The conventional compression gauge was only designed to conduct a WOT cranking compression test. There are cases where we could have good WOT cranking compression values and yet the engine may be suffering from a retarded valve timing issue or a wiped exhaust cam lobe. When using the electronic pressure transducer coupled to your original compression gauge hose and interfaced with a DSO, we can conduct four separate compression tests.

When our 12-volt brain thinks about the 12-volt battery’s “State of Charge” (SOC), we know that 100% is the goal. The 12-volt battery wants to stay at 100% SOC all the time.  In a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) the HV battery’s SOC is kept below 60% most of the time, so there is enough room to store some of the kinetic energy as electrical energy recovered by the “regenerative braking” system. The recommendation for EVs is 80% SOC.

Ford’s EcoBoost family of engines has been around for more than a decade. The automaker has been installing EcoBoost engines in various makes and models since 2010. Ford engineers developed the engines to be more fuel efficient and produce fewer emissions, while supplying the same power and torque. And now these engines are needing service. They present challenges that technicians need to be aware of when it comes to servicing.

 The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is now heavily integrated into vehicle operation. If we look at the 2021 Ford F150 V6 2.7L, there are as many as 16 systems/subsystems (depending on the vehicle options) that are considered part of the ABS. The handling and control of the vehicle is now deeply combined with the ABS, and all these subsystems are using wheel speed sensor (WSS) data gathered by the ABS to make critical vehicle control system decisions.

This bulletin applies to 2012 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500 cab chassis trucks, equipped with a 4-speed 42RLE or 6-speed 65RFE or 6-speed 66RFE automatic transmission, built before Nov. 15, 2011. The MIL may illuminate, with DTC P0441 stored (EVAP purge system performance).

This bulletin applies to 2018 Chevy Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles equipped with 4.3L, LV3, 5.3L L83 and 6.2L L86 engines. A concern of a misfire P0300 on bank one may occur that may or may not be felt while driving. The cause may be the HPFP lifter (high-pressure fuel pump lifter). Misfire counts may occur on all or multiple bank one cylinders. 

Some 2011-2016 Ford F-Super Duty 250-450 trucks equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and built on or before Feb. 23, 2016, may exhibit a runs-rough/misfire condition only during the exhaust regeneration process. This condition typically occurs on light throttle tip-in between 40-70 mph and will not set DTCs.

Owners of 2013-2017 Buick Enclave vehicles may complain about a noise under the body that sounds like a slosh, thud/clunk or rotational type noise during low-speed braking maneuvers or accelerating from a stop. This condition is primarily noticed with the fuel level between 7/8 and 5/8. 

Some 2005-2013 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 5.4L 3V engine may exhibit an intermittent rattle noise while driving from idle up to 1200 rpm with the engine at operating temperature. In severe cases, a rough idle and DTCs P0022, P0021, P0340 and/or P0341 may be stored in the PCM.