http://diagnosticnews.com the Automotive Diagnostic Newsblog Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:46:51 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/clean-diesel-what-it-is/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/clean-diesel-what-it-is/#comments Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:19:41 +0000 newsadmin http://diagnosticnews.com/featured/clean-diesel%e2%80%93what-it-is/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/clean-diesel-what-it-is/feed/ 1 http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/oil-additives-supplements/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/oil-additives-supplements/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:08:20 +0000 newsadmin http://diagnosticnews.com/featured/oil-additives-supplements/ By Kevin S. McCartney. Kevin McCartney has compiled this comprehensive list of information related to modern oil additive and supplements. This is sure to be an interesting read full of new information for anyone interested in the science behind modern automotive oils.]]> http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/oil-additives-supplements/feed/ 3 http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/cooling-system-contamination-repeat-component-failure-requires-heroic-efforts/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/cooling-system-contamination-repeat-component-failure-requires-heroic-efforts/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:17:56 +0000 newsadmin http://diagnosticnews.com/?p=8442 By Kevin S. McCartney. Modern engines rely much more heavily on the lubrication system for cooling than ever before. Oil coolers and coolant heated PCV systems present some new opportunities. But, there is a great deal of overlooked technology in modern motor oils that should be understood before this opportunity is addressed. ]]> http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/cooling-system-contamination-repeat-component-failure-requires-heroic-efforts/feed/ 1 http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/free-the-ecm%e2%80%99s/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/free-the-ecm%e2%80%99s/#comments Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:34:43 +0000 newsadmin http://diagnosticnews.com/featured/free-the-ecm%e2%80%99s/ By Scott 'Gonzo' Weaver. Sometimes, I’ll find faults with the so called “experts” advice or information. Not that I think I’m smarter than the engineers… no, not that at all. But if something strikes me as not being completely correct I might want to question what is on that diagnostic tree. Mind you, my entire day is filled with meeting the expectations of my customers. I have to be dead on with my repairs and diagnostics. Not some of the time, no, ALL the time. And, I expect the same from the people that provide the information and parts. The way I look at it, you’re only as good as the information provided.]]> http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/free-the-ecm%e2%80%99s/feed/ 0 http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/tech-feature-exhaust-leaks-and-the-stoichiometric-ratio/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/tech-feature-exhaust-leaks-and-the-stoichiometric-ratio/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:01:51 +0000 newsadmin http://diagnosticnews.com/featured/tech-feature-exhaust-leaks-and-the-stoichiometric-ratio/ By Scott 'Gonzo' Weaver. When I was a kid, I used to watch my dad, who started out as a diesel mechanic, tune up cars and trucks from time to time. He would turn the adjustment screws on the carburetor until the engine smoothed out and started to purr. Then, after listening closely to the rumbling of the motor, the adjustment screws would get one final tweak. He would always bend down and cup his hand around the belching tail pipe exhaust and take a big sniff of the fumes, and then go back to his adjustments. That was back in the 60s and 70s before PCMs, O2 sensors and catalytic converters.]]> http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/tech-feature-exhaust-leaks-and-the-stoichiometric-ratio/feed/ 0 http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/keeping-your-cool-with-automatic-temp-control/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/keeping-your-cool-with-automatic-temp-control/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:18:52 +0000 newsadmin http://diagnosticnews.com/featured/keeping-your-cool-with-automatic-temp-control/ By Dave Hobbs. A climate control system that automatically maintains a set interior climate while conditions outside constantly change might seem complicated. Cool-headed diagnostics involve breaking these systems into manageable parts.]]> http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/keeping-your-cool-with-automatic-temp-control/feed/ 1 http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/diagnostic-dilemmas-when-over-voltages-electrocute-pcms/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/diagnostic-dilemmas-when-over-voltages-electrocute-pcms/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:53:38 +0000 newsadmin http://diagnosticnews.com/featured/diagnostic-dilemmas-when-over-voltages-electrocute-pcms/ By Gary Goms. During the past nine months, I’ve had three instances of powertrain control module (PCM) failures on Jeep Wrangler vehicles that were evidently caused by an over-voltage condition. The first case involved an owner who requested that a local shop replace the fuel pump because his ’98 Wrangler was slow-starting in the morning.]]> http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/diagnostic-dilemmas-when-over-voltages-electrocute-pcms/feed/ 0 http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/gonzos-toolbox-found-it-on-the-internet/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/gonzos-toolbox-found-it-on-the-internet/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:29:19 +0000 newsadmin http://diagnosticnews.com/featured/gonzos-toolbox-found-it-on-the-internet/ By Scott 'Gonzo' Weaver. A customer comes into the shop the other day with a handful of papers about his car. Each page was full of information and diagrams pertaining to a repair. He was extremely proud of himself, and proceeded to tell me how he found this wealth of knowledge on the Internet.]]> http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/gonzos-toolbox-found-it-on-the-internet/feed/ 2 http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/variable-valves-plus-more/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/variable-valves-plus-more/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:43:54 +0000 newsadmin http://diagnosticnews.com/featured/variable-valves-plus-more/ By John Thornton. Last time (Fall 2010), we looked at two Nissan variable valve timing case studies, provided by John Thornton. There wasn’t enough room in that issue for John’s very informative third case study, so it’s included here. After we’ve finished with the third case study, we’ll move into an overview of the construction, operation and diagnosis of various crank sensor designs. Let’s get started. ]]> http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/variable-valves-plus-more/feed/ 0 http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/ford-reflash-tech-tip-pc-settings/ http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/ford-reflash-tech-tip-pc-settings/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 14:00:18 +0000 newsadmin http://diagnosticnews.com/featured/ford-reflash-tech-tip-pc-settings/ By Scott 'Gonzo' Weaver. So, you've just finished up a Ford, and you're about to try and start it up. However, it needs programmed. You've decided to use a J2534 tool, but there are certain things you'll need to consider before purchasing that subscription at www.motorcraftservice.com.]]> http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/ford-reflash-tech-tip-pc-settings/feed/ 0