Berkeley Auto Repair

Today’s cars are more than just mechanical machines. They’re rolling computers with complex software systems managing everything from how the engine runs to how your transmission shifts. At the center of it all is the powertrain control module, or PCM. This small but powerful computer is responsible for coordinating the behavior of the engine, transmission, and other drivetrain components to ensure smooth, efficient performance. Over time, as manufacturers discover ways to improve performance, fuel economy, or emissions, they release updated software for the PCM. Reprogramming your PCM installs these updates. Think of it as downloading the latest version of an app on your phone, but in this case, it can improve how your car drives and prevent future problems. What Exactly Does the PCM Control The PCM processes input from dozens of sensors located throughout your vehicle. These sensors monitor variables like engine temperature, air intake, throttle positi ... read more

If one day you turn on your vehicle’s a/c (or heat) and there is no air coming in at all, or the fan shuts off without rhyme or reason, there is a good chance that the blower motor relay is malfunctioning. This tiny switch can wreak havoc with your vehicle’s ac or heating. The blower motor relay is an electronic switch – it controls power coming to the blower motor. When you turn on a/c or heat, or change fan speed setting, blower motor relay ensures that the blower motor gets just the right voltage to run as desired. When the relay starts to malfunction, a variety of symptoms may appear – no air at all, or intermittent fan failure, or just one fan speed – all of them implicate the blower motor relay. However, while the relay may be implicated, it takes a professional mechanic to verify and find the true cause of the problem – for example, if no air comes out of the vents, it could be the relay, but it could also be the blower motor itself that&rsq ... read more

Hundred years ago, in June 1925, Walter Chrysler founded the Chrysler Corporation. It was one of the more innovative automotive companies of the era when all automotive companies were highly innovative. Today, when we think of PT Cruiser, Chrysler 300 or the award winning Chrysler Pacifica minivan, we are seeing hundred years of automotive tradition embodied in modern Chrysler vehicles. At Oceanworks Auto Repair in Berkeley we are fans of Chrysler vehicles, and even though PT Cruiser and Chrysler 300 are no longer manufactured, we continue to service and repair these vehicles. Naturally, we also service and repair Chrysler minivans: the Pacifica and the Voyager. At our Berkeley auto repair shop we offer regular service for your vehicles, as well as diagnostics and repairs - if your Chrysler should need those. As your vehicle gets older, regular oil change becomes crucial. Oil change extends engine life, and every time we perform this service, we also get to inspect other systems of yo ... read more