Chew on This: Curious Tech Sinks His Teeth into a Start-Stop Problem with a Prius Hybrid
“My check-engine light came on in my Prius,” one of my customers told me. “Is it OK to drive it home?” “Is it running OK?” I asked her. “It seems to be running fine. I just need to get home. Then I can get my husband to follow me to your shop.” “Well, if it’s
The New Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
This month we will examine the Lincoln MKZ. Two years after I closed my shop to pursue my career full time in hybrid technical training, Alan Mullaly was named CEO of Ford. That was 2006. Under Mullaly’s leadership, Ford was kept out of bankruptcy court and improved its products, but did the much-improved Ford consider the working technician who has to fix their cars or do preventive maintenance?
Shops Still Shy Away from Working on Hybrids
Troubleshooting takes knowledge and a great deal of hands-on experience, yet the payoff is worth it.
It’s been a busy time for hybrids in my shop. The training schedule has been hectic and the buying and selling is starting to get some movement. The Consumer Reports rating on the Prius as the best value in used cars sure hasn’t hurt either.
Misconceptions about Hybrids all too Common
Hybrids: they’re safer to work on than you might think.
Ford’s Hybrid Transaxle – Part 2
In part 1 of this article last month we ended with the transaxle sitting on the bench awaiting disassembly, so let’s disassemble. You will notice in Figure 1 that we are ready to remove the top pan; we can’t call it a valve-body cover because there is no valve body.
Ford’s Hybrid Transaxle, Part 1
Beginning with the 2005 model year Ford produced the Escape in a hybrid version (Figure 1) that was shared by the Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute, pretty much the same vehicle.
The transaxle in these vehicles is called the eCVT, and even though there are no pulleys or a drive belt its ability to change gear ratios in a stepless fashion using electric motors puts it into the CVT category. The hybrid system in these vehicles is considered a series/parallel system, which means it can take off on electric power only or it can use the internal-combustion engine (ICE).
GM’s Hybrid Two-Mode 2MT70 Transmission, Part 1
As mentioned and promised in the February issue of Transmission Digest, we will take a quick peek at the front-wheel-drive version of the longitudinally mounted two-mode 2ML70 transmission, called the 2MT70 (Figure 1).
GM’s 2ML70 Hybrid Two-Mode Transmission
Having looked at the electrical and mechanical aspects of this rear-wheel-drive two-mode hybrid transmission in the past two issues, a brief look at the hydraulic components will finalize our comprehensive overview of the 2ML70.
GM’s 2ML70 Hybrid Two-Mode Transmission – Part 2
As promised, we are back to take a look at the inside of this 2ML70 hybrid two-mode RWD transmission. When you look at the front of this transmission it almost appears to be receiving input torque from the gas engine through a conventional torque converter (Figure 1), but that is not the case. Power from the engine is delivered through a torque-damper assembly that is bolted to the crank and splines to the input shaft and pump. The reason for the front seal is that cooler return oil is supplied to the assembly through the pump to keep its damping parts lubricated.
GM’s 2ML70 Hybrid Two-Mode Transmission
GM’s 2ML70 hybrid transmission (Figure 1) is a four-speed unit with fourth gear being overdrive. Applications include the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon and the 6.0-liter 2009 Cadillac Escalade. It also was used for a short time in the 2009 5.7-liter Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango. BMW uses the two-mode 2ML70 in its ActiveHybrid X6, and Mercedes-Benz also uses it.
Serviceability Report: Honda Insight Hybrid
Honda introduced the first hybrid to America in December 1999, a month that changed a lot of what we thought we knew about cars. That was the past century. Since then Honda has produced a hybrid that flopped, the Accord HEV (2005-2007), and a Civic hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that sells well. The first generation of the Insight was discontinued in 2006 and the Civic HEV was on its own, holding the hybrid flag for almost two years until now. In April of this year, another Insight was offered as a 2010 model.
Serviceability Report: 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
Most of you have probably not worked on a hybrid Ford. Is it easier to service a gas-only Escape or a hybrid? Let’s find out.
