When looking for a new position or job, what is the most important factor that you look for?
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When looking for a new position or job, what is the most important factor that you look for?
View full poll questionHey Technicians! What’s your favorite vehicle to work on?
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Great review for Sales & Leasing Consultant; Nick Wade.
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What are some fun activities you like to do in the fall?
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Food Truck time to celebrate some special events! One tech celebrated 36 years of being here at Tom Wood Toyota. Another tech reported a first known issue found to Toyota and was awarded a special medallion.
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Air Tools or Electric tools?
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Minnesota roads can be unbearable in the snow, but this winter car workshop could be a game-changer for new drivers
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Happy anniversary to our Shipping & Receiving Clerk; Sam Lynch
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Great review for Service Advisor; Michael Manns!
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🎉 C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S 🎉 Congratulations to Garrett for being our BEAST of the week.
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If you could work on cars from any era, which would you choose?
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What's the most satisfying part of being an automotive technician?
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Thank you to everyone that joined us for the PenFed Racing Simulator Challenge on August 30-31. It was a pleasure to host Sabré Cook and showcase the Porsche GT3 Cup racecar while enjoying time with our amazing community and team. We hope you had a great time meeting Sabré, testing your skills in the racing simulator, and joining the scenic rally drive.
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Junior Technician, James, replacing a drive shaft on a 2022 Tiguan.
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It’s that time of the year when AC issues roll in. AC repairs are some of my personal favorite. Listed below are some of my tips that have helped me turn AC diagnostics from hour long processes into minutes. I’ve come across many AC issues in my career that have presented themselves as complicated, but we’re actually a simple fix. 1. Modern AC systems are computer controlled and as a result, when faults occur these controllers set fault codes. Just like a vehicles PCM does. The difference is that there is no “Check AC” light to remind you those fault(s) are present. Making scan tool usage a part of your diagnostic process for AC systems has the potential to eliminate or verify faults in minutes. I’ve found from personal experience that if an HVAC controller has no faults stored. Along with showing AC system operation permission has been granted. Then the electronics of the AC system are in working order and the charge level is sufficient enough to allow the system to operate. This leaves the likely cause of failure in the compressor clutch, compressor, compressor clutch wiring, or a mechanic issue with the heater box. 2. Cabin filters are a commonly overlooked component. A cabin air filter isn’t just responsible for filtering the air a vehicle owner breathes, but it also acts as a shield for the evaporator core. A restricted cabin air filter not only results in poor AC system filtration but also reduces the amount of air flow in the HVAC ducts and evaporator core. This can cause the evaporator core to freeze as a result of a lack of heat exchange. This exact issue can often lead to the evaporator core to crack and leak. Requiring an expensive labor intensive repair to fix. 3. Front end damage is also an overlooked factor to AC performance issues. Even with an undamaged condenser, a damaged bumper cover and/or supports could restrict and/or alter crucial air flow across the condenser needed that allows heat exchange to occur. 4. Temperature and mode door actuators. We all are familiar with the classic actuator click. Sometimes there are easy to replace, sometimes they require immense labor to gain access to. A vehicle can have a perfectly operating AC system, but without temperature and mode doors in the proper position an AC system can be left completely inoperable. Some vehicles require actuators to be configured via a bidirectional function within a capable scan tool. This can also act as a diagnostic aid as actuators can stick after extended periods of not moving from a certain setting (such as temperature actuators not moving from the heat setting for many months during winter). After completion of one or more actuator configurations, which frequently requires the actuator to completely move to allow positions to learn, you may find AC system operation returns. If this occurs you’ve verified a problem is present with a temperature door. Further testing will be required however to verify wether the problem is internal to the HVAC box, a weak actuator, or sticking of the door often times caused by debris. 5. Control head buttons are often times damaged by users who use excessive force or from external debris buildup, this is where a capable scan tool can come in handy again. Depending on the vehicle, a capable scan tool can many time display the inputs received on a data PID when a button is pressed on an HVAC control head. Such as an on/off button, AC, or recirculation button. This information is helpful in verifying wether an input is or isn’t recognized in the controller. NOTE: these tips above are not a replacement for standard diagnostics. These are based on trends noticed in my career specifically. Always be sure sure to verify that a concern is present, perform a visual inspection, check for TSB’s and take time to understand the component you are attempting to repair prior to attempting repair procedures. Most importantly, always consult the manufacturers repair information to verify needed safety precautions, and never repair a vehicle beyond the manufacturer’s specified instructions.
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