When to Replace Sensors and Why
Sensors are the nerve endings of the engine management system. They provide the inputs the Powertrain Control Module needs to make critical control decisions. Sensors are designed to last the life of the vehicle or until they wear out, become contaminated or fail.
Sharpen Your Belts and Hoses Knowledge
When it comes to belts and hoses, installing the wrong product can have serious consequences. You must to be familiar with these products so you can help recommend your customers get the replacement belts and hoses that correctly match their needs.
Brake Rotors: When To Resurface And When To Replace
Like brake pads, brake rotors don’t last forever. The rotors wear every time the brakes are applied. Find out what you need to know about rotor wear to minimize customer comebacks.
Worn Chassis Parts Compromise Safety and Ride Performance
Many motorists don’t appreciate the importance of ride control and how it affects driving, handling and braking safety. Not replacing a worn set of shocks or struts may seriously compromise the ability of the vehicle to handle bumps, dips, crosswinds or extra weight. Worn shocks and struts also will increase wear and tear on other
Staying Active with Vehicle Electronics Technology
Cars keep getting smarter and safer all the time. First-generation air bags were essentially "dumb" devices that deployed in an accident to protect the driver and front seat passenger. When the bags proved to be too powerful and potentially lethal to children and small adults, second-generation "smart" air bags were introduced that adjusted their deployment
Pickup Tools: No Longer Out of Sight or Out of Reach
Have you ever dropped a nut or a bolt into an open intake manifold? Or dropped a fastener and watched it disappear into a crevice in the engine compartment? Or tried to find a wiring connector, plug or fastener by feel on the backside of an instrument cluster up under the dash? These are all
Understanding and Diagnosing Electronic Brake Distribution
Say goodbye to mechanical brake proportioning valves, and say hello to electronic brake distribution (EBD), yet another electronic enhancement that’s being added to many late-model vehicles. With conventional hydraulic brakes, a mechanical proportioning valve is used to reduce pressure to the rear wheels when the brakes are applied. Inside the proportioning valve is a spring-loaded
Why Aftermarket Belts are Lasting Longer
There was a time when rubber belts were maintenance items that had to be replaced every five or six years, depending on their condition.The original equipment belts on today’s late-model vehicles are mostly made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a synthetic rubber that is far more durable, heat-resistant and wear-resistant than Neoprene. This means
Oxygen Sensors are Key to Performance and Fuel Economy
The oxygen (O2) sensor is part of the fuel management system. It monitors unburned oxygen in the exhaust. The powertrain control module (PCM) uses this information to determine if the fuel mixture is rich (too much fuel) or lean (not enough fuel). To provide the best performance, fuel economy and emissions, the PCM has to
Servicing Chrysler’s Versatile 3.3L and 3.8L Engines
ad RapThese engines have a mixed reputation for being high-mileage, dependable powerplants as well as noisy motors that can fail at a relatively low mileage. Some 3.3/3.8L V6s have racked up well over 200,000-plus miles on the odometer with no major problems (except some oil burning), while others have called it quits at 70,000 to
Troubleshooting Wideband O2 Sensors
With fuel prices rising, the need for accurate air/fuel mixture monitoring is more important than ever. The engine computer needs to know what the fuel mixture is with a high degree of precision so it can optimize fuel economy as well as emissions. If the information received by the powertrain control module (PCM) from its
Uncovering the Causes of Head Gasket Failure
The first symptoms of a head gasket that is failing are usually a slow loss of coolant with no visible leaks, engine overheating and/or a Check Engine light with cylinder misfire codes. The Onboard Diagnostic II (OBD II) system should detect any misfires that occur due to a loss of compression or spark plugs fouled