Diagnostic Solutions: Modern Spark Plug Diagnostics, The ‘Art And Science’ Of Reading Plugs
With the advent of electronic engine management systems, “reading” spark plugs has become something of a lost art. In the days of mechanical carburetors and distributors, the color and texture of the spark plug’s insulator could provide important information about the air/fuel ratio, spark timing and cylinder condition.
Pay Close Attention To These Brake Hardware Items
If the caliper is not free to move, the culprit might be bent or binding mounting pins. Even if guide pins are not damaged, swollen or hardened guide seals or lack of lubrication may cause the caliper to bind resulting uneven pad wear. Always inspect all mounting surfaces and hardware for corrosion, wear or misalignment. Replace all mounting hardware and install a replacement caliper using the proper caliper lubricant.
Diagnosing Inoperative Fuel Pumps
As I’ve discovered recently, times change and so do the procedures for diagnosing inoperative fuel pumps. Just a few weeks ago, I diagnosed a case in which the owner had started his vehicle for several months by spraying starting fluid (ether) into his truck’s air intake before he cranked the engine.
Diesel Injection Components: Coming To Terms With The Common Rail Diesel Injection System Is Not An Easy Task
For some time now, most of the development in diesel technology has been aimed toward making the engines environmentally friendly. But as diesel engines have become cleaner, the power levels have also increased. This is somewhat backward to what the country went through in the 1970s with gasoline engines.
TPMS Tire Service: Why, Where And When
To understand any TPMS relearn procedure, you have to understand this: sensors only transmit, they do not receive. No vehicle asks a sensor for information on how it is doing. I know you’re thinking a sensor does receive signals when the vehicle is in relearn mode and the technician holds a TPMS tool to the sidewall of a tire. The tool excites the transmitting antenna with either a magnet or a radio signal at a preset frequency. This is more like a “poke” or “nudge” that triggers the device.
Brake Job On 2000-2006 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van
The 2000-2006 Sprinter cargo van may seem unique for its small displacement diesel engine and large hauling capacity. But, at the wheels, the brakes are very conventional. There are two brake systems on the Sprinter that came with the 2500 and 3500 models.
Performing A Brake Job On A Chevy Volt
There is nothing special about pad and rotor replacement on the Volt. The only precaution is to make sure the High Pressure Accumulator (HPA) is depleted.
Active Wheel Speed Sensor Diagnostics
There are two “types” of sensors generally found on the modern car – the passive speed sensor and the active speed sensor. They both perform the same function, but work entirely different. The passive speed sensor uses a magnet with fine copper wire wrapped around it to create its own alternating magnetic field. The polarity changes from positive to negative as the tone ring passes by the magnetic field. This frequency changes with wheel speed.
Judging Brake Pads: Do You Trust Your Pads?
Buying a quality brake pad is like buying medicine. When you are buying a legal drug, you are not just paying the cost to manufacture, package and market the pill. The bulk of what you are paying for is research and development. The same is true for brake pads.
10 Alignment Tips To Increase Productivity And Profit
Tires are not perfect! Like every part on the car, tires and wheels are made within tolerances. These tolerances include runout and radial force variation. The changes in uniformity and stacked tolerances in the tire and wheel can cause a steering pull. You can try rotating the tires to cancel out the pull or at least move the worst tire to a non-steering axle. But, during the next rotation, the pull could return.
Catalytic Converters: New Diagnostic Strategies
Catalytic converter failures on today’s vehicles are rarely caused by defects in catalytic converters. Most catalytic converter failures can be traced back to problems caused by what happens in the combustion chamber. Almost every part on the engine determines how long it will last. It could be a faulty line of computer code that pulses an injector too long, or it could be a stuck piston ring that allows oil to be sucked into the combustion chamber. These little details can limit the life of a catalytic converter.
How Software Is Changing Braking: Electronics Are Driving Technological Advancements
There was a time when advancements in import brake technology were entirely hardware based. The change from drum brakes to disc brakes, the introduction of semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads and the addition of power brakes as standard equipment were all changes achieved by redesigned and improved brake system components. Today, electronics is driving most of the advancements in braking technology.