GENERAL
Battery charging
Q A few years ago, in answer to my question you suggested a CTEK battery charger as a solution. I duly bought one and have used it continually on our garaged MX-5. On page 16 of the February 2024 edition, Rob Marshall in the BATTERY SENSORS E2 section writes ‘If charging the battery on the vehicle, it is advisable to disconnect the negative terminal.’ With our MX-5 I just connected the crocodile clips without disconnecting the terminals. a) Should I follow Rob’s advice? b) What is the science/thinking behind
Rob’s advice?
Peter Cooke
A The advice given by Rob in the Instant Expect introduction to the sensors article in the February 2024 edition of CM was more in reference to the jump-starting of vehicles and the problems that can occur with the IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor). These are more recent additions and your 1999 Mazda MX-5 is not fitted with IBS or battery monitoring system, and so the method of charging that you have been using for the past few years is perfectly safe to continue.
The science/thinking behind Rob’s advice is that on these systems, introducing a voltage or sudden surge of current, in an area that is not designed to receive such an input can be detrimental to these often-delicate electronic components, and this should be avoided where possible.
It is also the case that many motorists may still have an older battery charger which may be used, and if this is not equipped with the smart charge system, and charges without monitoring then this could cause damage. For this reason, caution is always the best option.
GENERAL
Indicators
Q I’ve noticed recently that some cars and vans don’t seem to have indicators on the front of the vehicle. Instead of an indicator, the front fog light comes on whichever way your turning, but it doesn’t flash, it’s just a steady light. It looks like the fog lights are switched on, but one isn’t working so could cause confusion.
I googled the MOT rules, and it states that indicators must be amber and flash at a steady rate, so are these OK to use, I’m assuming they must be. Have the trade been advised about them at all.
Thanks very much in advance.
Ken Chadwick
GENERAL
Scan tool
Q What scan tool would you recommend for a small garage that’s not too big into diagnostics?
John Hester
GENERAL
A The answer would depend on the budget, but I would suggest that the minimum requirement would be a tool that could read engine, brake ABS, airbag and body codes.
It would also be good to have a tool that can reset service lights and operate the parking brake release function on a range of vehicles.
The Launch X431 EURO TURBO is £1500 including the VAT and comes in a rugged case suitable for workshop use. It covers electronic park brake reset, oil light/service reset, steering angle reset, battery matching, brake bleeding, electric throttle relearn, tyre pressure monitoring reset, DPF regeneration, crankshaft position sensor learn (gear learn), immobiliser and injector coding.
Most of these functions are needed on a regular basis in the workshop situation, the Launch X431 also displays live data, and this is a must when diagnosing issues. The unit comes with free updates for two years.
In the same price range, the Foxwell i80Max Professional Diagnostic System, with automatic VIN recognition also covers all the systems that you would need on a day-to-day basis and comes with free updates for three years.
A cheaper model is the Topdon ArtiDiag600 S, which is currently available for £174 and does cover the engine, ABS, airbag, automatic transmission, and has eight reset functions on the oil, brake, SAS, BMS, ABS, DPF, TPMS and throttle systems, and has full OBDII functions. It also comes with Lifetime Free Updates.
Either of these scanners would be fit for professional workshop use, and I would expect that you would be looking at this price range as the starting price for any professional workshop equipment.
A The regulations state that “direction indicators must be amber” but go on to say that “vehicles first used before September 1, 1965 may have white front indicators and red rear indicators, if the direction indicators are combined with stop lamps or combined with front or rear position lamps”.
They also go on to say that “vehicles first used on or after April 1, 1986 must be fitted with an amber side repeater indicator on each side”. The side repeater can be part of the front direction indicator if it has one of the following: A wraparound lens marked either with an ‘E’ mark in a circle or an ‘e’ mark in a rectangle with a number 5 above it, or an amber light coming through the front lens when viewed from 1m to the side of the rear bumper.
I believe that the lights that you have seen which you have described as confusing have done exactly that. On the modern vehicles the front indicator is often combined with the DRL (daytime running light) when the left indicator flashes then the left DRL will extinguish leaving only the right steady white DRL illuminated, whilst the left DRL will change to an amber flashing light.
The reverse of course will occur when the right indicator is used.
It may be the case that you have either not spotted the flashing amber lamp as the steady white light appears to take dominance or that the vehicles you have seen are faulty.
But the regulations requiring a flashing front indicator are still firmly in place.
HYUNDAI AMICA
Autobox fluid change
Q How do you change the autobox fluid on a 2000 Hyundai Amica?
Barry Kelton
A The fluid needed will be Hyundai ATF or Comma MVATF1L.
Draining and refilling the system should take four litres.
The gearbox sump may not have a drain plug and, if this is the case, the whole sump pan assembly will need to be lowered to allow the draining of the old fluid. You should support the vehicle on stands and use a suitable container to catch the escaping fluid. Slowly undo the ring of bolts supporting the gearbox sump pan, but do not remove the bolts until the pan has dropped slightly and the fluid has begun to escape. Once as much fluid as possible has been released, the bolts can be removed and the pan dropped down. Once off, there’s a magnet attached to the
