Nothing’s worse than getting into your car on cold morning and having a dead battery. It’s especially frustrating if you’ve jumpstarted it multiple times, and the mechanic keeps saying that there’s nothing wrong with it. You might be tempted just … Read more
As you turn the key to start up your vehicle’s engine, the battery of the vehicle produces an electrical current which goes into the ignition system and starter motor. If another current is needed which the alternator cannot provide, then … Read more
An alternator, sometimes known as a synchronous generator, is a vital component of the charging system of a vehicle. Along with the battery, it ensures that your vehicle starts and continues working as it should. Symptoms of a bad alternator … Read more
Before vehicle computers were invented, cars and trucks used a system of mechanical and pneumatic devices to manage systems such as valve timing and idle speed. Now, modern vehicles have a complex system of sensors and actuators connected to computers … Read more
Spark plugs are crucial components to an internal combustion engine. Without them, there would be nothing to ignite fuel within the combustion chamber. It’s no surprise that dirty or fouled spark plugs are a common cause for many engine issues. … Read more
Your ignition switch (or starter switch) locks your steering wheel in place when there’s no key in it. It is meant to prevent the car from being started without the key. It’s not much of a deterrent for the thief … Read more
A MAP sensor, or manifold absolute pressure sensor, is a type of engine sensor that measures the amount of air pressure present in a vehicle’s intake manifold. This pressure reading is used along with engine speed (measured in revolutions per … Read more
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is a sophisticated piece of machinery. It receives data from a range of sensors. The Engine Control Module (ECM) and the Transmission Control Module (TCM) are both examples of systems that the PCM monitors. Remarkably, … Read more
With a vehicle, there’s a lot of power under the hood. We’re not talking strictly about horsepower, but rather energy output in general. The energy that the car needs is supplied by the fuel and by the battery. You need … Read more
You might think that all spark plugs are the same. After all, the general purpose of a spark plug is to generate an electric current for igniting the compressed air and fuel in the combustion chamber. However, there are some … Read more