Tech Stuff
Lift Overview: They’re More Than Just a Riser with Muscle
The decision-making process involved in purchasing a new lift involves a number of factors in order to suit your specific needs.
Airbag Deactivation Tips: How to Avoid Accidental Deployment and Prevent Expense and Injury
Airbag deactivation procedures differ among makes/models/years, so always refer to the appropriate service manual for the correct method. NEVER assume that any specific deactivation procedure is correct for all airbag-equipped vehicles.
6.4L Powerstroke Diesel Fuel System
As you know, a diesel engine differs from other liquid fuel engines in one major respect: the fuel/air charge is ignited by cylinder pressure and resulting heat, instead of via an electrical ignition system (diesel-fueled engines don’t use spark plugs).
Why Your Shop Should Worry About Faulty Airbags
Faulty inflators are fueling concern for airbag service safety. According to reports, this includes approximately 34 million vehicles in the U.S. and over 85 million individual airbags, when we consider steering wheel, passenger and side airbags.
Understanding Vehicle Stability Control
Just what is stability control? And why do we have it? My GMC pickup caught me totally off guard when I was going up a familiar hill on a damp morning recently. I was accelerating normally when the rear end started to break loose. Before I could react, however, the StabiliTrak light started to flash, the rpms dropped, and I could hear the anti-lock brake system (ABS) pump running and the solenoids cycling. I never hit the brakes but my immediate reaction was to let off the gas... but by then my truck had already returned to the direction that I’d always intended. Almost before I lost control, I had it back again.
Fuel Pump 101: The Basics of Fuel Pump Diagnosis and Repair
The most common cause of fuel pump failure is frequently running the tank low on fuel, which causes the motor to overheat. The second most common cause is fuel contamination, usually dirt and rust particles that clog the fuel strainer and prevent the pump from drawing enough fuel under high engine load. If enough contamination gets past the pump’s intake strainer, it can actually jam the pump and stop the engine immediately.
Diagnosing Steering System Noises
The most common cause for power steering noise is low power steering fluid level. The resulting noise will likely be a whining that is heard when turning the steering wheel. A high-pitched or “screeching” noise is usually caused by a worn or misadjusted power steering drive belt.
Cooling System Service: Common Sense Guidelines for Covering the Variables
Generally speaking, a 50/50 mix of water and “antifreeze” is the recommended norm. However, when mixing concentrated antifreeze with water, avoid using tap water, as this may contain excess calcium or other materials which can promote corrosion. Use only distilled/deionized water for the mix. Granted, some coolants are available as 50/50 pre-mix that eliminates the need to add water.
Avoiding Brake Job Comebacks
There is no worse feeling for a tech than to have performed a straightforward, uncomplicated brake job and see the vehicle return with a concern or a complaint. The customer can raise his concerns immediately after the repair or in the weeks or months following.
EVAP Monitor on European Cars: Real World Diagnosis of DMTL Systems
On a business trip several years ago, I was in a country that has no emissions regulations. The hotel parking lot was filled with late-model rental cars, but cars parked on the street were much older and obviously well past their best years. The strong smell of gasoline on those sun-baked streets made it obvious that a functioning evaporative emission control system (EVAP) was not important there.
