Automotive Newsletter

April 2013

Case study: Rattling Dodge Intrepid

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Congratulations go to Mike Cordell, of M C Auto in Salcha, Alaska! Mike (who is known as mcautoak on our forum) posted this case study on the forum, and it is the winner this time round! A credit of £200 is now theirs to spend on Pico Automotive products when buying direct! Read on to see Mike's work...

This vehicle was sent to me from another workshop because they were too busy to get to it, and the lady needed it repaired ASAP. The symptoms were that the engine oil warning lamp would flicker when the engine was first started from cold. After the engine had warmed up the oil lamp stayed illuminated and the engine had a loud rattling noise. The first workshop had replaced the engine oil filter, but not the oil as it appeared clean. Changing the filter had made no difference.

They were kind enough to put the old filter in a bag and sent it to me along with the car. When I cut the filter open I found no sign of metal or any engine wear. I succesfully set about duplicating the symptoms, the engine sounded normal when cold, but as it warmed up it developed a rattle/ knock and the oil light stayed on...

You can read the Dodge Intrepid Case Study and discuss it on our forum.

Why not enter our June competition! To enter navigate to the Case Studies sectionof our forum and tell us about your investigations and stories when using our products. To improve your chances of being chosen, your submission should have a clear explanation of the task, and include photos and PicoScope screen captures.

Don't feel your investigations aren't good enough, put them on the forum... you never know!!

See our forum for dates and full terms and conditions.

Best of the Web

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Here we have a 40 minute video case study on YouTube with ScannerDanner. If you have seen Paul's videos before you will know their value, and that it is worth taking the time to watch them.

In this video Paul has a 2001 Honda Civic with a 1.7 litre engine. The car starts, runs for a brief moment and then stalls. Even with carb cleaner sprayed into the intake and the throttle applied, it makes no difference and still stalls very quickly. After several checks (including fueling, spark, fuel rail pressure, plugged exhaust, compression and injection pulse), Paul digs out the PicoScope and WPS500 pressure transducer.

View the Honda Civic 1.7 (start, run, stall case study) video on YouTube.

Forthcoming exhibitions and events

Mechanex: A 'hands on' event featuring the very best in tools, equipment, diagnostics and the latest products from many leading parts manufacturers.

If you’ve got time to pre-register for the show, there will be a free bacon roll and a free ‘Professional Motor Mechanic’ T-shirt ready for you to pick up on the day. Pico Technology will be attending the show, so why not come and see what we have to offer?

Please pre-register for the show directly on the Mechanex website.

21st - 22nd May 2013 Mechanex 
Event City, Manchester, England

Autopromotec Bologna: Autopromotec is the most specialised international trade fair for automotive equipment and aftermarket products, taking place in Bologna from May 22 to 26, 2013. In 2011 Autopromotec received over 103,000 trade professionals and over 1400 exhibitors. Forecasts predict an exceptional 35% increase in foreign exhibitors for the 2013 show. It is more than likely that the record numbers of international visitors in attendance at the last show will be beaten. In 2013 the show will cover equipment and materials for car repair workshops, vehicle body repair shops, vehicle electricians, tyre retailers, car dealers, service stations, car washes and specialized centers for the repair of means of transport.

Pico Technology will be attending the show, along with PCB, so why not come and see what we have to offer?

22nd - 26th May 2013 Autopromotec Bologna 
Bologna, Italy

Auto Testing Expo: The World’s Leading Testing, Validation, Simulation, Modelling and Quality Engineering Expo. Automotive Testing Expo is the global exhibition for every aspect of vehicle, motorcycle and components testing, validation, reliability assessment, quality evaluation and related data capture and analysis. It is the only event of its type taking place globally, and the essential environment for every vehicle and motorcycle test and validation system. The latest technologies and new iterations of existing technologies will be on show in Stuttgart. This is the essential place to visit if you are involved in any area of vehicle, motorcycle and components testing, evaluation, quality engineering and validation.

4th - 6th June 2013 Auto Testing Expo 
Messe Stuttgart, Germany

Automechanika Dubai: With more than 1,324 exhibitors and over 20,700 trade visitors, Automechanika Dubai is geared up to supply intermediate markets. A trading link to markets difficult to reach, this trade fair is a good platform to find out more about new products, find new suppliers and compare product alternatives. Covering product groups such as Parts and Systems, Accessories and Tuning, Repair and Maintenance, Tyres and Batteries, and Service and Car Washing.

11th - 13th June 2013 Automechanika Dubai 
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Training courses

If you own, or are thinking of buying, a PicoScope Automotive Diagnostics Kit, you mustn't miss the Professional Diagnostics Ltd engine management diagnostics course. This two-day officialPico Technology course introduces the basic working principles of engine management systems, component testing and system diagnostics using oscilloscopes. The course is split between class-based theory sessions, and practical demonstrations in a workshop using the PicoScope Automotive Diagnostics Kit. The two day course includes everything you need to get the best from an oscilloscope. The course runs several times a year around the UK, and the following dates are currently available:

PicoScope Diagnostics Course (Hosted by Delphi) 
30th April/1st May 2013 
Warwickshire, England

PicoScope Diagnostics Course (Hosted by ALS) 
2nd/3rd May 2013 
Exeter, England

PicoScope Diagnostics Course (Weekend) 
18th/19th May 2013 
Bedford, England

Places are limited, so please contact Professional Diagnostics Ltd via their contact form, or by calling07881 555385. You can also reserve and pay online. Alternatively visit www.prodiag.co.uk for more information. A certificate of completion from Pico Technology Ltd will be presented to qualifying delegates. This course runs for two days, from 9am to 5pm with an hour for lunch (lunch is included in the booking fee).

Autonerdz, a Pico distributor based in North America, delivers PicoScope Oscilloscope Training both at its headquarters located in Olympia WA, and online. The following date is currently available:

PicoScope Hands-On Class 
10th May, 2013 
4715 Fir Tree Rd SE, Olympia, WA USA 98501 (Autonerdz Training Center)

For further information, or to register early call Autonerdz on 877-628-4899 (Toll Free USA and Canada) or via email.

Events

Please visit Pico Exhibitions for the latest list of exhibitions and trade shows that Pico and its representatives will be attending.

We're hiring!

Thanks to our continuing success and growth Pico are always seeking talented people to join our company.

Please visit http://pico.jobs/ to see our current vacancies. We look forward to hearing from you!

Software releases

Our latest software releases are available as free downloads. To check which release you are using, start the software and select Help > About.

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Contact details

UK HQ:
Pico Technology, James House, Colmworth Business Park, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 8YP, England
Tel.: 01480 396395 (+44 1480 396395)
Fax: 01480 396296 (+44 1480 396296)

Pico Technology North America Inc.
320 N Glenwood Blvd.
Tyler
TX 75702
United States
Tel:+1 800 591 2796 (Toll Free)

Email: sales@picotech.com
Web: www.picotech.com
Web technical support: www.picotech.com/tech-support/
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