Every once in awhile, an ingenious product comes along which fills a real need, is easy to use, and is nearly indespensable. Such a product is the Power Probe,made by Power Probe, Inc. of Brea, Ca. USA.

We’ve all seen it: A car is coming toward you on the road, but you may mistakenly think that its a motorcycle, especially at night. Or perhaps the other driver is purposely keeping his or her headlights on high, even when it isn’t appropriate – so you “flash” the oncoming vehicle. The other driver dims [...]

“So, what was wrong with my car?” my friend Rick asked as I handed him his car key. “Glad you asked” I returned. “C’mon out in the shop and I’ll show you”. Rick had brought his car in, complaining about several strange troubles.

Understanding the various engine sensors on your car, truck, or SUV and how they function can really help you to save money and make better and more informed decisions regarding the care and repair of your vehicle.

In part 2 of this series, we discussed the alternator and two possible types of regulator systems, along with some troubleshooting techniques. In this final part, we’ll cover testing for both types of regulator, alternator/regulator replacement, and testing of the associated wiring.

In part 1 of this series, we gave an overview of the charging system, and discussed your vehicle battery and how to test and troubleshoot it.

The charging system in your vehicle can be thought of as a small power plant which helps to supply the necessary electrical current in order to operate your vehicle and its accessories. With the ever-increasing complexity of today’s cars, trucks, SUVs and other vehicles, the role of the charging system is now more important than [...]