Comments for Auto Tech On Wheels http://www.autotechonwheels.com Your Mobile Diagnostic Center Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:47:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Comment on Sleeping Giant by AnelloATOW http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/12/sleeping-giant/#comment-122 AnelloATOW Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:47:12 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1668#comment-122 Thanks for catching the type error. It should be 3000mV Thanks for catching the type
error. It should be 3000mV

]]> Comment on Sleeping Giant by RON VESSELLS http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/12/sleeping-giant/#comment-121 RON VESSELLS Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:17:25 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1668#comment-121 Thank you for another great article. I have a question. In the article it says that both injector patterns were elevated at about 300mV. When I look at the picture it looks like the injector drivers are only pulling the injectors to 3 Volts. Am I reading the picture incorrectly? Please help me understand better. Thank you. Thank you for another great article. I have a question. In the article it says that both injector patterns were elevated at about 300mV. When I look at the picture it looks like the injector drivers are only pulling the injectors to 3 Volts. Am I reading the picture incorrectly? Please help me understand better. Thank you.

]]> Comment on Sleeping Giant by Teddy Moore http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/12/sleeping-giant/#comment-119 Teddy Moore Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:43:28 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1668#comment-119 Grate story Techman Like you alway say you have to think out side the box to fix todays cars keep up the good work and keep writing these grate storys you are truly a step above the rest!! Grate story Techman
Like you alway say you have to think out side the box to fix todays cars
keep up the good work and keep writing these grate storys
you are truly a step above the rest!!

]]> Comment on Sleeping Giant by Duane in Japan http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/12/sleeping-giant/#comment-118 Duane in Japan Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:09:53 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1668#comment-118 John, For the folks who may not have two amp clamps or any at all but do have a scope, it may also be possible to catch a lean burn cylinder on a Snap Throttle Test while viewing the Secondary Spark waveform, the lean cylinders will show up as requiring a much higher KV demand in the initial jump of the spark line. Although this is just another way to find a possible fuel injector delivery malfunction, ultimetely as you have shown, it is best to verify the root cause of the problem at hand with pinpoint testing such as the amp ramp of the injector circuitry. Even a resistance check of individual injectors may have shown partially shorted injectors in this scenario, but how many techs test resistance cold and then again hot or even know how to check bank resistance and do the math to get an average value per injector. Some folks may blame this lean malfunction on a lean biased O2 sensor, to help rule that out it would be good to force the sensor rich by adding external fuel such as propane or carb cleaner to see if its possible to drive the sensor rich thus ruling it out as being dead. Again as you have shown, scan data is only to be used as a guide to narrow down your diagnostic path to success, not as a road to changing parts based on visual feedback to your senses. There are always different ways to come to the same conclusion, it mainly depends on what equipment is on hand and what experience the tech possesses, even a Snap Throttle test requires some level of experience. Having been on the road with you in Boot Camp as in most real world jobs, performing all possible tests is not practical with time constraints limiting further testing avenues. Awsome real world diagnosis as always. John,

For the folks who may not have two amp clamps or any at all but do have a scope, it may also be possible to catch a lean burn cylinder on a Snap Throttle Test while viewing the Secondary Spark waveform, the lean cylinders will show up as requiring a much higher KV demand in the initial jump of the spark line. Although this is just another way to find a possible fuel injector delivery malfunction, ultimetely as you have shown, it is best to verify the root cause of the problem at hand with pinpoint testing such as the amp ramp of the injector circuitry. Even a resistance check of individual injectors may have shown partially shorted injectors in this scenario, but how many techs test resistance cold and then again hot or even know how to check bank resistance and do the math to get an average value per injector. Some folks may blame this lean malfunction on a lean biased O2 sensor, to help rule that out it would be good to force the sensor rich by adding external fuel such as propane or carb cleaner to see if its possible to drive the sensor rich thus ruling it out as being dead. Again as you have shown, scan data is only to be used as a guide to narrow down your diagnostic path to success, not as a road to changing parts based on visual feedback to your senses. There are always different ways to come to the same conclusion, it mainly depends on what equipment is on hand and what experience the tech possesses, even a Snap Throttle test requires some level of experience. Having been on the road with you in Boot Camp as in most real world jobs, performing all possible tests is not practical with time constraints limiting further testing avenues. Awsome real world diagnosis as always.

]]> Comment on Automotive Polygamy by DEEN http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/03/automotive-polygamy/#comment-116 DEEN Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:44:51 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1416#comment-116 Great Step by step troubleshooting!! Every challenge is a learning chance.Keep it up your good work. Great Step by step troubleshooting!! Every challenge is a learning chance.Keep it up your good work.

]]> Comment on Antitheft Gone Wild by Rick http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/07/antitheft-gone-wild/#comment-114 Rick Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:03:33 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1574#comment-114 An engineer that I work with in the pharmaceutical device industry hipped me to your web site. It is refreshing to hear a story put straight forward about issues such as this. I left the auto body industry after 23 years as well accomplished technician because I was frustrated with the celling of income governed by the insurance companies and shop owners. Oh yeah, and the lack of drive the repair industry had for learning and doing what’s right. Keep the faith; I will visit your site when I can, thanks! An engineer that I work with in the pharmaceutical device industry hipped me to your web site. It is refreshing to hear a story put straight forward about issues such as this. I left the auto body industry after 23 years as well accomplished technician because I was frustrated with the celling of income governed by the insurance companies and shop owners. Oh yeah, and the lack of drive the repair industry had for learning and doing what’s right. Keep the faith; I will visit your site when I can, thanks!

]]> Comment on Mechanic’s Nightmare by Boris Alegre http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/02/mechanics-nightmare/#comment-112 Boris Alegre Mon, 05 Sep 2011 09:36:41 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1397#comment-112 I have been a great fan of your web site since i found it. I have bought your awesome book and i read it often. i have a small electrical shop in Bolivia, South America and the problems I see here are very difficult to diagnose. we have cars that we called "Transformers". this are cars that came from Japan with the steering wheel on the right side and have been modified to the left side by local shops. they cut the wiring harnesses and extend them by adding lengths of wire and shifting everything from one side to the other, this can be a nightmare. they secure everything with wires or just leave modules or fuse boxes hanging. Also we have a lot of cars that came from the United States, many where in floods or in collisions, and those can be a real pain to repair. Fortunately your insights and diagnostic approaches are a real inspiration and a guide for me here. Keep up the good work !!! I have been a great fan of your web site since i found it. I have bought your awesome book and i read it often. i have a small electrical shop in Bolivia, South America and the problems I see here are very difficult to diagnose. we have cars that we called “Transformers”. this are cars that came from Japan with the steering wheel on the right side and have been modified to the left side by local shops. they cut the wiring harnesses and extend them by adding lengths of wire and shifting everything from one side to the other, this can be a nightmare. they secure everything with wires or just leave modules or fuse boxes hanging. Also we have a lot of cars that came from the United States, many where in floods or in collisions, and those can be a real pain to repair. Fortunately your insights and diagnostic approaches are a real inspiration and a guide for me here. Keep up the good work !!!

]]> Comment on Diagnostic Blitz by Terry Gower http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/05/diagnostic-blitz/#comment-111 Terry Gower Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:48:20 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1493#comment-111 John i want to thank you for sharing your fixes with us.It is so rare to see someone helping others to excell in this business! And not wanting a fee for it.I love your articles because they are to the point,no smoke!Thanks again for sharing your knowledge,it makes all the difference.T.Gower John i want to thank you for sharing your fixes with us.It is so rare to see someone helping others to excell in this business! And not wanting a fee for it.I love your articles because they are to the point,no smoke!Thanks again for sharing your knowledge,it makes all the difference.T.Gower

]]> Comment on Vintage Diagnostics by Michael John Eilbracht http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/04/vintage-diagnostics/#comment-57 Michael John Eilbracht Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:54:45 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1422#comment-57 Cool post John on the bmw. Wouldn't mind seeing some more posts like this. The earlier fuel injection systems on imports have always interested me. Cool post John on the bmw. Wouldn’t mind seeing some more posts like this. The earlier fuel injection systems on imports have always interested me.

]]> Comment on Tech Tips: May 2010 by Tim http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/05/tech-tips-may-2010/#comment-56 Tim Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:14:25 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1053#comment-56 The Ford E150 harness that melted on the unit I fixed, had a coil driver DTC P0358 for the #8 coil circuit. After the circuit was repaired, the DTC was cleared and never came back. The engine still had a random misfire on #8 . I found an aftermarket coil installed in the #8 cylinder. The aftermarket coil didn't have enough output to fire the plug under load, so it was replaced with a new OE coil and the problem was solved. The Ford E150 harness that melted on the unit I fixed, had a coil driver DTC P0358 for the #8 coil circuit.
After the circuit was repaired, the DTC was cleared and never came back. The engine still had a random misfire on #8 . I found an aftermarket coil installed in the #8 cylinder. The aftermarket coil didn’t have enough output to fire the plug under load, so it was replaced with a new OE coil and the problem was solved.

]]> Comment on Topology Diagnostics by Arthur Hajinian http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/06/topology-diagnostics/#comment-55 Arthur Hajinian Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:59:55 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1535#comment-55 Bravo!! John. Always good to start with basics like fuses, verify MIL light on the cluster, grounds.. i keep telling my coworkers to read a book about carburetors to keep it simple for a complicated fuel injection theory and diagnosis ... IT WORKS! Good Job!!!! Bravo!! John.
Always good to start with basics like fuses, verify MIL light on the cluster, grounds.. i keep telling my coworkers to read a book about carburetors to keep it simple for a complicated fuel injection theory and diagnosis … IT WORKS! Good Job!!!!

]]> Comment on Diagnostic Blitz by Mr. Diagnostic http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/05/diagnostic-blitz/#comment-54 Mr. Diagnostic Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:39:57 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1493#comment-54 Great Find John.... I love the out of the box challenges like that one. I had one simila last week that I will be posting on my site this weekend. Like you I live for this stuff! Craig Great Find John…. I love the out of the box challenges like that one. I had one simila last week that I will be posting on my site this weekend. Like you I live for this stuff!

Craig

]]> Comment on Mechanic’s Nightmare by Preston Kraft http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2011/02/mechanics-nightmare/#comment-53 Preston Kraft Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:10:24 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1397#comment-53 Just to let you know that i have been reading everything on your web site and love all of it.I am pretty good driveabilty tech and have been for more then 20 years.thanks to you i have become one of the areas shops that thay bring there troubled cars to me and i alway fix them right all do to your game plans have open my eyes to better ways of to troubleshooting this most troubled cars.So thanks for everything and please keep up the good work means alot to us out here working hard everday.You onced help me out on a old posha over the phone mybe 5 or 6 years ago and you where right about that one as well computer fixed it.Thank agian. Just to let you know that i have been reading everything on your web site and love all of it.I am pretty good driveabilty tech and have been for more then 20 years.thanks to you i have become one of the areas shops that thay bring there troubled cars to me and i alway fix them right all do to your game plans have open my eyes to better ways of to troubleshooting this most troubled cars.So thanks for everything and please keep up the good work means alot to us out here working hard everday.You onced help me out on a old posha over the phone mybe 5 or 6 years ago and you where right about that one as well computer fixed it.Thank agian.

]]> Comment on Tech Tips: February 2010 by Gonzalo Hernandez http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/02/tech-tips-february-2010/#comment-52 Gonzalo Hernandez Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:33:50 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1062#comment-52 John this type of module are mostly fixable. All you need is Magnifier Head Strap With Lights to check the 5 points of solder by each mini relays. You could see that they are broken. Now, using a solder sucker and solder pen remove the old solder. Put new solder and you finish. This fix is Ok for every module using mini relays for example: PGMFI relay, and power windows control modules in Hondas, head lights modules on Infiniti, Flashers on Dodges and many others modules controlling high current. This fix take only 3 minutes plus the time to remove the module. John this type of module are mostly fixable. All you need is Magnifier Head Strap With Lights to check the 5 points of solder by each mini relays. You could see that they are broken. Now, using a solder sucker and solder pen remove the old solder. Put new solder and you finish.
This fix is Ok for every module using mini relays for example: PGMFI relay, and power windows control modules in Hondas, head lights modules on Infiniti, Flashers on Dodges and many others modules controlling high current. This fix take only 3 minutes plus the time to remove the module.

]]> Comment on Electric Slide by Tom Finneran http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/03/electric-slide/#comment-41 Tom Finneran Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:07:23 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=692#comment-41 Thanks John for sharing this experience. I will also use it in my Engine Performance class as an example of great logical - analytical thinking. Thanks John for sharing this experience. I will also use it in my Engine Performance class as an example of great logical – analytical thinking.

]]> Comment on Cascading Diagnosis by Arthur Hajinian http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/11/cascading-diagnosis/#comment-40 Arthur Hajinian Mon, 14 Mar 2011 04:15:32 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1361#comment-40 Hi John. last month I had the same mystery problem on a 2004 BMW M3 with the same symptom, I had 4 coils for breakfast, and at lunch luckily called the customer to investigate the history of the car and he tells me he had a shop install "high" performance plugs ... after 6 "cheap" plugs i had the car purring like kitten in my bay! Hi John. last month I had the same mystery problem on a 2004 BMW M3 with the same symptom, I had 4 coils for breakfast, and at lunch luckily called the customer to investigate the history of the car and he tells me he had a shop install “high” performance plugs … after 6 “cheap” plugs i had the car purring like kitten in my bay!

]]> Comment on No Clutch Command? by Russell http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/10/no-clutch-command/#comment-38 Russell Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:56:22 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1272#comment-38 Great blog, thanks so much for sharing this! Keep it up! I love how you tracked down the issues with logic and process of elimination. Great blog, thanks so much for sharing this! Keep it up! I love how you tracked down the issues with logic and process of elimination.

]]> Comment on No Clutch Command? by Russell http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/10/no-clutch-command/#comment-37 Russell Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:55:37 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1272#comment-37 Great blog, thanks so much for sharing this! Keep it up! Great blog, thanks so much for sharing this! Keep it up!

]]> Comment on Cascading Diagnosis by Pat/Dial Transmission http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/11/cascading-diagnosis/#comment-35 Pat/Dial Transmission Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:50:16 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1361#comment-35 Man-o-Manoshevitz! Technicians like John are severely underpaid. Man-o-Manoshevitz! Technicians like John are severely underpaid.

]]> Comment on Cascading Diagnosis by rick http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/11/cascading-diagnosis/#comment-34 rick Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:48:06 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1361#comment-34 Had a 2006 300 with a 5.7 hemi. doing the same thing with the e3 plugs in it. It seems to only happen to the hemi's with the single coil feeding both cylinders. Drove me nuts! Should be pulled from shelves. Cheers! Had a 2006 300 with a 5.7 hemi. doing the same thing with the e3 plugs in it. It seems to only happen to the hemi’s with the single coil feeding both cylinders. Drove me nuts! Should be pulled from shelves. Cheers!

]]> Comment on Cascading Diagnosis by 1toptech http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/11/cascading-diagnosis/#comment-33 1toptech Sat, 01 Jan 2011 18:36:01 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1361#comment-33 This story reminded me of a dodge V8 that has puzzled Mark Warren from Motor MAG. awhile back. The coil was internally bad causing secondary voltage to spike to primary which is PCM contoll. Setting his scope to bi-polar to ignition primary and deep record show the culprit. This story reminded me of a dodge V8 that has puzzled Mark Warren from Motor MAG. awhile back. The coil was internally bad causing secondary voltage to spike to primary which is PCM contoll. Setting his scope to bi-polar to ignition primary and deep record show the culprit.

]]> Comment on Cascading Diagnosis by Loren Maki http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/11/cascading-diagnosis/#comment-32 Loren Maki Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:36:34 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1361#comment-32 John - Thanks for posting this, I've been reading your case studies for many years now and I always enjoy them and learn something from them. This one reminded me a lot of the "Grease Lightning" case study you posted about ten years ago. It was about a Dodge Caravan that was erratically cutting out because the PCM was shutting down the ASD due to voltage spikes from a faulty plug wire. As I recall you were using the old SIMU TECH on that one and the volt spike was not just causing the PCM to reset, but also was causing the SIMU TECH to shut down. When are you going to put together a CD or book of all of the case studies you have written? John – Thanks for posting this, I’ve been reading your case studies for many years now and I always enjoy them and learn something from them. This one reminded me a lot of the “Grease Lightning” case study you posted about ten years ago. It was about a Dodge Caravan that was erratically cutting out because the PCM was shutting down the ASD due to voltage spikes from a faulty plug wire. As I recall you were using the old SIMU TECH on that one and the volt spike was not just causing the PCM to reset, but also was causing the SIMU TECH to shut down. When are you going to put together a CD or book of all of the case studies you have written?

]]> Comment on No Clutch Command? by paul isanski http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/10/no-clutch-command/#comment-31 paul isanski Sun, 28 Nov 2010 20:30:41 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1272#comment-31 hey john nice work how many hours did it take to solve this problem also i noticed you dont back probe the connectors how do you potect the wires after your done thanks for your time keep up the good work hey john nice work
how many hours did it take to solve this problem
also i noticed you dont back probe the connectors how do you potect the wires after your done
thanks for your time keep up the good work

]]> Comment on How “U” Doin? Diagnostics by terry http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/07/how-u-doin-diagnostics/#comment-30 terry Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:22:50 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=703#comment-30 Great article John!!I've learned much from your trouble-shooting stratagey's.Keep up the great work and a BIG thanks for sharing your expertise with us. Terry Great article John!!I’ve learned much from your trouble-shooting stratagey’s.Keep up the great work and a BIG thanks for sharing your expertise with us. Terry

]]> Comment on No Clutch Command? by Brandon H. Steckler http://www.autotechonwheels.com/2010/10/no-clutch-command/#comment-29 Brandon H. Steckler Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:43:27 +0000 http://www.autotechonwheels.com/?p=1272#comment-29 Way to take it to the next level, Johnny! Diligence pays-off once-again! Way to take it to the next level, Johnny! Diligence pays-off once-again!

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