Stories from the Road 6

Stories from the Road 6
(A Narrative About Modern Automotive Diagnostics
An Automotive Case Studies Series
By Mandy Concepcion

This book, "Stories from the Road - Automotive Case Studies" is a real work in action about the intricacies of modern automotive diagnostics. It is based on actual real life situations. From this book you may extract real-life lessons, which will help you as an automotive aficionado, DIY mechanic and professional technician. The work is divided into narrated stories representing real-life applications of diagnostic technology, equipment usage, repair techniques and knowledge based information. Here, you'll get input on how to use the automotive scan-tool, OBD-2 ECM/PCM readers, oscilloscope, graphing multi-meter, signal tone injector and many other diagnostic tools. You'll also get deep insights on testing all kinds of sensors and actuators, such as injectors, solenoids, transmission components, motors, fuel pumps, CAM and crank sensors, TPS, MAF, Knock and pretty much every component seen today. All the content is presented on a narrated, story like format to make the knowledge easy and fun to comprehend. With that in mind, enjoy your readings.

Table of contents

Stories from the Road 6 - Content

* - Looking into an Escalade's Mind

A Cadillac Escalade with a strange IAC code. Well it's the IAC inside the MAF sensor. Follow this diagnostic path into the inner depths of automotive diagnostics, from scan tool PID analysis and beyond. See what happened...

* - Mysteriously Revving Lincoln LS

The electronic throttle control system or drive-by-wire accelerator control is now here to stay. See a complete diagnostic path for this cableless throttle control system. Follow this case from using the scanner on PID analysis, the oscilloscope and then analyzing signal waveforms. Learn from this case...

* - Monte Carlo's Nervous Meltdown

A vehicle with loss of power, engine stalling and erratic idle surge is exactly what was happening to this Chevy. Was it the MAF sensor, TPS or some other component causing the issue? Was it an idle issue or also seen at higher RPMs? See the entire diagnostic path and also using an array of auto diagnostic equipment. Find out what happened next...

* - Nissan Altima's Cross Identity Crisis

That's right, a Nissan with what you could call double personality. See how an ingenuous auto repair and diagnostic path was used to get to the issue. Shown with dedicated diagrams and animations to prove the case and present the case to you. Also get the scoop on using the Fox and Hound for electrical diagnostics.

* - Nissan Maxima's Burning Bush

A surging idle speed issue with a difficult to detect origin. After replacing various parts, the shop ran out of options and called in the expert. See hoe this popular stepper-motor component was inoperable and the diagnostic path to repair. Follow this case from a simple scan to deep ECM diagnostics using various equipment.

* - Nissan that Wouldn't Cool Down

Yes, a hot Nissan, but to the engine, the climate control system. That's right, this A/C compressor did not want to turn ON, no matter what and it was fully computerized. The auto diagnostic path was not as easy as one would think. In fact this issue proved a high tech diagnostic and tough to detect. see what happened...

* - Noisy Neighbor

An erratic engine on a Ford Explorer where the TPS and ECM had already been replaced. What could it be? See the whole auto repair path and learn to interpret scan PID graphs, scope waveforms and analyze wiring issue. Get the whole story here...

* - BONUS - The AFR or air fuel ratio sensor circuit

The newer wide band or A F R O2 sensor solves the narrow sensing problem of the previous Zirconium sensors. These sensors are often called by different names. Learn how they work and how to test them.