Secondary Ignition: The Art of Spark
What is a coil? From the beginning of the internal combustion engine, several different ignition systems have been used to create a high-energy spark. The most popular system, and the one that’s in use today, is a step-up coil. A coil is nothing more than a transformer, and like any transformer, it has two separate
Origins of the ‘Bendix’ starter
Every now and then you will run into an old-timer who uses the term “Bendix” in reference to the starter. You may think brakes when you hear this term, but there is some interesting history behind “Bendix” being used to describe a starter. By 1910, Vincent Hugo Bendix was almost bankrupt after the failure of
Ford: Smoke From Vehicle When Starting
Vehicle: 2005 Ford Taurus SE, 3.0L Complaint: The customer says smoke comes from vehicle when starting. Cause: Confirmed the customer’s complaint and found smoke coming from the vehicle when the engine was started. Inspected the vehicle and found an unusual smell coming from the starter motor. With the ignition in the start position, used a
Random No-code Failures: Jeep Cherokee, Ford Crown Victoria
Random no-code failures can be the most frustrating problems to diagnose because the condition usually cant be duplicated in the shop and the “fix” often cannot be verified by test-driving. In this instance, I use the word “random” to describe a condition that might occur only once in two weeks. Sometimes I’ll find something suspicious
Legendary Spark Plugs: The Six Toughest Vintage Spark Plug Replacements
1. AMC Pacer: The Pacer was supposed to get a GM Wankel rotary engine. If this were the case, the four plugs would have been easy to access. But thanks to emissions problems, the Pacer would get the regular AMC straight six. This forced the engineers to put plugs 5 and 6 under the windshield.
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
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
Beyond the Warranty Maintenance Checklist
What happens after the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties wear out? If you look at any factory-recommended service intervals, after 100,000 miles they cease to exist. What does it take to keep a vehicle going for 120,000, 180,000 or 250,000 miles? The key is maintenance and
Yokohama Tire Corporation Kicks-Off ‘Spring Getaway’ Campaign
Spring is here … and so is Yokohama Tire Corporation’s (YTC) latest national mail-in rebate promotion: Spring Getaway. Now through April 30, consumers will receive a $60 Visa prepaid card after the purchase of any set of four select Yokohama treads.
100 Years Of Bosch Starter Motors
A century ago, in March 1914, Bosch presented its first electric starter motor for automobiles. This marked a giant leap forward in automotive electrification, which would make driving safer and more comfortable. Electric starter motors were a great relief for motorists of the day.
Cold Weather Diagnostics: Modules Go Down With The Temperature
The subject vehicles were 2002-2006 Ford trucks – the first was a 2002 Ford F-150 with a 5.4 liter, second was a 2006 Lincoln Navigator with a 4.6 liter and finally a 2004 Ford F-250 with a 5.4 liter engine. All of the customer complaints with these vehicles were the same: “The vehicle will not crank/start when cold.”
VW Tech Tip: No Start/No Crank On Jetta’s Keyless Start System
The customer may state that the engine cranks intermittently or will not crank. This condition may be more evident when the engine is hot. This may be caused internally when the steering column electronic systems control module – J527- fails, causing Terminal 50 to not energize high, which results in a no-crank condition. Models affected: 2005-’07 Jetta (A5) and 2006-’07 Rabbit and GTI (A5).