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 […]

In today’s shops information has become just as important of a tool as a wrench. All of us are using Google in our daily web life: you search news, videos, images, etc. Google is also a great tool for searching for all kinds of specs, tech info, forums, tips, parts prices and a whole lot more. So with this post we have gathered tips from around the web.

Automotive Video believes that a strong distribution network will help promote training and thus industry professionalism and image. We have created a distribution program that helps qualified distributors achieve good margins while growing a sustainable business.

A scan tool is a big investment, and you want to be sure you are choosing the right one for your shop or school. Once you make the investment, you need to know the features and buttonology to get the most out of the tool. ShowMeTools.com will help you make an informed decision by demonstrating the features of various scan tools on the market. You will also find hands-on tutorials to show you how to use many of the tools.

A little while back I wrote an article concerning key numbers for auto service shops. The numbers covered at that time included total spending, total gross profit, potential work found per car, number of oil changes, number of new customers and tech vs. non-tech ratio. I was recently asked to cover some additional key numbers, so here we go!

In this training tip clip from the Complete Hybrid Training Program, Craig Van Batenburg talks about the battery backup for the brake by wire brake system and no start issues on the Toyota Prius. He touches on no start issues and concerns such as wrong or too much oils P309 High Voltage leak codes, corridor resolver connections and low battery pack issues.

Peter Orlando with the third of his ABS Tech Tip clips, this time with a hydraulic tip that you can use on any brake system. Peter gives us the breakdown on some tips for monitoring and controlling contaminate issues during a brake system service that can cause problems with the ABS system.

In this clip instructor Peter Orlando gives us some hands on instruction on resistance testing ABS solenoid assemblies. Peter gives several in depth tips tricks and gotchas related to resistance testing the isolation valves and working with the component schematics to perform the pin out testing

In this tech tip clip, Instructor Peter Orlando gives you a helpful tip concerning your new ABS wheel speed sensor. He explains to you how to use your voltmeter and a screwdriver to test if the new part is bad or good BEFORE you even put it in the car.

In this tip clip case study instructor Dave Hobbs presents the case study of a 2004 Malibu with a no start condition. Diagnostics later revealed a short in the radio causing the rest of the components on that bus to be unable to communicate. In this Tip Clip Dave gives some helpful info on diagnosing these types of interconnected problems.

By Dave Hobbs. No matter how complex ‘smart’ charging systems appear at first glance, it still comes down to a battery, an alternator and some modules monitoring and controlling voltage regulation. We’re sure you’ve got the smarts to handle that.

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems are and have been a required feature on U.S. Passenger vehicles since 2008. Introducing this technology to the way we maintain our vehicles has improved safety and vehicle performance, increased fuel efficiency and tire life. It also has forever changed the way autos and tires are serviced. Any operation that works on tires has been faced with serious challenges to the way they do business. Thus is the nature of change. You can either run from it (lose business) or embrace it and seize the opportunity to grow and enhance your business.

Fort Myers Florida — May 04, 2010 – Wheelrite customers can now log in and sign up for scheduled webinars on various TPMS topics. Clinics are now being scheduled for basic TPMS, Sensor Service, Diagnostics, Re-learn procedures and Tools.

By Scott “Gonzo” Weaver. Ever wonder how your cable TV comes into your home on that single coaxial cable? In simple terms… it’s like a CAN system. A good definition of a CAN system would be: High speed communication sent via data lines to and from components.

By Larry Carley. Diagnosis is often the biggest challenge, especially if the cause of a no-cooling problem is not obvious. Is it the refrigeration circuit, an electrical problem or a control issue?