A customer was recently referred to us with a recurring issue with his R60 mini, periodically the engine malfunction indicator would illuminate and the vehicle lost power. His regular garage recommended us to investigate, I had known the proprietor of his regular garage for many years, actually back to attending the same college as apprentices so was happy to help. Although the engine management lamp was not illuminated whilst in our custody we began by retrieving any stored error codes. There were three historical codes stored, 4862 (Air system/egr plausibility) 41BA (Exhaust back pressure sensor) and 497D (Exhaust pressure sensor before turbo signal not plausible). Of the three codes set 41BA had a frequency counter of 33 and was the …

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A 2005 Audi A4 1.8 recently entered our workshop after failing its MOT emissions test at a local garage, as usual they were unable to locate the problem and we were asked to investigate. Firstly a look at the emissions test report indicated C.O. (Carbon monoxide) and H.C. (Hydrocarbons) were both satisfactory, it was the lambda reading that was outside tolerances . The lambda value was 1.6, the value should be between .97 and 1.03, basically a low lambda indicates a rich mixture and a high lambda indicates a lean mixture. I noticed the malfunction indicator was illuminated so began with a diagnostic check, there was one error code set P1136 (Long term fuel trim/lean mixture). When idling the engine …

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A customer rang us recently and asked us to investigate a fault on his 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, he reported a warning message directly after starting the engine indicating a 4 wheel drive malfunction. I began by carrying out a diagnostic check of the 4WD module, I retrieved one static error code namely C1417 – Front Differential Control Circuit Low. This error code relates to the front differential lock control solenoid circuit. An hypoid bevel differential will by design transmit torque through the path of least resistance therefore if traction is lost on one wheel all the traction on that axle will be lost, which of course is not desirable on an off road vehicle. To prevent this on this …

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