Tech Feature: Diagnosing Automotive Lab Scope Dilemmas Although digital storage oscilloscopes or "lab scopes" have now become standard equipment for most modern automotive repair shops, they still possess a mystique that tends to intimidate many technicians. Right off the top, a lab scope is basically a voltmeter that displays voltage signals along a time base. The vertical scale measures the amplitude or amount of the voltage and the horizontal scale... More

Directions: Will You Be Servicing a 100-MPG Vehicle in the Near Future? Vehicles in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X-PRIZE vie for $10 million in prizes that will be awarded to teams that develop production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 miles per gallon or energy equivalent (MPGe). More

Tech Tip: BMW Check Engine Light On and Vehicle Running Rough Due to Airflow Meter If a customer complains of a check engine light on and a vehicle running rough, it may be due to problems with the airflow meter and wiring. More

Tech Tip: Easy Fix for Mazda TPS Connection Some Mazda B-2500 drivers may complain of a high idle in vehicles with a manual transmission. This may be caused by a poor electrical connection at the wire harness to the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). A service kit (P/N 1F00-18-145) is available to resolve this concern. Correct the condition by following the steps in this Tech Tip. More

Tech Tip: Nissan Optical Distributor Test Many Nissan vehicles have a power transistor controlling the coil (or igniter). The power transistor is a separate unit on optical distributors. It allows the signal sent from the ECU (low current) to activate the primary circuit in the ignition coil (higher current). This induces high voltage in the secondary windings of the coil, providing spark to the distributor cap and plugs. If this transistor... More

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. If we overdraw our account, we wake up the next morning with an engine that won't crank. Or, if we overdraw our account and not balancing our account at the end of the day, we again are greeted with a slow-cranking engine and an overdrawn charging system account... More

Tech Tip: Window Lifts: Unappreciated When They Work Sometimes, a window may quit working for one reason or another. It may be time to replace a regulator. More

Tech Tip: Ford Truck No-Start Following CKP Replacement After replacing the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) and/or connector to correct another problem, the engine turns over, but does not start. The fuel injectors pulse a couple of times when the engine starts cranking, then they stop pulsing. There is an rpm reading on the scan data for a split second, then it goes to zero. There is no spark. More

Tech Tip: Intermittent No-Start on Ford 5.4L V8 Truck Engine When it won't start, there is no communication with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The theft light is flashing rapidly with codes U1147 and U1262 in the Hybrid Electronic Cluster (HEC). Also, the odometer just shows dashes with the key on instead of the actual mileage. More

Tech Tip: 2008-2009 Dodge Dakota Powertrain Control Module Removal and Installation To prevent problems of DTCs and other items related to the VIN broadcast, it is recommended that you disconnect the ABS CAB (controller) temporarily when replacing the PCM. More