Your multimeter is a versatile tool. But for certain diagnostics, you need an oscilloscope to get a closer look at a vehicle’s electrical systems.
What an oscilloscope shows that your DVOM can’t (VIDEO)
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
Set the Toe and Go!
The finer points of performing coarse alignments.
What Happens When You Don’t Drain Your Air Compressor? (You Don’t Want to Find Out.)
The shop maintenance task you can’t afford to forget.
The History of the “This Car Climbed Mt. Washington” Bumper Sticker
These ubiquitous stickers have a longer history than most people may think.
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SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
Service Managers: Buy Brake Fluid by the Pint
Well, that’s straightforward. But why?
Do You Survey Your Customers, and How?
Customer satisfaction surveys should be clear, concise, and targeted.
Interpreting Compression Tests–ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)
Technician A completed a compression test, noting high readings suggest an exhaust restriction, while Technician B says the test checks volumetric efficiency.
Do I Need a Tune-up?
When a customer rolls into your shop and asks for a “tune-up,” what’s your first reaction?
Should You Lubricate Spark Plugs Before Installing Them? (VIDEO)
Do you lubricate the threads on spark plugs before installing them? Should you? Pete Meier explains the finer points of spark plug lube application for best results and OE service procedure compliance.
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SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
Cat DTC Diagnosis (P0420) – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)
Technician A says other codes should be diagnosed before replacing the converter for a P0420 code. Technician B says an upstream exhaust leak can trigger the code. Who is correct?
Compression Testing | ASE Practice Questions (VIDEO)
All four cylinders are below specification by about the same amount. After performing a wet compression test, values remained unchanged. What could cause this condition?
When a Voltmeter Isn’t Enough (Video)
Many high-end scan tools come with a capable digital storage oscilloscope. Time to put that tool to work.
Which Is Faster: A Spark Plug Firing or a Fuel Injector Spraying? (VIDEO)
Did you know that a modern fuel injection system can fire off multiple sprays in the same time it takes for a spark to jump across a plug?
P0420/P0430—The #1 DTC in the Country
And the most misdiagnosed.
VIDEOS
How Often Should You Really Flush Coolant? (VIDEO)
How do you know when it’s time to flush coolant? Technicians may have different views on the subject, but Dorman Training Center instructor Pete Meier explains how using a test strip at every service is a surefire way to get an accurate picture of the coolant’s health.
Colin Chapman: The Philosopher of Motion (Part 1)
This British engineer changed racing forever by making cars lighter, not more powerful.
Maximum Voltage Reading – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)
Technicians debate using the min/max function of a digital voltmeter to test the battery and charging system on a customer’s vehicle to determine if the alternator has failed. Who is correct?