Tech Feature: Parasitic Draw Hunting With A Voltmeter
In the past, I’ve always hunted down parasitic draws with my multimeter set on the amperage scale in series with the battery cable, along with jumper leads to open and close the connection, so I could watch for the amperage drop. I also needed to know what a safe level was in order to see the actual draw (or lack of). Some techs use a dead-man switch attached to the battery post instead of jumper wires. For me, it’s whatever I have handy at the time, and time is money so the quicker I can get to the source of the problem, the better that is for my bottom line.
Using Scan Tools To Diagnose Faulty Fuel Pumps
The most common diagnostic procedures for fuel pumps in the past were analog and hands on. Most fuel pump-related problems could be solved with a pressure gauge and voltmeter. Today, the scan tool is the most important tool when diagnosing a fuel supply problem.
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Announces Alliance With DeltaWing Racing Cars For 2013 Season
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (Bridgestone Americas) has announced an alliance with DeltaWing Racing Cars as a one-car entry in the 2013 American Le Mans Series. Bridgestone will supply Potenza tire for the select races in which DeltaWing chooses to compete during the 2013 ALMS season.
Diagnostic Solutions: Starter & Battery Diagnostics
Import Specialist Contributor Gary Goms says that early 1900s inventor Charles F. Kettering’s electric self-starter transformed the automobile from a temperamental novelty item into a practical means of transportation.
Tech Tip: Subaru Impreza With DTCs P0705, P0851, P2746, P2750 And/Or No Crank, No Start
If you receive a customer concern of a Check Engine light, AT Temp light or a no engine crank condition, the wiring harnesses to the transmission range sensor (inhibitor switch) should be closely inspected for damage or a short circuit to the CVT transmission case.
EnerSys Rebrands Line As ODYSSEY Extreme Series Batteries
EnerSys has rebranded its existing line of ODYSSEY batteries as ODYSSEY Extreme Series batteries to differentiate between the existing product line and a new line of batteries that is in development for the consumer market.
Diagnostic Solutions: Testing Automotive Batteries and Starters
In the real world, battery and starter testing data can vary widely and for no apparent
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Solving Late-Model Charging System Dilemmas
This month’s Diagnostic Dilemma involves a pristine 1995 Buick Park Avenue with a customer complaint of dimming instrument cluster lights, a flickering voltmeter needle, a driveability bucking complaint and a dead battery. The alternator had been replaced due to an indication of excessive AC ripple on the shop’s hand-held battery and charging system tester. A P1630 trouble code was present, indicating a high/low condition with battery voltage.
Memory Lane: Marketing 101 — Seeing things from the Customer’s Perspective
What is important to you may not interest the customer at all.
Brake Light Diagnostics
So many manufacturers are now running the brake lights through BCMs, Integrated Power Modules, bulb detection systems, or the anti-lock brakes. Along with just about every other system in today’s cars, computers are doing a lot of the work for us. Diagnosing a simple inoperative brake light problem takes on a whole new aspect than before. This article will cover some of the basic testing procedures that I use on a daily basis to determine the location and how to repair a brake light wiring problem.
Bridgestone Americas Announces ‘One Team, One Planet’ Spent Tire Program
During national Earth Day activities this past weekend in Washington, D.C., Bridgestone Americas announced a one-for-one spent tire program that sets a waste-free vision for the future of the tire industry.
Nissan: Solving Rotating Electrical Issues
Maybe the warning light on the dash has caught the attention of the customer who was lucky enough to make it to your shop, or not so lucky and their car needs to be towed, says Import Specialist Contributor Bob Dowie. Whatever the scenario, don’t be too quick to jump to conclusions when diagnosing rotating electrical issues.