News
TAC Tips for December 2015

TAC TIPS
We are resolving a number of cases every day and wanted to share some of the great conversations and tips we’ve had from across the country.  Check back every day! Follow-up on Twitter or Facebook for a regular update.

Contributor: ACDelco’s Daily TAC Tip comes from Robert Forte and the team at ACDelco’s Technical Assistance Centre.
Meet Rob! 
Since 1992, Robert V. Forte has been actively involved as a Technician, Educator and Manager within the automotive industry in Canada. Robert is a graduate Mechanical Engineering Technician and is certified with the Ontario Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists.


December 31, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Markham, ON.
Vehicle:  2011 Mazda CX7, 2.3L.
Condition: Poor performance.
Perform compression and timing checks as required. Check turbo operation and check for related DTC. Suspect a malfunctioning turbo.

December 30, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Sooke, BC.
Vehicle:  2011 Cadillac CTS, 3.6L.
Condition: Bad misfire on cylinders 2 & 4.
Check engine vacuum with an analog gauge. Suspect a faulty injector, use a scan tool to check performance and isolate misfire.


December 29, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:   Coombs, BC.
Vehicle:  2011 Chevrolet Silverado, 6.6L.
Condition: P0420 reduced power mode.
Follow diagnostic procedure to confirm conditions setting the DTC. Check DEF injector PID for a steady output.

December 24, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Nepean, ON.
Vehicle:  2007 BMW 328i.
Condition: Manual transmission noise at 2000rpm.
Check TSB’s SI-B 11-01-06 / 23-01-08 / 24-05-11 / 23-01-09. Confirm oil level in transmission and differential.


December 23, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:  Abbotsford, BC.
Vehicle:  2011 Dodge Journey, 3.6L.
Condition: DTC P2245, O2 sensor performance.
Confirm sensor performance using a compatible scan tool. Suspect pre-catalyst O2 sensor. Inspect harness and connectors thoroughly.


December 22, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Balmoral, NB.
Vehicle:  2009 Dodge Journey, 2.4L.
Condition: DTC P0017.
Perform an engine flush and change the oil using the correct viscosity. Confirm integrity and performance of OCV and VVT solenoids.


December 21, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Jonquiere, QC.
Vehicle:  2010 Cadillac Escalade, 6.2L.
Condition: Engine temperature display inaccurate in IP.
Check engine temperature with a scan tool, confirm accurate with thermometer. Inspect connector at CTS; suspect faulty IP.


December 18, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:      Lindsay, ON.
Vehicle:  2005 Hummer.
Condition: Crank no start after replacing PCM.
Scan for codes. Check VTD system for “active” condition. Reprogram keys

December 17, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:        Sturgeon Falls, ON.
Vehicle:  2007 Mazda CX7, 2.3L Turbo.
Condition: Engine smoke on acceleration.
Check TSB’s 01-004-10 and 01-008-12 for faulty turbo. Check driving performance and repair as required.


December 16, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:   Whitby, ON.
Vehicle:  2015 Ford Transit 150. 3.5L.
Condition: Rear brakes.
Labor time to perform a rear brake service is well above normal. Review all repair procedures before providing an estimate to replace rear brake rotors.


December 17, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:        Sturgeon Falls, ON.
Vehicle:  2007 Mazda CX7, 2.3L Turbo.
Condition: Engine smoke on acceleration.
Check TSB’s 01-004-10 and 01-008-12 for faulty turbo. Check driving performance and repair as required.


December 15, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:   Dunnville, ON.
Vehicle:  2010 Ford F150, 5.4L.
Condition: DTC P0300, backfire.
Check for excessive carbon build up. Remove spark plugs, check gap and replace as required.


December 14, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:   Belle River, ON.
Vehicle:  2006 BMW 325, 3.0L.
Condition: DTC 2A39 / P1030.
Confirm good oil pressure and supply. Check wiring at VVT OCV control solenoid connector.


December 11, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:   Paquetville, NB.
Vehicle:  2007 Honda Civic, 1.8L.
Condition: DTC P2647.
Check for voltage at oil control solenoid black/white wire, should be “0” volts at idle. Look for less than 1.0VDC at EOP sensor with oil solenoid “OFF”.


December 10, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:   Lethbridge, AB.
Vehicle:      2000 Ford Focus, 2.0L VIN 3.
Condition: Timing belt replacement.
When performing a timing belt replacement on this vehicle, the crank pulley must be re-installed to align the timing marks as required


December 9, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:   Foxboro, ON.
Vehicle:      2008 Volvo S80, 2.8L.
Condition: No communication with STS module.
Reprogram the control module and interrogate with a compatible scan tool. Confirm SRS module alignment with the rest of the vehicle using VIN.


December 8, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:   Elnora, AB.
Vehicle:      2008 Kia Rio, 1.6L.
Condition: DTC P0501.
Check for 2.5V ref voltage at speed sensor. Check VSS performance and replace if required.


December 7, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:   Fonthill, ON.
Vehicle:      2012 Chevrolet Silverado, 5.3L.
Condition: Engine noise, lifters replaced.
Confirm good oil pressure and supply. Check all lifter holders for cracks, replace lifter holder as required.

December 3, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:   Moose Jaw, SK.    
Vehicle:      2013 Ford E450, 6.8L.
Condition: Engine stalls DTC P0627 sets.
Follow the repair flow chart for this code. Check fuel supply and quality. Test and suspect a faulty fuel driver module.

December 2, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:  Oshawa, ON.
Vehicle:      2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2.4L.
Condition: Right rear signal inoperative.
Use wiring diagram and look for connectors in the harness going to lamp, repair if necessary. Check for improperly installed aftermarket equipment.


December 1, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from:  Nakusp, BC.
Vehicle:      2013 Chevrolet Equinox.
Condition: No power steering assist.
Reprogram the control module and interrogate with a compatible scan tool. If C0569 persists, consider trying a known good steering module.



TAC Information

We’re listening!
 ACDelco’s TAC team listens because they know how frustrating it can be to get good sound advice when it comes to vehicle diagnostics.

It pays to get it done right, and fast - the first time!
That’s the objective for all of our ACDelco Technical Assistance Centre licensed technicians. To get your problem diagnosis dealt with quickly and correctly…and of course, to just be there to listen.

ACDelco Technical Assistance Centre – Diagnostic Hotline
Live Technical support via phone – available 60 hours a week!
New Rates per call! Contact the ACDelco Info-Line for further details. 1-800-263-3526

The ACDelco TAC line is fully staffed with multi-lingual technicians Monday – Friday from 8am-6pm EST, ensuring they are available to take your call (or fax, or email).   English and French, our qualified TAC agents will be ready to answer your questions.

The TAC line uses the most advanced technology and current repair databases, in addition to detailed case information and data mining. Our agents have full access to common failure causes and repair procedures databases. Access to these cases can help solve the most complex requests.


Our TAC Specialists
ACDelco’s TAC line has master technicians supporting Domestic, European and Asian import vehicles. Agents have an impressive 50 years combined hands on experience and over 29 years of TAC work. The breadth of experience includes:
Working directly with 12 vehicle manufacturers and four aftermarket suppliers
  • 13 years of in class training delivery
  • 22 years of exotic vehicle experience
  • 7 years field experience
  • 10 years working through warranty issue mitigation
  • Auto body and collision repair
  • Heavy-duty and military powertrain experience. 
Systems Support
ACDelco’s TAC agents have a lengthy list of technical resources and databases to support your complex questions. This includes factory OE information, as well as internal technical experts, field engineers, product specialists, and technical writers for several OEM's.

Resource databases include all major all makes manufacturers. Additional repair databases include Alldata, IATN, Mitchell1, Automotive Service Profession, eSI and more.
 
Access to Service Technical Specialists include the following manufactures: GM, Mercedes Benz, VW, Audi, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Chrysler, BMW, Volvo, Honda, Nissan, SAAB, Toyota, Hyundai, & KIA.

TAC Specialists

Agent: Robert V. Forte – Technical Assistance Lead

Robert Forte is a certified Mechanical Engineering Technician and has held a Class “A” automotive service license since 1989. He brings over 20 years of automotive service training experience to ACDelco including a diverse electrical diagnosis ability and wide knowledge of electronic diagnostic tools. A member of the Ontario Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologist, Robert started tinkering with all things mechanical at a young age with the help of his father, a European trained auto-electric specialist; he regularly restores electrical parts and systems in high end and vintage automobiles.

In 1996, Forte joined GM Canada at its ACDelco training center as a diagnostic specialist to provide technical support and training to automotive technicians. The proprietary diagnostic software and equipment required intense interaction with field engineers, installers and key marketing people, making Forte a key product specialist to car repairers nationwide.

Rob’s other attributes include working with U.S. law firms as an automotive accident and personal injury forensic specialist helping win several legal actions for quadriplegics injured in motor vehicles.

Robert also co-hosted a nationally recognized automotive radio show called “Driveline Radio” broadcasting on CKTB radio AM610 in St. Catherine’s and previously on “Guys Garage” with MOJO radio AM640 of Toronto having a total listening audience of over 100,000 listeners.

Agent: Jean Thibert
 
“If you don’t do any training, you will be obsolete in 8 years”.
 
Jean Thibert is a certified class A mechanic, with experience in the Ontario Department of Labour.  He has an Inter-provincial Seal and an additional 8 years of experience as a Technical Consultant Specialist  at a number of vehicle manufacturer head offices including Toyota, Mazda, Chrysler/Dodge and Suzuki. He is also a certified EEC IV & EEC V technician from Ford with an Advanced Engine Performance Diagnosis qualification for the 7.3 L DIT & 6.0 L DIT.  Prior to some of this Ontario experience, he earned over 10 years of experience working in Alberta at a Ford dealership, focusing on Diesel engines.

Jean’s passion for repairs started early when he started helping his father repair and maintain his farm equipment.  He made a decision to pursue being a technician and entered a trade school after hearing some wise words from his high school teacher who said:  “If you don’t do any training, you will be obsolete in 8 years”.  These words stuck with Jean and throughout the years he has continued to learn about new vehicle technology, taking evening Electronic Courses at Algonquin College in addition to the additional online courses and in class courses offered through his work experience as well as other all makes focuses, such as some specific gas and diesel engine diagnostic repairs for Chryslers.