 Troubleshooting drivability issues should start with making sure the engine is healthy.
Oct 13, 2009
By:Peter F. Meier
The miss was just barely apparent at idle. As soon as the throttle plate was opened, even slightly, the miss went away. Out on the road, the engine performed perfectly at any speed, under any load. The culprit turned out to be a burnt exhaust valve on the rear bank of this Chrysler minivan causing just a slight loss of compression, but I didn't find it until I had nearly exhausted all other possibilities.
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No matter the power window design, it still has to open and close the glass.
Oct 1, 2009
By:Peter F. Meier
A 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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Misfires occur when the combustion process is incomplete, so you need to find what's missing.
Oct 1, 2009
By:Peter F. Meier
Misfires 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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Do you really need a Digital Storage Oscilloscope to fix cars?
Aug 21, 2009
By:Peter F. Meier
During the last 10 years, I?ve worked in a variety of shops and, to date, have been the only tech that owned a DSO. When techs see it in use for the first time, they invariably ask what I?m doing and why ? and then ask if they should own a scope of their own. While most have been capable of repairing problems without one, let me share a few examples of why they could have accomplished the same thing in less time and with more assurance their repair would be the correct one.
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Aug 4, 2009
By:Peter F. Meier
One of the most common questions asked on the iATN Tools and Equipment forum is "What is the best scan tool?" Unfortunately, there is no one answer to this question. The choices seem limitless, with numerous aftermarket offerings as well as those offered by the OEMs. Choosing the one right for you is dependent on several factors. By taking the time to ask yourself a few pointed questions and doing a little homework, you?ll end up with the tooling you need to take care of your needs as well as those of your customers. Here are a few topics to consider before investing your hard earned dollars.
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From gas lamps to xenon lights, vehicle exterior lighting technology keeps evolving.
Aug 1, 2009
By:Peter F. Meier
Not only has vehicle exterior bulb technology reached new levels, so has reflector technology. New computer designs allow smaller housings, acting more like a projection lens rather than a mirror reflector. This allows designers to precisely focus the lighting pattern for better nighttime visibility
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Checking this assembly often can diagnose problems faster than an EVAP monitor.
Aug 1, 2009
By:Peter F. Meier
Chrysler's NVLD, or Natural Vacuum Leak Detection, system was first introduced in 2002 as an alternative to its Leak Detection Pump (LDP) method for the onboard testing of the evaporative emissions system. In an automotive application, the fuel system is sealed when the vehicle is in a key off condition. The powertrain control module (PCM) monitors the state of a switch contained within the NVLD assembly.
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 | Jul 6, 2009
By:Peter F. Meier
You all already know how important it is for an ECM/PCM (or any other control module, for that matter) to have a good power supply and good grounds. Typically, grounds fail at their point of connection, and testing these ground connections can be made a little easier using this tip.
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Jul 1, 2009
By:Peter F. Meier
The use of exhaust gas recirculation to assist in emissions control is common to most manufacturers. These systems all cool combustion chamber temperatures to reduce the emissions of oxides of nitrogen, or NOx. Their function is similar. Burned gasses exiting the combustion chamber are metered back to the intake, either through a common passage or through individual, cylinder specific, passages.
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