Automotive Blog SpotMARK GITTELMAN (5,089)     MARK GITTELMAN    certifiedmastertech.com Fix Your ABS LightPosted Sunday, April 20, 2008 (74 days 16 hours ago.) Viewed 310 times. People have grown dependent on their antilock brake system. Before the ABS system came out we were all told in an emergency situation to pump the brake pedal manually to prevent lock up. When your wheels lock up you increase stopping distance as well as having less steering control. With the ABS system performing this function for us all that is now required is to jam the pedal as hard as you can and let the ABS system do its job by pulsing the brakes to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance possible. You never know when your next emergency situation will require a panic stop. This is the main reason that you should fix your ABS light problem as soon as possible. When the ABS system turns on the warning light it will set a code just as in standard check engine light or OBD 2 applications. These codes relate to a specific failure, in part of the computerized antilock braking system. On modern four-wheel antilock brake systems the ABS computer monitors wheel speed through four independent wheel speed sensors and compares that to the vehicles Main speed sensor, which is usually located in the transmission output shaft area, but can also be located on the rear differential. When the computer sees a difference between the actual speed of the vehicle and an independent wheel. It begins to pulse the brake system through a computer-controlled brake modulator. Common causes of ABS lights If you have an ABS scan tool you can retrieve the code from the braking system computer that will point you directly to the malfunction area. My experience with diagnosing this system is that the individual wheel speed sensors are fragile and are easy to damage. When I am diagnosing an ABS system, and I have retrieved a code for a wheel speed sensor failure, many times when examining the wheel speed sensor I find damage caused by road debris, ice and snow or other external forces that have damaged that particular wheel speed sensor or wiring connecting the sensor to the ABS module. The repair or replacement of an individual wheel speed sensor in most cases is very simple. The diagnosis of this system is also very simple if you have an ABS scan tool. Unfortunately, this specialized tool is very expensive. ABS system diagnosis without the tool is very complicated and time-consuming. We all hope that the Government will standardize the ABS diagnostic system just like they did with the check engine light diagnostics. When you attempt your own DIY ABS diagnostics you can examine each wheel sensor and wiring for signs of external damage. If you find a sensor or wiring broken you can replace this and then drive the vehicle to see if the light goes out. If a code has been set by a failure of one-wheel speed sensors, when this sensor is replaced, the computer will automatically identify that the wheel speed sensor is now producing a signal and will extinguish the ABS light on its own. Mark Gittelman is an auto repair expert and an ASE certified master mechanic. Mark supplies more free information about the latest development in affordable diy abs light diagnosis tools on his website. Mark also has a new video showing how you can fix your own car using online auto repair manuals. 
Permalink Comments (0) New York City Alternative Fueled VehiclesPosted Monday, January 21, 2008 (164 days 9 hours ago.) Viewed 49 times. The New York City fleet is one of the largest in the United States. The change that this fleet makes in its purchasing and deployment of alternative fuel vehicles has the ability to make large changes in the future of these types vehicles and the industry as a whole. New York City has replaced many of its gasoline or diesel powered off-road equipment with electric battery vehicles or better known as EV's. Most of these vehicles are used by the Parks Department or where their size and speed of 25 mph max is compatible with the assignment of the vehicle. Electric powered vehicles will also be ideal for airport grounds service work since electric motors have high torque at low speeds and will be excellent for light towing purposes as well. These vehicles are considered alternative fuel, because they require no petroleum at all. These vehicles can be recharged by normal 120 V current and now have quick charging rates. The current electric vehicles used by the Parks Department of New York City are using the proven technology of lead acid batteries to store power, Instead of the cutting-edge nickel metal hybrid batteries. At this point in time, the lead acid batteries are easier to replace and more cost-effective. Compressed natural gas program New York City was a strong advocate for light duty compressed natural gas or CNG vehicles during the 1990s. Recent decisions by the original equipment manufacturers, however, have left the fleet without choices for new or replacement dedicated CNG vehicles. Only the Honda Civic GX is available as a sedan and supports the CNG platform. NYC fleet has been purchasing these vehicles to keep its compressed natural gas program in operation. The Honda Civic GX is a dedicated CNG vehicle, but there are alternatives for CNG hybrid. The Chevrolet Cavalier as well as F150 and E350 trucks are considered compressed natural gas hybrids because they burn regular fuel in conjunction with compressed natural gas. One of the main problems with a CNG vehicle is the refueling process. Specialized pumps that require a lot of maintenance are required to refuel the vehicles. The lack of infrastructure or the availability of refueling stations has continued to stagnate the compressed natural gas programs. The NYC fleet operation has taken a leadership role in the advancement of alternative fueled vehicles very quietly. Although they seek no praise for their contribution they should be commended for their green purchasing programs. Mark is a Certified Master Technician and a member of the society of automobile engineers (SAE). For more insider information visit his hybrid vehicles page.
Permalink Comments (0) PSP Help Is AvailablePosted Sunday, December 23, 2007 (193 days 14 hours ago.) Viewed 51 times. There are some games that can drive you absolutely crazy. There is nothing quite as frustrating as trying to get past a particularly difficult part of the game and constantly fail in your attempts. Thank goodness there are some friendly folks who can give out some PSP help. Game forums are an excellent way to find answers to a technical problem you may be having with your PSP system, or if you are having some game troubles. There are many reasons you might need some help and support with your Sony portable playstation. It may be a specific game your Psp is having trouble playing. Our it could be experiencing extremely slow loading times. It may even be a technical problem with the LCD screen. Whatever the reason, you must know where to go to find the right support to help you with your problem. Let's be honest, most people lose the paperwork that comes with their electronic equipment. So, you have to know where to turn to for help when the need arises. If you are having a technical problem and need PSP help, your first stop needs to be the Sony website. That address is www.ie.playstation.com/help-support/ and it has an entire section devoted to technical issues that may arise with your PSP system. The more specific you can be about the particular problem, the easier it will be to find a support section to help you. Before you begin emailing or calling customer support, do everyone a big favor by taking a look around and then try to troubleshoot the issue yourself. There is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section, as well as manuals to explain the basic operation of the Playstation Portable. If you do not know how to work the game system, it will not do you much good to call customer support. Take the time and read up on how to work your new PSP system before going any farther. If the Sony help pages do not answer the questions you have, then you may need to find additional resources. Here is a page I have created on squidoo that offers free psp help videos. If all else fails you can always call the technical support hotline, but be prepared to have a lengthy phone call. The lines are often backed up and you can find yourself on hold for quite some time. You may also be transferred to different departments. Another option is to google your particular problem. It can be frustrating, but at least you will know where to go the next time you have a question or concern. Mark is a big fan of the new psp slim and light system. See his review page for details about the new car racing games available for this powerful portable gaming platform.
Permalink Comments (0) Sony Psp Playstation Portable SoftwarePosted Sunday, December 16, 2007 (200 days 9 hours ago.) Viewed 42 times. PSP Software Updates and Releases Technology is a growing entity that changes as time goes by. Developers are continuously finding new methods to improve performance and gaming power. Beginning with Atari and continuing to the new Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, the graphics and software have evolved. Unlike Xbox though, Sony has reached into the hand held gaming world. The PSP software was built upon the Playstation Portable game system and has become a viable force within the gaming community. One of the many things that set Sony Playstation Portable above other handheld gaming consoles is the software. Unlike conventional handhelds, such as the Gameboy, the PSP system is capable of updating itself and acquiring new software codes and security measures through its Wi-Fi connection. This connection is the very same as those found in laptops and even cellular phones. Should the Sony Playstation Portable be unable to download the necessary PSP software needed for enhanced gaming and security, the information can be downloaded to a computer. Once it is downloaded the information can then be transferred to the PSP system via an Ethernet connection. So even the lack of Wi-Fi does not slow this gaming machine down in the least. The amount of software updates is nothing compared to the added security and functions brought to the game. Take for example the most recent updates released by Sony. In 2007 alone there have been at least eleven updates that ranged from security measures to adding enhanced customization to the Playstation Portable, original version, and the new PSP Slim & Lite. There is now an enhanced bit-rate for gaming, as well as features to make watching videos much easier. Sony has also taken into consideration the need to make support simpler for their users by issuing a software update in October 2007. Sony has to keep an eye out on its chief competitors Nintendo and Microsoft. So far there is not any news on whether or not a portable Xbox system will be debuted or even developed. Sony is not taking any chances. They want to continuously tweak the PSP software so that the security and gaming features are top of the line. Already the Sony Playstation Portable PSP system can play movies and music but before long it will be able to do so much more. The best part is that you do not have to track the PSP or games down in stores. I own a lot of games for this system. Visit my page for the best car racing games available on the sony portable playstation!
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