Battery Service and Diagnosis
A good battery with an adequate charge is absolutely essential for reliable cold starting. A weak battery, or one that is rundown, may not deliver enough amps to crank the engine when temperatures plunge and the oil thickens. Cold weather can be hard on batteries, but so can hot weather because it increases water loss
Toughest Spark Plug Changes
We have all been there before: scratched arms, busted knuckles and an aching back caused by a difficult spark plug replacement job. If you think they are getting tougher every year, you are right. Every new engine design is putting the plugs deeper in the heads, and items like intake manifolds are getting in the
ACDelco Adds New GM OE Emissions Parts
ACDelco has expanded its General Motors original equipment emissions line with 356 new part numbers including fuel pipes, hoses, EGR tubes, PCV valve hoses, accelerator pedal assemblies and more that were previously dealer-exclusive items. The additional part numbers cover tens of millions of model year 1982 through model year 2015 cars, trucks and crossovers from
ACDelco Releases Seven New Battery Part Numbers
ACDelco is expanding its battery portfolio with seven new part numbers, including four automotive batteries, a Group 31 part for customers seeking high cold cranking amp solutions; and two marine batteries. 95RPS is an ACDelco Professional battery for Audi, Volkswagen and BMW vehicles. It includes an acid level indicator that measures the electrolyte level in
TPMS Signals: Why You Should Go Outside
As TPMS is becoming more common on vehicles, more misinformation is starting to develop as consumers and shops try to understand the systems. One of these TPMS misconceptions is sensor signals. A sensor is a transmitter of information that sends pressure and temperature data to the vehicle. Some signals also include information that identifies the
Chevrolet: Navigation Information Not Displaying Accurate Location
Customers may complain the navigation radio is not displaying the correct vehicle location icon on the map accurately after a radio or battery has been replaced or after battery power has been removed from the radio. The vehicle location icon accuracy may be degraded if the GPS signal is not available and the GPS displayed
What’s a Battery?
The first documented battery that used two dissimilar metals with an electrolyte between them was invented in 1800. Known as the voltaic pile after its inventor, Volta, this early battery consisted of copper and zinc discs piled on top of each other, separated by a layer of cloth or heavy paper soaked in a
Installing Spark Plugs: Torque and Gap Are Critical
When installing spark plugs, a technician must be aware of the torque specifications for that particular plug. Remember that either overtorquing or undertorquing a spark plug will affect the quality of the installation and the performance of the vehicle’s engine. If a spark plug is undertorqued, it will be loose in the cylinder and, as
The Benefits and Innerworkings of Throttle-By-Wire
A simple cable linking the gas pedal to the throttle plate just wasn’t good enough for engineers, who have now complicated the design with throttle-by-wire. Why do engineers do these things to us? That expensive throttle body can’t be cheaper than a little throttle cable — or can it? Does this design provide any advantages
FMP Launches FVP Platinum Battery Line
Factory Motor Parts introduces its new line of FVP Platinum batteries developed to provide maximum cranking power. With 22% higher cold cranking amp and reserve capacity ratings than the FVP VoltEdge, the Platinum batteries deliver superior performance at a competitive price, said the company. The Platinum line is also backed by a free replacement warranty.
United Motor Products Offers Ignition Coils, Coil-On-Plug Assemblies And Related Components
United Motor Products now offers a complete product line of ignition coils, coil-on-plug assemblies and related components. The line includes overage for domestic, import and European applications, including passenger car and light truck vehicles. UMP coils incorporate 100% virgin copper windings, and are vacuum filled, utilizing the highest dielectric strength epoxy and PBT impact resistant
Diagnosing Power Steering Loss on a 2008 Ford Escape
The vehicle in question is a 2008 Ford Escape with a 3.0-L engine. The customer complaints are as follows: The steering wheel will turn by itself; at times, usually when turning, the vehicle will lose all power steering assist; and occasionally, while turning, the vehicle’s steering seems shaky. The 2008 and newer Escape models use
