Auto Repair Articles

Buoyed by the Wrangler and the redesigned 2011 Grand Cherokee, Jeep brand sales rose 19 percent in July, pacing Chrysler Group to a 5 percent gain for the month.

It was the automaker’s fourth-straight monthly increase. In February, Chrysler ended a streak of 25 consecutive monthly sales declines.

Ram brand truck sales climbed 11 percent in July, while Dodge remained flat and the Chrysler brand dropped 11 percent from a year earlier. Three vehicles set sales records for the month: the Dodge Challenger, Journey and Ram Chassis Cab.

Overall, Chrysler Group’s car sales fell 2 percent, while truck sales were up 7 percent. Trucks continue to dominate the Chrysler mix, accounting for 75 percent of the automaker’s volume and outselling cars – 70,349 to 22,964.

Chrysler spokesman Ralph Kisiel declined to say what percent of the 5,407 Grand Cherokees sold in July were outgoing 2010 models versus the 2011 version, which is just hitting showrooms in volumes. The company put a number of incentives on the departing model to make way for the redesigned edition.

Ram full-sized pickups remained the biggest seller at Chrysler, with 20,138 units in July. That was up 14 percent over July last year, when the automaker had just exited bankruptcy. The Jeep Wrangler was the second biggest seller at 10,043, up 121 percent. The Chrysler Town & Country rose 18 percent to finish third, at 8,083

My husband replaced the thermostat and the housing broke so he replaced that. My only problem before that was no heat but now it is stalling out. any clues to what he has done. The car was running before this repair. She was purring like a kitten-no stalling at all. The air bag light began flashing a couple days ago and i think she may need a little oil(couldnt get top off). I went to start her this morning and she wouldnt turn all the way over. I started her again again she ran for a few seconds and shut off. She did the same things a couple more times. She finally she idled for me so i let her warm up for about 10 minutes. I went back and put her in reverse and she stalled again…and again..I couldnt get her out of the driveway. I did smell like antifreeze and she sounded like she was reving up and down in idle. Last weekMy husband had mentioned that he thought that the altenator might be going but we hadnt had any problem, so i asked he he knew how to test it.

Response:

This is a difficult moment for the US automotive industry, but an exclusive franchise study by Franchise Direct (www.franchisedirect.com) has shown that automotive franchises are doing well regardless. Franchise Direct examined the Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD’s) of 30 automotive franchises and discovered that drivers are relying on franchises to keep their old cars motoring.

We all know about the endemic problems in Detroit, but Franchise Direct has learned that despite this crisis, entrepreneurs have been enjoying success with aftermarket and car rental and sales franchises.

The truth is Americans are not buying new cars as often as they once did. The Franchise Direct automotive franchise study states that the projected new car sales for 2009 are 9.7 million units. This represents a 40% decline over the last 3 years. But American society, from the suburbs to the highways, is still built around the automobile. Because of the recession, more drivers are turning to automotive franchises as they try to get more miles out of their vehicle.

Aftermarket automotive franchises are most likely to profit from this trend, as consumers seek essential maintenance and repairs with greater need. And they will most certainly turn to a company with a trusted reputation.  Used car and rental franchises will also thrive from this new era of frugality.

Exciting markets are also emerging for franchised businesses to profit from. Recently, drivers have embraced automobiles with elaborate technology. This might mean evolved engine control, microprocessors and high-tech safety and entertainment equipment. There has also been a switch towards ‘green’ technology in automotive manufacturing. With these technologies become more and more prevalent, a new franchise niche is forming to suit this tastes. Many drivers lack the know-how to perform such high-tech automotive work and instead turn to trusted franchise brands.

It is ironic that the global recession and the collapse of Detroit’s auto industry have paved the way for the success of automotive franchises. America’s love affair with the automobile is still strong, but American attitudes towards car buying have radically altered. Franchise Direct’s research shows that consumers are relying on automotive franchises to keep their cars on the road. With economic optimism slowly picking up, Franchise Direct believes that this is an excellent time to consider franchise opportunities in the automotive sector.

Working at an auto body repair shop, I specialize in custom paint jobs for many models of high-end vehicles, including Lexus, BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes. I am ashamed to admit that our prices are absolutely off-the-wall, even though I know that other Orange County paint chip repair specialists charge a ton more than we do. You may ask how our prices are outrageous if we indeed are the cheapest in the area. The prices of our car paint repair services are bogus because there are better, more inexpensive products available.

I suppose that now it is time for me to let you in on the secret. I feel guilty. You see, I went with some friends to go rock-climbing in the desert a couple months ago. After we arrived at home, my friend Jack noticed paint damage on the front end of my Land Cruiser; this was a result of a short trip we took on a dirt road on our way to the mountain. I was irritated beyond belief. The shop’s calendar for the week was completely booked, and I knew I couldn’t just bring the SUV in for a quick repair job. We have a policy at the repair shop that our cars must be pristine if they are parked in the lot; the owners consider it advertising for the shop’s services. If our auto isn’t looking perfect, we have to park next door in the grocery store parking lot, which is a long hike to and from work.

At the automotive paint repair shop, we use a commercial paint repair kit – the Dr ColorChip(TM) Paint Chip Repair system. The kit was purchased by the shop’s owners from http://www.carpaintchiprepair.com/blog/ . We have had nothing but rave reviews for our work as a result of the commercial kits; I wondered if I could Read Entire Article

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor

Operation

The Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (ECT) input to the EMS is a primary input for the calculation strategies and control of fuel delivery and spark timing. The ECT is also used to determine loop status (open/closed) timer requirements (inside the EMS) and to support cooling fan operation. ECT failures can cause excessive rich conditions, increased injector pulse-width and retarded spark timing. The ECT reads the coolant temperature at the intake manifold. When the engine coolant is cold the information given to the ECM causes the fuel mixture to richen. As the coolant temperature gradually increases the voltage signal from the ECT changes signaling the ECM to adjust the fuel mixture accordingly.

Related Symptoms

The following symptoms can be caused by a faulty Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor or circuit loose connections:

• Extended crank time when the engine is cold
• Poor fuel economy
• Spark knock
• Lack of engine power
• Erratic and/or high idle
• Engine cooling fan stays running all the time
• Engine cooling fan fails to turn on
• Engine overheating

CAUTIONUse care when handling the coolant sensor. Damage to the coolant sensor will affect the operation of the fuel control system.

WARNING

Hot, pressurized coolant can cause injury by scalding, Do not begin work on a hot engine cooling system. Cooling system must be partially drained before removing the coolant temperature sensor.

President Barack Obama, seeking to end a stand-off between states and the auto industry, plans to issue new national emission limits and mileage requirements for cars and trucks. Obama plans to announce on Tuesday that he will couple pollution reduction from vehicle tailpipes with increased efficiency on the road. It would be the first time that limits on greenhouse gases were linked with federal standards for passenger cars and light trucks. New vehicles would be 30 percent cleaner and more fuel efficient by 2016, according to officials familiar with the administration’s discussions. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the formal announcement had not been made.

Sponsors Towns-Eshoo-Miller Put Motoring Consumers Back In The Driver’s Seat, say CARE & AAIA

The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, legislation that allows consumers to continue to choose where they have their vehicles repaired was reintroduced into the 111th Congress on April 22, 2009.

“HR 2057, known as the Right to Repair Act, goes to the heart of American property rights and ownership. When motorists purchase their vehicles, they should have the right to own their vehicles’ electronic, diagnostic and repair information so that they can make affordable and convenient repair choices, whether that choice is an independent repair shop or a car dealership,” said Ray Pohlman, President, Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE). “As vehicles become more and more computerized, soon consumers will be very limited on repair options. In some cases, they will be forced to take the vehicles back to the new car dealerships even when their vehicles are out-of-warranty.”

Vehicles that are 1994 and newer (and some earlier models) are equipped with computers that control the repair and service information on most of the vehicles’ systems, including, but not limited to: air bags, brakes, emissions (check engine light), tire pressure, oil changes, electronics, ignition systems and keys and transmissions. In many cases, the only way for motorists to have these systems repaired is to return to the new car dealership.

U.S. Representative Edolphus Towns (D-NY), the lead Right to Repair sponsor, stated, “By guaranteeing access to vehicle repair information, we can empower consumers and give them the opportunity to choose where, how and by whom to have their vehicles repaired. We reintroduced The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act so Brooklynites can have the option of self-servicing their vehicle, or the freedom to use an automotive independent repair shop or a car dealership to meet their auto needs.”

Joining Rep. Towns as original sponsors are Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA). Rep. Towns is the Chairman of the Government Management, Organization and Procurement Committee and serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Representative Eshoo is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and Rep. Miller is Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee.

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) conducted a ‘first-of-its-kind’ study which illustrated the enormous cost-benefit to consumers when their vehicles are repaired in the independent repair industry. The study clearly showed that repairs conducted at new car dealerships cost consumers on average 34 percent more than at the independent repair shops, resulting in $11.7 Billion in excess costs annually. Los Angeles consumers pay as much as 46.8 percent more at new car dealerships for repairs. The Right to Repair Act will help all of America’s motoring consumers.

Aaron Lowe, Vice President, Government Affairs for AAIA, stated, “With dealerships closing at unprecedented rates, the ability for consumers to obtain convenient and affordable repairs from their local independent vehicle repair shops is more important than ever. Right to Repair ensures that independent shops have access to the most up-to-date information, tools and software so that they can continue to maintain and repair their customers’ late model vehicles.”

Pohlman concluded, “Five million people in the United States work in the automotive aftermarket (independent repair industry) in over 495,000 locations nationwide, including ‘mom and pop’ shops. The aftermarket is a large segment of the nation’s economy and for more than 100 years has helped consumers find affordable and efficient ways to repair their vehicles.”

A broad coalition of consumer oriented and small business groups support passage of The Right to Repair Act, among them: American Automobile Association (AAA), National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), RetireSafe (represents 400,000 seniors nationwide), Tire Industry Association (TIA), National Grange and 60s Plus Seniors.

The Right to Repair Act, HR 2057, is in the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. Information on the legislation can be found on: www.righttorepair.org.

Source: Coalition for Auto Repair Equality

Sedan shown

MSRP $27,270

Invoice $24,988

The 2010 Fusion Hybrid is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in one trim only, the Sedan.

Upon introduction, the Fusion Hybrid is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, I4, 156-horsepower, hybrid engine that achieves 41-mpg in the city and 36-mpg on the highway. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 Fusion Hybrid is restyled for 2010.

WASHINGTON – General Motors Corp. is recalling 1.5 million vehicles because of potential engine fires.

GM says there have been no reports of any fires or injuries.

Some of the recalled vehicles are no longer in production. The recall includes the 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, the 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1997-2003 Buick Regal, and the 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo and Impala.

It involves vehicles with a 3.8-liter V6 engine. The government says drops of oil could fall into the exhaust system and cause a fire in the engine.

GM spokesman Kerry Christopher says it was a precautionary measure for consumers.

Most four-stroke engines between 1996 and 2005 are equipped with DIS or Distributorless Ignition System. These systems have done away with the distributor and use sensors instead. The advantage is the ability to electronically control ignition timing without the need of adjustment. (DIS) Distributorless Ignition System