Tune-up Procedure for Automobiles and Light Trucks

This article presents a step-by-step tune-up procedure that is general enough to be applied to most cars and light trucks. This tune-up procedure can be used with simple test equipment or a sophisticated oscilloscope motor analyzer. If you find problems in the engine during this tune-up procedure, use the troubleshooting guide in the manufacturer's shop manual to find and fix the problem.

Organized Troubleshooting for Automobile Electrical and Vacuum Problems

Organized Troubleshooting

You need to know how to read and trace electrical and vacuum diagrams and relate them to the car in order to troubleshoot the car's systems. There is more to troubleshooting, however, than being able to understand the system that has failed.

The complexity of a modern car's systems demands that you approach any problem in a logical, organized manner. To help you develop this good habit, here is a 10-step checklist for troubleshooting a tune-up-related problem.

Fundamentals to understanding automobile electrical and vacuum diagrams

Finding the cause of an engine problem and then fixing that problem can be done in a hap-hazard way or in a logical, organized manner. The hit-and-miss approach to service never works well. You will waste time and effort without solving the problem. An organized approach to service is often called troubleshooting. It consists of a step-by-step examination of the problem, isolation of the cause, and repair.

This article begins with an introduction to electrical and vacuum diagrams, which are necessary tools for troubleshooting. Then, as we progress further, we will discuss some troubleshooting methods that can guide you through almost any service job.