Tech Tip: Volkswagen Has No Power to the A/C Compressor Clutch
Vehicle Application: 2000 Beetle 2.0, 2002 Beetle 1.9, 2002 Golf 1.8, 1999-2003 Golf 2.0, 2000-’05 Jetta 1.8, 1.0, 1999-2005 Jetta 2.0 and 2000-’02 Jetta 2.8 Customer Concern: The A/C is not working. There is no power to the A/C compressor clutch and it does not engage. (Manual climate control.) Potential Causes: A/C Compressor, A/C Pressure
New Part Numbers Available for Standard and Intermotor Brands
Standard Motor Products (SMP) has announced the addition of 511 new part numbers to its Standard and Intermotor engine management product lines during the month of June. This makes a total of 1,597 new part numbers year-to-date, the company said.
Tech Tip: Toyota Highlander’s Heater Goes from Hot to Cold on its Own
A loose control knob potentiometer could cause erratic behavior on a Highlander climate control system.
A/C Update: Risky Business
As you may know, the air conditioning compressors in many hybrid vehicles are operated by an electric motor instead of a drive belt. The motor’s insulated windings are immersed in the compressor’s lubricating oil. The oils used in these compressors are formulated to have high dielectric properties, that makes them non-conductive.
Tech Tip: Acura’s Battery is Dead, A/C Cools Poorly
If a 2007-2011 Acura MDX’s battery dies after the vehicle is parked for a short time or overnight, and/or the A/C system blows warm air, the A/C compressor clutch relay may be stuck closed. The A/C compressor may also be noisy and may be emitting refrigerant vapor from the relief valve.
New Reality TV Show Based On Female Car Mechanic
Oakes Entertainment and Pam’s Motor City are proud to announce “Car E.R.,” a new reality series starring Pam Oakes and the employees of Pam’s Motor City in Fort Myers, FL. Sponsored by ACDelco, “Car E.R.” follows Pam, Peter (her long time fiance) and the rest of the gang at Pam’s Motor City as they deal with tricky automotive repairs, esoteric customers, and serious attitudes within the shop. Of course, not everything’s a problem, and there’s a lot of fun and good times, too.
WIX Filters Issues Three New Master Catalogs for 2012
WIX Filters has issued its 2012 Master Catalogs, which cover more than 5,000 WIX Filters products with dimensions, thread sizes, gasket information and application summary.
Underhood Detectors: And the Answer is …
Being a professional technician is a bit like being a detective every day, says Mike DuBois. You are presented with “evidence” and expected to solve the crime. Sometimes the clues are obvious and other times all you have to work with is a dead body.
Tech Talk: ‘Baywatch’
Problem “models” that technicians see on a regular basis
Directions: Issues on 1234yf Still Up in the Air
There has been a lot of talk about the new HFO-1234yf A/C refrigerant making its way into new vehicles. Some of the misconceptions and rumors about the refrigerant were addressed at the Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide (MACS) convention and trade show in January. One of the biggest concerns techs and shop owners have is which vehicles will have the new system.
New A/C Machine Requirements for R-1234yf and Hybrid Vehicles
In case you haven’t heard, there is a new refrigerant coming called R-1234yf. The claims are it’s a much lower greenhouse gas than R-134a. As a shop owner who’s trying to stay ahead of the curve, I need to know what service equipment is needed, when it is needed and what it will cost.
Update on Global Automotive Refrigerant Contamination
Last month, MACS and Neutronics issued a warning advising that all industries using R-134a refrigerant immediately test all cylinders thought to be virgin R-134a (including new 30 pound cylinders) due to reports of widespread contamination. Following that report, Ed Sunkin, editor of Underhood Service, contacted manufacturers and suppliers of automotive refrigerant to comment on this issue.