diagnostics

Making quicker and more accurate repairs means more money in your pocket, and your scan tool plays a major role in those repairs. AVI Director of Training Tom Rayk shows […]

DECEMBER FEATURED COURSE Register for the Zoom meeting here! Join AVI instructor Andy Tirado while he takes you through HEV/EV systems and their configurations. What are known areas to monitor […]

A new Toyota Prius was delivered to WCCC today which will allow their Automotive Technology Program to provide instruction on maintenance and repair of hybrid and electric vehicles! AVI and […]

Fuel System Testing: A simple 4-Step process that works on code and no code drivability issues and can be performed with an inexpensive OBD II generic scan tool.

Drivability is the best customer friendly repair specialty to master as most customers don’t have automotive knowledge. Their complaints are usually in the form of describing certain characteristics the vehicle […]

This is a special Live Stream course because it is going to be live from the AVI Conference in Las Vegas. That’s right we are packing up the studio and […]

Any drivability complaint can be broken down into three possibilities; breathing, fuel and ignition. Ron Bilyeu starts off the diagnostic process using data and goes into diagnosing the breathing ability […]

Considering that a wealth of misfire trouble codes were reported when we scanned the Ford F-150 – Ron goes in and performs some secondary ignition testing by using an oscilloscope […]

Diagnostic Smoke® Technologies were an international draw, beating previous demo and inquiry records at the recent Automechanika Frankfurt featuring visitors from over 76 countries. Exhibitors showcasing leak detecting smoke machines, […]

Many aftermarket scanners now offer VW and Audi software without the need for the factory tool. Although, if you’re not very familiar with the way these import companies do their […]

One of the most common repairs when it comes to Infiniti and Nissan vehicles involves the Fly by Wire Electronic Throttle Control. This throttle control system is known to be […]

The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is constantly updating their task list to comply with the most recent new technologies and skills required. AVI has got you covered […]

This Tech Tip is taken directly from an AVI Live Stream presented on August 6 2014 with Master Technician and shop owner Bill Fulton. Bill breaks down the most common […]

To better understand how fuel trim numbers are generated, the ECM/PCM uses the oxygen sensor or air/fuel sensor input signal to adjust fuel injector pulse-width values. If a longer-than-normal injector […]

Shortly after a male teen gets his first car, the first thing he wants to do is modify it with new wheels, upgraded exhaust, seat covers and, the most important […]

Air/fuel ratios caused by leaking fuel pressure regulators and other fuel control issues can also cause general misfires on other vehicles. Freeze-frame data obtained by a scan tool can be […]

When diagnosing misfires, it’s important to use tools that allow you to go beyond a simple code reader that ­displays a P03XX. Even an OEM-level scan tool can’t tell you […]

These types of diagnostic situations are always difficult because despite a general, reoccurring issue, the operation of the system in question is generally normal. Long-time AVI instructor Bill Fulton brings […]

There are over 3 million Hybrid vehicles on the road in the U.S. today which accounts for a good chunk of the total amount of vehicles on the road. Hybrids […]

These types of diagnostic situations are always difficult because despite a general, reoccurring issue, the operation of the system in question is generally normal. Long-time AVI instructor Bill Fulton brings […]

For some time now, most of the development in diesel technology has been aimed toward making the engines environmentally friendly. But as diesel ­engines have become cleaner, the power levels […]

In this clip, taken directly from Midtronic’s live streaming In-Vehicle Battery/Starter/Alternator Diagnostics class, Dan Cox reviews the different battery type, the history of batteries and the difference in energy densities between different […]

AVI and Dave Hobbs brings you a new course that will helps you work through tricky diagnostics, Deceptive Diagnostics. There are not many things more frustrating than running a scan […]

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 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.

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 tip clip George Witt gives advice on selling diagnostics to your customers. George talks about selling lists and inspections and how to present the diagnostic process in such a way that you are charging for your time, effort and expertise. He talks about the four ways this helps you in selling diagnostics and how to present the info in a way that leaves the customer happy and provides the info they need to make an informed decision.

By Scot ‘Gonzo’ Weaver. Jo was a new customer referred by an old-time regular. Her little KIA had a transmission problem that seemed to be getting the best of the transmission shop. The story goes that the SUV was constantly in limp mode, and would never shift properly… ever. As it always seems to be the case when a simple problem can’t be solved simply, somebody started the diagnostics off in the wrong direction. Little did I know this was a simple problem. But, as I see it, any type of diagnostic work that you do requires a certain step-by-step procedure that you must follow. Missing a step, or completely overlooking a step, usually means you’re going to miss that simple problem all together. This was no exception.

Jim Wilson talks about the importance of misfire diagnostics and how a large portion of the problems coming into our shops are misfire related. Jim talks about the types of misfires and the causes of misfires. Most importantly Jim talks about the tools and procedures you will need to effectively find misfires.

Fort Myers Florida — Automotive Video has released two *NEW* Bill Fulton classes this week! 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 brings you the Top 10 Most Read Articles on Scope It Out! The most popular articles include everything from J2534 to Duramax, waveforms to labscopes, tpms to fuel injectors, as well as parasitic battery drains. Check out what other readers are into and post your comments and questions.

John Thornton’s new training program coming soon from AVI is an in-depth class on ‘In Cylinder Pressure Transducer Diagnostics.’ As you know, for many years in our industry we have used a compression gauge to assist us in diagnosing mechanical problems. Well, today, electronics have vastly improved the techniques we can use to analyze in cylinder mechanical problems.

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.