The engine control module (ECM), also referred to as the engine control unit (ECU), is a critical component which links your engine to the central computer of your vehicle. The ECM manages most of the functions of the engine, based on the information it receives from other systems and electronic components within the vehicle. If … Read more
Spark plugs, present in all gasoline-powered internal combustion engines, have one very important purpose: to ignite the air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber to start a car and keep it running. They are also designed to transfer heat away from the combustion chamber to prevent pre-ignition (or igniting the fuel too early). Making sure the … Read more
Picture this: you’re sitting at a stop light on a hot day, getting ready to merge onto the highway. As you pull out and step on the gas, you hear an awful noise that sounds like shaking a bunch of marbles in a can. The car hesitates, stumbles, then proceeds to accelerate slower than normal. … Read more
Whether you’re a first-time diesel owner or have spent most of your life driving diesel trucks, you should have a basic understanding of the important role that glow plugs play in your engine. A diesel engine cannot start and operate properly without the heat generated from this plug, especially when the outside temperatures start to … Read more
Having trouble starting your car? Don’t replace your battery just yet. Older cars often have corroded battery terminals. Corrosion resists the flow of electricity, and can make a good battery act like it needs replacement. Here’s how to turn a $200 fix into one that’s nearly free. Identifying Battery Corrosion When your terminals are corroded, … Read more
Knowing the temperature is very helpful. If you are going outside, you look and see that it’s 28 degrees and you should grab a warm hat. While your car doesn’t wear cozy hats, it’s crucial that it constantly monitors the temperature of the engine while it’s on. That’s the job of the engine coolant temperature … Read more
Modern internal combustion engines operate with a precisely tuned balance of air and fuel. Fuel is delivered into the combustion chamber in very specific quantities through components known as fuel injectors. What is a Fuel Injector? A fuel injector is an electronically controlled device which sprays a fine mist of fuel under high pressure. The … Read more
On older engines, distributors are used instead of ignition coils. The distributor cap transfers electricity to the spark plugs through a series of spark plug wires. This entire process happens each time the cylinders of the engine demand a spark to ignite the air and fuel mixture inside of them for combustion. Signs of a … Read more
You go out to your car in the morning to leave for work and see that your door is slightly ajar, which means that the dome light was on all night. You try valiantly to start the car, but when you turn the key nothing happens – the battery is dead. If you’ve ever experienced … Read more
Does your car fire right up and immediately die? Perhaps it won’t stay running unless your foot is on the gas? Don’t fret. There are several simple things you can try that may fix the issue. Diagnosing a no start or sudden stall condition is often difficult, as there could be many possible causes. This … Read more