By Gary Goms. Although modern OBD II technology has simplified catalytic converter diagnostics, it’s still important to understand the basics of catalytic converter operation when dealing with a P0420 or P0430 diagnostic trouble code (DTC). DTCs P0420/P0430 indicate that ­catalyst efficiency is below predetermined thresholds on cylinder banks 1 and 2, respectively. In the following text, I’ll explore the basics of catalytic converter chemistry and summarize how common catalytic converter failures can be diagnosed.

Part 3: Precision Low Current Measurements for Driveability Diagnosis. Automotive technicians often use a DMM connected to a clamp-on current probe to measure current flow (amperage) in a circuit. Typical items tested are starter motor draw, blower motor draw and alternator output. The current probe clamps around a wire in the circuit under test and using voltage from its own battery (usually 2 AAA’s or a 9 volt) sends a signal to the DMM. Most current probes output 1mV for each amp detected in the circuit.

By Omar Trinidad. Illustrating the internal operation of a voltmeter while a technician is testing a series circuit with one or two loads is a helpful way to explain how the tool works. We’ll start right off with an example.

Fort Myers, FL – September 2, 2010 – Automotive Video, Inc. is kicking off the 2010 AVI Training Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 4th, with a Hospitality Party featuring the magic of Dan Sperry! Dinner will be hosted from 6:00-7:30 pm at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, followed by the cocktail party and live entertainment.

Automotive Video announces an Engine Rebuilding DVD that will show any mechanic of any skill level, the complete and proper processes to complete a rebuild for almost any type of engine. The building techniques shown are just as useful for V8’s as they will be for straight 6, V6, or even 4-cylinders.

This week, Automotive Video Inc. released the latest in their series of ASE test prep videos covering light duty diesel. Dave Scaler instructs the program featuring 3 hours of informational footage and over 100 practice questions. The A-9 is the newest test offered by ASE, and test preparation materials have been in high demand.

Automotive Video Inc. (AVI) is launching a new program devoted entirely to inspection maintenance education. Participants will be able to experience a customized training program tailored specifically to their state’s standards and regulations.

Through this case study Bob Augustine brings home a true understanding of why the Diagnostic Process demonstrated in this clip is so important for both time savings and shop profitability.

We are going to do something a little different this time in the Fine Tuning department. We ran into a diagnostic case study you might be interested in. It involved a 2001 Chevrolet Impala with about 40,000 miles on it. The A/C fan and cruise control would intermittently stop working while the customer was driving. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to the failure. The vehicle could be driven for days before the problem would occur.

We continue our investigation of engine knock sensors with a look at one and two-wire sensors.

In the previous issue of Counter Point, we discussed the various causes of engine knock. Prior to the age of electronic engine control, an engine designer had a limited number of effective tools to guard against engine knock. Principle among these were combustion chamber design, the octane of the fuel used and mapping of the spark advance curve. The designer couldn’t risk the possibility of engine damage caused by knock, so it was always necessary to keep the engine well short of the point where it might begin. This assured engine longevity, but hurt performance.

Part 2: Analyzing Amperage Results When Testing Ignition Coils with a Low Amp ProbeCheck out Part 2 of Barry Gersten’s Current Ramping series. This time, he covers how to analyze […]

Show Me Tools brings you the Laser Toe Gauge… Check out the popular Toe In Tool with .004″ accuracy from Advantage Wheel Alignment. This tool is for Professional Heavy Duty Toe Gauge Designed for Auto Repair Shops or Truck Repair Shops, even on UN-Level Surfaces!

The past few weeks we have been dedicated to redesigning Scope It Out to give you the optimal experience! We’ve refreshed the look and feel of our articles, added more detailed author and publisher information on each article, introduced a Tip Clip Video Slider, and cleaned up our homepage so everything is just a click away!

John Thornton discusses a case study about a high milage 1997 Chrysler Concorde with rough idle issues. The vehicle has no codes and the coil, plugs and wires have all been recently replaced. John goes into great detail on how he went about diagnosing the problem by using scan data and waveform analysis.

Dave Hobbs presents an interesting case study of a Chevy Malibu exhibiting battery discharge issues, no start problems and with a B1516 BCM code. Dave discusses the associated TSB and smart charging system components related to this issue.

Engine knock limits performance and can cause permanent damage. This time, we’ll look at its causes.

Under certain conditions, combustion in a spark ignition engine can degrade into an abnormal preignition process that causes a “knocking” or “pinging” sound. This undesirable combustion process limits the engine’s output and specific efficiency levels. It occurs when the fresh air/fuel mixture preignites in spontaneous combustion before being reached by the expanding flame front.

Part 1: Getting Started – How to shop for a well designed Low Amp Clamp. In order to choose the best Low Amp Clamp it is important to know the limitations of the various Low Amp Clamps. Any limitations are usually revealed in the Manufacturer’s Spec Sheet Data.

A number of emissions programs are conducting an emissions test on OBD II vehicles that has been nicknamed a “plug and play” test. Perhaps something similar to this has already happened to you. A customer brings his vehicle to your shop because the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is glowing on the dashboard. After retrieving the stored diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and freeze frame data, then conducting a thorough diagnosis, you determine the cause of the fault. The defective part is replaced, the DTCs and freeze frame data are cleared from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) memory and the vehicle is taken for a road test. After the road test, the PCM’s memory is rechecked for stored or pending DTCs. None are found.

Automotive Video, Inc. is preparing to launch a new membership website with over 100 hours of streaming training videos covering diagnostics, diesel systems, transmissions, shop management, scan tools and more. […]

This year Automotive Video, Inc has moved its 2010 AVI Training Conference to Las Vegas, NV during Industry Week on November 4-5, 2010. The conference is receiving strong support from sponsors and exhibitors alike. The class schedule along with instructor biographies and the details of each class can now be found on www.aviconference.com. Attendees can register for the conference and classes all at once.

TeachTechs.com is an online resource for professional automotive repair technicians to use to get the diagnostic answers they need. The goal of this site is to provide quality answers, solutions, and information about professional automotive diagnostics. We hope the site can offer you the info you need to find the answers you want. We are a website designed in assisting technicians in getting the answers to questions about their technical needs.

Fort Myers Florida — July 27, 2010 – Automotive Video has announced two *NEW* Bill Fulton classes to be released soon! In Fuel System Testing Strategies and Anatomy of the Waveform, Bill gives you comprehensive tactics to expand your understanding and deliver accurate diagnostic repair.

Automotive Video Inc., has added two more classes to their premier live training event to be held November 4-5 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Ryan Kooiman and Bernie Thompson join the ranks of industry experts presenting at the conference.

Oil is killing our cars!” warns Keith Ansell, President of Foreign Parts Positively. “Be aware that ‘New and Improved,’ or even the ‘standard products’ we have been using for many years, are destroying our cars. It isn’t the same stuff we were getting even a year ago.”

Although a bit of a sensationalist, Keith is not completely out of line and he isn’t the only Internet auto expert touting the effects of the industry required ZDDP (zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate) decrease in motor oil.

By Gary Goms. 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 […]

Using scope patterns, Jim Wilson discusses and demonstrates a procedure for diagnosing EGR related misfire issues by examining scope patterns of the different cylinders.

If you’ve spent hours struggling to master a new computer software system, you can well understand how a modern auto technician might feel when confronted with not just one, but hundreds of different software configurations built into the platforms of the 17 different vehicle manufacturers now being sold in our domestic market.

Fort Myers Florida — July 15, 2010 – This month, AVI launched SearchAVI.com a new Network Search Site! Search the ENTIRE AVI network of automotive diagnostic, repair, training, information, industry news, and education related websites from this easy to use and familiar interface. From one location, you have access to each of AVI sites, including DiagnosticsNews.com, ShowMeTools.com, AVITestPrep.com, and auto-video.com!

While new car recalls have been among the biggest news stories of the year, an analysis by Edmunds.com, assures consumers that despite these recent headlines, recalls were much more of a concern in decades past.

By Ken Shriner. Does ethanol usage reduce fuel economy compared to conventional gasoline? What vehicles can use ethanol-containing fuel? Can ethanol-containing fuel affect cold starting? Does it dry the fuel system? Can it cause engine deposits? Read on to find the answers to these questions and more with BG Products, Inc.

If referrals are number one, then why do so few shop owners put much effort into getting more of them? Do you really want to know what your customers are […]

By Wayne Colonna. A scan tool can be an effective transmission diagnostic tool. But to understand what’s happening inside the trans, you must be able to properly interpret the raw sensor data the scanner provides.

Instructor Jim Wilson covers most of the basic functions of how to navigate and perform common diagnostic tests using the Pegisys Scan Tool. Learn how to use your Pegisys in both lab scope mode and also perform diagnostic testing. Labscope information covers the ignition systems, KV, DMM and freezeframe.

Get your hands dirty with AVI Instructor Bill Fulton as he guides you through the Ford Enhanced and Non-Enhanced EVAP systems, as well as the Chrysler LDP and NVLD EVAP […]