Necessary Fluid Maintanance Services vs. Wallet Flushing
Good service shop managers stay on top of their annual workflow by placing jobs like timing belt and brake replacements into categories that can be tracked on a historic basis. If a tire dealer has faithfully tracked the kinds of work flowing through his service bays during the past 10 years, it might become apparent
Winter Starting and Charging System Maintenance
In addition to checking the strength of the antifreeze, a cold-weather starting inspection should also include testing and visually inspecting the battery and cables, starter, alternator and changing to the auto manufacturer’s recommended engine oil.Effects of Cold WeatherBecause cold weather slows down the chemical reaction between its electrolyte and its battery plates, the average battery
Diagnostic Solutions: Alternator Testing Tips
When we’re attempting to diagnose a charging system failure, it helps to think of the battery’s state of charge (SOC) as a type of checking account. a 1997 Nissan Maxima with a conventional integral alternator/voltage regulator assembly. Failure PatternsThe most common alternator failure is the glaring red “bat” light indicating a catastrophic alternator failure. Catastrophic
Variety of Oil Blend Needs Complicate ‘Simple’ Oil Change
Years ago, a shop could consider its shelves well-stocked if it carrieda selection of single-viscosity oils in detergent or non-detergentblends.
What it Takes to be an Automotive Technician
Now that we’re headed into another election year with all of its promises, it’s time for somber reflection about one of the primary forces driving our industry, which is public technical education. While most politicians agree that public education in general is lacking, the question of whether education is lacking money or lacking standards
Scan Tools Diagnose Modern Charging System Problems
Although checking charging voltage at the battery terminals is the most popular method for testing an alternator, a charging voltage test seldom reveals less common problems like open or shorted alternator diodes, intermittent high or low charging rates, charging system wiring problems, intermittent cranking/no-start complaints or intermittent dead battery complaints. In addition, testing charging voltage
Opinion: ASE Certification is a Matter Of Common Sense
Although the real-world value of ASE certification continues to be an on-going debate, I found myself signing up for still another series of ASE recertification tests this year. Truthfully, I’ve lost count of the number of recert tests I’ve taken since 1973, which was the first year I signed up for the first four of
Getting the Most Data From Your Scan Tool
e in point, I recently took in a 1996 Dodge 3.3L Caravan that seems to prove that many techs don’t effectively use the features built into the average aftermarket scan tool. According to the service history, one shop had tackled the van’s cranking, no-spark, no-code failure by replacing the PCM and the crankshaft (CKP) and
Training Is An Attitude
During the 1920s, the term “model year” gained currency in an automotive industry that was determined to increase its sales by annually introducing new automobiles to a motoring public hungry for the prestige of owning the latest motor vehicle technology. Because the operative word in “model year” is “change,” an outside observer would assume that
The Other Side
Looking at Jobber Relationship Problems Could Provide Answers We receive many comments from tire dealers regarding their relationships with suppliers – tire companies, wholesalers and parts jobbers alike. Recently, Gary Goms, owner of Midland Engine Electronics & Diagnostics in Buena Vista, Colo., and a contributing writer for our sister magazine, Counterman, discussed such relationship problems
Mark-Up vs. Margin: Knowing the Difference Makes a Difference in Profits
Mark-Up vs. Margin Knowing the Difference Makes a Difference in Profits Independent dealers often buy service parts from auto dealerships because, for some applications, they feel the quality may be superior to aftermarket parts, or because certain parts are available only through OE sources. Unfortunately, auto dealers typically discount hard replacement parts about 20% to