VIDEO: Diagnosing The Starter With A Voltage Drop Test
Andrew Markel shows how to voltage drop test a starter when there is a slow crank, despite the battery and starter having enough voltage. Sponsored by Bosch Automotive Service Solutions.
Selling Timing Belt Replacement Jobs
When pricing the job, don’t overlook additional and necessary related sales. The timing belt drives the water pump on these engines. Although very reliable, I would consider it a bad bet to think the pump will last 180,000 miles.
VIDEO: Battery Drain From Air Conditioning
In the hotter months, your shop may experience a boost in vehicles with dead batteries. Andrew Markel shows you how to prepare. Sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.
Alternator Failures: Low Voltage To The Battery
One reason why alternators have a high failure rate is because they’re always working under a load. Generating electricity to recharge the battery, run the fuel pump, injectors and ignition system while powering all of the vehicle’s lights and electrical accessories places a substantial load on the alternator that generates a lot of internal heat.
Ford F350 TSB: P1633 KAM Voltage Too Low From Bad Battery Terminal
Faulty battery terminals aren’t always easy to spot with a visual inspection. Follow this Real Fix to see how a bad battery terminal causes a P1633 code.
Winter Maintenance Tips From Some of America’s Coldest Cities
Staying on top of your inspections is important, but there are some parts of the U.S. where winter maintenance takes on a new level of importance.
Finding The Cause Of Battery Drain In A Chevrolet Impala
Finding the cause of battery drain can be tricky, but sometimes your ears will help you find the culprit.
Battery Going Dead, Replaced A/C Control Module And Actuators
Shortly after a charging system test, while looking for loose wiring, a clicking noise was found and appeared to be moving throughout the dash in a cycle. The temperature control doors were clicking, attempting to move, but were in fact stuck to one extreme. Scanned the HVAC system and retrieved 3 codes.
Parasitic Drain II: Jeep Grand Cherokee
As a general rule, a “parasitic drain” of less than 30 milliamps (mA) is normal for most vehicles 15 years old and newer. Keeping in mind that most manufacturers now publish parasitic drain values, let’s assume that a battery drain exceeding 50 mA is cause for concern.
Selling Batteries With A State-Of-Health Strategy
Batteries can be an easy sell in some ways because all customers understand the basic importance of the battery. Good battery = car starts; bad battery = car doesn’t start. Unfortunately, many customers aren’t in the market for that new battery until the previous one officially, and inconveniently, dies.
AGM Batteries And Testing
Two of the greatest changes we’ve seen in starting/charging systems during the past few model years have been the expanded use of the Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery as standard equipment and the accelerating pricing structures of both AGM and conventional flooded-cell batteries.
GM Battery Maintenance: Cold Weather Or Long Stand Time
Inside the battery, the electrolyte is generally composed of 35% sulfuric acid and 65% water. When a lead acid battery is inactive (not actively discharged and charged), the acid, being heavier than water, will settle toward the bottom. This leaves a low acid concentration near the top, and higher concentration at the bottom. This condition is referred to as acid stratification.
