t have to wait for cars to break to get business. The people who drive these cars spend money on performance modifications regardless of the age, mileage
Starting/Charging System Diagnosis: Fixing Faults the First Time Eliminates Comebacks & Returns
How many starters and alternators are replaced unnecessarily every year because of misdiagnosis? Nobody knows for sure, but suppliers of both new and remanufactured rotating electrical parts tell us more than half of their warranty returns have “no fault found” when the parts are examined. Many of these returns are from DIYers who lack diagnostic
Solutions to Repair a Wiring Repair Nightmare
KNOWN PROBLEM AND SOLUTION A 2002 Chevy Impala has the ABS malfunction light on and wheel speed sensor code, C0040 – Right Front Wheel Speed Circuit Malfunction, is in the scan tool. There is no apparent damage to the harness or connectors. TSB #03-05-25-008 states that the connector for the sensor and its harness wiring
Diagnostic Solutions: COP Ignition Systems
For a number of reasons, the trend of modern engine management technology is leaning toward using coil-on-plug (COP) ignition systems. One reason is that COP ignitions are very compact and are very adaptable to individual cylinder tuning. With the exception of a few designs that incorporate a driver or “module” into the COP assembly itself,
Rotating Electric Update
Question: There is a lot of talk in the industry regarding returns on non-defective parts. So, how can repair shops and technicians reduce the number of warranty returns on rotating electrical parts? Answer: Misdiagnosis of starting and charging problems is the main reason many starters and alternators are returned. The issue isn’t the quality of
Battery Charging: All Charged Up!
A battery charger is something every shop should own, and most do. But battery technology has changed in recent years. Battery chargers that were designed for older conventional lead acid batteries (called “flooded” cell batteries because the cells are filled with liquid electrolyte) may not be the best choice for newer batteries with absorbent glass
Fundamentals of Electrical System Diagnosis
Electrical principles, like voltage, amperage and resistance, can be described as cars passing along the roadway. Voltage would be the vehicle’s speed, amperage would be the number of vehicles on the road at the same time, and resistance would be the potholes in the road’s surface. Basically, electricity is a supply of atoms with an
Tech Feature: Solving Intermittent Electrical Problems
Intermittent electrical faults are the bane of the auto repair business. If an electrical component has failed, or there is an open or a short in a circuit, you can usually find it fairly quickly because it isn’t hiding from you. It’s a persistent fault that can be isolated by a systematic process of elimination.
Diagnostic Solutions: Identifying Ignition Switch Failure Symptoms
Although the basic ignition switch has remained unchanged for many years, the way it supplies electrical current to modern on-board electronics has made it a key factor when diagnosing intermittent failures in various electronic operating systems. Going back into automotive history, the ignition switch’s sole purpose on early imports was to energize the primary ignition
Battery Breadkown
A battery breakdown is bad news. If the battery can’t supply enough amps to crank and start the engine, your customer’s vehicle isn’t going anywhere (except maybe downhill powered by gravity). A good battery is absolutely essential for reliable starting and for powering the vehicle’s onboard electronics and electrical systems when demand exceeds the charging
Alternator Altercation Electricity Fundamentals
Electrical principles, like voltage, amperage and resistance, can be described as cars passing along the roadway. Voltage was referred to as the vehicle’s speed, amperage as the number of vehicles on the road at the same time, and resistance as potholes in the road’s surface. Basically, electricity is a supply of atoms with an excess