Mastering the Multimeter
Electrical testing and diagnostics on today’s cars require a much greater level of precision than in the past. A modern digital multimeter (DMM), also known as a digital volt-ohm meter (DVOM), is a...
View ArticleMAF and MAP Sensors
While it might not sound like it to the untrained ear, the orchestration of components to achieve the ideal combustion cycle is nothing short of a symphony. For fuel-injected engines, two important...
View ArticleCheck the Part: Return Guide for Fluid Reservoirs
It’s been estimated that fraudulent warranty claims cost auto parts stores $600 million every year. Those costs stem from a number of expenses that are set in motion by a return, including manually...
View ArticleUnderstanding the Customer Lifecycle
Customers are the core of our business, and communicating with them effectively is critical to our success. While each customer (and transaction) presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges,...
View ArticleWhen Springs Break
A “road earring” is a term that can be used to describe a single coil found on the side of the road. These bits of broken spring have become more common in recent years. A spring on a vehicle is an...
View ArticleThe Evolution of Automotive Fuel Systems
The fuel system, as a whole, is responsible for delivering fuel from the tank to the engine, then metering it into the combustion chamber. It consists of the tank, the lines, the pump and the metering...
View ArticleAll Aboard the CAN Bus
One of the more difficult things about any technology is all the new terms you seem to get hit with, and in the automotive world, CAN bus was one of those terms. The second half, “bus,” was a term we...
View ArticleWhy Do Spark Plugs Get Dirty?
Spark plugs are the “canary in the coal mine” of the combustion chamber. The electrodes and porcelain can reveal short- and long-term problems if you know where to look. Most OE spark plugs have a...
View ArticleAssault on Batteries
This winter, extreme weather patterns have been disrupting daily routines nationwide. Flooding, snowfall and subzero temperatures all have taken a toll on our roadways and vehicles, leaving many...
View ArticleSolenoids: Energizing Motion
In the automotive context, a solenoid converts electrical energy into mechanical work. It’s important to clarify this because from a scientific standpoint, a solenoid is defined as a type of...
View ArticleGetting to Know Driveshaft Couplers
The driveshaft coupler might be one of the most overlooked undercar components. It’s known by many other names, such as driveshaft coupling, flexible driveline coupling, driveshaft coupler flex joint...
View ArticleReturn of the Rotary Engine
It seems like everything old is new again. TV and movie producers love to “reboot” our favorite classics, musicians regularly cover or sample from songs we all know (and sometimes loved). Fashions...
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How Much Do Gas Prices Affect the Automotive Aftermarket?
In our November issue of AMN/Counterman, we took an in-depth look at the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the average vehicle age, highlighting their significant roles in shaping the automotive...
View ArticleWhen Water Pumps Go Bad
The water pump is a vehicle component that needs no introduction. For most vehicle owners, however, they don’t think about it until something goes wrong. As the only moving part of the cooling system,...
View ArticleSelling the Complete Brake Job
Ask anyone what a “complete” brake job is and you’re likely to get a variety of answers. In the context of professional automotive repair, I define complete as meaning correctly done. Why? Because the...
View ArticleCheck the Part: Return Guide for CV-Joint Kit
It’s been estimated that fraudulent warranty claims cost auto parts stores $600 million every year. Those costs stem from a number of expenses that are set in motion by a return, including manually...
View ArticleGaskets vs. Seals
Terminology is one of the hurdles we face day in and day out in the automotive industry. It varies between automakers, parts suppliers, technicians and consumers. Gaskets and seals are some of those...
View ArticleWhy Does Engine Coolant Need Replacement?
On modern vehicles, overheating is a rare occurrence thanks to high-quality hoses, thermostats and better engine management. Unfortunately, the weak point is still the coolant. Whether it’s a...
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ASE Education Foundation Seeking Outstanding Instructor
Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Byrl Shoemaker/ASE Education Foundation Instructor of the Year. The award recognizes a high school or college instructor from an ASE accredited...
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Read the April Digital Edition of Counterman
The digital edition of Counterman’s April 2024 issue, part of AMN/Counterman magazine, is available for viewing on the Counterman website. The April issue features tech articles on rotating electrical...
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