July 1, 2008
By:
Jacques Gordon
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Wheel speed sensors detect the rotation speed of a wheel that's moving. Active wheel speed sensors detect rotation speed all the way down to zero, and the newest sensors can detect the direction of rotation, too. Four different sensor designs are in use today.
July 1, 2008
By:
Paul Zangari
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Rodney Dangerfield had nothing on parking brakes: They "don't get no respect" either. Even in modern vehicles, rear-drum parking brakes are essentially straight out of the 1960s (or before.) And motorists regularly "diss" them, too – not a wise move.
July 1, 2008
By:
Steve Temple
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In textbook terms, a vortex refers to any spinning flow of fluid swirling rapidly around a center. A Vortech, on the other hand, is the name for a centrifugal supercharger used on a variety of muscle cars, import tuners and sport trucks to pump up the performance.
July 1, 2008
By:
Peter F. Meier
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When I first started in this business, you could diagnose most running problems based on a generalized set of rules. Of course, this was in the day of carbureted engines and mechanical ignition systems. Today, the Engine Control Module (ECM) does a pretty good job of keeping an eye on things. While there are general methods used by the ECM for testing, the specific testing procedures programmed by an individual manufacturer can have an impact on how you proceed with your diagnosis and repair.
July 1, 2008
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ANSA Automotive announces a new direct-fit, OE replacement rear muffler for the 2000-2004 Toyota Echo 1.5 (Part No. TY30047), representing a popular application for the import undercar marketplace. ANSA® replacement exhausts are fully aluminized and offer fit, appearance and performance that meet or exceed OE standards, the company says. Visit www.ANSAautomotive.com or call (800) 841-9166.
July 1, 2008
By:
Jim Garrido
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Unlike the Variable Reluctance (VR) sensors that output an AC signal, the output from a Hall-effect sensor is a square wave. This square wave starts from the sensor reference ground level to a positive DC voltage of typically 5, 8, 10 or 12 volts, depending on vehicle application. Hall-effect sensors, unlike VR sensors, always are supplied a power and ground in order to operate the sensor's internal electronics.
July 1, 2008
By:
Paul Zangari
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To many, electrically operated parking brakes are the answer to a question nobody asked. These systems replace parking brake cables and the lever or pedal with a switch, a processor, wiring and actuators. They started coming into common use about six years ago – not long, but sufficient for some trends to be evident.
July 1, 2008
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Factory Bulletin
July 1, 2008
By:
Paul Zangari
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While a few high-dollar models' electric parking brakes do away with conventional parking brake cables, it's going to be a long time before servicing those cables, and the mechanisms that pull them won't be standard operating procedure. So let's look at some parking brake cable-control issues.
