Service Repair | |||||||
Source: Motor Age Diagnosing hard start complaints begins with finding the sparkNovember 1, 2009For years, contemporary wisdom said to let the spark jump ¼ inch, and if you had that much spark, it was enough. But spark can jump that far in sea-level air pressure and still not have enough pop. Finding the spark is the place to start with hard starts.
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Source: Motor AgeMore studies of advanced diagnosticsOctober 1, 2009Welcome back for part two of advanced circuit diagnostics. We are going to take a look at some live scope captures taken from circuit defects installed on a test board.
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Source: Motor AgeDetermining the missing elements in misfiresOctober 1, 2009Misfires are a common drivability issue. If the misfire rate exceeds the programmed threshold, the Engine Control Module (ECM) will record the problem and turn on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). Misfires occur when the combustion process is not as it should be. Any factor, therefore, that affects this process is suspect when it comes to diagnosis.
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Source: Motor AgePutting time and money into older vehiclesOctober 1, 2009My spare ride is a 1980 model Ford pickup with a 300 straight six. While I enjoy tinkering with cars and trucks at work with my students, having to fix one of my own when it breaks is like having to repair the lawn mower when it's time to cut the grass.
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Source: Motor AgeParking brakes are necessities on some vehicles as is their serviceOctober 1, 2009For many drivers, parking brakes are an afterthought — if they're thought of — and that's not good. This too-often overlooked system serves an important purpose. That purpose has nothing to do with emergencies; banish the term "emergency brake" from your vocabulary! The parking brake is there to keep a stopped car where the driver put it, either by itself or backing up the transmission.
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Source: Motor AgeTroubleshooting power windowsOctober 1, 2009A window that won't roll back up is not the only power window complaint you may face. Other common faults are windows that only move partially through their travel before grinding to a halt, work in one direction only or no longer respond to their auto up/down feature. A few simple checks, however, can often quickly and successfully locate the cause of these common problems.
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