ABC Service Baselines
Some practical points on the fundamentals.
Down with the (Battery) Drain
A dead battery caused by a battery drain has become one of the more difficult problems to diagnose these days. It could be a simple switch or relay staying stuck on. But what if it is computer related? What if one control unit is staying awake?
The ABC’s of a Taut Suspension
Mercedes-Benz has always been synonymous with agile handling, a stable feel, and compliant suspensions. Active Body Control is one way the company brings these attributes into modern times.
Monitoring the Problem
Every so often we run into the problem of not having a problem to solve. What do we do when we have a vehicle that is not setting codes, but it is also not running OBD II monitors. They need to run so the car can pass our state inspection program. Well, this Honda gave us plenty not to solve, so how did we do it?
Throttling Away
Mercedes-Benz’s pursuit of safer vehicles incorporates individual systems working in concert to control speed, handling, and stopping. One critical part of this is the Electronic Accelerator. Here’s how it works and how to fix it.
Volkswagen Engine Temperature Control – Cooling Off
Gone are the days when we only replaced water pumps and thermostats when a vehicle was overheating. Now, engine temperature is a critical part of the fuel control and lubrication systems.
Breathe Deep
Turbocharging is a way to produce more power when needed, but still get small-displacement fuel economy. With the best of both worlds it’s becoming popular again. Let’s learn how to keep up the boost!
Putting the Heat On ‘Em
Just because you put on a new part doesn’t mean it’s going to fix the problem. Such was the case with this Toyota Camry that had a fresh O2 sensor.
Have You Mastered P3006 Diagnosis on the Gen1 Prius? ..Are You Sure?
Paul gets to enjoy practicing his old-fashioned soldering skills and saves his customer lots of money. One of the chief benefits of previous experience with a pattern problem is the ability to make short work of its diagnosis. The effort you put in struggling through...
A Failure to Communicate – Volkswagen CAN
Engineers have provided us with self-diagnostic capability and access with a VAG 5052. But what do we do when the vehicle will not communicate with us?
Nissan Wheel Bearing Diagnosis and Service
Here are the basics of wheel bearing diagnosis and service, as well as some old-time wisdom and techniques that used to be a little more commonplace prior to the information age. We’ll focus on the fixed-preload cartridge style wheel bearings that are most common in modern vehicles.
The Basics of Nissan’s VVEL System
Here’s an overview of Nissan’s Variable Valve Event and Lift system. We’ll look at which Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are equipped with VVEL, how the system functions, and maintenance considerations.
the bimmer pub march 2012
In this issue: Headlights, Airbags, Power Seats & Four Wheel Drive
Nissan TechNews Spring 2012
In this issue: Beyond the Belt; Advanced Driver ASsistance Systems (ADAS); Body Basics Premier Products; VVEL Systems; Wheel Bearing Diagnosis & Service
Body Basics: Premier Products (Nissan-approved Body Alignment Equipment)
In this installment, we’ll look at the benefits of using Nissan-approved body alignment equipment and associated tools, bonding and mating products, surface prep, paint and finish products and tools.
Lighting the Way
Safety is a top priority at BMW. One area the company always wants to enhance is the driver’s night-time vision. Here are some of the many ways BMW has improved its lighting systems to enhance safety on the road for everyone.
Cushioning the Blow
Among the greatest safety advancements are BMW’s various types of supplemental restraint systems. Dual front air bags, side curtain safety bags and belt tensioning devices are only some of the life-saving features found on BMW vehicles. Here are some service procedures you should know about.
You May Now Be Seated
As far back as the early nineties, BMW offered memory seating, marking a new application for electronic control units. While these systems have become more complex, service procedures remain straightforward.
How BMW Power Distribution Systems Work
Getting all that awesome BMW power to the ground is no easy task. The 4WD BMW X5 has been around for a decade now, and a few years ago BMW introduced a 4WD 3 Series sedan. Let’s look at how these systems work.
Nissan Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Cruise Control, and other advanced controls are Nissan’s newest line of features in some vehicles.
Beyond the Belt – A look at Nissan drive belt types, structure, tension and more
The automotive accessory drive belt is a staple maintenance item. Let’s take a look at the types of drive belts, material structure, adjusting tension, diagnosing problems, and a few tech tips for working with them on a daily basis.