"Don't discount the possibility that someone else did not cause your problem. I had a 2001 Monte Carlo with unwanted ABS activation. The bearings and harness all checked OK. I found the rubber weather seal on the EBCM (Electronic Brake Control Module) connector missing. The pins corroded in the module, causing the unwanted activation. What clued me in to take a closer look at the connector was the OEM slide lock cover was missing."
Two lessons you should learn from Corley's tip. First, never discount any possibility when troubleshooting. Second, what you might think is a minor mistake today can result in a costly repair down the road. The little things do matter.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Isolating diesel misfires
A quick, simple way to diagnose which cylinder is misfiring in a diesel engine is to access the glow plugs or the wiring to the glow plugs. Separate them into individual circuits and measure the resistance of each individual glow plug with the engine running. The glow plug with the lower resistance will indicate which cylinder is low on power.
Skip Burroughs, New Mexico
Seized exhaust stud/nut tip
Editor's note: Always follow shop safety procedures when using techniques like the one shared here. An experienced mentor should supervise inexperienced techs.
Many exhaust manifold bolts break when trying to remove the manifolds and/or the flange stud nuts. I've found even in the tightest spots that using a brazing tip on your torch to get a very small but super hot flame can heat just the smallest area to make the stud or nut cherry red and the break the stud, bolt or nut loose quickly and cleanly without removing the cylinder heads or all of the surrounding parts. Just have your vise grips or the socket ready at your side to attack it while it's hot.
Tony DeJuliis, Pennsylvania
