When the engine is running but the vehicle is not moving, this means the engine is idling. During this time, the number of revolutions per minute (RPM) inside the engine will change. The idle air control valve is responsible for managing the engine idle speed. The valve is a major management component of the engine … Read more
An oil control valve (also referred to as a VVT solenoid) is an important component of a vehicle with a variable valve timing (VVT) system. The existence of the system aims to control the performance of the engine utilizing two methods to retard and advance camshaft angle. If your oil control valve goes bad, you’ll … Read more
The fuel rail pressure sensor is responsible for analyzing the pressure of the fuel that is inside the rail of the fuel pump assembly. This sensor is an electronic device which calculates the fuel pressure and then sends this information to the PCM (powertrain control module). The PCM is the main computer of a vehicle. … Read more
The alternator serves a very important purpose in your vehicle. It is responsible for generating the proper amount of electricity for powering the vehicle’s electrical components and battery. The alternator is able to generate this power by converting the vehicle’s mechanical energy into electrical energy. If you have a bad alternator, then all your vehicle’s … Read more
The ECU is the engine control unit of your vehicle. It is also often referred to as the PCM (powertrain control module) or ECM (engine control module). This electronic module is a built-in computer which your vehicle depends on for managing a variety of its systems and functions. Think of it as the vehicle’s brain. … Read more
It can be a terrible feeling when you have trouble starting your engine. When it’s cold outside, the feeling is even worse although the situation is more likely during winter. You might have a dozen ideas running through your head about why your engine is so difficult to start. Perhaps you worry that your engine … Read more
The idle air control valve manages the amount of air which flows into your engine. This, in turn, allows the valve to manage the idle speed of the engine. Of course, the engine control module communicates with the idle air control valve. It is what tells the valve when to open or close, resulting in … Read more
Modern vehicles have so many electrical devices built into them. The alternator is what keeps these devices powered while the vehicle is in operation. But it is the battery that supplies power to the starter motor which gets the vehicle running in the first place. The battery also manages the electrical devices after you turn … Read more
Anyone who drives a vehicle with a gasoline engine should understand the importance of spark plugs. These are the parts which create the spark that ignites the air and fuel mixture in the internal combustion chamber of the engine. What some may not realize is that spark plugs don’t last forever. Each time a spark … Read more
How often do you clean your fuel injectors? Most car owners do not even consider cleaning their injectors because they never think about the possibility of them getting clogged. However, they will get clogged eventually after you have used your vehicle for more than a few years. You will know when the fuel injectors are … Read more