Automotive Newsletter

February 2013

Case study: Mercury Sable V6

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This month we feature a Case Study from Merrick (also a Pico forum member).

Merrick had a Mercury Sable 3.8 V6 which had a problem with surging. The list of possible causes was long, but with the benefit of experience, backed up by the PicoScope, Merrick was able to pinpoint the problem....

You can read the Mercury Case Study online and discuss it on our forum.

Sadly there is no winner of the competition this month. Although there were cases where PicoScope was used to diagnose some tricky problems, there were no entries that met the case study criteria and that we could successfully collaborate with in time for publicationn. Why not enter our April competition! To enter navigate to theCase Studies section of 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

Here we have a video case study on YouTube with Autonerdz. In this video Autonerdz show how to test transmission line pressure easily with the PicoScope and the WPS500 pressure transducer.

View the Transmission line pressure test video on YouTube.

Here we have an online magazine article that features the use of a PicoScope. PMM feature a poor running VW Golf 1.9 TDI that is in need of some attention.

[Destination link no longer valid - removed]

Here we have an online Aftermarket article that features Frank Massey, and a Peugeot 306 GTI.

View the article on the Aftermarket online website.

Forthcoming exhibitions and events

Automotive Training Expo: Autonerdz will be representing Pico Technology at the largest Automotive Training and Expo event on the West Coast of the US. The event itself features up-to-date training, keynote speakers, exhibitors and 'hands on' demonstrations, including all the very best in tools, equipment, diagnostics and the latest products from many leading manufacturers. Tom will be at the show all weekend, so why not make a special visit to see him at booth #51.

1st - 3rd March 2013 Automotive Training Expo 
The Doubletree Hotel in Seatac, WA, USA

VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo

Celebrating its 21st year, this premier training and expo event will be held March 7-10, 2013, at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas City. VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo offers 60,000 square feet of exhibits and will feature the latest in automotive service tools, equipment and services for the automotive industry. VISION's reach extends beyond ASA members to offer management and technical training to all automotive service professionals. More than 1,400 automotive service professionals from 34 states and from Australia and Canada received over 14,000 hours of training during the 2012 event.

The upcoming 2013 VISION — themed 'PowerUp '13' — includes 20 shop management and 65 technical/educator-focused sessions. Pico Technology will be attending the show, so why not come and see us at booth 406!!

Matt Fanslow will be running two classes at the show:

Intro to PicoScope - Saturday, March 09 @ 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (T38-D)

Today's vehicle electronics are more complex than ever making waveform analysis a required task for diagnostic techs. In this class, attendees will learn how to manipulate the PicoScope hardware and software to optimize waveform analysis and discover methods for saving PicoScope patterns for easy retrieval and comparison. Using a combination of presentations, along with the built-in PicoScope 6 demo/simulation software, this class will greatly improve your confidence in repairing vehicles. Attendees are asked to bring their laptops, if they can. No Scope modules will be required. This course is recommended to those who already own a PicoScope, or are curious about the system.

Mastering the Digital Storage Oscilloscope (Hands-on/Live car) - Friday, March 08 @ 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (T9-B)

Providing a virtual window into the world of an electronic circuit, the digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) is an indispensable diagnostic tool. When used correctly, a DSO can save you time and make you money. Unfortunately, many scopes function as dust collectors and paper weights. Bring your scope and join Matt as he covers key scope functions in a concise presentation, followed by you putting what was discussed into practice through several team-based exercises. Matt will make you confident and proficient no matter what brand of scope you use. Topics covered include: voltage settings, timebase/sweep settings, AC and DC coupling, scope zoom functions, understanding X and Y axis, triggering and slope settings, buffer utilization, glitch capture setups, signal relationships, waveform saving and retrieval and more! Seating is limited to 36. Attendees are required to bring their scopes to class.

Please pre-register for the show itself directly on the VISION website.

7th - 10th March 2013 VISION 
OPCC, Overland Park, KS 66211 (Kansas City), USA

Motortech Madrid: Iberia´s Leading Trade Fair for Automotive Parts, Equipment and Service Suppliers. Exhibitors are covering Parts and Systems, Accessories and Tuning, Repair and Maintenance, IT and Management, and Service Station and Car Wash products. In 2011, 40,000 professional participants from 41 countries attended the show where over 450 exhibitor stands were on display, and over 140 demonstrations took place.

MIAC our distributor in Spain will be attending the show. Why not see what they have to offer? MIAC will be at stand number 4C16, Pavilion 4.

13th - 16th March 2013 Motortech Madrid 
Madrid, Spain

STAHLGRUBER Show Munich: Under the motto of Information – Inspiration – Fascination, you will be right there to see live performances at many exhibition stands and receive first-hand information. Experience the STAHLGRUBER Exhibition as a communication platform, with detailed information about divisions, industry innovations and a wide variety of topics.

16th - 17th March 2013 STAHLGRUBER Show Munich 
81829 München, Messegelände, Paul-Henri-Spaak-Straße 6, Germany.

Auto Maintenance and Repair (AMR) Beijing: Hongke, our Master Distributor in China are representing Pico Technology at AMR 2013. This year an additional hall has been added to meet the exhibitors' increasing demands. The show has now reached a record-breaking 100,000 square feet, and will attract over 1100 exhibitors and 55,000 visitors. Being one of the biggest Automotive shows in China, AMR Beijing covers equipment, tools, and products in the following areas:

1st - 3rd April 2013 Auto Maintenance and Repair (AMR) Beijing 
New China International Exhibition Center, Beijing

Maintenance Equipment
Car Care Product
Test and Diagnostics Equipment
Toolings
Coating and Maintenance Product
Car Beauty Product
Tyre and Recycling
Teaching
Environment-friendly products
Electronics
Service Station and Car Wash
Chain shops

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 
2nd/3rd March 2013 *Weekend* 
Bedford, England

PicoScope Diagnostics Course 
12th/13th March 2013 
Warrington, England

PicoScope Diagnostics Course (Hosted by CES) 
16th/17th April 2013 
Chester, England

PicoScope Diagnostics Course *Weekend* 
27th/28th April 2013 
Glasgow, Scotland

PicoScope Diagnostics Course (Hosted by Delphi) 
30th April/1st May 2013 
Warwickshire, 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 
15th March, 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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