Ford Reflash Tech Tip: PC Settings

July 10, 2011

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.

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Latest News

Smoke In A Can

July 7, 2011

Check out Smoke In A Can, the revolutionary new product from the creators of the Diagnostic 8-Ball, Automotive Video! Everybody knows ‘that guy,’ you know, the one who crosses a wire or otherwise causes smoke to come out of a pricey ECM, PCM or other expensive electronic module. After all, today’s cars are laden with electronics and chances are you may already have been ‘that guy’ at one time or another.

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Conventional vs. Synthetic Oil

June 20, 2011

By David Tenpenny. Everyone knows, or seems to know, that synthetic oils are better than conventional oils, but do you know why? The fact is synthetic oils have several material advantages over their non-synthetic counterparts. Synthetic oils are structured with very specific properties, which leads to stronger oxidative protection against breakdown and lower evaporation rates under high temperature conditions. Synthetics also excel at low temperature operation and provide superior film strength.

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Airbag Service and Diagnostics: What You Need to Know

By Scott ‘Gonzo’ Weaver. Since 1998, all new cars have been required to have Supplemental Restraint Systems as standard equipment. A study done in December 2001 found that a record was set with 7,585 confirmed prevented deaths by proper airbag/seatbelt usage. If that isn’t enough to make you appreciate the airbag systems in today’s cars, I don’t know what will.

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Virtual Vision KC 2011

June 19, 2011

Vision KC the Midwest’s largest automotive service industry expo recently launched a virtual trade show. 38 exhibitors from the 2010 event are featured in this online virtual tradeshow. Great concept guys, way to go!

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Auto Market Weekly: June 17, 2011

June 17, 2011

  This class covers A to Z on Gasoline Direct Injection. The Instructor dissects the mechanical and electrical components in this high-pressure fuel delivery system, explains the benefits and drawbacks […]

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Bosch Service Class Lineup at AVI Training Conference Announced

June 9, 2011

Check out this line-up of Bosch Service classes at the 2011 AVI Training Conference to be held in Las Vegas immediately after the Bosch National Meetings for quality training with Ryan Barr and Mike Hinman. Prepare yourself for world-class technical training in Vegas alongside AAPEX at the Sands Expo Center, November 1, 2011!

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Tool Trouble

June 8, 2011

Rules: Tool Trouble is an interactive Flash game using your web camera. You become the controller and the objective is to grab as many tools as possible with your hands […]

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10 Questions and Answers About HFO-1234yf

By Peter Coll. HFO-1234yf, a new replacement for R-134a, is a non-environmental impact refrigerant with a decreased atmospheric lifetime. Learn what it is, why we’re changing refrigerants, what the differences are, whether or not your shop will need new equipment, and more, in this question-and-answer session with Peter Coll from Neutronics.

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AVI Releases New A/C Diagnostic Training Classes

Today, virtually every car has air conditioning, and every car is going to need to have that air conditioning serviced from time to time. With these NEW A/C technology training programs, AVI helps you focus on how to get the job done right every time! Learn about new AC service procedures and diagnostic tests, explore aspects and details of the J2788 standard and how it will save you time and money and finally learn how to perform diagnostics and service on hybrid vehicle HVAC systems safely and effectively. With TEAM AVI, you will get the information you need to provide service on the new technology coming into your shop today.

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Service Advisors Need to Be…Sales People

June 6, 2011

By Bob Cooper. Anyone who has been selling service for any length of time will agree that there are two kinds of customers. The first is the customer who has a history of making good decisions, not just with auto repair, but with most decisions. And then we have the other kind of customer: the kind of person who more often than not makes the wrong decisions. Let’s use maintenance service as an example.

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Exclusive Discount on Elite Webinar for AVI Customers!

June 4, 2011

On June 21st, Elite Worldwide President Bob Cooper will be presenting The Best-Kept Secret to Higher Profits, a 55-minute webinar that will help you put more money on your bottom line, and keep your customers coming back for years to come. As a thank you for being an AVI customer, we’ve arranged a 50% discount exclusively for you!

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HVAC Diagnostics

June 2, 2011

By Scott ‘Gonzo’ Weaver. Leave it to the manufacturers to take a simple thing like heat and air conditioning and turn it into an electronic jungle of wiring, sensors, and computer components. HVAC units have come a long way from when I started in the business. Not that I want to dwell on the past, but it might be a good idea to make sure we understand the basics before diving into the problem of today’s systems. I always feel that if I understand a system fully before doing any repair work I’m more likely to get it right the first time.

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MACS A/C System Hose Repairs Tip Clip

May 25, 2011

If you build or repair A/C system hoses, power steering hoses, or any different kind of hose assemblies this tip clip may be of interest to you. There’s a lot of good information that you need to know out there, so take a look at this segment, which is going to tell you everything you ever needed to know about building and repairing hoses the right way.

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Autodata Products Now Available!

May 23, 2011

Automotive Video is now selling Autodata Software CDs! With these easy-to-use software CDs, you can get fast access to information on Diagnostic Trouble Codes, Technical Specifications, Timing Belts and Timing Chains, Key Programming and Service Indicators and Battery Replacement Reset Procedures for Domestic and Import vehicles from 1995-2011. These CD’s provide automotive technicians with a reliable and easy to use information source when repairing and servicing vehicles. Improved productivity allows greater workshop throughput, increasing turnover and generating more margin.

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Diagnostic Solutions: Diagnosing Misfires

By Gary Goms. Although diagnosing misfires can be a tough assignment for any driveability technician, the diagnosis can be made much simpler if he understands the basics of misfire diagnosis. For example, when the first OBD II misfire monitor was first introduced in 1996, technicians were puzzled by problems with false misfire diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). Case in point, vehicles being driven on washboard dirt roads began recording false misfires.

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Hybrid Data PIDS Tech Tip

May 18, 2011

In this hybrid vehicle tech tip Dave Hobbs talks about an ‘engine stop request code. If you’ve got a hybrid vehicle and you’re not sure– is it doing an idle stop or is it just stalling– because we have still have an internal combustion engine and that means we still have all other kinds of sensors that can cause drivability issues, including intermittent stalling conditions. Thats why Dave talks about the engine stop request PID and how it can keep you from chasing the boogeyman.

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Coming Soon: Mastering Hybrid HVAC Systems with Dave Hobbs

In this new training program from Automotive Video, instructor Dave Hobbs teaches you hands-on fundamentals to servicing Hybrid A/C systems. Advance your diagnostic strategies by understanding these complex systems through live on car demonstrations.

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How Accurate is Your Test Meter?

May 17, 2011

By Joe Glassford. Accuracy of: Plus or minus 0.1% is Best. Check the owner’s manual for your meter under DC accuracy.

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Pulling Codes: Status Really Does Matter

May 10, 2011

By Carlton Banks. Many modern-day fuel systems offer a new look into system status definitions. It’s become very important to extend our understanding well beyond the concepts of simple “open loop” and “closed loop” status. This month, we will explore the new fuel system definitions that are present on many of today’s vehicles. We’ll begin our discussion by looking at each one on an individual basis.

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Tip Clip: Top AC System Repair Mistakes

May 9, 2011

In this video Bob Pattengale talks about common repair mistakes. The list of common repair mistakes that is presented in this video was compiled by the Mobile Air Conditioning Society through surveys, reviews of shops and examining the processes that our technicians are doing. These are important things that you want to think about to ensure a job well done.

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Tip Clip P0442 Small Evap Leak

In this video clip Bill Fulton presents some information on a DTC from his list of 10 DTC’s. This one is all about the P0442 small EVAP leak code. He talks about using Mode$01 to investigate EVAP parameters using your scan tool. He goes on to detail the parameters to look at, what readings to look for and what causes certain readings in the first place.

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Gonzo’s Toolbox: Why Men Do ‘Manly’ Things

May 8, 2011

By Scott ‘Gonzo’ Weaver. Some male patrons tend to want to “talk to the mechanic” verses talking to the front-desk person. Especially if that person is female. In my case, the front desk person is my daughter. She has seen it all and is very knowledgeable, I might add. Ask her a car question, any question, and she’ll have an answer for you.

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AVI OnDemand: Train the Trainer Bundle Now Available

May 6, 2011

Through the years AVI has helped thousands of instructors, teachers, facilitators and trainers achieve their diagnostic training goals. Whether it be training for NATEF hours, continuing education, professional development or just the desire to learn something new,the learning never stops. We all know that training technicians just isn’t easy and finding the time for your own education is even harder. That’s why AVI OnDemand wants to make it easy for you to make time for great training.

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Interactive Closed Captioning

May 2, 2011

Online video has revolutionized the ways that Automotive Video distributes video training. Whether it’s in the shop or inside the classroom, technicians and educators have come to depend on the […]

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How to Interface into a Connector You Don’t Want to Pierce

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.

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Why J2788 Standard Tip Clip

April 28, 2011

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? […]

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AVI to Release New A/C Best Recommended Practices with Bosch Diagnostics

April 27, 2011

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 […]

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FRED on Evap Tip Clip

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.

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Diagostic Dilemmas: Lost in ‘The Diagnostic Woods’

April 13, 2011

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.

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How to Test the Voltage Drop of a Relay Contact

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.

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Team AVI Expands ASE Test Prep Training Support

April 12, 2011

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.

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AVI Releases New Chrysler Diagnostics Class

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.

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Starter Solenoids and Continuous Duty Solenoids

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.

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GM Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)

April 10, 2011

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.

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