Shop Connection Blog

When you ride a horse, your "throttle control" is pretty simple either using the reins or your heels. Throttle control on vehicles used to be simple as well, a cable or linkage attached to the foot pedal on one end and the carburetor or throttle body on the other. But now we have throttle controls that are electronic and not physically connected to the engine. This can make it more complicated to diagnose a throttle control issue. Follow this Real Fix to see how a code P1516 on a Chevrolet Silverado was diagnosed and the problem corrected.
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As summer warms up, the increased temperatures place greater demands on truck cooling systems. Cooling systems, along with other powertrain systems, continue to grow more complex. While powertrain systems are amazingly robust, the increased complexity means it is more critical than ever to properly maintain these systems to avoid breakdowns and the accompanying downtime and expense. Here are some tips on how Mitchell 1 TruckSeries can help you keep cool this summer.
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When your shop receives a positive or even negative comment you might be anxious at first. “What should I say?”  There are only so many ways you can say ‘Thank You’ or ‘Sorry you feel that way’. Do I say the same thing every time?  Can I just copy/paste a message?  How long should my responses be if I do respond?  Fear not, as Mitchell 1 and the SocialCRM is here to help you with a detailed explanation on strategies you can use when you come across those reviews here.
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Electrical issues be a challenge at times, even on a relatively simple system. When you introduce control modules into the mix it can get even more complicated. SureTrack community member tchrono had a Nissan Frontier pickup in the shop with power windows that didn't work. After testing on their own they were stumped. They posed the question to the community, and with the help of fellow community member DAG1365 and others, they were able to resolve the issue quickly.
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Mitchell 1 provides TSB information to Auto Service Professional, an online edition of Auto Service Professional magazine, which fulfills a critical role in the automotive aftermarket by providing technical information to independent repair facilities and new car dealer service departments. We’re sharing this content in our blog, with a link to the Auto Service Professional website where you can read the article in full. Enjoy!
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In the "good ole days", the gas pedal was physically connected to the carburetor or throttle body. Now most vehicles connect the throttle pedal through the wiring and throttle control issues can require a lot of testing. Follow this Real Fix to see how codes P2110 and P2118 on a 2016 Jeep Patriot were diagnosed to find the components causing the issue.
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When you have a gas gauge that doesn't work and your testing leads you to an obvious cause and that doesn't actually fix it, what do you do? You contact your fellow techs through the SureTrack Community for help. SureTrack community member bmaples had a Ford F150 pickup in the shop where testing showed the fuel sender to be defective but that didn't fix the gauge reading empty. They posed the question to the community, and with the help of fellow community member DAG1365 and others, they were able to resolve the issue quickly.
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