March 2021

C OVID-19 has inadvertently increased the average age of vehicles in the UK. Lockdown and ongoing consumer reticence has made new car purchases either seem difficult or unwise for many frugal would- be car-buyers. However, as is often the way, what’s bad for VMs is good for the aftermarket. “This means technicians will continue to see a growing number of older vehicles,” explained HELLA Product and Brand Manager Matthew Smart. “Technicians are familiar with the items that most regularly need to be replaced – air mass sensors and oxygen sensors, a.k.a Lambda sensors, as well as exhaust gas pressure and temperature sensors etc. With ever more complex vehicles though, it’s the job of getting to the root of the problem that’s often the greatest challenge. “The air mass sensor is a great example of a product that is often misdiagnosed as the fault part, when in fact the underlying cause is another component. By using HELLA TechWorld, technicians suspecting the air mass sensor is the problem can easily check by a accessing a step-by- step guide to determine whether it is, or isn’t, the issue.” To view the guide, visit: www.hella.com/techworld/uk/Techni cal/Sensors-and-actuators/Check-air- mass-sensor-3952/ Emissions There are a number of electronic sensors that will require attention. Matthew commented: “The requirement for replacement air quality sensors is an opportunity that could easily be overlooked by workshops. “The purpose of an air quality sensor is to detect pollutants such as carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons in the atmosphere and better protect the vehicle’s occupants during their journey. It is mounted directly in the intake duct to the HVAC system and, via changes in its conductivity, activated by a chemical reaction to the level of these pollutants, it communicates with the vehicle’s HVAC system via the electronic control units, to regulate parameters such as temperature and blower fan speed, as well as to close the recirculation flap to prevent harmful gases entering the cabin.” Matthew added: “Should an air quality sensor fail, the current industry perception is that replacements are only available from dealers. This however is not the case because HELLA also manufactures air quality sensors, and these feature in its existing aftermarket programme, so always check with the factor first.” MOT surge Staying with the impact of the pandemic, NTK, the vehicle electronics brand of NGK Spark Plugs, is reminding garages to be prepared for a surge in demand for MOTs this month. “During the first Coronavirus lockdown last Spring,” said NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Marketing Manager Mark Hallam, “vehicle owners were granted the emergency six-month MOT Exemption, as part of the ongoing fight against Coronavirus. However, the government has not made any such announcement during the third lockdown which means that if a motorist’s MOT is due to expire this month – which sees the introduction of the new 21 car registration plate. – they need to book a test and take their car to a garage as normal. Mark continued: “March will consequently be a busy month for MOTs and NGK says many thousands of vehicles will fail the test on emissions which will lead to increased demand for the replacement of Lambda sensors. “Garages should always go with a 26 AFTERMARKET MARCH 2021 VEHICLE ELECTRONICS AND ENGINE MANAGEMENT www.aftermarketonline.net MANAGING TO COPE WITH THE ELECTRONICS With the average age of cars rising, vehicle electronics will continue to lead to a host of surprising problems