December 2008 ––––––––––––– Issue No 6 www.tat.net.au A highly polished gem - this is a car fit for Royalty

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Training nights begin in February - page 9

ith this issue, we in Sydney spend countless 12 months to solve a very time We thank our suppliers, are 12 months hours photographing and consuming repair, you will have our contributors here and old, and our first documenting every problem recovered the cost of your overseas, our artists and our six issues have vehicle they think will interest subscription. great printer. become history. others. W You might not realise it, but just We are among those TaT has not only survived, but Training programs are being by reading a TaT magazine, businesses who refuse to be feedback tells us that it has developed. Relationships are you are adding to your spooked by the economic made an indelible mark on being forged with companies knowledge assets. upheaval. Don’t be too the vehicle repair industry of on a range of technically depressed by the global vehicle Australia and New Zealand. related programs. So in this pre-festive season sales depression. There are issue, all of us here at TaT still going to be plenty of cars I remember an adage from my TaT is not just a thank our subscribers for on the road for you to fix, and early PR days – the day they having faith in us. We thank if people are hanging on to stop talking about you is the magazine – it is a our advertisers for believing in their cars for longer as a result day you start worrying. philosophy. this new concept. of the economic downturn, the maintenance and repair What’s really interesting is What is really inspiring is the We thank the trainers, senior intervals are going to become that a lot of positive feedback realisation in the minds of technicians and industry more frequent. is coming from leaders of the many of our subscribers that leaders for your enthusiasm industry, including top trainers the more involved they become and your support. You had better get ready for a and people with experience in in our network, the more they busy a year. We’ll do our very developing technical products. learn, the better they approach We thank those wide-visioned best to help. technical problems and the wholesalers and networks more they enjoy actually TaT is a very labour intensive, which have helped us saturate The Automotive Technician is a member ofKN the hands-on service. This coming to work. the market by distributing the of the Circulations Audit Board. CAB Audited as at September 2008 - 7,780 per issue magazine is just the shop- magazine. window. To maintain a We know how hard it is to stay constant flow of vehicle involved, but it doesn’t need We thank the Capricorn solutions to www.tat.net.au to be time consuming. If you Society for opening our eyes to the laboratory workshops used the TaT problem solving a whole new world. service just once in the next The team Contents

Publisher International correspondents •TaT Assist •TaT Chat The well-loved Crossley 4 The Automotive Technician Pty Ltd Julian Hentze - Georgia USA •TaT Train •TaT’s a Fact ABN 27 121 589 802 Andrew Kavanagh - Brussels EU •Tips for TaT Beginning of the end of the 6 PO Box 101 Hayley Windsor - London UK GYMEA NSW 2227 are all registered trade names of internal combustion engine Reader The Automotive Technician Pty Ltd. 1 Cleg Street Tyred of high-pressure 7 Bron Robinson ARTARMON NSW 2064 The Automotive Technician Pty Ltd salesmen Ph 1300 828 000 publishes technical advice and Advertising inquiries Fax 1300 828 100 actual case studies for the Let the training begin 9 [email protected] Barry Browne purpose of educating technicians. Barry Browne Media Concept cars 10 [email protected] Editor in chief These advices are given in good Global Goss 11 Ken Newton 0418 322 243 faith, and are based on actual [email protected] workshop repairs. No guarantee is The stop-start system 12 0438 569 517 Vicky Murphy given, nor any liability accepted in Fax 07 5591 8172 [email protected] respect to any published advice. Street Cred - with Hayley 13 0419 284 246 Look ma - no hands 14 Technical editor The Automotive Technician Pty Jeff Smit Graphic design Ltd is not responsible for the Tat’s a Fact 15 [email protected] accuracy of any information Russell Jones Graphic Design 16 1300 828 000 contained in material submitted by TaT’s a Fact [email protected] third parties and published in this The good oil on oils 17 Technical research magazine and accepts no liability Deyan Barrie Original TaT design in relation to such materials or The role of zinc in engine oils 19 [email protected] Allan Green their content. 20 02 9476 6277 CEO Design Auto CPR could save your life [email protected] Newsworthy articles or comments The history of Ford LPG 21 Technical advisers are welcomed, and should be Jack Stepanian Printing submitted to the Editor in chief. The evolution of diagnostic 22 trouble codes Bones Print Solutions Nick Murphy 128 Cope Street All material appearing in The Murhphy’s Law - Get wired 24 [email protected] WATERLOO NSW 2017 Automotive Technician is [email protected] copyright. Reproduction in whole Top Tools - iScan II 26 Wayne Broady or in part is illegal without prior www.broadyauto.com.au written consent from the Editor in The Sheriff rides again 28 Affiliated associations chief. Gil Sher VASA Check out the web site 29 [email protected] (The Mobile AC, Electrical All advertisers agree to indemnify The last word - Phil Austin 30 & Cooling Technicians of the publisher for all damages Editorial contributors Australasia) or liabilities arising from their Ashley Teitzel Mark Mitchell [email protected] published or unpublished material. The Automotive Technician 3 A well-loved Crossley rises from the ashes...

Gilltrap Auto Museum auction Queensland at least. Geoff Reluctant to trust his Crossley on the Gold Coast more than has not heard of Norm for to any workshop, Arthur asked 15 years ago. years, and TaT was unable around and was recommended to track him down. The to the TaT workshop of Director hen Arthur Geoff had already restored mechanical restoration, Jeff Smit at Crows Nest, McNamara goes a couple of cars and went to although time consuming, Sydney. Arthur first brought in driving, heads W the auction for a ‘sticky-beak’. was relatively straight photos of the car, and asked if turn to marvel at this bright, shiny tourer with its mirror- When the Crossley came up, forward because the engine, Jeff and his team could repair finish aluminum bodywork, Geoff took one look at its still transmission and gearbox were the charging system. immaculate red leather intact mechanics and chassis all intact. upholstery, wide-spoked and decided that if ever there “One look at the pictures and steering wheel and timber was a classic car to restore, it we accepted the challenge,” dashboard. And there’s was this one, because it was recalls Jeff. Arthur, proud as punch at obviously a car of great quality. “The bodywork the wheel of his historic “In came Arthur with the Crossley, his silver grey He doesn’t know how the car was hard to keep original wiring diagrams which beard and jaunty driving got into the shape it was in, but didn’t match the car because cap completing a post-card its body had been burnt off in of modifications made over motoring picture of the mid polished, I had 1920s. a fire. Geoff was told the car the years. The original amp began its life as an army staff to virtually keep meter with built-in regulator The car that was promoted car in India, but how it got to and cut-out, was only partially as the ‘high grade touring Australia is a mystery. it in a cocoon” connected. The cut-out had car of England’ can only be been disconnected together used within 5 kilometres of its Geoff got the original coach- with the original regulator and garage, because it can’t be work drawings from the recalled Geoff, and in what a later model three-bobbin registered, but carries Crossley Register and over five he remembers as a “moment regulator fitted up under the H (Historic) plates. or six years, lovingly of madness” he decided to But when classic restored it. He took sell it, about three years ago. car rallies come it on rallies around His newspaper ad received round, Arthur the country, an immediate response and will be there and it won the before the day was out, Arthur with his pride Concourse McNamara had done the deal of the fleet, a d’Elegance and the Crossley was on its 1925 model on the Gold way to Sydney. and one of only Coast and Car four in Australia of the Year at “I’ve regretted it ever since,” and 15 in the world. a Noosa rally. In Geoff laments, but he finds dashboard mounted to a timber His Crossley is also Adelaide one year, solace in his equally beautifully section of the dash frame. the only one in the world with a an American restoration restored 1913 Renault and “We checked all the wiring, and full aluminium body which was expert took one look at the 1928 Willys Knight. found that the regulator had hand-beaten and polished by a polished aluminium body and very poor earth wiring because spray painter with a rare touch remarked “There’s only a A year or so after Arthur it was mounted on timber. on the hammer. handful of people in the world McNamara trucked the “So we ran a good 6 mm earth who can do that”. Crossley from Mackay to cable, removed the regulator It’s a car with a fascinating Sydney, a fault developed cap and began to reset the history. Geoff Hunt, who ran The bodywork was hand on the generating side of the regulator. It had been a few the auto service centre of John hammered by a Bundaberg electrics so he needed to find years since I had done the last Martin and Co in Mackay North based car painter, Norm a technician who would be one, but it’s a bit like riding a Queensland for 40 years, Crosswell whose name capable of working on such a bike. We set up the cut-out, bought the burnt out hulk of is legend among classic vehicle, without compromising then the current output and last the once dashing Crossley at a and vintage car people, in its history. the voltage output.

The Automotive Technician 4

Crossley Main Story.indd 1 27/11/08 8:35:00 AM “After remounting and The car of the moment in war-time England checking, the Crossley was on the road again with a happy owner and a bunch of proud he Crossley name and had many advanced of 4 to 64 mph on their test may not have endured technicians,” said Jeff. features including pump and were very complimentary Tlike some of the cooling, lightweight pistons, about its hill climbing abilities. other classics, but it Arthur, a semi-retired architect, an automatic carburetor and From 1923 four-wheel brakes was recognised as the internal expanding brakes. The were available as an option, belongs to the Vintage Sporting quintessential example of shaft drive was introduced in and Arthur’s Crossley is one of Car Club (VSCC) and is often fine English machining in its seen on the rallies which can day. 1906 although chain drive was those. involve up to 80 vintage cars kept as an option for a time. and cover a four-day event to Crossleys from the Manchester Production of the 19.6 distant country towns. factory were the mechanical In April 1906 Charles Jarrott hp model continued until work-horses of the first and used a 40 hp Crossley to set 1926 during which time Soon after the charging system second world wars and were the London to Monte Carlo approximately 1150 were repairs were done, he took turned out in their thousands. record. His record was beaten made. Fewer than 46 are the Crossley on a rally of They went on to be the car of a month later by a Rolls-Royce known to survive, but many are about 900 kilometres without choice for royalty and were but he regained it for Crossley incomplete. a drama. All he could find to much loved by a number of for a while in 1907. complain about was a flat tyre English Dukes and the young Visit: http://www.crossley- and poor weather. pilots of the Royal Flying The models released between motors.org.uk/index.html Corps. 1919 and 1925, many of Vintage cars are part of them war surplus, went to Arthur’s life. He has owned Crossley Motors produced private buyers, and were so a Sunbeam and he rebuilt a around 19,000 high quality cars well made and had such an Clyno during the ‘70s. from 1904 until 1938, 5,500 illustrious history, they enjoyed His Crossley shares tight buses from 1926 until 1958 royal patronage, with vehicles garage space with an E-type and 21,000 goods and military supplied to King George V, the Jaguar that he’s had for 20 vehicles from 1914 to 1945. Prince of Wales, the Kings of years and a 1949 MGTC. Spain and Siam and Emperor The first Crossley cars in Hirohito of Japan. Apart from pride of ownership, 1904 were intended to be and the sheer thrill of driving an ‘English Mercedes’. They In the 1920s the 19.6 hp a machine which was made were 22 hp, followed soon model was badged as a ‘high almost a century ago, Arthur after by a 40 hp, all of which grade touring car’. It featured sums up his interest very had four cylinder engines cast a detachable cylinder head simply, “I just enjoy fiddling with in two pairs and featured a on the engine. The Motor in them”. chain drive to the back axle 1921 quoted a top gear range

The Automotive Technician 5

Crossley Main Story.indd 2 27/11/08 8:35:07 AM Is this the beginning of the end of the internal combustion engine? global company Shai Agassi, CEO and Founder called Better Place, of Better Place, said, “We which builds electric are investing in Australia’s vehicleA networks powered economy and adding jobs by renewable energy, has while helping the country take teamed up with AGL Energy a generational leap forward and Macquarie Capital Group towards oil independence. to put infrastructure in place which is ultimately aimed “With our commitment to at allowing vehicles which build infrastructure and the run on battery power to Federal Government’s $500 replace Australia’s 15 million million Green Car Innovation vehicles. Fund, there is a compelling case for car manufacturers The project involves setting to jump in and build clean, up charging spots and battery safe, affordable electric exchange stations in some cars for Australasia and capital cities at first. This would Southeast Asia.” allow drivers of electric cars to cover greater distances without AGL will provide all of the having to return home to re- renewable energy needed to charge after each short trip. power the electric vehicles. AGL says the combination of Australia is the third country a competitively priced vehicle to embrace this project, with being driven by cheaper and Denmark and Israel agreeing to cleaner fuel is a compelling set up similar networks earlier business case. this year. Electric vehicles represent a The first step entails building more affordable alternative to the required infrastructure and, the conventional combustion at the same time, engaging powered vehicle. This initiative with car manufacturers to plan will accelerate the shift to production of suitable electric renewables that’s already vehicles. underway.

The infrastructure should be AGL wind turbines will in place by 2011 with the first recharge electric cars in battery powered cars hitting Australia’s major cities Australian roads later that year.

The Automotive Technician 6 YOU Tyred of high-pressure SAID IT! salesmen . . .

ear TaT: I suppose I’m just being a goose here (and This test also proves that not only is the first few millimetres of reading your previous editorial I am proud of being tread not even in contact with the road, but the surface curve is one), but I am continually baffled by the so-called tyre likely to have only around 10% of the tread that should normally expertsD (tyre resellers/fitters and wheel align experts) telling contact the road, transferring the correct pressure/weight of the me I don’t run enough pressure in my customers’ tyres. vehicle to the road surface.

Since the introduction of ADR 24 each car is fitted with a tyre At these pressures after some mileage, at best the tyre will wear placard which designates a tyre and rim combination and, more evenly and make full contact, but reduced tyre life will result in importantly, a tyre pressure. Endless testing between car and losing the centre area of tread instead of the outer edges. tyre manufacturers determines the safest pressure to maintain grip between the vehicle and the road under normal operating Just as a bald tyre, especially in wet weather, can be blamed for conditions. a traffic incident, exceeding manufacturer’s recommendations on tyre pressures is also a measurable contributor to loss of vehicle This pressure may not necessarily be the optimum pressure control and this may see you facing serious charges. for tyre life but the design of a radial tyre is such that it needs to flex to maintain this optimum grip and as a result some more Refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, not prominent outer tyre wear will occur over a tyre’s life. just the tyre manufacturer’s recommendations, as this usually Sure, you can reduce some of this tyre wear by increasing relates broadly to maximum pressures the tyre is designed for, pressures around 5-6% say, from a recommended 210 kpa to not necessarily the pressure that this tyre is meant to have in a 220-225 kpa. This will give longer tyre life, but you have now specific weight vehicle. altered the manufacturer’s recommended pressure and are moving into realms of liability. Graham Patterson - Apps Automotive Kirrawee, NSW Over the years, I have constantly been told by tyre fitters that the Wheelnote: ADR 24 - Tyre & Rim Selection is an Australian standard manufacturer has got it wrong and pressures should be as high (Australian Design Rule) which specifies requirements for tyres and rims as 30% more, or even higher, than the recommended 210 kpa to appropriate to vehicle load capacity, rim size and speed characteristics. around 270 kpa (example only). At these sorts of increases on a new tyre you can slide a piece of paper under the side of the tyre (How do others feel about this? Is there a tyre ‘expert’ among whereTAT Magazine it actually Advertdoes not WD make Nov.qxp contact 11/17/2008 with the road, 16:44 proving Page 1our readership who would like to comment on this. Thanks for that increases of this size are just not correct. opening an interesting debate Graham. Ed.)

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The Automotive Technician 7 7742 Burson Adv A4 21/11/08 3:12 PM Page 1

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The Automotive Technician 8 Plat Plus Cutaway WM Vert Advert.pdf 25/8/08 1:10:02 PM

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The Automotive Technician 9 concept an abstract idea; a general notion; an idea or invention; (of a car or other vehicle) produced as an Cars of the not-so-distant future experimental model to test the viability of new design features.

ith some experts pioneers, the rest of us have to saying we will run wait until mass production brings Concept… out of oil in about 50 down the price to what we can Wyears, it would seem timely afford. The Volvo Recharge for the world’s car makers to look seriously at affordable Many concepts of alternative alternatives. drives have already been brought verybody’s getting which in turn provides to life in what the industry call into the plug-in power to electric motors. TaT is committed to keeping ‘concept cars’. hybrid act. Even EVolvo. Unlike the Volt, which has technicians up to speed with hybrid technology – the We have all seen a few concept one motor driving the front combination of a combustion cars at motor shows over the Volvo, the Swedish icon wheels, this battery-electric engine and electric motor - years. The concept car allows us on wheels, is venturing car has all-wheel drive—one because right now, there are to see into the future and it allows into fuel-efficient and motor at each corner. as many as 20 different hybrid the engineers and designers to environmentally friendly vehicles available worldwide. express unlimited creativity, not vehicles. Their Recharge The plug-in part, of course, just technically, but also in car is a plug-in hybrid concept means just that: the We believe hybrids are the short design. based on Volvo’s new C30 Recharge can be plugged term solution because they hatchback. into any conventional continue to improve to the point They are driven of course by where we now have plug-in type the need to find environmentally hybrids. friendly ways of taking us to where we want to go. Another alternative is the fuel cell that delivers energy from In each future TaT magazine, hydrogen and oxygen, producing we will describe one alternative only steam as exhaust. This concept car and its revolutionary model is already approaching features. series production. You never know, in years to come The main hurdle is the cost of you might be saying, “I remember these vehicles. We all know reading about this technology in that only the well-heeled can be TaT, back in the good old days.”

“As an avid I would like to pose the question reader of - how effective is the testing Like other plug-in hybrids, household outlet and the Sheriff program [on technicians]? Or is such as the Chev Volt recharged. A full electrical I feel I it that tradesmen just don’t care? Concept, the Recharge is top-off takes three hours. should a series hybrid, meaning That amount of juice can comment. I find regularly jobs that are done that its fossil fuel burning power the car, engine- in a very unprofessional manner, engine isn’t connected free, for up to about 100 In the whether it be through lack of mechanically in any way kilometres. Volvo claims, June issue knowledge or lack of to its wheels. Instead, however, that a quick one- of ‘TaT’ Ashley commented on commitment. the engine is used to run hour charge could allow employers’ reluctance to spend an electric generator that the car to drive half that money on training. I am self Some of the problems I see are recharges a battery pack, distance. employed and the buck stops garden hose joiners on tractor with me, but I was one of five AC hoses and receiver driers people enrolled for your October back to front or upside down. school at CoolDrive in Townsville. I am led to believe that all five I recall a job where a were from out of town. I would dealership had repaired a Toft have had to drive approximately Cane Harvester AC. After two 100 kms each way and you may attempts and more than $700 well find I may have been one of I was asked to have a look. I the closer attendees. Pretty sad confirmed lack of refrigerant, effort. [it was cancelled through lack walked around the other side of interest] of the machine and found a

pressure switch buried in oily Ashley also highlights some dirt and a receiver drier of of the shonky work he finds indeterminant age which had not in his travels. I should not been changed. complain because it makes work for me. I don’t want to come If the job had been done across as being perfect because correctly they would have found I don’t always get it right and the problem.” - Dan Allen, VASA, sometimes you do things that are Wheelnote: Volvo is Latin and means ‘I roll’. Volvo was born on 14 AMIAME not always totally correct. April, 1927 when the first car, ÖV4 (nicknamed Jakob), left the factory (Good to hear from you Dan. in Gothenburg. The Sheriff may give you a deputy’s badge...Ed)

The Automotive Technician 10 the global goss

essentially the same all over the Americans believe this is still the land of world, full of characters and good opportunity. Work hard, see an opportunity people trying to make a living. Tell and success is yours for the taking. me, how is it that so many smart people, who can fix such a wide If you are lazy, or miss the obvious, you variety of problems on vehicles just don’t deserve to be in business. This fitted with complicated electronics, belief is shared by the majority, especially Everything is big in America.Our man in do not charge more money? when the CEOs of the big three were USA, Julian Hentze appears to have shrunk invited to congress to talk about another alongside the US version of the HiLux. It’s There is more talk of another monetary bailout and arrived in their private jets. a V8 4.9 litre engine with 408 bhp and about bail out for the ‘big three’ - GM, Ford and twice the size of the normal HiLux. Chrysler. There are an estimated three When asked if they would sell their planes, hat a difference an edition million jobs associated with the big three they said no. makes! The USA has a new which is why this has become such a President, a historic one focussed issue. Joe Public also points to the fact that the at that. Petrol prices have big three just received $25 million to pay But to be honest, dear reader, there halved. Marcos Ambrose drives a Toyota. for new equipment for compliance for are two schools of thought within the TheW economic bail out hasn’t worked. the 35 mpg minimum fuel consumption automotive industry here about yet another The US is in recession - not that we have standard. bailout. actually heard that word being spoken. They also note that Toyota, Nissan, But I remember my economics lessons Bail them out, Honda, BMW and others have plants in by ex-Prime Minister Paul Keating, that or let them suffer? the US and don’t need assistance. Giving three quarters of negative growth makes the big three more money is only going to a recession. I can tell you first hand that On one hand, there are three million jobs prolong the inevitable, they say. there has been negative growth here since in the balance, and if they go under there January 2008. would be a huge repercussion throughout The banks are not lending them any more the whole economy. On top of those money, so let them go broke and deal with It’s winter here and I am seeing more and three million jobs are many other jobs it now, not later when there may be more more of the US as I hit the road to see our with contractors who are linked to the car at stake, including more jobs. customers. Phoenix, California, Texas, companies. Florida, Nevada, Oklahoma and that’s just I would hate to be the new President this month. The automotive aftermarket is The other viewpoint is that many having to deal with this one!

Is this a lot of It works by moving the air hot air or what? over a heated With world focus on petrol prices and the intake to increase need to find renewable energy sources, its volume before the car manufacturers seem to be heading entering the well down the hybrid path. compression chamber. Toyota, rumour has it, is looking at making an electric plug-in version of its popular The vehicle body Prius and Chevrolet are well on track with will be made from their electric car, the Volt, which has been fibreglass and previewed already in TaT. the chassis will be made from But just when you think they’ve gone about aluminum rods as far as they can go, another car maker that will be glued pops out of the woodwork with yet another together, much good idea. like the way they put an aircraft What about a car that runs on compressed together, making it light to improve the power to weight ratio. manufacturer Tata has signed a licence air, with a top speed of 140 km. You heard agreement for the new model and has me – compressed air. It is also equipped with ABS and air bags. already struck distribution deals for the The main air storage tank is made from air car with Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and American based Zero Pollution Motors Panama. (ZPM), under licence from MDI Europe carbon fibre so if it is hit, it will split rather plans to release its first models in 2010. than explode. Scuba divers have been using carbon fibre air tanks for years. Some gurus are claiming this vehicle could be one of the biggest tehnological The engine, designed by Formula One advances of this century. engineer and noted French inventor Guy Nothing is conventional about this vehicle, Negre, runs on compressed air that can including the way it will be manufactured through a franchise network. Refueling will be as simple as stopping at be recharged at home via an electrical an compressed air station where you can connection or on the road with a small top up for as little as $2. petrol powered engine. Think it’s another fad? Indian vehicle The Automotive Technician 11 The end to belching exhausts at every stop light and traffic jam

he push for better fuel The more powerful electric In urban traffic, vehicle models worldwide. As the system economy is dominating starter motor features low- equipped with this technology approach is largely based everyone’s thoughts, noise and enhanced meshing consume considerably less on existing components, an Tespecially when sitting in mechanics while guaranteeing fuel, and so emit less CO2. excellent cost-benefit ratio is a city traffic with the engine safe, fast, and quiet engine further argument in this Bosch just sucking fuel and going starts. Meanwhile, three more vehicle technology’s favour. nowhere. manufacturers have decided Despite its extended functional to use this cost-effective and For those who live in the scope, the starter is compact efficient Bosch technology, and Wheelnote: capital cities, the time spent and remains very easy to are planning roll-out within the Gold Coast technology sitting at traffic lights or in peak integrate into the vehicle. next few months. importer and AC guru hour jams is rapidly increasing. Mark Mitchell reports his Just think about how much Unlike other technologies, this In Sydney or Melbourne, it’s first experience with a fuel is being burnt and all the approach is also suitable for estimated the reduction in rented BMW 130 fitted emissions belching into the cold starts in diesel engines. fuel consumption and rate of with a stop/start system, atmosphere while you’re stuck emissions could be as much as during a recent trip to in that jam. Bosch start/stop systems can eight percent. Germany – and it was a bit draw on the expertise of its of shock, especially for his Shutting the engine down starter technology, drivetrain, Bosch has considerably passenger, a Unicla team would be the answer, but with and energy management enhanced the system by member from China. “We conventional engines, not a fields. increasing the specified had just hired the car and very practical one considering number of starts and, as a at the first stop light, the engine just died. The same the drain on the battery and Since production of this consequence, extended its service life compared with a thing happened at the starter motor. technology began in 2007, conventional starter. next intersection and I was Bosch has supplied half a getting a little concerned Bosch has developed a start/ million starter-based start/stop Bosch has sold more than 300 that we’d been given a stop system, which does just systems to BMW and Mini. that, without the downsides. million conventional starters lemon. My passenger demanded we turn around The system as a whole and take the car back. includes control software which can be integrated into “Then it dawned on me the appropriate engine control that while the engine died unit, a crankshaft sensor with at every stop, the AC evaluation electronics, and a kept running and all other battery sensor. The battery indicator lights were still on. sensor calculates the current It was a little spooky – no battery charge level and relays engine noise, and just a this information to the system’s touch on the accelerator energy management. and the engine instantly would spring into life. Moreover, for reliable start/ stop operation, Bosch supplies “As we sped down the alternators with a higher level autobahn at 220 kilometres of efficiency. They ensure per hour, I reached the that the battery always has conclusion that this was the sufficient energy stored for A specially adapted starter is the central component of the best small car I had ever start/stop operations. Bosch start/stop system. driven,” Mark added.

The Automotive Technician 12 street cred with Hayley Windsor in London ’ve booked a flight to Ireland for Christmas. The plan is to down a few pints to the sounds of Irish fiddlers, marvel at the medieval castles of County Clare and, strangely enough, to pay a visit to a highly Irecommended clairvoyant. I’ve come to a fork in my road. I’ve chosen a path full of uncertainties, so I consider it an apt time to take my first venture down the mystic path – open to any interpretation, insight, truth or lie that might be insinuated about my future. Basically, I’m counting on this guy to confuse me at a time when I am already completely baffled – sound like a familiar feeling?

I’d be surprised if there was anyone in the automotive industry not crying out for a crystal ball given the current state of affairs. And anyone looking for answers is as unlikely to find anything as concrete as I might find in a spiritual Irishman’s lair.

In 2006, a columnist in the Daily Telegraph motoring section suggested that most people believe the future will be powered by hydrogen, but that affordable fuel-cell vehicles are decades away.

Just two years on, however, Britain is committed to placing itself at the forefront of a green motoring revolution. The government plans to deliver a £100 million commitment to accelerate the emergence of greener vehicles and an ultra low carbon vehicle competition aims to put 100 new and innovative cars on UK roads by the end of 2009. Hayley in training for her Should we be preparing for radical change sooner rather than later? visit to an Irish clairvoyant.

Meanwhile in the US, economic change has everyone’s attention. And since Chrysler, Ford and General Motors were refused a $25 billion government support package until they provided ‘more detail’ on what they’re going to do with it, more uncertainty prevails.

Former GE CEO Jack Welch told BusinessWeek, “The boards of the automakers should take the courageous step of putting their companies into bankruptcy. Talk about a fresh start,” were Welch’s own words.

Regardless of what is pledged anywhere in the world the indisputable fact is that the industry’s future is as unpredictable as today’s fluctuating petrol prices.

And as demonstrated by the US’s ‘big three’ automotive players, we are seeking answers and possibly band-aid cures at a time when the world is heeding caution, less willing to provide hand-outs, and at its most frugal.

In our society of instant gratification and consistent growth to which we have become so accustomed, it’s not easy to back-track, start afresh or change course.

The only sound advice on offer is to read on. Keep up with the automotive news, embrace change – and leave all the clairvoyant-crystal-ball nonsense to me.

Good Luck!

Hayley. Issue No 5 front page star Marcos Ambrose will switch from Ford to drive a Toyota Camry in the full NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule next year.

Ambrose claimed his first NASCAR win this season at Watkins Glen and finished in the top 10 in the Nationwide Series for the second consecutive season. The Automotive Technician 13 Look Ma …no hands!

arking a car in a tight inner The parking assistant requires a vehicle If the parking space is large enough, the city spot can be daunting for configuration with electric power steering, system informs the driver. Depending on many motorists, regardless of a parking aid, and an additional ultrasonic the make and model of the vehicle, this Ptheir years at the wheel. And many sensor on each side of the front fender. may be an optical or acoustic signal, or motorists are poor parkers, though they These sensors are needed to measure a a spoken announcement. If the driver would never admit it. potential parking space as the car drives switches to automatic parking mode, by at up to 35 kilometers an hour. the system takes just a fraction of a With sensors becoming more sophisticated second to analyse the data and calculate and accurate, it was only a matter of time The lateral distance from the parking the optimum path into the space, the before technology took parking out of the space and other parked vehicles should be necessary steering movements, and the motorists’ hands. between 30 and 180 centimetres. A space number of parking moves needed. that is 80 centimetres longer than the The Bosch intelligent parking assistant vehicle itself is sufficient for a configuration Drivers take their hands off the steering uses ultrasonic sensors to precisely that permits multiple-move parking. wheel and need only apply the accelerator measure parking spaces and then moves The system is able to detect obstacles in and brake – the steering wheel moves the car into a suitable space, without the the parking space as well as curbs. automatically. The electronic system takes driver having to steer the vehicle. over the power steering and automatically It also works in the dark and where there parks the vehicle even if it takes several Automatic parking is as fast as an is no curb. moves. experienced driver would park. First to include the system are the latest Bad parking pile-ups such as this If an unforeseeable event should occur at Mercedes-Benz A and B class. will be a thing of the past. any time during the automatic manoeuvre, drivers can manually switch off the system simply by grasping the steering wheel.

Bosch will be offering another version of the parking assistant for cars with hydraulic power steering later this year.

In this model, drivers steer themselves but are guided by simple instructions on the correct steering movement and the appropriate braking and manoeuvring points.

Looking further into the future, Bosch engineers are already working on technical solutions that will enable automatic parking without any action at all by the driver.

Wheelnote: OK, I’m in. Now how do I get out. Does the parking assistant work in reverse?

TheThe Automotive Automotive Technician Technician 14 14 SUBWR04410 Output was only 12.9v from the alternator. SUBARU WRX 2004 The C (blue wire) was being 4 Cylinders pulled to ground.

This has caused the internal regulator to pull output down.

Fault description

After clearing codes, the vehicle started and the charge rate was a good 14.3v.

After about 20 seconds, the Customer complaint ECU grounds the C terminal and the alternator output Battery going flat. voltage drops to 12.9v.

Warning light intermittently A short time after that the coming on. engine check light comes on and the fault code P0558 comes up. Problem summary

Vehicle had been having Fault solution battery problems for a few years. The ECU is the problem. It The warning light was in fact does not recognise that it has the check engine light. pulled down the alternator output but logs the code and No fault was experienced with brings the check light on. the alternator light. ECU repairs or replacement required. Diagnostic sequence Recommended time Checked all fuses and battery connections. Labour time was 2 hours, Checked for fault codes - code taking into account research P0558 (alternator circuit low). time, location of parts and actual time spent fixing the A new alternator had problem. been tried with the same result.

The alternator has a 3 pin plug (LSC) L is the charge light, S is battery sensing and C is Make your password computer control. somethingremember you will

The Automotive Technician 15 MITVE98425 Fault description MITSUBISHI VERADA As vehicles with transistor controlled interior fan motors 1998 6 Cylinders get older, the fan speed amplifiers start to fail.

Most interior fan systems have a power feed direct to the fan motor.

The amplifier controls the earth circuit. It is most important to check the current draw of the fan motors. Customer complaint The most common cause of amplifier failure is high Interior fan on full speed all the current draw of the fan motor time while driving. especially on start up. Problem summary Fault solution

Vehicle’s interior ventilation fan Fit new amplifier as required. running at full speed with key on. Mitsubishi Part MI-MR315051 Diagnostic sequence Transistor-Auto A/C-4PI

Test all fuses and general Recommended time power and earth tests. Labour time was 2 hours, Remove panels and trims from taking into account research around glove box and locate time, location of parts and fan motor connections. actual time spent fixing the problem. Locate fan speed amplifier unit and test wiring from fan switch. Did you know, there are 20 Holden problem solutions at Readings from fan switch to www.tat.net.au, covering nine amplifier should be approx: different models. Fan speed 1- 38mv 2- 51mv “Late last night I you very much. went ahead and obtained a 3- 56mv submitted a TaT complete exchange starter for 4- 69mv assist request So, here’s what happened… the car which I’ve since fitted 5- 86mv for an XD Falcon First thing this morning I got a and it all works fine now. 6- 94mv starter motor call from one of your team and 7-112mv problem that was driving me he clarified what my problem In the back of my mind, I 8-140mv crazy. was with regard to using always believed that it had to correct solenoids on starter be the starter that was at fault, Confirm faulty fan speed I must thank TaT for your motors. I think he mentioned but I can’t stand the idea of just amplifier. outstanding service. that there could be up to four throwing parts at a car till you different types of solenoids on get lucky, so I was determined To be honest, I was a little this particular starter. He also to have a diagnosis before NEW technical surprised to hear back from explained the need for correct moving forward. Thanks again solutions being added you, but then for the call to shimming of the solenoid cap for all your help and keep up come so soon after my cry for when servicing this unit. the great work.” weekly at help and with such clear and Phil Austin- BMW Apprentice www.tat.net.au specific assistance, completely Once I’d heard from an Training Centre, Melbourne exceeded my expectations. expert (I decided he was an for TaT subscribers and (Coming from you, that’s some expert based on his extensive praise Phil...thanks. VASA members only Outstanding work TaT. Thank understanding of the topic) I See page 30 - Ed) The Automotive Technician 16 Regardless of the type of base can occur. For this reason, stocks used, it is necessary to engine manufacturers combine them with additives recommend that the oil be to meet the demanding changed at certain time or requirements of modern distance intervals to ensure engines. protection of the engine is not compromised. Additives are the active ingredient in motor oils. These How often should motor oil additives must be replenished be changed? through regular oil changes. Some types of car operations The good are more severe than others, They may include any of the placing greater demands on following: the motor oil and calling for • Detergents more frequent oil changes. • Dispersants, anti-wear For this reason, most car oil on oils agents manufacturers give two • Extreme pressure additives, recommendations for oil oxidation inhibitors, anti- changes in their owner’s hoosing the motor oil What is motor oil? foaming agents manuals. that is right for your Motor oil has changed • Rust and corrosion inhibitors, customer’s vehicle dramatically, especially over viscosity index improvers, Standard service Cand budget is a common the last 10 years. Modern pour point depressants, Under standard conditions, source of confusion and motor oils are a base stock friction modifiers the vehicle does very little frustration. plus additive. stop-start driving, carries light Why should oils be loads and undergoes no long There is plenty of evidence of The base stocks used can be changed? idling periods. These service expensive engine repairs due conventional stocks, man- After a period of use, motor conditions can generally be to incorrect oil being used or made synthetics or a mixture oil deteriorates and becomes met with a high performance incorrect service procedures. of conventional and synthetic unable to do an efficient job of mineral oil. stocks. Conventional base lubricating and cooling engine This simple guide to motor oils are made from crude oil parts. The two main reasons Severe service oil should remove confusion. which has undergone certain for this are: If your customer drives in The more you know about the extraction processes and city traffic, does lots of short basics of motor oil the easier minor chemical restructuring Accumulation of trips, drives off the bitumen, or your choices will be and the in an oil refinery. Conventional contaminants tows any sort of load, they are greater the protection for your base oils are a mixture During the normal operation of driving in severe conditions. customer’s car. of thousands of different an engine, contaminants begin Most OEMs recommend that chemicals. to accumulate in the engine the standard service interval The main purpose oil. The engine oil is designed should be halved or use of motor oil is to Synthetics differ from to lock away and neutralise by- higher performing semi or full stop metal from conventional base oils in that products of combustion such synthetic lubricants. These they are synthesised from as soot, carbon and acids. As service conditions can be met touching metal relatively pure chemicals contaminant levels build up, with either a full synthetic, or a for specifically designed critical properties of the engine synthetic blend oil. An engine contains hundreds performance characteristics. oil such as viscosity can be of moving parts that must be affected. Choosing the right motor oil kept separate from each other. The raw material for synthetics The first step is to check If metal surfaces come in could come from many Depletion of oil additives the owner’s manual for contact, wear may occur and sources. Synthetic base stocks Additives are consumed as the recommended SAE friction will increase. generally offer superior low they perform their vital role. (Society of Automotive temperature flow properties If the additives are depleted, Engineers) viscosity grade With friction comes heat, and and enhanced response to corrosion, oxidation and for the vehicle. There are heat will warp and distort certain engine oil additives. accelerated engine wear two common types of SAE moving engine parts. Motor oil classifications: monograde creates a slick film between and multigrade. A monograde metal parts that lets them glide such as SAE 30 has certain over each other. Valvoline photo cold weather limitations. In very cold weather, it may not In summary, motor oil: flow adequately to protect • Reduces friction and the engine during the time prevents wear the engine takes to reach • Promotes easy starting operating temperature. • Seals tiny gaps between the piston ring and cylinder walls SAE 10W-30 • Cools moving parts by Multigrade oils, such as dispersing heat SAE 10W-30, can be used • Keeps engine surfaces clean across a broad range of • Holds foreign deposits (like temperatures. These are by-products of combustion) widely used because they in suspension away from allow for easy starting and engine parts pumping at low temperatures, • Prevents rust and corrosion. yet they are thick enough at The Automotive Technician 17 high temperatures to lubricate What are ACEA ratings? ACEA A5/B5 ratings, while the vehicle. The best way to find effectively. ACEA stands for the C3 classification is based on the correct lubricant grade and Association des Constructeurs ACEA A3/B4 ratings. recommendation is to refer to The W stands for ‘winter’ and Europeens d’Automobiles the vehicle owner’s manual. indicates that the oil meets and represents a large What are ILSAC ratings? In here you should be able to certain viscosity requirements group of European engine ILSAC stands for the locate: for low temperature or winter manufacturers. ACEA has International Lubricant Viscosity or SAE rating operation. established four performance Standardisation Advisory API, ACEA, ILSAC and OEM categories: the A category Committee. For lubricants to approval The number in front of for petrol engines, the B meet the GF specification, the W indicates the low category for passenger car they must prove to be energy If you are unable to access temperature viscosity. The diesel engines, the C category conserving. With the latest your vehicle owner’s manual, number refers to the viscosity represents catalyst compatible rating being GF-4, it provides a lubrication recommendation of the oil when the engine is oils and the E category is for better fuel economy than GF-3. guide should help you out. cold and indicates the oil’s heavy duty diesel engines. In the Australian market you Here you can look up the make cold temperature properties may find the following ILSAC and model and match to it the when the engine is starting A category - petrol engines ratings: engine oil best suited to your up. The thinner the oil when The A category represents the ILSAC GF-3 customer’s vehicle. cold the quicker it moves base performance level with Al (introduced in 2001) around the engine and the being used for lower viscosity In the following article, TaT faster it protects vital engine fuel efficient oils. A3 and A5 ILSAC GF-4 looks at the difference between components. oils are the highest performing (introduced in 2004) mineral, semi-synthetic and full synthetic oils. You can never The second number, 30, is know too much about oil and the high-temperature viscosity the advancements made in oil and indicates thickness at manufacture. Remember that operating temperature. Thicker as the engines we work on oils make it easier to maintain get more and more technically oil pressure and reduce the complex, so must the lubricant tendency for oil consumption, match the demands of the particularly in worn engines. technology.

Thick oils trade off fuel efficiency to achieve this as the Technicians can’t engine has to work harder to continue with the move the oil around. same old oils of When comparing viscosity the past numbers, a higher number will not flow as easily as a low TaT sincerely thanks our number. supporter, Valvoline for their valuable assistance in the What are API ratings? Valvoline photo preparation of this and future The American Petroleum articles. Institute (API) classification system provides information ACEA gasoline engine oils What are OEM approvals? Valvoline, a division of Ashland, about the engine oil. with the A3 being used for the Some OEMs specify that is a leading innovator and higher performance oils and A5 engine oils must meet a range supplier of quality, high- The letter S followed by for the high performance lower of stringent requirements performing automotive and another letter, for example viscosity fuel efficient oils. The before it can be used and industrial products in more SM, indicates that the oil is A4 classification is reserved for warranted in their engines. than 100 countries. Best appropriate for petrol engines. a future specification for direct To minimise misapplication, known for its lubricants, SM oils are superior to SL injection gasoline engines. Valvoline has noted whether Valvoline also markets Eagle oils in many performance ® these requirements have One appearance products, criteria including enhanced B category - passenger car been met by noting OEM SynPower performance fuel efficiency while also diesel engines performance specifications, products, Pyroil automotive meeting the energy conserving ® The B category is similarly the most common approvals in chemicals and MaxLife classification and enhanced divided with the exception that Australia being the following: products created for higher- emissions systems protection. the B4 classification for direct BMW: LL98, LL01 and LL04 mileage engines. The letter C followed by injection passenger diesel Ford: M2C-915A, M2C 153E/F, another letter and/or number, engines has been established. M2C-153G Valvoline Technical Hotline for example CI-4, indicates that The B5 classification combines General Motors: GM6094M 1800 804 658 the oil is appropriate for diesel the performance requirements Mercedes Benz: MB229.1, between 8.30am-4.30pm engines. of B3 and B4 in a lower MB229.3, and MB229.5, Monday to Friday AEST viscosity fuel efficient oil. MB229.31, MB 229.51 The second letter in both the Volkswagen: VW502.00, S and the C categories is C category - catalyst W503.01, VW504.00, assigned alphabetically. compatible engines VW505.00 and VW507.00 The C category is intended Generally the further along we for use with vehicles fitted What grade of engine oil move in the alphabet indicates with diesel particulate filters should be used? the latest technology and and three way catalysts in There are a number of ways quality enhancements in motor petrol applications. C1 and C2 to determine what engine oil. classifications are based on oil is suited to a particular The Automotive Technician 18 Valvoline Racing VR1 This product has 75% higher zinc than SM engine oil with a balanced additive package Zn designed to work in both racing and street-legal applications. It will protect older style push- rod and flat tappet engines. Valvoline provides this product in SAE 10W-40 (part 1166.57). What a small world The role of zinc it is…and quick too Longer-Lasting Zinc/ Phosphorus 11.04 in engine oils Valvoline uses an advanced Stephen Cook, a TaT zinc/phosphorus additive subscriber, was having that keeps higher levels of dramas with a VY he level of ‘zinc’ in level of zinc is lower for current phosphorus in the engine oil Commodore 2002 V6, with today’s engine oil engine oil. where it protects the engine, the ABS light staying on. is a hot topic for instead of poisoning the technicians.T In chat rooms, The controversy… catalytic converter. Valvoline His scan tool said 46 FRT blogs and on message Many technicians and engine is the only brand offering LH ABS outlet valve solenoid boards, technicians are experts believe the lower this unique additive within faulty. He checked the wiring seeking the right information levels of zinc in ‘SM’ engine its range of passenger car and other codes included in which will ensure they are oil is causing excessive wear engine oils, including XLD BCM are 26 ABS, data lost, protecting their customer’s in older style push-rod and flat Lo-Vis 10W-30 (part 1030.57), 62 sol vlv. vehicles. tappet engines. This is despite Pro-Blend 10W-30 (part the fact that all new engine oil 1015.20), DuraBlend 5W-30 Stephen suspected the The zinc we are talking about classifications are intended to (part 1023.57) and DuraBlend ABS ECU because he had here is an anti-wear additive, be backward compatible. 10W-30 (part 1021.57). replaced a number of them Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphates earlier. or ZDP. Its main role is to prevent metal-to-metal contact He sought TaT’s advice at this in engine parts by forming a point, saying “Never a dead protective film. The additive end, just lack of info on this.” actually does contain zinc and phosphorus, with phosphorus 11.51 performing the anti-wear function. Research technician Deyan Barrie came back with, “To The zinc/phosphorus me it sounds very much like molecules react in the oil and an internal ABS module fault. release phosphorus-containing I have had a couple of them compounds that make a wear- with the outlet valve solenoid resisting phosphate glass failure code and the valve film on the critical surfaces of solenoid winding is part of the contacting engine parts. ABS module.”

With most brands, this process 2.04 also results in phosphorus Valvoline photo being released with engine Stephen responds. “Cheers, thank you very much for emissions into the catalytic Valvoline Technical Hotline getting back to me so quick. converter, where it can poison This has resulted in the widely 1800 804 658 PS. I think you guys know my the emissions system over accepted belief that modern between 8.30am-4.30pm old man. Bill Cook from Bill time. engine oil is not adequate for Monday to Friday AEST the protection of older engines. Cook Auto Electrics in Woy Why the zinc/phosphorus Woy. Lucky bugger is retired level in engine oil has Consumer solutions now.” changed There are high-zinc engine oils With ever increasing limits on available to meet this need. It 2.08 emissions, car makers have is important to note, however, tightened emission control that the entire additive package “Yes, I certainly know your systems on newer vehicles. still needs to be balanced for dad. Please send Deyan’s best performance. and my regards to him when This is one of several factors you next speak to him. We considered when the American For example, engine oil with all know each other through Petroleum Institute (API) sets a high zinc level but low meeting at Auto Electricians standards for engine oil. The detergent may not perform Association gatherings. Let current API standard is ‘SM’ over a drain interval of 5,000 him know we are all still which replaced the previous kilometres or longer. working hard to keep this ‘SL’ classification. Because country going.” - technical phosphorus can poison a Valvoline offers two editor Jeff Smit’s response vehicle’s emission system, the solutions to the zinc issue: four minutes later.

The Automotive Technician 19 Auto CPR could save a life

... your own! By Gary Reid

’ve been in business to your competency level and This is where the pleasurable as an auto electrician equipment. P diagnostic experience begins. Ifor around 40 years = Print or record If you have collected enough and I often take more Traditionally, the more the information you information from the driver and than 30 technical support equipment you have, the more have collected. This is the vehicle, such as stored phone requests every proficient you become. essential, because in a Diagnostic Trouble Codes day. I’ve spent a long time busy workshop at 8am (DTCs) history or receipts of collecting information and We should all know Cardio Monday you are probably previous repairs, it should be understanding vehicle inundated with phone calls systems. The information I Pulmonary Resuscitation a simple matter of applying and clients all in a hurry reveal through these articles (CPR). If we are taught this your skills as a technician to is drawn from experience – I procedure when we are young, to get to work. You won’t determine what diagnostic don’t use guesswork or copy with a little practice our brains remember everything course and repairs to initiate. what’s on the Internet. become wired to logically and the client has told you. A successfully follow that set simple Vehicle Event Form In conclusion, the vehicles Most technicians are procedure even under stress. (VEF) filled out by the we have in Australia have reasonably efficient at client with your assistance thousands of systems and diagnosing the average vehicle I urge technicians to ‘train your would be appreciated sub systems. You can know problem without looking for brain’ in a medically inspired both by yourself or the these systems if you commit help from a specialist. procedure I call Auto CPR. technician assigned to the yourself to long term training, job, after the client has left but learning is best obtained in your premises. ‘baby steps’ (small increments of learning) over a long R = Remove all phantom period of time, helping you to and contaminated understand the whole system. information from your collected evidence. For example, look at a Concentrate on cause wiring diagram as a whole and effect, as they will and it’s daunting. Break the lead you to a useable diagram down into individual prognosis. (A symptom or components and it’s easy to a distinguishing feature understand. serving as supporting evidence in a diagnosis.) In the next TaT issue, I will But has anyone noticed an The difficult to diagnose demonstrate the practical ever-increasing percentage of vehicles should then be more application of the Auto CPR. vehicles that are troublesome pleasurable to work on and and difficult to accurately interesting, rather than painful diagnose? to diagnose.

I have seen too many good In addition, if you must seek technicians waste their external assistance, your precious time on diagnosing diagnostic evidence will usually without the information they make it easier for a support really need to understand how technician to appraise and the system operates. solve your problems.

Imagine trying to diagnose an Here’s the procedure immobilised late model vehicle to learn Auto CPR: without support or information on that system. Does this sound familiar? Using another C = Collect as much technician as a sounding board information from the may help you solve difficult driver or the owner of the problems. (TaT philosophy vehicle before you lift the Issue No 5, Page 27, last bonnet. A surprisingly high paragraph) percentage of problems can be solved by asking For the next few issues of the client about an event TaT, I would like to introduce that occurred at the same you to a few alternative time or just prior to the diagnostic procedures, tailored current vehicle symptoms. “Clear!”

The Automotive Technician 20 The history of Ford

Factory LPG By Wayne Broady

Ford has been count and O2 sensor operation. From AU providing onwards the Ford ECU controls mixtures factory installed via a stepper motor which restricts or LPG kits since increases LPG vapour to the mixer/Ventury

1993. – input signals include RPM/TPS/O2 Impco 225 mixer sensor. A scan tool can be used to check

The following the stepper motor/O2 sensor operation/ kits are dual LPG level specific for the LPG system. fuel and require the petrol EB and ED setup: system to be operational to • Prior to set up make sure the ignition start (can be system is in optimum condition,

by-passed on with no vacuum air leaks and the O2 some models). sensor in working order. • Check the mixer diaphragm screws • 1993/94 EB, ED Ford – conversions by removing the air filter assembly/ using Impco equipment and APA mixer bell (7/16 bolt) and five flat tanks, 225 mixer E converter with ADP blade screws which hold the mixer (adaptive digital processor) - mounted diaphragm lid against spring tension. under driver’s seat • Remove the diaphragm, check the • EF 6 Vialle LPG/AMS computer diaphragm securing screws and • EL 6 Vialle LPG/separate amps supports on the mixer for damage computer caused by backfires.

• AU1 Vialle LPG/ses Ford computer • Check the O2 sensor operation. If it still runs well on petrol, check that the Impco 225 mixer diaphragm After this are straight LPG or Mono fuel sensor voltage is oscillating from 0-1 systems: volt (rich- lean). • To check the mixture control, use an • AU11-111 Vialle LPG/uses Ford Impco FSA (Fuel System Analyser) computer which is basically a duty cycle

• BA Vialle LPG/uses Ford computer meter and Lambda O2 sensor. (A • BF Vialle LPG/uses Ford computer duty cycle meter and multimeter • BG Vialle LPG/uses Ford computer can also be used if an FSA is not • Future – injection? available.) The ADP uses signals from

RPM/O2 sensor to control the Fuel Ford will need to introduce injection based Control Valve (FCV) mounted on the technology to have an advanced LPG converter. system. FSA tester connections are found under Ventury or mixer based systems are prone the bonnet at the rear on the inlet manifold to backfiring issues due to faults in the and the O2 sensor test terminal is near ignition system. For example, spark plug the battery/fuel pump/EFI relay. If test leads or coil packs can cause backfiring connectors cannot be found, you can go and so can lean mixtures. direct to the black wire at O2 sensor and yellow wire at FCV. Spark plugs are normally a colder heat range and have a reduced gap with shorter The FCV diverts air valve vacuum to Impco E converter change intervals than a petrol fuelled the LPG converter to control the LPG vehicle. secondary diaphragm height which either leans (99=FCV giving maximum vacuum Impco ADP set up connectors It is imperative to keep the ignition system to lean mixtures) or richens (00=FCV no at its optimum to minimise problems. vacuum to converter which is rich mixture) to control air fuel ratio. Mixture control is different between Impco and Vialle systems. To confuse this, Ford made some modifications to this to help overcome A fuel systems analyser is used to check backfiring issues. They mounted twin mounted under the driver seat. mixtures on the Impco system. A duty FCVs at the mixer and diverted air into Two black grommets on the housing cycle and multimeter can also be used if the LPG vapour hose which leaned the supporting the ADP are removed, and an analyser is not available. mixture. behind this, four mini computer terminals can be seen. Bridge the two terminals On the EF and EL Ford, a dedicated Vialle In order to allow the ADP to set up, closest to the ADP wiring harness. tester is best used to check stepper motor terminals are bridged on the ADP which is 27 The Automotive Technician 21 A browse of the website: DTCs are just a guide http://www.obdii.com/ acronyms.html will explain It is important to realise that the evolution of acronyms and despite DTCs’ sophistication, The evolution of protocols. they are only a guide. For example, while a DTC of diagnostic trouble Anatomy of DTC P0107 denotes Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) codes . . . By Jack Stepanian The prefix of OBDII codes sensor low voltage the denotes the area of concern. technician must study and For example, a P0123 tells analyse the circuit diagram of he concept of Standardising you that the area of concern the MAP and ascertain why Electronic Engine position of diagnostic is in the powertrain. A B0123 the MAP sensor voltage is low. TManagement is now wires and DTCs points you to the body. C Only then can an informed an accepted principle is for chassis and U is for decision be made. of keeping modern cars The introduction of OBDI communication error. going. The electronic marked the beginning of And again, refer to: http:// design engineers and the Go to: http://www.obdii.com/ www.adriatic-company.it/ Electronic Control Module the engineers’ attempt to dtcanatomy.html. (ECM) programmers have standardise DTCs along matizclub/tecnica/manualeII/ directed their skills towards with the position of the wire M31f2%20Engine%20 maximising engine torque Diagnostic Link Connector The first digit after the Controls%2055-151.pdf with minimum emissions and (DLC). prefix identifies whether the fuel consumption, without trouble code is unique to a Conditions for setting compromising drivability, manufacturer or not. If not, DTCs comfort and safety. then 0 denotes a generic code that can be used universally It is important to note the I want to explain how from vehicle to vehicle. conditions for setting the diagnostic trouble codes code. For example, if the evolved from their humble The second digit specifies condition for setting the beginnings of shorting whether the code is related P1404 code is for the Intake two wires and reading a to vehicle speed control and Air Temperature (IAT) to be code, to today’s full blown, idle control or to fuel and air greater than 3°C (37.4°F) comprehensive On Board metering injector, and so on. then clearly, if you happen to Diagnostic (OBDII). be confirming your diagnosis, The last two digits are the where the temperature is less What is Diagnostic diagnostic fault or trouble than 3°C this will give a false Trouble Code (DTC)? codes. indication of the direction to be undertaken while attempting As carburettor vehicles Go to: http://www.adriatic- to reproduce the customer’s evolved to throttle body and company.it/matizclub/ original complaint. then to port fuel injected tecnica/manualeII/M31f2%20 vehicles, electronic design Engine%20Controls%20 So, as can be seen from this engineers maximised 55-151.pdf brief overview of the evolution ECM’s capabilities to of DTCs, the actual DTC its full potential not only Communication codes should only be used as a guide by managing air/fuel and not as a remedy. combustion but also by On-board computers are monitoring its input and being networked more than For example, a Supplementary outputs. ever before. That is, specific Control Module (SCM) that has However, two-digit trouble sensor information is no longer failed to communicate on the This enabled engineers to warn codes remained unique to each limited to the control unit that network may not necessarily drivers of any misconduct that manufacturer. For example, if it is physically hard wired to. mean that the control module might take place during the you browse: http://sethirdgen. Instead, the same control unit itself has failed. car’s operation. And should org/dtc.htm and compare DTC broadcasts this information such mishap occur, not only by shorting A and B terminal over the communication It may mean that the SCM fuse was the driver warned by an on DLC to that of, say, other network. These are is blown and a neighbouring illuminating flashing and/or manufacturers: http://www. communication ‘U’ codes. control module is reporting that steady light on the dashboard, troublecodes.net/technical/ it is unable to communicate but the ECM would remember it soon becomes evident that The following website with SCM. After all, if the and store the nature of the the industry was in need of illustrates the myriad SCM fuse is blown then how mishap in a pre-defined code. stricter standardisation. identifiable communication can anyone expect the SCM breakdowns such as U0246 module to report a code. These codes, in the early OBDII Lost Communication with Thanks to the networked stages, were deciphered Seat Control Module to a neighbouring control module, by bridging two wires and The evolution of OBDII U0009 High Speed CAN the drive and the technician are counting the number of flashes delivered acronyms that guided Communication Bus (-) shorted alerted to the mishap. of a light, or a flicker of an the technician in the right to Bus (+). analogue digital millimetre, and diagnostic direction and the Till next TaT, watch out for the so cross referencing it to a table. four digit DTC with a prefix Go again to: http://www. called phantom code, which is, in Neither the positioning of the directed the technician to adriatic-company.it/ reality, only a fault code logged two wires nor the codes were further refine the direction of matizclub/tecnica/manualeII/ and reported on reflection. standardised. diagnosis. M31f2%20Engine%20 Controls%2055-151.pdf The Automotive Technician 22 The Automotive Technician 23 Murphy’s Law Get Wired! nce upon a time, mechanics were called mechanics and techniciansO were people who worked on highly complex electronic components.

With today’s cars controlled by computers and modules, the mechanic has been forced to become a technician, so although it might be a bit late for some, perhaps it’s time everyone understood the complexity of reading a wiring diagram.

Thanks to our friends at Autodata, I am going to attempt a lesson in the basics of following a typical wiring diagram. Unfortunately, not all diagrams will give you PCM the voltage or waveforms on a given component. Not all is lost, however, as most components have similar output and incoming signals, so all you really need is a basic understanding of how that component works and what it should receive or produce to send back to the computer.

I am going to use an example from the VY Commodore Mass Air Flow Meter (MAF) and the Fuse 15 amp Mass Air Flow Throttle Position Sensor (TPS).

For example, a car arrives on your doorstep with the codes, PO100 – PO104 no MAF sensor signal. Where do you start? What you won’t do is Fig.1 phone for a new sensor - that’s just filling your shelves with expensive parts.

Begin this lesson by grabbing power, black for earth and the wire is at fault. Trace the fault Checking signal from MAF to a good diagram and a handful signal wire can be any colour by working your way from the PCM (pin A on the MAF to of high-lighters or coloured you like. MAF to the ground point. In pin A7 on PCM), you will need pencils. If you have fading eye some cases it may be quicker an oscilloscope or frequency sight like mine, a magnifying With the use of a multimeter, to run a new wire. meter for this test. Commodore glass will make it easer to read switch to DC volts, back probe MAF sensors run at about that small print. the earth (terminal C on the The same goes for the power 2,500 Hz at idle. It is best to diagram) with the earth lead on supply. If you have no power, use a scope for this because Start to trace the wires that are the meter and probe the power trace the harness back to the you can see the quality of the going only to the component supply (terminal B) with the source. Refer to the wiring signal. in question. In the case of the other probe. Switch ignition on diagram - the power supply MAF there will be three wires. and check for battery voltage comes from fuse F33 or back Start the engine and check (12v). If no voltage, move to fuse F35. If there is no for a waveform. If there is no Take the printed diagram to the the earth on the meter to neg power across both fuses, the signal, the MAF could be faulty offending car - as you can see battery terminal. If you find fault could be with A4 ignition or the signal wire has gone to in Fig 1, I use red for battery you have a voltage, the earth control module. ground. The Automotive Technician 24 To test for a ground wire, The voltage won’t change disconnect the terminals of until the accelerator pedal is both MAF and PCM, grab your depressed. meter, switch to ohms and probe between chassis, earth The PCM reads the increase and either end of the harness in voltage and can determine pin (PCM or MAF sensor signal what position the throttle is at. It terminal). If the meter shows could be the case that the signal little to no resistance, the wire wire has gone to ground and has gone to ground. this would cause a zero voltage reading. Trace and repair When reading a wiring diagram Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) it is important to note what type fault codes, PO120 – PO124. of signal or voltage you should The same practice as the MAF. be receiving. The difference is that the TPS has a reference voltage sent by Autodata has a very good the PCM. A reference voltage pin-out reference with sample is usually a voltage lower than waveforms. I suggest you

Fig.2 Throttle Position Sensor

PCM

battery volts (see Fig 2). look at these first before you Pin A on component B147 (TPS) proceed. Familiarising yourself is the 5v reference sent to the with the component at fault can TPS. With the trusty multimeter save you a lot of time in the long in hand select DC volts and run. back probe pin A and pin B on TPS B147. Pin B is earth return to the PCM. Most low voltage components will earth back through the PCM. Happy The earth is used as a zero diagnosing reference point. If you have no Nick Murphy voltage there move your probes to pin C6 and C15 on the PCM. If you do have a voltage, there is TaT thanks Autodata Limited a fault in either earth or supply. for their valuable assistance If there is no voltage at the with wiring diagrams and PCM, move the earth to battery technical data. neg. If still no joy, the fault is in the PCM. To view the complete diagram, go to http://www. Testing the signal to PCM from autodata.com.au/trial and TPS is very simple. Back probe order a 30 day trial. pin B on the TPS and pin C. The TPS is a potentiometer so A.D.R. A.D.R. the voltage will vary from zero APPROVED APPROVED to reference voltage. If there is no voltage, change the ground probe.

The Automotive Technician 25 Nick Murphy road test op ools I Spy… with the iScan II Vehicle coverage: Asian Subaru Porsche efore I launch into the subject of workshop operations, but bear in mind Acura Suzuki Renault Daewoo Toyota Saab using a scan tool at the level of that unless you spend upwards of 50 Daihatsu Obdii Seat the Autoland iScan II, I need to grand you will not have the capacity to do Greatwall Skoda explainB the decisions that have to be this for every make of vehicle. Honda European Smart made by the prospective buyer. Hyundai Audi Vauxhall iScan on Euro cars is very strong. Most Infiniti BMW Volkswagen Bear in mind it was not so long ago we importantly, the data seems to be very Isuzu Citroen Volvo were handing over $25,000 plus for accurate. Kia Fiat Obdii diagnostic equipment that had a fraction of Lexus Jaguar the problem solving functions of a modern Actuation is also an important function Mazda Land Rover USA scan tool. for a scanner. Some models will display Mitsubishi Mercedes Chrysler actuation but do they really carry it out? I Nissan Benz Ford As good as the iScan is, there may be a covered as many makes and models as I Perodua Mini GM need to have more than just one scanner could in the time I had the iScan, including Proton Opel in your workshop. Ask yourself this Peugeot, Renault, BMW, Mercedes, Ssangyong Peugeot important question, “What type of cars do Volvo, Citroen, some Japanese cars and, I fix?” as you can see from the photos, even Alfa Functions: Romeo. If you don’t specialise it may be necessary Read/clear fault codes for you to have a number of scanners Before I give you the stats on the tool, Data stream (live data) that have strengths in different vehicle here’s some valuable advice. When you Component activation makes. The range of scanners on the connect your scanner to a car and you ECU adaptation (ex. idle speed market varies from tools that have a good find that that particular make isn’t on the learning, window motor reset, fuel tank coverage of the Japanese range, to a menu, don’t give up. type, immobiliser key learning, SBC/EBC strong and concentrated coverage of control) European makes. As you can see, I have the iScan ECU coding (ex. install new ECU, daylight connected to an Alfa, but there are no setting, install new sensor, install new Therefore, it’s clear that one scanner Alfas on the vehicle list. If you go to Fiat component) cannot cut the mustard for everything you can access almost any part of Alfa Service reset (ex. BMW: CBS reset - time and nor should we expect it to. Second you need. service reset, oil reset, brake reset) question, “Do you want to carry out programming and security?” The same goes for Renault, Peugeot and Systems: Citroen. They all use the same electronic One generic scanner may be all you need components. Some Jaguars can be Power train: gasoline/diesel engine, if you do only Japanese and Australian accessed through Ford and Aston Martin, transmission cars but don’t expect to do security on just like Jaguar can be connected through everything that comes through your door. Ford. So if you don’t see the make you’re Chassis: ABS, Airmatic, 4WD There may be a need for an oscilloscope working on in the menu - think laterally Body: air bag, door, seat, parking assist in your workshop so the choice of a and try another manufacturer. scanner with a built in scope could fit the Information and communication: bill. iScan has a robust rubber case to protect Instrument cluster, video and radio, hands it if dropped. The function keys are free, navigator Having said all that, the iScan has its accessible and quick to use. The screen strengths in a specific area. Although it is easy to read, particularly when you’re Air conditioning: Automatic air condition, can handle Japanese cars and Holdens, outside. Boot up time is very fast and heater it concentrates on the European side and compared to other machines, that in itself does it well with typical Autoland reliability. takes the frustration out of what could be a Operation: 4 cursor keys for directions, 10 The software from the previous OB91 slow hook-up. number keys, 2 function keys, ED monitor, seems to be the same. It’s very basic but LED lights gives you what you need to do the job. For Features: Memory storage: 128MB built-in memory later models, say from 2000 onwards, the • OEM level diagnostic system coverage and functions increase. • Diagnostic software supports more than Operation voltage: 9-16V DC (power 40 car manufacturers supply from diagnostic socket) Late model Mercs, BMW, Audi and VW • Interface Module Simulation System IMS2 seem to be covered well. Volvo would Operation temperature: 0-50˚C be the tool’s flagship with throttle body • Ongoing software updates via internet software upgrading and transmission • Friendly user interface - easy to operate • Wireless communication via built-in Operation Humidity: 20-80% programmings, just to mention a few. Communication: RS-232C, Bluetooth, USB With the introduction of CAN (Control Bluetooth Area Network) it is necessary to program • Compatible with Component Test Module Vehicle Interface: OBDII-IM5, ASIAN-IM1, and link electronic components after (BTM-Battery Test Module, EBTM- MB38-IM2 multiplexers replacement, not to mention the ability Engine Burning Test Module, Scope Meter) to carry out key coding. This procedure •12-month free service pack software Optional Device: Thermal printer, BTM, is becoming more relevant in day-to-day upgrades via internet. EBTM, scope meter The Automotive Technician 26 21 at the middle range and allows movement “I recently had a Ford This puts the ADP into a locked duty cycle either way. F250 EFI 5.8 1992 of 48-52% which, if the mixture bypass model towed in with no

screw is correct, will allow O2 sensor lights Once the mixture setup is correct, remove spark. on the tester to go rich/lean. the ADP bridge and let idle for a minute before turning off – then restart and drive The customer was told by If the mixture is always rich, turn the idle with varying throttle for at least eight a road patrol (no names!) that he had to mixture screw on the converter anti- minutes. change no less than his ign module, coil, clockwise, which will lean idle mixtures, or hall sensor, ign leads, distributor cap and if mixtures are lean turn the mixture screw This will allow the ADP to adaptive-learn to rotor button. clockwise to richen the mixtures until the the desired duty cycle according to RPM,

rich/ lean light oscillates. O2 sensor and map sensor inputs (quicker Under the customer’s direction this was reaction time as ADP has learnt what duty carried out. Still no spark. Checked ign This then means the setting-duty cycle is cycle should be). supply to coil and TFI module - both OK. At this point I began to suspect the ECU. I Further driving for another decided to disconnect the plug at the ECU. 18 minutes by the customer The spark returned. will continue this process. If problems with the set-up, At this point I decided to try another ECU, check the following: thinking I had nailed the fault. Still no spark. • Power to ADP, red wire, may have blown fuse Checked for power supply to ECU and found that there was a constant 12v • Good earth to black and supply but no ign supply. The ign supply to brown wires the ECU comes from the EEC relay in the • Power to purple wire at FCV, engine bay .This relay was also powering may have faulty ADP the LPG circuit. Replaced EEC relay and • FCV valve resistance 18 vehicle started. ohm • Vacuum hose to ADP – will Many thanks to Deyan Barrie who not adaptive learn responded promptly to my call for help on this one. This was a great help.” - David Cugola - Northside Auto Electrics In the next issue, I will cover (Thanks David. As you said, the Vialle Ventury systems. it may help others in the same boat...Ed) CoolDrive Catalogues

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The Automotive Technician 27

iShopA5Tat08CDAD.indd 1 24/11/08 10:17:08 AM The Sheriff rides again: Cutting costs works against global warming Our intrepid quality parts don’t fail - it’s the to the original Sheriff, Ashley technicians who fail. compressor, Teitzel, sees via a spacer some weird He’s well on the way to proving bracket. and wondrous that the biggest contributors to repairs as global warming are poor quality This produced he rides tradesmen - not the parts. a cantilever the western action, causing ranges. In this episode, the Sheriff the compressor reveals a cost cutting job in a mount and the A letter from a reader in this VW. body to break month’s issue proves that away from the Ashley is not alone in his views Two compressors had been original mount. about shonky workmanship. mounted to the original OEM compressor mount but the This in turn It’s not as if good workmanship mount was designed in such a cracked the is difficult. It’s usually just way that when the system was compressor common sense and cleanliness on full load, it transferred the body, and where on the job - assuming of load back onto the bracket. do you reckon the course that the technician is refrigerant went? reasonably competent. The enterprising, but daft workshop which did this job Yup - into the In this current series of dodgy fitted a second compressor atmosphere. servicing, Ashley is attempting to prove that most good It was an expensive job to rebuild it all, and fit with properly designed bracket, as these pics portray.

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The Automotive Technician 28 A highly polished gem - this is a car fit for Royalty

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Hi Ken You and I frequently tease about the differences in US and Oz speech.

But you’ve really done it now! You’re going to have to The MTA is an employer’s association explain to my boss why I may need a new screen and keyboard if I can’t get the iced tea removed satisfactorily. for businesses in the motor industry See, there was me, eating a bit o’ lunch with a chilled tea to and currently has over 6,000 Members hand, and paging through the most-excellent new edition of TaT. Had just taken a big sip when I met Allen Chamberlain on page across New South Wales 27... “Bingo, bango and bugger me dead...” find out more.. It’s now hours later and I’m still laughing. Sounds like your guys have way more fun than I ever suspected. Brilliant stuff! Now, mtansw.com.au about this sticky keyboard... Jim Taylor Editor, MACS ACTION Magazine training.mtansw.com.au journal.mtansw.com.au (Bugger your keyboard Jim, did the magazine get all soggy?...Ed)

The Automotive Technician 29 Top trainer pleads – don’t throw parts at it till you get lucky!

Phil Austin is the manager strongly believe that we technician within dealerships and best to blend in with them, even to of what must be considered mustn’t lose sight of basic increase staff retention on a long the point of listening to their music one of Australia’s elite training diagnostic skills and I term basis. and talking their jargon. I even programs for apprentices at the encourage my guys to chat with them through Facebook BMW National Training Centre in When the program began in 2000, on line. Melbourne. think for themselves before the intake was 32 apprentices. This resortingI to the ‘guided year’s intake is 55, and there are “Standing in front of a class He was a star pupil in his own processes’ that tell them no signs of it waning, given that the preaching about fixing high-tech right, winning awards for being what to do step by step.” future of car sales depends very cars while using PowerPoint is an outstanding student and much on the economic health of the never going to work.” apprentice, and was BMW National That was the classic comment nation. Technician of the Year back in which encouraged TaT to press BMW is without doubt a prestige ’95. Just a glance at his CV would Phil Austin for more insight into his The dealerships sign up their brand, regularly leading the pack in convince any sceptic that he is, training methods. apprentices to the BMW Training for driving technology. Phil explained indeed, well qualified. four years and in that time they are that BMW follows a philosophy At a time in history when parts flown to the BMW National Training called ‘Efficient Dynamics’, which After working on the tools in replacement has become so much Centre for two intensive training really means that the company’s various states, mainly in BMW the norm in workshops around sessions of four days each year, designers and engineers work workshops, Phil realised he had the country, it is refreshing to find with assignments set for them to on improving the efficiency of the passion and skills to impart trainers like Phil, who passionately complete while they are on the job all vehicle components, such as knowledge to apprentices. He took believe that, without knowing the in the their home town. on-demand water pumps, high over as head of BMW Apprentice ‘how’ or ‘why’ of system failures, precision injection engines, electric training in 2001, and achieved motorists will simply be throwing Phil uses a variety of methods to power steering and brake energy Expert Level at the BMW Group money at parts that, quite often, get his apprentices passionate regeneration, rather than looking Trainer Academy in 2007. His aren’t really at fault. about their training. On a chassis for the really big solutions. It sort training methods are unique, and systems course, for example, he of explains why BMW Group has 2 effective, and there are legions of “I can’t stand the idea of just breaks the ice on the first day with reduced CO emissions more than technicians scattered to the four throwing parts at a car till you get remote control car races on a track Toyota without yet bringing out a full winds who will readily attest that lucky,” says Phil. set out in the parking lot. “There’s hybrid vehicle. Phil and his team gave them a no better way to get them involved head start in life. “I ask my apprentice technicians to and interacting with each other,” What of the future of the motor really try to focus on ‘understanding’ Phil has found. “Then we analyse vehicle? “I really don’t know what So why would this same Phil in our training. the reaction of the models to the the industry is going to look like in Austin not only join up as a track and this helps start the whole five years time,” admits Phil. subscriber to TaT, but then jump “Modern dealerships have specialist process of honing their desire to on the TaT website and send in equipment that tells the technician find out why things happen.” “Certainly, electrics, hydrogen a technical assist form for an XD how to diagnose, and what to do, and hybrids will attempt to meet a Falcon starter motor problem that which is fine within the four walls The BMW training program is so world demand for fuel and energy was “driving me crazy”. of a dealership workshop, but I effective, it won the Automotive conservation, but in countries like don’t think this method of diagnosis Training Australia award in 2004 for Australia, so dependent on the In this interview for The Last Word, encourages techs to think for being the most innovative training traditional vehicle to cover our vast Phil admitted it was, in part, a test. themselves. It means that many program. distances, the internal combustion “I wanted to see if TaT would take technicians might follow their career engine is not going to disappear the same approach I wanted to with a limited understanding of how But much of the success is no doubt any time soon. All the more reason take in reaching a solution. I joined systems actually work,” Phil added. due to Phil’s off-beat approach to for technicians to stay connected, up with TaT because I liked their training. “It’s not easy working with because their services are going to approach, and saw it as being “This might be OK while the the younger generation, so I try my be in big demand,” Phil said. fresh, so I had a professional technician remains in a (factory interest in putting TaT to the test. backed) dealer network, but what happens when the diagnosis Phil’s report card on our equipment can’t help, or he finds performance doesn’t belong here – himself in a situation where a car it’s printed elsewhere in this issue has broken down on the side of the and it’s certainly worth reading. road? Can this same technician do some basic diagnosis armed only But what caught TaT’s eye were with his understanding and a test Phil’s comments about the light or multimeter? trend towards blindly throwing replacement parts at a problem, “Also, when you work on one brand rather than trying to figure out of car all the time, it’s easy to why things fail. The TaT directors condemn a part based on its high were reassured to know that they failure rate in that model, but is this were not alone in their mission to really diagnosing?” encourage technicians to ‘think before replacing’. The BMW Apprentice Technician Program is aimed at providing This year Phil was involved the BMW dealerships throughout with the national Worldskills Australia with a group of highly competition, and he noticed trained technicians. that technicians who worked in small workshops without factory It was developed by the BMW support had a very high level of Group Australia Professional common sense and the ability to Development and Training attack a problem with a test light department to offer an achievable or multimeter rather than look for career path within the BMW Group some computer to tell them what dealer network. BMW hopes to to do. improve the current image of the The Automotive Technician 30

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