Maintenance procedures are not always as simple as you think. Service indicator display on the instrument cluster Saying that Mercedes-Benz invented the automobile could be argued, but there's no doubt that the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886 holds the distinction as...
An overview of the onboard charging system as well as some tips you may be able to use for your next diagnosis and repair. Hybrid vehicle performance is best measured in miles per gallon rather than horsepower and torque. The primary benefit of a Toyota hybrid is...
How can an investigation go from bad to worse and solve these issues in a cost effective manner? Back Story 1 The Tucson arrived at the repair facility because the Check Engine light was illuminated, and secondhand information indicated that “The engine tended to run...
It’s possible to do everything right and still find the Prius you just fixed waiting for you on a flatbed Monday morning. Battery Testing A blue 2008 Prius was waiting for Jim when he returned from lunch. (Actually, it was Seaside Pearl Metallic color code 8S2, but...
The automatic start and stop systems will be part of the way car makers are meeting the tighter emission standards for the foreseeable future. Whether you like the Start/Stop feature or not, you should get to know these systems because the automatic start and stop...
Using VIDA, we can limit time spent on diagnosing a Battery Monitoring Sensor (BMS) and ensure the vehicle is repaired correctly. Although charging systems seem pretty straightforward these days, these systems can become very technical and sometimes hard to diagnose....
The permanent-magnet generator is pretty much gone, but so is the dedicated voltage regulator. A voltmeter is, of course, the most basic diagnostic tool for checking a charging system. Think of the battery and charging system as a team. The battery works alone to...
