Diagnostics and Drivability

Image: ALLDATA
Figure 1: The EPS is housed entirely in the steering column assembly on this example displayed. Although this is a typical configuration, it doesn’t mean every vehicle is configured this way.
Service Repair

Going in the right direction with electronic power steering

Dec. 3, 2024
Electronic power steering assist systems have been around for a while but without system knowledge, techs still get ‘turned around.’
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Scan Tool
Diagnostics and Drivability

Roadmap to repair

Dec. 3, 2024
Finding your final diagnosis is simple – trust your process, look at all the angles, change your approach if needed.
The broken exhaust valve spring is the cause of the driveability fault. Keep in mind that a broken spring can present intermittent faults or faults that only occur under certain operating conditions. It’s important to realize that a broken spring can still allow a perfectly passing compression test (or relative compression test) but fail a running test miserably.
Service Repair

Solved: GMC Yukon with low compression

Dec. 2, 2024
A 2015 GMC Yukon was misfiring under all operating conditions, even though the engine seemed to crank over well.
Figure 1: A correlation of the CKP sensor signal to that of the CMP sensor(s) signals can be a great way of inferring camshaft timing. Keeping in mind the limitations of the test, it only truly reflects the timing of the reluctors. If they have lost their reference from their respective shafts, the timing will not be on.
Service Repair

A tight squeeze in a Ford Escape

Dec. 2, 2024
Sometimes seeing misfires reflected on a scan tool is the result of an ignition system fault. Typical testing for these mechanical faults can usually be discovered by simple relative...
Photo courtesy of Scott Brown
Figure 1 — Fueling Strategy using ANNs
Diagnostics and Drivability

A new era for technicians

Nov. 26, 2024
AI in automotive systems, fuel, emissions monitoring, and diagnostics and service.
Figure 1- A great first step in any driveability analysis, the relative compression test shows how all cylinders harness and squeeze their contents, relative to each other. This capture shows all cylinders performing similarly.
Service Repair

Ram 1500: Driveability can be exhausting

Nov. 21, 2024
Welcome back to another edition of “The data doesn’t lie,” a regular feature in which Brandon Steckler, technical editor for Motor Age, poses a puzzling case study.
Photo courtesy of Scott Brown
Figure 1 – Tesla Service Mode heat pump visualization
Diagnostics and Drivability

Tesla service, repair, and diagnostics

Oct. 8, 2024
Keep up to date on how to maintain your customer's Tesla vehicles.
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Diagnostics and Drivability

Top 10 diagnostic products: Q3 2024

Oct. 3, 2024
Check out the most clicked-on diagnostic products added to Vehicle Service Pros in the last three months.
Scott Becker
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Service Repair

Steve Mancuso named Best Young Tech of 2024

Oct. 1, 2024
The award winner is a problem solver, and not just when he's working on vehicles. Steve Mancuso tackles equipment and training, too, and serves as a mentor to his fellow techs...
Figure 1: The relative compression test is featured frequently in the pages of Motor Age magazine as it is a very efficient test that yields a lot of information about engine mechanical integrity.
Diagnostics and Drivability

Compression testing a Ford F-150

Sept. 12, 2024
Cylinder integrity refers to its ability to harness its contents. But if it won’t fill, is there really anything to squeeze?
Photo courtesy of Rick Urso
Digital inspection tools allow technicians to complete jobs quicker and more efficiently.
The Garage

The benefits of digital inspection tools

Sept. 10, 2024
A good diagnostic tool arsenal should help you complete jobs faster and more efficiently.
Photo courtesy of Scott Brown
Diagnostics and Drivability

The impact of electric vehicles on the automotive market

Aug. 28, 2024
Steps to help prepare your shop for electric vehicles.
Clay Cowell
Service Repair

Why this Ford F-150 won't start

Aug. 1, 2024
Many times driveability symptoms surface without associated DTCs.
Chris Martino
Service Repair

Why it's important to build and trust your diagnostic process

Aug. 1, 2024
The story of a 2018 Land Rover Discovery, an engine rebuild, and a lingering list of diagnostic questions to solve.