By Joe Glassford. In this excerpt from Joe Glassford’s new Vehicle Testing Reference Guide Joe details a technique on how to easily test a wire without piercing it. Don’t want to pierce or cut wires, or if you have a completely molded connector where it seems impossible to get an acupuncture probe tool in for your testing try this out.

What if you could save 30 minutes each day in the shop? Do you have some areas in the shop where you might be wasting a little bit of time? […]

Automotive Video presents a brand new training program, A/C Best Recommended Practices, on air conditioning fundamentals with Bosch Field Sales Technical Trainer Bob Pattengale. Today, virtually every car has air […]

In this Tip Clip Dave Hobbs talks about EVAP and FREDS, you know Frustrating Ridiculous Electronic Devices, things like PCM’s and ECM’s. He talks about the logic of how these devices control the operation of the vehicle’s evap system. He discusses how the ‘brain’ of the evap system handles things like the operational nature of the evap system such as purge. He also goes into detail regarding how the FRED also handles the regulatory side of things such as EPA guidelines and leak tests.

By Gary Goms. This real-world case study of a 2002 Chevy S-10 pickup, a 1995 Buick and a 1995 Lincoln Town Car illustrates why “chasing” trouble codes can get you lost in the Diagnostic Woods. Working as a part-time mobile diagnostic technician, I find that many techs find themselves “lost in the woods” while diagnosing engine management system failures. Although not perfect, the “lost in the woods” analogy describes the dilemma of a technician through a forest of information without a good sense of direction. Unfortunately, most of us have found ourselves in that situation more often than we would like to admit.

By Joe Glassford. To test the condition of the contacts (excessive resistance from pitting that causes an excessive voltage drop) this voltage drop test should be done: Here we have a fuse located on the “ground” side of the relay switch. This is a common circuit arrangement you will see.

Team AVI knows the importance of professional certification. In support of ASE Certifications Team AVI has produced several ASE test prep study programs on DVD. To further that commitment to quality test prep training and resources, AVI has recently acquired publishing rights to MOTOR Information Systems A1-A8 test prep book series.

Automotive Video’s ‘Advanced Chrysler Diagnostics’ training program is just right for your shop. Instructor Bill Fulton focuses on fundamentals, speed density EFI systems, the modern day transition to MAF type system, and how to properly diagnose typical problems with exhaust back pressure and too much EGR. He covers mid 90’s SMEC, SBEC, and new NGC through 2010, as well as Huntsville and Motorola’s next generation PCMs.

By Joe Glassford. Check out this information on starter solenoid testing from Joe Glassford’s new book on vehicle testing procedures. This article gives you some much needed real world information on stater solenoid functionality that will help you better understand how to troubleshoot and diagnose problems later.

By Andrew Markel. GM TPMS systems on Buick, Pontiac, Chevy (Chevrolet), GMC Cadillac and Hummer models are some of the easiest to service if you have the right tools and knowledge. Starting in 2007, most vehicles use a Schrader- or VDO-manufactured system that shares the same relearn procedures and behaviors. There are exceptions, like the Pontiac Vibe.

By Tom Ham. Are new car dealers eating your lunch? Can you just take a quick look at it? You send oil change reminders to who? Check out the latest Auto Shop Monthly Management Tips from the Automotive Management Network to get inside secrets on managing your shop and increasing your bottom line.

Bill Fulton presents a tip clip examining an intermittent no-start that also does not display any scan data on a 2003 Grand Cherokee. Bill talks about doing a test to check the bus circuits state of health by walking us through the systems data bus schematic and finding clues about what components to check next.

In this tech tip clip video, Bob discusses the primary component to Toyotas key off evaporative emission system, the pump module. This clip helps you understand the basic modes of operation to the various components found with in the pump module.

By Matt Fanslow. If you’ve been looking at purchasing a DSO (Digital Storage Oscilloscope) in the last few years, undoubtedly you’ve seen much attention paid to Vertical Resolution. To the scope savvy, it is the new “Sample Rate Rage”. For years, Sample Rate was advertised as the most important of scope specifications. The higher the sample rate, the better the scope. Thanks to Pico Technology, and those few individuals that embraced its use in the auto repair industry, we have been re-educated. Sample Rate, it turns out, while important; hinges on other factors. Vertical Resolution, you will find, is also one of many factors that determine the true “power” of a DSO.

In this Tech Tip Clip video Bob works on a vehicle with a code 0400, a gross evaporative emissions leak also with a gas cap light illuminated on the dash. Bob uses the Tech 2 to verify the leak walking us through the process of using the EVAP Service Bay Test mode allowing us to test the system as though the vehicle were driving down the road.

In this hands on tip clip using a CAN compliant Ford Bill guides us through the parameters that you will come across in your scan tools. He tells us some things to watch out for, values to be wary of and more. Bill breaks down and explains various parameters such as Commanded Equivalence Ratios, Commanded EGR, Distance DTC Clear, Distance MIL Active and Relative Fuel Rail pressure. Bill goes on to describe processes you can employ to streamline data so you are better able to manage diagnostic results.

By Bob Dowie. One of the common check engine light problems you’ll encounter on Hondas is a misfire code with no apparent misfire. Many times, this problem will be traced back to tight valve lash. Obviously, a tight valve will pass the audible test every time. But, it’s the tight valves that will set the check engine light in the best case, and if it’s ignored long enough you’ll be looking at a low-compression situation caused by a burnt valve.

Automotive Video Inc announces the course line-up for the 2011 AVI Training Conference to be held in Las Vegas during Industry Week in coordination with AAPEX. Prepare yourself for world class technical training in Vegas along side AAPEX at the Sands Expo Center, October 31 – November 1, 2011!

In this hybrid tech tip clip instructor Dave Hobbs talks about the hybrid battery disconnects and how important it it for you as a technician to know how to know the procedures to deactivate and shut down hybrid voltage systems in order to safely and efficiently even be able to service other non hybrid systems on a vehicle.

By Scott ‘Gonzo’ Weaver. Today’s cars have several different methods of producing spark and setting fuel injector pulses. All of the sensors create a nominal voltage by way of what is referred to as a “Hall effect,” either from an external magnet mounted on the cam gear or body of the distributor housing, or it has its own small magnet inside itself and the Hall effect is created by passing the sensor over or near a piece of slotted metal.

By Tom Ham. Is there any rhyme or reason to your parking lot? No time for inspections with customers waiting? Are you utilizing the factory maintenance schedules? Check out the latest Auto Shop Monthly Management Tips from the Automotive Management Network to get inside secrets on managing your shop and increasing your bottom line.

In this tech tip clip excerpt from the AVI class ‘Top 10 OBD 2 Codes: Fix Them Fast’ training program instructor Dave Scaler talks about slow response codes. Current generation o2 sensor heaters are controlled by the computer, and cars today go into closed loop faster than ever on todays cars. Dave talks about the two downsides of this situation and how they effect your diagnostic process. He goes on to further detail the diagnostic processes involved in solving O2 sensor slow codes.

Automotive Video has announced the new ‘Top 10 OBD II Codes’ training program with Dave Scaler. In this program, Dave will not only teach you how to fix OBD II DTC’s, he’ll teach you methods to fix them fast! Whether it’s an import or domestic vehicle, this program contains universal techniques you can apply to any make or brand—without using a manual or factory flow chart!

Get the latest ASE test prep training with the A2 General Transmission Diagnosis Test Prep course now available from Automotive Video! The purpose of this 77-minute ASE pre-test training is to focus on the part of the A2 that has the highest failure rate: Diagnostics. Instructor Wayne Colonna will cover fundamentals of the torque converter and planetary gear train operation, as well as understanding component application charts, and ending with knowing the difference between a solenoid performance failure and a solenoid electrical failure. A comprehensive understanding of these subjects will enable the technician to determine the proper diagnostic routine regardless of the type of transmission being diagnosed.

In this clip from the ASE A2 Transmission Diagnostics test prep program, Wayne Colonna talks about transmission performance codes. He talks about how on some computer controlled transmissions if there is a code stored or shift adapt issues the computers strategy is to overcome this slip by increasing line pressure. He talks about the problems this can cause during the diagnostic process and how to overcome these issues.

By Carlton Banks. This is the first in a series of investigations covering many states’ top emissions-related codes. Our goal in this report is to discuss the characteristics of the P0446 code as it applies to many GM systems.

In this series of short tip clips from management and service writing instructor George Witt you will learn several quick tips that will help to to better market your shop. George talks about things such as friendliness, cleanliness, reminders, humor, training, and equipment.

In this tip clip instructor John Thornton will present some ‘need-to-know’ info about some common function found on your PicoScope. John covers things such as vertical scale (number of volts per division), horizontal scale (the base time of the sweep speed), and trigger.

A DTC is made up of 5 digits. Knowing the composition of the code makes it is easier to trouble shoot a DTC without knowing the description of the code.

Automotive Video has released three new training programs from Bosch trainer Bob Pattengale-Using your Tech II, J2534 Regrogramming Fundamentals, and MTS 5200 Labscope. These training opportunities are now available to technicians everywhere who are looking to gain new diagnostic knowledge and skills.

We love to get opportunities to meet and connect with techs and shop owners in person. Trade shows and events such as Vision KC and ATE provide us the perfect opportunity to do just that. We encourage you to come on out to these events for some great training, networking and trade shows.

Service Advisor Tips and Tricks is now available from AVI! In this training program for service advisors, instructor George Witt takes some time to focus on the telephone. In today’s businesses you have to minimize expenses, maximize sales and be competitive. This class will show you how to be efficient with the phone by teaching you how to accurately find out what the customer wants, how to get off the phone quickly if it’s the wrong type of customer, and how to stay on the line with the type of customers you want.

This DTC search page contains standard diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) that are used by vehicle manufacturers to identify vehicle problems. The codes provide below are generic codes that may not […]

Variable valve timing gives engine designers the best of both worlds—power with economy. It is common knowledge that it’s easier to fix a broken vehicle if you have a clear understanding of how it works when it’s not broken.