Wiring Harness Diagnostics Dodge Sebring
This month’s Diagnostic Dilemma begins with a 2004 Dodge Sebring, 2.7-liter VIN R. The owner had recovered codes P0118 (ECT), P0073 (ambient temp), P0122 (throttle position), P0123 (throttle position), P0340 (CMP), P0335 (CKP), P0129 (MAP/Baro) and P0113 (intake air).
Honda Odyssey Power Sliding Door Repair Tips
Many times the trap detection logic that’s built into the power sliding door control unit can’t tell the difference between unwanted friction and something actually blocking the door’s path. To help you troubleshoot this sort of problem, we’ve put together some handy tips.
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.
Alternator Testing: High-Draw Accessories Bringing Change
An alternator is designed to turn at approximately two to three times crankshaft speed. Total alternator output is generally rated at 6,000 alternator rpm. Consequently, a 2:1 alternator drive ratio can usually be found on high-performance engines or constant-speed, over-the-road truck engines where the average engine speed is about 3,000 rpm. For most passenger cars, a 3:1 ratio between alternator and crankshaft speed translates into maximum alternator output of 2,000 engine rpm, which is the engine speed at which most alternators are tested.
VIDEO: Decoupler Pulleys
Andrew Markel shows how decoupler pulleys overcome belt issues like slippage from speed variations to keep the engine running efficiently.
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.
Power Window Regulator And Motor Service
Power windows are great as long as they roll up and down when commanded to do so. But sometimes a window may quit working for one reason or another. Sometimes the fault is electrical, such as a bad power window switch, a blown fuse, a bad relay or a loose or damaged wire. Other times, the fault is a bad window motor or a broken part in the window regulator mechanism that actually raises and lowers the glass.
BMW Tech Tip: K-CAN Wiring Shorted In Various Locations
Various functions in the vehicle are not operating. This includes instruments, door locks, wipers and other body electrical functions. This can also be accompanied by instrument cluster warning lamps, including the check control message “Electronic Malfunction.”
Subaru Pulse-Width Modulated Fuel Pumps
I think it might have been a 2003 Subaru WRX, but it was parked in front of my local Subaru specialist’s shop after going on its fourth fuel pump replacement from other shops in less than six months. Both the Subaru specialist and I agreed that fuel pump failures on Subarus were relatively rare, so the previous repair shops had obviously overlooked some very important details.
OBDII Port Diagnostics
The OBDII connector is more than 20 years old. 1996 was the first year all vehicles sold in the U.S. had to have this standard 16-pin connector. Most technicians now take this port for granted, and some do not even remember the days when a scan tool was more about the cables and ID cards than the tool itself.
Reflash Confusion And Car Software Updates
According to J.D. Power, 189 recalls and more than 800 TSBs have been issued concerning reflashing or reprogramming over the past five years. These numbers do not include the random updates that seem to appear out of thin air on the OE service information websites. Some of us may see this as a problem. But, we should see this as an opportunity.
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.
