Thus was Volvo born. The history of a brand

Torslanda Volvo factory, Gothenburg, Sweden

The Swedish brand Volvo, with headquarters in Gothenburg, is one of the world's leading automotive manufacturers in terms of driving safety.

In 1998, Volvo Cars became independent from the Volvo Corporation, which continues to manufacture trucks and buses and was acquired by the Ford Group.

Beginnings of the factory

Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson

On the 25th July 1924, engineer Gustaf Larson and
economist Assar Gabrielsson meet at a Stockholm restaurant, the Sturehof. After several hours of discussion, they decide to build a

Swedish car.                                                    

Volvo was established as a subsidiary of the Swedish bearings manufacturer SKF. It ceded one of its trademarks to give the name Volvo, which in Latin means "I roll", a slogan to prove the principal virtue of these bearings.

Its Initial Public Offering was in 1935 in Sweden, and SKF sold most of the shares of the company.

The first car design is completed in 1925. The first car came out of the factory on the 14th April 1927 and it was launched commercially in 1928. It was called "Jakob". Its success was so great that in six months the production planned for the model had been accomplished.

AGM Battery (Absorbent Glass Mat)

The AGM battery type application in vehicles is becoming increasingly common because manufacturers equip their vehicles with technological systems which require huge power supply for their equipment.

It should be noted that AGM batteries have become widely used as a result of the introduction of vehicles fitted with the Start & Stop system. As of today, most vehicles are equipped with this kind of batteries due to their great performance.

What is an AGM battery?

The AGM-type batteries belong to the VRLA battery family which stands for Valve Regulated Lead Acid, that is to say, they are lead acid batteries regulated by valves.

Their constitution is similar to conventional batteries; they are wet lead calcium batteries. The AGM battery has the same number of positive plates (lead peroxide) and negative plates (sponge lead) and they provide a 12-Volt nominal voltage.

The new aspect of the AGM-type batteries is that they are based on a fibreglass grid placed between the plates that absorb the electrolyte and the distilled water.

Problems with the position lights in the Renault Megane II

In this post we discuss a typical failure in the lighting system of the Renault Megane II model (all engines).

                                    

SYMPTOM

A failure in the position lights on the right side prevents them working properly. There is a high probability that the respective fuse has blown and that after replacing it the problem persists.

If the error codes are read, no stored failure will be detected concerning this problem.

MAINTENANCE SERVICE

1-  Check fuse -F7A-, of 7.5 A of the Switching and Protection Unit, which manages the following elements:

 

Right rear position lamps

Right front position lamps

Lighting of the speed control knob (if equipped with it).

Lighting of the ESP system control knob (if equipped with it).

Lighting of the sunroof control switch (if equipped with it).

Lighting of the heating button on driver and passenger seat (if equipped with it).

Lighting of gear display (automatic transmission).

   

2- Disconnect the right front and right rear pilot and operate the position light switch
. If fuse -F7A- does not blow, the problem will be in one of the two lamps, otherwise continue with the intervention plan.

The Start-Stop system and the changes on power, charging and starting systems

The implementation of the Start-Stop system in many newly manufactured vehicles is causing major changes in power, charging and starting systems that should be known by mechanics in order to avoid problems when working on them.

The batteries used in today's cars, externally similar to traditional ones, may be technologically different, so that the way of checking, recharging and replacing them may be different. It should be remembered that the battery must be adapted on replacement, in compliance with the manufacturer's procedures both for recharging and for the connection of the jump start cables.

Due to the need for good control of the electrical power supply system, the use of current sensors located on the battery terminals (negative) is essential.
 This allows the current input and output of the battery to be recorded so its capacity can be determined at any time, this means there are no risks of starting problems when the Start-Stop system decides to switch off the engine when the vehicle is stationary. This sensor reports battery voltage, temperature and current flow.

Power sensors housed in the battery terminal

Something similar happens with alternators. There are alternators found on the market that need to be stimulated to generate power, others will notify about their current level of power generation, and still others, called piloted, will receive the level of power to be generated from another control unit.

Attempts are being made to reduce the size and weight of starter motors while increasing their reliability, as they must withstand a higher number of operating cycles.

How does it work? Involuntary lane departure warning (LDW) system

This system, known generically as LDW (Lane Departure Warning System) is able to detect whether the vehicle has crossed a lane-dividing line unintentionally, alerting the driver so that he can correct the path.

This steering assistance system is a new safety feature incorporated by different brands in some of their high and medium range models, allowing it to prevent an important number of accidents related to situations of fatigue, sleepiness or distraction while driving.

 How does it work?

Three different technologies are currently used to detect lane lines.

Infrared sensors: they are mounted at the bottom of the front bumper and among their advantages are simplicity and low system cost. Infrared light is projected onto the road and is reflected by the lane lines; this reflection allows the system to know when the vehicle is inside a lane.

Infrared sensors located at the bottom of the front bumper

Computer vision: A dynamic camera that continuously records and detects road markings is installed behind the windshield. These images are analysed and allow knowing in advance the correct path to be followed by the vehicle. If the path travelled differs from the correct path, the system can react before the lane is left.

Fuel leak in Hyundai Matrix and Getz vehicles

In this post we discuss a common fault in the Common Rail Bosch type CP1 with 3 pistons pumps, used in 1.5 CRDi (D3EA) Hyundai Matrix and Getz engines. 

The fault in this case is the result of fuel leakage whose symptoms are defined below.

SYMPTOMS

There is a smell of fuel in the engine area, including difficulty in starting once some time has elapsed since the engine was last stopped.

MAINTENANCE SERVICE

Verify the presence of fuel in the cylinder head plane below the high pressure pump.

The high pressure pump is located at the opposite end of the camshaft timing.

  

High pressure pump

Detail of leakage around the pump housing

REMEDY

 

Get a set of gaskets to make the repair. The gaskets of the high pressure pump should be replaced, but it is not necessary to replace the pump itself.

Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI engine jerks

Intake swirl flaps

This new post reflects a failure registered in the flap motor of the intake manifold used in 3.0 TDi Common Rail engines of the Volkswagen Touareg. They have two electric motors, one for each bank.

The function of these two motors is to configure the spiroid swirls of intake air, depending on the regime and load of the engine.

At low regimes, the swirl valves are closed, improving the quality of the mixture. Between 1,250 and 2,750 rpm the swirl valves open continuously; from 2,750 rpm onwards the swirl valves stay fully open. In start-up phase and in emergency phase the swirl valves are also fully open.

SYMPTOM

The vehicle responds with some unusual jerks. The engine failure engine light stays lit.

Bearing failures

The main causes of premature end of life of the bearings are: improper lubrication, contamination, excessive overload, improper use and/or mishandling or improper installation.

Statistics concerning the causes of premature end of life of these elements are the following:

Chart on the causes of premature degradation of bearings

A premature end of life of the bearings means an additional expense for the customer, since they are expected to last as long as the vehicle, although for the reasons above this is not always the case.

  

CONTAMINATION:

Bearing contaminated by foreign particles

Contamination by foreign particles can cause problems with the correct operation of the bearings.

Dust, dirt or any kind of foreign particles can affect the lubrication of the bearings.

Water is a particular contaminating agent; an amount of 1% water in grease or oil can mean reduced lubricant life. Humidity and water contamination produce a chemical attack and corrosion in the bearings. 

Lack of power in Audi and Volkswagen 2.8 and 3.0 petrol engines

AUDI A6 2.8 Engine

This post discusses a failure caused by a marked lack of power, especially at high engine speeds or in the torque transmission phase, in 2.8 and 3.0 petrol engines of the Audi and Volkswagen brands.

                               

The engines motors affected are the following:

AMX PASSAT 3.0 engine. (Petrol). AUDI A6 ACK 2.8 engine. (Petrol). AUDI A4 ABC 2.8 engine. (Petrol).

SYMPTOM

The vehicle does not deliver adequate power and on the other hand, the vehicle has poor torque delivery.

PROCEDURE AND SOLUTION

Engine start-up failure in BMW models

Today we will describe a failure that affects the X6 35 xdrive aut. E71 (30 6D 5) model of the BMW brand, specifically a failure related to the engine.  

AFFECTED VEHICLE

BMW X6 35 xdrive aut. E71 (30 6D 5)

SYMPTOM

The engine does not start.

FAILURES REPORTED

Failures codes reported by the DDE engine control unit.

507D – Parking lock deactivated erroneously.

CF37 – CAS messages in the wrong K bus.

CAUSE