Comments on: Automotive Charging Systems http://autofix.com.au/blog/automotive-charging-systems Auto Repair Information And Advice Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:30:52 +0000 hourly 1 By: Riverside Customs http://autofix.com.au/blog/automotive-charging-systems/comment-page-1#comment-84024 Riverside Customs Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:28:23 +0000 http://autofix.com.au/blog/archives/216#comment-84024 nrivers2, great call there "why should i tell you in 5 minutes for nothing what it has taken me 25 years and thousands to learn". So many people want to find some quick and easy solution to their problems, which is understandable... but it's as if they expect it for nothing, rather than paying for years of accumulated experience and outlays in equipment. nrivers2, great call there “why should i tell you in 5 minutes for nothing what it has taken me 25 years and thousands to learn”. So many people want to find some quick and easy solution to their problems, which is understandable… but it’s as if they expect it for nothing, rather than paying for years of accumulated experience and outlays in equipment.

]]> By: nrivers2 http://autofix.com.au/blog/automotive-charging-systems/comment-page-1#comment-78464 nrivers2 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:54:45 +0000 http://autofix.com.au/blog/archives/216#comment-78464 A quick response to RU$$ELs comments on DIY diag checks/code reading. engine management diagnostic work is in my humble opinion NOT a DIY task. Using a scan tool is a task that should be carried out by a suitably trained and experienced technician,and the equipment required to complete this task safley and with a usefull outcome would i think be out of the practical reach of most DIY mechanics.Our diag equipment is worth somthing like $150,000 and we dont have it all by any means. Sure there are cheapo scan tools (SO CALLED) avail all over the net, there are just as many horror stories to go with them.Modern vehicle management systems are far more than engine control,lets use airbags as an example.So you buy your $200 "obd reader"(as they are described),plug in and sit back in the drivers seat to "diag" your vehicle, after the code reader triggers the drivers side airbag and punches you into the boot , you may realise that $200 wasnt a cheap way of trying to locate the fault with your vehicle.(I use this example as it has occured more than once in australia)we wont even mention brake control equipment, steering etc etc Back to vehicle diagnostics.....Code scanning a vehicle is a VERY small part of diagnostic work. As a guide , i will describe a standard vehicle diag in my workshop. 1)engine compression test 2)engine vaccum reading 3)fuel pressure and flow rate test\fuel quality\vehicle on gas bench and read emissions(most important step as far as i am concerned.). 4)static and discharge battery test\alt charge rate\voltage drop across batt terms and grounds (body & engine) 5)code scan 6)scope ign There is no point in scanning a vehicle that has a burned valve , a leaking inlet manifold, has a charge rate of 12.4v,has bad body grounds or the cat is glowing red hot on arrival etc etc. Diagnostics is a start from the basics procedure. We constantly have customers arrive at our workshop that have spent many thousands of $ on diagnostics and replacing ecu s afm s etc etc only to find that the vehicle needs a coil and leads ,or some rabit has cracked an insulator putting a set of plugs in..... Im not sure why you find it hard to obtain info on ecu's russel, we use autotech, boyces auto data ,electraspec and autodata, havent ever not been able to find somthing it costs but it is an essential tool, as important as a 10mm spanner. As for mechanics sharing their knowledge, we have a saying in our workshop "why should i tell you in 5 minutes for nothing what it has taken me 25 years and thousands to learn" Not trying to be a smart arse, please dont take it that way, but we all invest big money in equipment and training, we need to make a living and pay our bills, giving things away dosnt do that. Regards, Dave. A quick response to RU$$ELs comments on DIY diag checks/code reading.
engine management diagnostic work is in my humble opinion NOT a DIY task.
Using a scan tool is a task that should be carried out by a suitably trained and experienced technician,and the equipment required to complete this task safley and with a usefull outcome would i think be out of the practical reach of most DIY mechanics.Our diag equipment is worth somthing like $150,000 and we dont have it all by any means. Sure there are cheapo scan tools (SO CALLED)
avail all over the net, there are just as many horror stories to go with them.Modern vehicle management systems are far more than engine control,lets use airbags as an example.So you buy your $200 “obd reader”(as they are described),plug in and sit back in the drivers seat to “diag” your vehicle, after the code reader triggers the drivers side airbag and punches you into the boot , you may realise that $200 wasnt a cheap way of trying to locate the fault with your vehicle.(I use this example as it has occured more than once in australia)we wont even mention brake control equipment, steering etc etc
Back to vehicle diagnostics…..Code scanning a vehicle is a VERY small part of diagnostic work.
As a guide , i will describe a standard vehicle diag in my workshop.
1)engine compression test
2)engine vaccum reading
3)fuel pressure and flow rate test\fuel quality\vehicle on gas bench and read emissions(most important step as far as i am concerned.).
4)static and discharge battery test\alt charge rate\voltage drop across batt terms and grounds (body & engine)
5)code scan
6)scope ign
There is no point in scanning a vehicle that has a burned valve , a leaking inlet manifold, has a charge rate of 12.4v,has bad body grounds or the cat is glowing red hot on arrival etc etc.
Diagnostics is a start from the basics procedure.
We constantly have customers arrive at our workshop that have spent many thousands of $ on diagnostics and replacing ecu s afm s etc etc only to find that the vehicle needs a coil and leads ,or some rabit has cracked an insulator putting a set of plugs in…..
Im not sure why you find it hard to obtain info on ecu’s russel, we use autotech, boyces auto data ,electraspec and autodata, havent ever not been able to find somthing it costs but it is an essential tool, as important as a 10mm spanner.
As for mechanics sharing their knowledge, we have a saying in our workshop “why should i tell you in 5 minutes for nothing what it has taken me 25 years and thousands to learn”
Not trying to be a smart arse, please dont take it that way, but we all invest big money in equipment and training, we need to make a living and pay our bills, giving things away dosnt do that.
Regards,
Dave.

]]> By: RU$$ELL http://autofix.com.au/blog/automotive-charging-systems/comment-page-1#comment-77944 RU$$ELL Sun, 08 Aug 2010 14:19:12 +0000 http://autofix.com.au/blog/archives/216#comment-77944 [Thanks] Alot Of Information... Thankyou For Taking Your Time To "In Full Detail" explain The Operation Of The Alternator. There Should Be A Thanks Tab That Every Member Can Click On If They Found That Information Helpfull. Also Under ELECTRICAL: Can Members Post Usefull Information Like DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES and How To Read The Check Engine Light... Remap Of Ecu? I Have A Small Amount Of Information Including The Latest OBDII technology And Cheap Scan Tool Advice For "DIY Diagnostic Checks" That Can Save People Money And Extract There Own Codes. As A Automotive Technician Living In Australia I Find Australia Lacks.. Information On Aussie Built Cars When It Comes To ECU.. Overall A Great Website.. Keep It Up We Should Have More Mechanics Sharing There Knowledge. :) [Thanks] Alot Of Information… Thankyou For Taking Your Time To “In Full Detail” explain The Operation Of The Alternator. There Should Be A Thanks Tab That Every Member Can Click On If They Found That Information Helpfull. Also Under ELECTRICAL: Can Members Post Usefull Information Like DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES and How To Read The Check Engine Light… Remap Of Ecu? I Have A Small Amount Of Information Including The Latest OBDII technology And Cheap Scan Tool Advice For “DIY Diagnostic Checks” That Can Save People Money And Extract There Own Codes. As A Automotive Technician Living In Australia I Find Australia Lacks.. Information On Aussie Built Cars When It Comes To ECU..
Overall A Great Website.. Keep It Up We Should Have More Mechanics Sharing There Knowledge. :)

]]> By: Anthony http://autofix.com.au/blog/automotive-charging-systems/comment-page-1#comment-72063 Anthony Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:43:41 +0000 http://autofix.com.au/blog/archives/216#comment-72063 Can anyone tell me how to tell if my vintage car is pos earth it had a new wiring loom years ago but the owner couldnt tell me if he had it changed someone said turn key if amp meter goes back wood its neg earth if it goes forward its pos earth does that sound right Can anyone tell me how to tell if my vintage car is pos earth it had a new wiring loom years ago but the owner couldnt tell me if he had it changed someone said turn key if amp meter goes back wood its neg earth if it goes forward its pos earth does that sound right

]]> By: Mark - Perth, UK http://autofix.com.au/blog/automotive-charging-systems/comment-page-1#comment-29166 Mark - Perth, UK Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:19:19 +0000 http://autofix.com.au/blog/archives/216#comment-29166 Hi Craig. Just found this site when looking through the auto's in blog catalog. I was looking for related sites to my own blog. I like how you have focused on the details of alternators and their seperate components like the bridge rectifier (AC-DC) and voltage regulator. Nice guides. :) Hi Craig.

Just found this site when looking through the auto’s in blog catalog. I was looking for related sites to my own blog.

I like how you have focused on the details of alternators and their seperate components like the bridge rectifier (AC-DC) and voltage regulator. Nice guides. :)

]]> By: craig http://autofix.com.au/blog/automotive-charging-systems/comment-page-1#comment-23061 craig Tue, 11 Dec 2007 04:36:07 +0000 http://autofix.com.au/blog/archives/216#comment-23061 Thanks for your comments Rony. I will see what I can arrange for the stereo swap article. Thanks for your comments Rony. I will see what I can arrange for the stereo swap article.

]]> By: Rony Stephen http://autofix.com.au/blog/automotive-charging-systems/comment-page-1#comment-23058 Rony Stephen Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:47:34 +0000 http://autofix.com.au/blog/archives/216#comment-23058 Great site Craig. I thought it would be a great idea to have a section on how to replace the standard stereo a new car stereo on a Magna. Although I am not an expert on cars by any measure, I am excited at the prospect of doing something like that with my Magna. Cheers and keep up the good work Rony Great site Craig. I thought it would be a great idea to have a section on how to replace the standard stereo a new car stereo on a Magna. Although I am not an expert on cars by any measure, I am excited at the prospect of doing something like that with my Magna.

Cheers and keep up the good work
Rony

]]> By: craig http://autofix.com.au/blog/automotive-charging-systems/comment-page-1#comment-12459 craig Sun, 08 Jul 2007 08:10:23 +0000 http://autofix.com.au/blog/archives/216#comment-12459 Hey Van, Thanks for your feedback. I urge anyone reading this to check out Van's site, simply awesome if 'old school' cars are your thing. Craig Hey Van,
Thanks for your feedback. I urge anyone reading this to check out Van’s site, simply awesome if ‘old school’ cars are your thing.
Craig

]]> By: grandJDM.com http://autofix.com.au/blog/automotive-charging-systems/comment-page-1#comment-12452 grandJDM.com Sat, 07 Jul 2007 20:02:16 +0000 http://autofix.com.au/blog/archives/216#comment-12452 Hey mate, great site! Some bloody useful tips here. I actually came here through your article about the turbo RA28 you worked on ages ago, and have been reading some of the other articles for the past 20 minutes or so, haha. Great resource for those of us less mechanically minded - I've always been about the design and style aspect of cars, though I know enough about the mechanics to get me by. So this is a useful site! For what it's worth - and I don't know if this is important to you, though given their market share, it's something to think about - your site doesn't display too well in Firefox! The middle and far right column seem to get mashed into each other, really screws things up. Anyway, cheers for the good reading! - Van http://grandJDM.com Hey mate, great site! Some bloody useful tips here. I actually came here through your article about the turbo RA28 you worked on ages ago, and have been reading some of the other articles for the past 20 minutes or so, haha. Great resource for those of us less mechanically minded – I’ve always been about the design and style aspect of cars, though I know enough about the mechanics to get me by. So this is a useful site!

For what it’s worth – and I don’t know if this is important to you, though given their market share, it’s something to think about – your site doesn’t display too well in Firefox! The middle and far right column seem to get mashed into each other, really screws things up.

Anyway, cheers for the good reading!

- Van
http://grandJDM.com

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