Picture this: you’re driving along like you would any normal day. All of a sudden, your dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree. Your car still drives, but it barely has any power. What just happened, you ask? Your car has probably entered limp mode. What is Limp Mode? Limp mode (also called limp home … Read more
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
“A spark plug is just a spark plug” is a common, yet incorrect phrase. Certain spark plugs are more efficient and perform better than others, and each type has a specific use case. That alone makes it important to check the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer to ensure the correct spark plugs are installed in … Read more
Ground straps, also known as the engine ground wire or ground cable, perform an essential function in your vehicle’s electrical system. Every circuit needs to have a clean path to ground for it to work properly. Without this part, the current might damage other parts of the car or its occupants. Like other electrical problems, … Read more
An ignition coil in a vehicle basically serves as a compact electrical transformer. In other words, an ignition coil has the ability to convert the 12-volt electrical current from a car battery into at least 15,000 volts of electricity for the spark plug. This high-voltage current gets sent to the spark plug and then the … Read more
The MAP sensor, also known as the Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor, is a necessary component of your vehicle’s fuel injection system. If the MAP were to go bad, you will likely know it. As you may know, the intake manifold is responsible for distributing the air and fuel mixture from the internal combustion chamber into … Read more
The mass air flow (MAF) sensor is an important component which the engine control unit depends on. When the flow of air enters the fuel injection system of the engine, the mass air flow sensor will analyze how much air is flowing in there. It will then relay this information back to the engine control … Read more
The internal combustion engine contains a device called the camshaft. The job of the camshaft is to manage the intake of gasoline and the emission of fumes from the exhaust system. There are offset lobes attached to the camshaft which control the exhaust valves and intake valves. A timing belt or chain link the camshaft … Read more
On modern fuel injected engines, there are many sensors that work together to tell the engine or transmission computer the state of the world. The computer needs to know how fast the wheels are turning, how fast the engine is spinning, and make sure that all monitored parameters remain within specifications. A “speed sensor” could … Read more
A bad throttle position sensor is the last thing that you will ever wish to have on your ride. The purpose of a throttle position sensor is to keep your car running like it’s supposed to by controlling the throttle. With the passage of time, the sensor will start to get worn and may eventually … Read more