Professional Motor Mechanic

A scope: A key to diagnostic dilemmas

|Date: January 07, 2014

A scope: A key to diagnostic dilemmas

It’s not such a long time ago that oscilloscopes were once the reserve of scientists, with their use main ...

It’s not such a long time ago that oscilloscopes were once the reserve of scientists, with their use mainly focused on measuring complex signals in laboratories. As we all know, though, the cost of so ...

January 07, 2014
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EGR valve testing – the key steps

|Date: December 09, 2013

EGR valve testing – the key steps

These days, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems are commonplace on a wide range of petrol and diesel ...

These days, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems are commonplace on a wide range of petrol and diesel engines in an attempt to reduce nitrogen oxide exhaust emissions. Due to the harsh operating en ...

December 09, 2013
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Eradicating a misfiring Mercedes ML

|Date: December 04, 2013

Eradicating a misfiring Mercedes ML

VEHICLE: Mercedes-Benz ML YEAR: 2000 ENGINE: 2.7 612.963 SYSTEM: EDC15 Customer complaint This vehicle ca ...

VEHICLE: Mercedes-Benz ML YEAR: 2000 ENGINE: 2.7 612.963 SYSTEM: EDC15 Customer complaint This vehicle came into the workshop after paying a visit to another local garage in the area. They had done a ...

December 04, 2013
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Vehicle troubleshooting: VW Passat 3C (Electronic Steering Column Lock unit)

|Date: October 30, 2013

Vehicle troubleshooting: VW Passat 3C (Electronic Steering Column Lock unit)

On the 2005-2011 VW Passat (3C), a common cause for the vehicle not starting is the Electronic Steering C ...

On the 2005-2011 VW Passat (3C), a common cause for the vehicle not starting is the Electronic Steering Column Lock unit. The symptoms for this particular problem can be recognised by the dash steerin ...

October 30, 2013
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DPFs – how to perform a ‘forced regeneration’

|Date: October 07, 2013

DPFs – how to perform a ‘forced regeneration’

TOOL USED: SOCIO 400 DIAGNOSTIC UNIT, AVAILABLE FROM TECNODIAGNOSTICS 1. Open the software and click into ...

TOOL USED: SOCIO 400 DIAGNOSTIC UNIT, AVAILABLE FROM TECNODIAGNOSTICS 1. Open the software and click into ‘Car-MPV’. 2. Select your vehicle. 3. Once vehicle is selected you will then see the full syst ...

October 07, 2013
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Rover 45 with MIL illuminated but no running issues

|Date: October 02, 2013

Rover 45 with MIL illuminated but no running issues

VEHICLE DETAILS: Rover 45 ENGINE CODE: K16 YEAR: 2004 SYMPTOM: MIL illuminated, no running issues This ca ...

VEHICLE DETAILS: Rover 45 ENGINE CODE: K16 YEAR: 2004 SYMPTOM: MIL illuminated, no running issues This car came to us with the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) illuminated, but no reports of any runni ...

October 02, 2013
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EMS – Air Mass Meter fitting tips and in-house product testing

|Date: September 19, 2013

EMS – Air Mass Meter fitting tips and in-house product testing

Modern engine management systems are designed to ensure that engines run cleanly and efficiently in a div ...

Modern engine management systems are designed to ensure that engines run cleanly and efficiently in a diverse range of driving conditions. In order to meet these demanding requirements placed upon the ...

September 19, 2013
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Vauxhall Vectra suffering from loss of power

|Date: September 06, 2013

Vauxhall Vectra suffering from loss of power

The customer in question was a new one to my workshop, and he had called to discuss a problem with his Va ...

The customer in question was a new one to my workshop, and he had called to discuss a problem with his Vauxhall Vectra. The vehicle was a ’57 plate, 2.2 direct petrol injection model which was experie ...

September 06, 2013
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Ford Transit Tourneo keeps ‘cutting out’

|Date: July 15, 2013

Ford Transit Tourneo keeps ‘cutting out’

VEHICLE: Ford Transit Tourneo ENGINE: 2.0TDCi FIFA YEAR: 2005 SYSTEMS: Delphi The Tra ...

VEHICLE: Ford Transit Tourneo ENGINE: 2.0TDCi FIFA YEAR: 2005 SYSTEMS: Delphi The Tra ...

July 15, 2013
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Vehicle troubleshooting – intake manifold pressure error

|Date: June 20, 2013

Vehicle troubleshooting – intake manifold pressure error

Potential complaints• Fluctuating idle speed• Loss of power• Jerking on acceleration• Malfunction Indicat ...

Potential complaints• Fluctuating idle speed• Loss of power• Jerking on acceleration• Malfunction Indicator Lamp illuminated• Diagnostic Trouble Code P0105 – P0109 Error messages relating to the intak ...

June 20, 2013
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Diesel injector coding – Ford Mondeo 2005

|Date: June 10, 2013

Diesel injector coding – Ford Mondeo 2005

The first question that most technicians ask is why injectors actually need coding. The answer is that du ...

The first question that most technicians ask is why injectors actually need coding. The answer is that due to tolerances when the injectors are manufactured the injected fuel quantity may deviate betw ...

June 10, 2013
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Peugeot 207 with cylinder 4 misfire

|Date: May 20, 2013

Peugeot 207 with cylinder 4 misfire

The vehicle in question was a Peugeot 207 (et3j4kfu 1360cc) which had come from a well-respected Peugeot ...

The vehicle in question was a Peugeot 207 (et3j4kfu 1360cc) which had come from a well-respected Peugeot main dealership. The problem was described in some detail as a cylinder 4 misfire on load. I us ...

May 20, 2013
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Vauxhall Astra misfire

|Date: May 14, 2013

Vauxhall Astra misfire

The customer in question brought in his Vauxhall Astra (1.4 Gasoline 2001 Multec system) for service, com ...

The customer in question brought in his Vauxhall Astra (1.4 Gasoline 2001 Multec system) for service, complaining of intermittent lack of power/misfire. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) would also ...

May 14, 2013
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Toyota Avensis – EGR complaint

|Date: April 25, 2013

Toyota Avensis – EGR complaint

As is common with a job role like mine, I end up spending a large portion of my time on the road visiting ...

As is common with a job role like mine, I end up spending a large portion of my time on the road visiting customers and workshops. On one of my recent trips I was faced with a 2003 Toyota Avensis 2.0 ...

April 25, 2013
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How to diagnose a misfiring Peugeot 206

|Date: April 17, 2013

How to diagnose a misfiring Peugeot 206

VEHICLE: Peugeot 206 1.4 ENGINE CODE: KFW YEAR: 2006 SYMPTOMS: Misfire at cold start that clears quickly ...

VEHICLE: Peugeot 206 1.4 ENGINE CODE: KFW YEAR: 2006 SYMPTOMS: Misfire at cold start that clears quickly This car arrived in the workshop with some clear symptoms:when cold starting, the vehicle would ...

April 17, 2013
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