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.
January 28, 2016
Thanks to our Program member from: Barrie, ON.
Vehicle: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 2.4L.
Condition: DTC’s P0300and P0172.
Perform a fuel pressure test and confirm to specification. Consider fuel pump replacement with oil and filter.
January 29, 2016
Thanks to our Program member from: Welland, ON.
Vehicle: 2012 GMC Terrain, 3.0L.
Condition: DTC P228D.
Check scan tool PID for fuel system pressure. If to specification, perform and oil change and compression test. Confirm injectors holding pressure.
January 28, 2016
Thanks to our Program member from: Barrie, ON.
Vehicle: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, 2.4L.
Condition: DTC’s P0300and P0172.
Perform a fuel pressure test and confirm to specification. Consider fuel pump replacement with oil and filter.
January 27, 2016
Thanks to our Program member from: St. Eugene, ON.
Vehicle: 2012 Ford F150, 5.0L.
Condition: Prolonged cold start, DTC P160A.
Follow diagnostic procedure for all DTC. Perform a fuel pressure test and look for decay rate when “off”. Suspect a faulty fuel pump.
January 26, 2016
Thanks to our Program member from: Mississauga, ON.
Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Tundra, 5.7L.
Condition: No left signal at trailer connector.
Check splice at rear cross frame harness. Renew circuit to trailer connection for best results.
January 25, 2016
Thanks to our Program member from: Branford, ON.
Vehicle: 2008 Chrysler Sebring, 2.7L.
Condition: No crank, no DTC’s.
Suspect a faulty TIPM. Check all positive and negative voltage requirements at PCM. Confirm PCM connector pins make adequate contact.
January 22, 2016
Thanks to our Program member from: Charlottetown, PE.
Vehicle: 2005 Jeep Wrangler, 2.4L.
Condition: DTC’s P0037 and P0031.
Check scan tool PID for fuel trim history to spec. Suspect a bad O2 sensor connection. Confirm good ground at G105 near left engine mount.
January 21, 2016
Thanks to our Program member from: Trois-Rivieres, QC.
Vehicle: 2009 Buick Enclave, 3.6L.
Condition: Snapping noise at harmonic balancer.
Visually inspect engine serpentine belt as it contacts harmonic balancer. If electrical arcing is present, replace harmonic balancer.
January 20, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Sherwood Park, AB.
Vehicle: 2011 GMC Terrain, 3.0L LF1.
Condition: DTC’s P0017 and P219B, VVT replaced.
Follow diagnostic procedure for all stored DTC’s. Perform an internal engine flush and re-check condition. Suspect a stretched timing chain.
January 19, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Chilliwack, BC.
Vehicle: 2013 Ford F150, 5.0L.
Condition: Factory remote start inoperative after replacing tires.
Scan vehicle for any stored DTC’s in all modules. Check for malfunction indication in IP. Remote will not operate if TPMS malfunction is present.
January 18, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Pierrefonds, QC.
Vehicle: 2008 Saturn Vue.
Condition: ABS fault after electric power steering repair.
Use a compatible scan tool to check for any stored DTC’s and repair as required. Follow procedure to reset steering angle sensor closely.
January 15, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Pierrefonds, QC.
Vehicle: 2009 Ford E350, 6.0L.
Condition: Crank, no-start.
Check scan tool PID for fuel system pressure. Suspect a faulty fuel pump or control module. Confirm all required voltages at control module connector.
January 14, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Fredericton, NB.
Vehicle: 2008 Lincoln Navigator, 5.4L.
Condition: Noise at start up lasting 2-4 seconds.
Visually inspect engine timing chain, guides and tensioner. Check engine oil pressure against required specification. Suspect a faulty oil pump.
January 13, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Montreal, QC.
Vehicle: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, 2.4L.
Condition: No start after power steering service.
Follow diagnostic procedure for any stored DTC’s. Check BCM connector X2, pins 14 and 6 for a breached connection.
January 12, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: New Maryland, NB.
Vehicle: 2013 Dodge Ram 2500HD, 6.7L.
Condition: Intermittent transmission shifting.
Suspect a faulty connection at splice SPT-13Y. Inspect the frame harness over transmission bell housing for corrosion. Consider bypassing circuit.
January 11, 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Calgary, AB.
Vehicle: 2014 Mercedes Sprinter, 3.0L.
Condition: DTC’s P0236 & P0471.
DTC’s set due to overabundance of soot on the particulate filter and high pressure in the exhaust system. Follow the prescribed maintenance procedure.
January 8 , 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Gananoque, ON.
Vehicle: 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, 6.0L.
Condition: Radio inoperative.
Follow GM TSB #12019A. Suspect a faulty radio. Full details or copies of TSB are available by calling ACDelco TAC 800-263-3526.
January 7 , 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Little Current, ON.
Vehicle: 2006 Cadillac CTS, 2.8L.
Condition: Hydraulic clutch bleeding – Manual transmission equipped.
Follow the prescribed bleeding procedure and confirm no line corrosion or loose clamps causing air to enter the system. Suspect a faulty release bearing.
January 6 , 2015
Thanks to our Program member from: Innisfil, ON.
Vehicle: 2012 Mercedes ML350.
Condition: RF lower control arm replacement.
Pneumatic suspension system must be at less than 3-bar to service safely. Use a scan tool to deplete air from system before proceeding.
January 5, 2016
Thanks to our Program member from: Comox, BC.
Vehicle: 2011 Ford Escape, 2.5L.
Condition: No crank, battery drain.
Trace and repair cause of battery drain, normal key “OFF” draw should be less than 0.60Ma. Check for modules still active when key “OFF”.
January 4, 2016
Thanks to our Program member from: Concord, ON.
Vehicle: 2011 Dodge Ram, 5.7L.
Condition: Wiper “ON” at all times, IP inoperative.
Follow diagnostic procedure to isolate cause of wipers “ON”. Check all engine grounds. Confirm good power distribution at TIPM.
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.
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.