Starter/Alternator Tech Forum

Request a New Group

Group Profile

  • Created: 2 years ago
  • Tags:

Latest Activity

Latest Members

    • tuckerthemother

    • carguy

    • SAVAS

    • skutss

    • johnmac1952

    • FairwayCommunications

    • mostwnted

    • Fluxbiz

    • Difflocker

    • CarGirl

    • AAGEditor

    • AutoBizGuru

    • auto

more videos add a video

Latest Videos

    • Auto Market Weekly: March 12, 2010

    • This week, ASA launches its online Marketplace, Michelin and TIA scholarship deadlines are approaching, SearchAutoParts.com is looking for technician stories and collision repair management is taking on a new form.

    • New competition strategies

    • A reduction in new car sales has spurred new opportunities for repair shops to stay compeitive with dealerships for service, says Bobby Likis, shop owner in Pensacola Fla., and host of the syndicated radio program "Bobby Likis Car Clinic."

    • Auto Market Weekly: March 5, 2010

    • This week, economic factors are forcing the industry to redefine the sweet spot, 3M releases a new booth protection system, Pennzoil debuts a new motor oil and Autolite sponsors an in-depth technician training program.

    • Richard Childress talks strategy

    • Richard Childress, owner of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick, told reporters, including Motor Age's Tschanen Brandyberry, that his three NASCAR Sprint Cup teams would run on Pennzoil Ultra in the 2010 season. Childress also talks about the importance of fuel economy in today's NASCAR races Pennzoil's new oil, Pennzoil Ultra, reportedly cleans out up to 35 percent more engine oil than its Pennzoil Platinum, and exceeds manufacturers standards for cleanliness and protection, according to Robert Sutherland, Pennzoil technology manager. Motor Age was in attendance when the oil was unveiled, in addition to plans to partner with Ferrari for factory fill on today's new models. Check out a full story on Pennzoil Ultra, which hit shelves March 1.

    • Gas price impacts

    • Bobby Likis, shop owner in Pensacola, Fla., and host of the syndicated radio program "Bobby Likis Car Clinic," discusses the sweet spot and the impact gas prices have had.

    • Auto Market Weekly: Feb. 26, 2010

    • This week, two major insurance giants are cutting use of aftermarket parts in their estimates, industry insiders discuss the growth of the sweet spot, a Nebraska shop owner comes away a big winner and how texting can provide more information.

    • Change boosts aftermarket

    • Bobby Likis, shop owner in Pensacola, Fla., and known by many as the host of the syndicated radio program "Bobby Likis Car Clinic," discusses how the sweet spot definition is changing for the betterment of the aftermarket.

    • Proper torque techniques

    • Steve Cartwright, curriculum manager for chassis at Federal-Mogul, takes classes at the Federal-Mogul Technical Education Center in St. Louis through more than hands-on work in the bays. He also teaches the theory behind automotive repair, specifically on undercar and chassis work. Cartwright talks to his classes about the importance of using a torque wrench instead of an impact wrench, as illustrated in this video with Motor Age’s Tschanen Brandyberry. Brandyberry talked with Cartwright during a recent class for six winners of the O’Reilly Auto Parts All Stars competition.Cartwright says they are seeing a lot of changes from using ductal iron to aluminum on materials used for knuckles on today’s vehicles. Because technicians are not trying to attach steel components to the aluminum pieces, over-torqueing is a concern.Cartwright explains how using too much torque with an impact wrench can split material in the knuckles, and also dives into torque angle method.

    • Hands-free tire changing

    • ORLANDO – Don Healy, Snap-on technical training specialist, demonstrates the Quadriga ATC 1000, an automatic tire changer, on the floor of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention in Orlando. The Quadriga automatically measures tire diameter, uses imaging technology to precisely profile the wheel, automatically positions the tire for hydraulically-driven dual bead braking and uses precise motor controls to remove the tire from the wheel. John Bean has designated the changer to “Do No Harm” to the tires or wheels. “You don’t want to take a chance of damaging them,” Healy says of high-priced wheel and tire packages today. “As the tire and wheel industry has evolved, so has the equipment.” The fully-automatic systems operates with two levers, or technicians can control more of the operation with multiple other levers. Other features include intelligent wheel lift, a center-post hydraulic clamp, SmartVision™ Wheel and Tire Profiling and no-contact upper and lower bead breaker discs. Match-Mounting also uses laser imaging technology to determine the optimal match for each tire and wheel assembly, bringing up the information on the system’s computer screen. Check out more news from the 2010 NADA Convention: Zurich tells NADA Convention attendees how to handle recalls CP Handheld, AutoNation announce agreement at NADA Convention Dealer profits made in service centers though new car sales could near 12 million Rotary Lift debuts state-of-the-art lift at NADA Convention Shure recycling Infomedia pushes new products into collision market

    • A big (truck) winner

    • ST. LOUIS – This tailgate party had a little something extra in it for one Omaha, Neb., shop owner. Dan Lee, owner of Guaranteed Brakes, won a new Ford F150 Crew Cab in O’Reilly Auto Parts All Stars competition. Lee, who has owned the three-bay shop with three technicians for 25 years, says he never has won anything like this truck before. Mike Proud, director of marketing, North America, for Federal-Mogul, was on hand to help emcee the O’Reilly event. Winners took turns pulling keys from a box to try their luck at opening the Ford’s door and starting it. Lee was the last winner to pull a key and have a try at it. The contest, which ran from Nov. 1 through Dec. 18, 2009, offered O’Reilly and Parts City customers the chance to win the truck and other prizes by purchasing select Fel-Pro, MOOG, Wagner, National and Precision parts. Six winners attended two and a half days of undercar training at the Federal-Mogul Technical Education Center in St. Louis before the big giveaway and tailgate party. The remaining five runners-up each received a flat-, big-screen TV.Runners up were: Shane Robinson, Moore & Robinson Inc., Little Rock, Ark.; Ken Kirklen, Chattangooga Alignment, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Mike Baldwin, Lake Charles Alignment, Lake Charles, La.; Randy Conway, Conway’s Car Care, Rockwood, Mich.; and Ron Gibbs, Gibbs Automotive, Fresno, Calif.

    • Canada and service information standards (Part 2)

    • Rene Young of the National Automotive Trades Association (NATA) in Canada gave a presentation on the newly-signed Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS). Young spoke to an audience of service profesionals at NASTF's fall meeting in Las Vegas.

    • Canada and service information standards (Part 1)

    • Rene Young of the National Automotive Trades Association (NATA) in Canada gave a presentation on the newly-signed Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS) during the 2009 NASTF meeting in Las Vegas.

    • Handschuh on the Aftermarket (Part 5)

    • Steve Handschuh of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association talks about the state of the aftermarket heading into 2010 during the recent NASTF meeting at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Check back regularly at SearchAutoparts.com for more from Handschuh, and other presenters at the NASTF meeting.

    • Handschuh on the Aftermarket (Part 4)

    • Steve Handschuh of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association talks about the state of the aftermarket heading into 2010 during the recent NASTF meeting at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Check back regularly at SearchAutoparts.com for more from Handschuh, and other presenters at the NASTF meeting.

    • Handschuh on the Aftermarket (Part 3)

    • Steve Handschuh of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association talks about the state of the aftermarket heading into 2010 during the recent NASTF meeting at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Check back regularly at SearchAutoparts.com for more from Handschuh, and other presenters at the NASTF meeting.

    • Serious About the Aftermarket? - GAAS 2010

    • In this video, Richard Roy of Uni-Select and Mark Finestone of AutoZone explain that anyone who is serious about the automotive aftermarket should attend the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS).GAAS 2010  will be held Tuesday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 19 at the Hyatt Regency OHare (near Chicago) and will focus on the theme "Aftermarket Next: Insights on a New Generation of Customers & Employees." In this video, Scott Webb of Pep Boys and Camilla Denison of Champion Laboratories discuss how GAAS provides their companies with a research and information about the future of the automotive aftermarket. For more information, visit www.globalsymposium.org.

    • Auto Market Weekly: Feb. 12, 2010

    • This week, collision repairers crack down on parts safety, Mitchell 1 is helping out do-it-yourselfers, Liquid Wrench kicks off a new texting program and Automotive Solutions introduces a new vehicle inspection program.

    • Auto Market Weekly: Feb. 5, 2010

    • This week, private and traditional brake labels face off, repairers are warned about unsafe parts, the Car Care Council is revving up for April's Car Care Month and ASA has named the NACE and CARS chairmen.

    • Auto Market Weekly: Jan 29, 2010

    • This week, Uni-Select announces its separation from the Automotive Distribution Network, the MACS Convention discusses new technologies and refrigerants, ASA names the top automotive repair sites and I-CAR gets almost $2 million from the industry for education.

    • Auto Market Weekly: Jan. 22, 2010

    • This week, the new digital format for Aftermarket Business introduces its new digital edition, Automotive Video, Inc., is hosting its annual conference, the Top 40 Auto Chain Report is released and the Tire Industry Council creates a new environmental board.

    • Eye on the Future - Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) 2010

    • The 2010 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) will be held Tuesday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 19 at the Hyatt Regency OHare (near Chicago) and will focus on the theme "Aftermarket Next: Insights on a New Generation of Customers & Employees." In this video, Scott Webb of Pep Boys and Camilla Denison of Champion Laboratories discuss how GAAS provides their companies with a research and information about the future of the automotive aftermarket.For more information, visit www.globalsymposium.org.
more photos add a photo

Latest Photos

    • Matrix Patriot bike

    • Dubbed the Patriot, this bike is painted with Matrix FX Custom Colors, and was designed by Adam Canni of Canni Auto in Jacksonville, Fla. It was featured in the Matrix booth at CARS in Las Vegas.

    • Dura-Block race series vehicle

    • Part of the Atlantic Champion race series, the vehicle boasts a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and is powered by Mazda. With a top speed of 190 mph, it weighs in at 1,240 lbs. and has a chassis built by Swift Engine. It was featured in the Dura-Block booth at CARS in Las Vegas.

    • Lights Out guide

    • Redline Detection releases is "Lights Out" service light reset solutions guide for Mercedes Benz.

    • OEM motor oil challenges

    • A panel presents "Motor Oil: How Automotive Technology Changes Impact Motor Oil Technology & Service Requirements." Presenters were: Jeff Jones, Automotive Marketing Advisor, Americas at ExxonMobil; Tom Olszewski, North American Passenger Vehicle Lubricants, Global Products Technical Advisor at ExxonMobil; Don Smolenski, General Motors Research and Development Technical Fellow, Fuels, Lubricants and Emissions at General Motors; and Eric Johnson, General Motors Powertrain, Fuels and Lubricants group.

    • Answering phone questions

    • George Witt talks about the best ways to answer teh constantly ringing phones at shops during CARS training classes Wednesday afternoon. Witt presented "Service Advisor Tips & Strategies" to CARS attendees.

    • Evap emissions

    • John Forro talks about sensors in his presentation "Evaporative Emissions" during CARS Wednesday morning sessions.

    • Diesel dynamics

    • Tony Salas tells CARS attendees about coming technologies they could be facing in the coming years, as well as regulations. Salas presented "Dodge Cummins Diesel Operations & Diagnostics" during Wednesday morning classes at CARS.

    • Figuring out financials

    • Charlie Fewell talks through balance sheets, profit loss statements and other financial matters with CARS attendees during Wednesday's morning classes. Fewell explained business finances in his presentaiton "Financial Management for the Service Center."

    • A rich racing history

    • Richard Petty talks with members of a WIX Filters-sponsored luncheon about his WIX story, one of many shared at AAPEX 2009.

    • The next plan

    • WIX Filters' Jeff Blocher discusses the company's campaign to fight cancer. In 2009 alone WIX has released almost 360 new part numbers and a national "Filter Out Cancer" campaign. With a tagline, "The first filter we've created that works best when it's not on a vehicle," all proceeds from the campaign are donated to the American Cancer Society.

    • Moving onto the Internet

    • Mike Guggenheimer, vice president of marketing, says the company is boasting a new Web site, www.liquidwrench.com, that features new search functions and more specific application videos that are tailored to technicians’ needs. By implementing these new functions as well as a new texting feature, Liquid Wrench is hoping to reach more end users with more specific content.

    • University of the Aftermarket donation

    • When Brian Cruickshank discussed the upcoming launch of the University of the Aftermarket Webinar series, the director of the University of the Aftermarket, was met with pleasant response from the aftermarket. Remy Power Products donated $10,000 to the program at the school, which recognized the act during a ceremony at AAPEX. Cruickshank presented a certificate to Remy President Jay Sanchez, saying that the donation will be used to fund the Webinar program. Northwood University President Keith Pretty also acknowledged the donation. “WE can’t do these things without the support of the industry,” he says. “And that’s what the aftermarket is all about, and that’s what the University of the Aftermarket is all about.” Sanchez says he will display the certificate for employees to see and know that they made the donation possible. Pictured during the certificate presentation are (from left) Pretty, Cruickshank, Sanchez and Remy’s Jack Vollbrecht.

    • Ordonez on Delphi's future

    • Frank Ordonez addressed the attendees of the AAPEX 2009 show, discussing the changes Delphi has made since emerging from Chapter 11 after four  years.

    • Using the aftermarket matrix

    • Leandro Solorzano, an international trade specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce, reviews information on Mexico as a potential country with which to do business during AAPEX. He was part of a presentation from Natasha Keylard, global automotive team leader for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Keylard and her panel of specialists discussed how to identify markets for your products and available tools from the Department of Commerce during “Business Opportunities in Promising Export Markets: U.S. Department of Commerce.” One of the tools from the department is the Automotive Resource Guide, available for free on its Web site. The guide includes an automotive matrix in which you rate countries based on your needs to determine where it is best for your company to do business.

    • Looking at the global aftermarket

    • Uwe Biastoch of R.L. Polk & Co. says there are a number of aspects to the European aftermarket of which industry members in the United States should take note. First, aftermarket sales have been and remain the most profitable area, while the number of VIO sales are increasing. Also, similar to the United States, the average yearly driving distance is decreasing and service intervals are increasing. While service intervals in Europe were 15,000 KM in 2000, they will be around 25,000 in 2012, according to Biastoch. He delivered this and other information on the economic outlook of the United States, Europe and Asia in “The New Global Automotive Aftermarket — What will the Recovery in Global Volumes Mean to You” during AAPEX. It also featured expectation on how the global aftermarket may emerge.

    • Watch the warning labels

    • Rob Pohl, national account training manager with the CARQUEST Training Institute, goes over hybrid warning labels with his class during the WORLDPAC supplier and training expo. He explained a variety of hybrid services, including lubrication issues, brake systems, smark keys and safety during a course at the first WORLDPAC Supplier & Training Expo. Check out more information on WORLDPAC expo throughout SearchAutoParts.com.  

    • Explaining NASTF

    • Charlie Gorman, chairman of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), explains the way NASTF works with independent shops trying to get information from the OEMs. Gorman's presentation resonated with attendees of the first WORLDPAC Supplier & Training Expo in Orlando. Check out more information on WORLDPAC expo throughout SearchAutoParts.com.  

    • Increasing gross profit

    • Kelly Bennett talks to WORLDPAC Supplier Training & Expo attendees about increasing gross profit. Gross profit on labor needs to be 75 percent, while on parts, gross profit needs to be 50 percent, Bennett says. Check out more on Bennett's presentation and more of WORLDPAC's expo.  

    • Sharing stories

    • Bruce Anderson kicked off the second day of WORLDPAC’s supplier and training expo by sharing his experiences with Porsche racing teams. Anderson has raced, shown and worked on Porsche 911s since 1966. He highlighted races through the decades, including the 1988 Carrera Panamericana, Pikes Peak events through the 1970s and early ’80s, Daytona, Sebring and others. He shared photos, insights and information, like in the early 1970s, Porsche dealers were taxed $100 per car sold to fund racing teams. Check out more WORLDPAC expo coverage from the three-day event.  

    • Xentry info

    • Ian Lebby discusses Mercedes Xentry with attendees of WORLDPAC’s first supplier and training expo. The expo featured dozens of classes on topics covering a number of import makes and models. Lebby’s class focused not only on Xentry tips, but also SCN coding, CAN basics and networking management, SDscan introduction, theft-relevant parts info and models covered. Check out more of our WORLDPAC expo coverage throughout the community and on our Web site.  

    • Discussions of motor oil

    • WORLDPAC kicked off its first supplier and training expo with a motor oil panel discussion. Panelists were (from left) Steve Matsumura, Nippon Oil/ENEOS; Cameron Evans, Red line Synthetic Oil; Dave Wolman, Motul USA; Abe Garweg, CRP/Pentosin; and Gary Boyd, Liqui-Moly USA. The panel discussed what goes into making sure motor oil meets today's OE standards as well as what it takes to be factory approved as a motor oil company. Check out more of our WORLDPAC Supplier and Training Expo coverage.

Latest Sets

Comments




  • Hello world. This is a new group I've created as the future place to get technical advise on problems diagnosing and installing starters & alternators. The technical support hotline of Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) is staffed by ASE technicians with access to a wealth of vehicle specific information. We plan to have them monitor posts to this group to provide answers to questions you might have. Please post your question and be sure to include the application (year, make, model).
    Fluxbiz, 2 years ago| Flag
  • Years ago at Mazda school in Jacksonville we were told of an RX7 (early '80s) that kept eating rear axle bearings. The rear axle assembly was replaced. The bearings in the new unit went too. The car was bought back and given to the training center, where the instructor found a bad battery-to-engine block cable connection. The starter current would run down the driveshaft, into the differential, out to the axle bearings, where it would arc on the bearing rollers and find its way into the rear axle housing, then follow the park brake cables back through the body to the engine. Those little arcs were masked by wear on the bearings. The ground cable connection at the block had been left loose when the car was built. On a simliar note, not long before I left the Ford dealership, a 2000 Mustang GT came in on the hook for a no-crank concern with almost no miles on it. I had a trainee working with me that was all a-twitter because it was a Mustang GT and so I allowed him to check it. He found good power at the starter but the starter wouldn't operate. So he replaced the starter and it was a really big job. Nothing changed. It still wouldn't crank. A test light connected to the negative battery cable would light up when the ignition switch was turned to start - bad negative connection at the block, but the ground cable bolt looked clean and was very tight. It turns out that the ground cable bolt was anodized with something that was non-conductive and there was enough paint on the block that the connection just wasn't there. Two years later another Mustang GT came in. The same kid drew the repair order. The same exact thing happened. He replaced the starter and found that he had a bad ground cable connection... The word "duh" comes to mind...
    Junius, 2 years ago| Flag
  • I look forward to reading the content and commenting from this group.
    auto, 2 years ago| Flag

Latest Video

You need Adobe Flash Player 9 to view this widget.

Get Adobe Flash player

more audio tracks add an audio track

Most Recent Audio Tracks

more groups

Other Groups

Inappropriate Flag

Flagging notifies the AutoPro Workshop webmaster of inappropriate content. Please flag any media that violates the Terms of Service.

If you believe this content violates the Terms of Service, please write a short description why. Thank you.

Inappropriate Comment Flag

Flagging notifies the AutoPro Workshop webmaster of inappropriate content. Please flag any comment that violates the Terms of Service.

If you believe this content violates the Terms of Service, please write a short description why. Thank you.

Terms of Service

Login
Username or Email Address:
Password:
   

Join Now

Join the AutoPro Workshop community for the full, feature-rich experience. As a member, you'll be able to share your media and thoughts with other AutoPro Workshop users. It's free and easy. Join now.