If you have a Ford vehicle with a P0022 OBDII Code is having a problem with the timing. It can be caused by several things with each component needing to be tested. What is a Ford P0022 Code? A Ford P0022 error Code is an “Intake Camshaft Position Timing – Over-Retarded (Bank 2).” The onboard… Read More »
A Toyota with a P0031 OBDII Code is having an issue with an Oxygen Sensor. Oxygen sensors are located on the exhaust and monitor how much O2 has been burnt off in the engine and sometimes the catalytic converter. What is a Toyota P0031 OBDII Code? A P0031 OBDII error code means the onboard computer… Read More »
If you have a vehicle that is giving a P0031 error code, there is a problem with an upstream sensor on the exhaust. Fixing a P0031 error code falls into the DIY mechanic job, with many at-home backyard mechanics solving the issue. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take your vehicle to a… Read More »
Replacing the camshaft position sensor on a 2002-2009 Toyota Camry falls in the DIY category. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take it to a professional. The camshaft position sensor is necessary for the Camry timing. When the sensor is bad, the timing is off, causing the car to run badly, not start,… Read More »
There are many causes for a vehicle not to start with a bad neutral safety switch one of them. There are a few ways to see if the neutral safety switch has gone bad, depending on the manufacturer. The most common way is to put a car in neutral, hold the brake, and try to… Read More »
Having a good portable air compressor that can quickly air up car tires can come in very handy in many scenarios. From airing up a flat spare tire, to helping someone that is broken down, portable air compressors are nice to have. There are many good units available with our favorite option below. As always,… Read More »
Air compressors come in all shapes and sizes, from big industrial units to small portable models. Having a compressor for home use when working on a car or truck is always a good idea and will come in handy in many situations. From using an air gun to simply airing up a flat tire, an… Read More »
A multimeter is a tool that makes life easier when testing electronics or wiring in a vehicle. Checking if a battery has a charge or testing the alternator are common problems that can be quickly checked with a multimeter. A good meter for automotive work will have basic requirements that almost any meter should have.… Read More »
Having a good OBDII scan tool with ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is a nice thing to have when troubleshooting ABS vehicle problems. There are many ABS OBDII scan tools available from low-cost to high-end units. Everyone will have a different requirement from an automotive scan tool. For example, a DIY mechanic will not have the… Read More »
Having a good OBDII scan tool can help greatly when it comes time to troubleshoot a vehicle with a transmission problem. A good scan tool will display the error code that points to the problem a vehicle is having. Not all scan tools can read transmission codes with only certain units built to read and… Read More »
The Foxwell NT624 Elite is an OBDII Scan tool that has many advanced features and options. From resetting a throttle position sensor to simply scanning and erasing for error codes, the Foxwell NT624 is a very nice OBDII scan tool. This makes it a good fit in a professional shop or for the at-home DIY-type… Read More »
Locating an electrical short in a car or truck can be difficult and time-consuming. But by using a simple test light method, you can narrow your search dramatically. This process will save you time and money and is a quick way to find an electrical short in almost any vehicle. Using a 12-volt test light,… Read More »
Having a good VAG-COM scan tool can go a long way to help not only find a mechanical problem but to do some light modding. There are many VAG-COM VCDS scan tools available for Volkswagen, from low-cost units to expensive high-end models. Below are some of our favorite options that would be a good fit… Read More »
Replacing a bad headlight bulb on a 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla is a straightforward DIY task. Of course, if in doubt, take your car to a professional. There are two bulbs located at the back of the headlight assembly. The outside bulb is for Low Beams, and the inside bulb is for High Beams. 2003-2008 Toyota… Read More »
If your car has a noise that gets louder when you speed up, it can be caused by several things. Sounds can be hard to locate in a vehicle when driving, but if possible, try to find the side of the car the noise is coming from. If the location of the sound can be… Read More »
The maintenance light for a 2012-2017 Honda Accord comes on when basic service is needed, such as an oil change or tire rotation. It is quick and easy to shut off with a few steps. The onboard screen can be used, or the speedometer method can also be done to clear the light. Using the… Read More »
If you have a Nissan and it is giving a P0456 error code, the onboard computer (ECM) is seeing a problem with the EVAP system. The EVAP system is a part of emissions that send gas vapors from the gas tank to the engine to be burnt away. The official definition of a Nissan P0456… Read More »
If you find yourself with a vehicle where the engine does not start, the first things to check are the spark and gas. All mechanics will eventually find themselves with this problem and need to diagnose the electrical problem. Knowing whether an engine has a spark will quickly help narrow the problem with a vehicle… Read More »
12-volt electric car heaters are an option when it comes to helping to heat your vehicle. Notice I say help to heat. 12-Volt heaters do not have enough power output to heat a car or truck the way a standard heater does. In fact, depending on how cold the place you live is, they might… Read More »
The O2 or oxygen sensor is a major component in modern fuel injection engines and allows for better efficiency and emissions. It is the main sensor the onboard computer (ECM) receives data from when regulating the fuel-air ratio mixture. The O2 sensor affects everything from fuel economy to performance and catalytic converter efficiency. How Does… Read More »
Having a good heated car seat goes a long way in helping to stay warm and comfortable during cold days. They have many uses, from simply getting warm quickly or even getting heat when a vehicle’s built-in heater stops working. There are many units available, including material type and heat output. There are many good… Read More »
If you have a Dodge car or truck with a P0420 code, the onboard computer (ECM) is seeing an issue with the catalytic converter. The P0420 code can be caused by several things, including failed converter or failed 02 sensors. What is a Dodge P0420 Code? A Dodge P0420 OBDII error code is a “Catalyst… Read More »
A Honda CRV with a P2646 error code is having an issue with the oil pressure. A P2646 code in a Honda can have various symptoms, such as stalling or going into Limp Mode. What is a Honda CRV P2646 OBDII Error Code? A P2646 OBDII error code is an “P2646: Rocker arm actuator A-… Read More »
If you have a Honda Odyssey and a “Check Fuel Cap” message comes on, there are several causes and fixes. The most common fix is to tighten the gas cap, but other things can also cause the issue. A “Check Fuel Cap” message is common with Honda vehicles and is usually a DIY job. Of… Read More »
Vacuum leaks that give Evap codes can be a pain to find at times and cause an engine to not run correctly. If the leak is small enough, it can often be ignored, but an engine light will come on, which is not good in many scenarios. An Evap Smoke machine is an easy answer… Read More »
If your car or truck has the dreaded check engine light come on, there are Do-It-Yourself scanner tools that can show the problem. All cars and trucks built after 1995 come with a built-in port called an OBDII. The OBDII port talks directly to the vehicle’s computer and, when used with an OBDIi scan tool,… Read More »
If you have a leaking plastic radiator, it can often be fixed using two main methods. The main methods include using an Epoxy DIY repair kit or melting the plastic back together using a soldering iron. Often when a leak is seen on a plastic radiator, many think it must be replaced when it can… Read More »
A Toyota with a P0136 OBDII error code points to a problem with an oxygen sensor in the exhaust system having an issue. There are two oxygen sensors called the upstream and the downstream sensor. What is a Toyota P0136 OBDII Error Code? A Toyota P0136 is an “O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor… Read More »
If you have a 2001-2005 2.4 Liter Mitsubishi Galant that is giving a P0340 OBDII Code the Camshaft Position Sensor usually needs replaced. A bad Camshaft Position Sensor will cause a vehicle to not start at times and other times work intermittently. What is a P0340 Code on a 2001-2005 Mitsubishi Galant? A P0340 Code… Read More »
A Honda Accord with a P1259 code means there could be a problem with the VTEC control system. The VTEC control system generates more horsepower by varying the oil pressure going to the cams when the engine speeds up, which allows for a larger valve lift. What is a Honda Accord P1259 Code? A Honda… Read More »
If you have a Jeep and the ESP BAS light comes on, several things can cause the problem. When troubleshooting an ESP light issue, an OBDII scan tool will be needed to read the codes on the computer (ECM) If you don’t have an OBDII scan tool, most auto parts stores will scan the vehicle… Read More »
If you have a Nissan and it gets a P0500 code, it is an OBDII error for the “Vehicle Speed Sensor Circuit“. This is usually a bad speed sensor or wiring but can sometimes be other components. What Is a P0500 OBDII Code? A P500 OBDII code on a Nissan happens when the ECM can… Read More »
If you have an engine light on and get a P0102 OBDII code, it indicates a Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF) error. The official error code is labeled as a “Mass or VAF A Ckt Low Input.” The MAF sensor regulates the flow of air into an engine to keep the air/fuel ratio at an optimal… Read More »
If your engine light comes on and using an OBDII scan tool, you get a P0443 code; it can be diagnosed and fixed in several steps. A P0443 OBDII engine code means the computer sees a malfunction with the EVAP (Evaporative Emission) Control System Purge Valve Circuit. The EVAP system sends fumes from the gas… Read More »
If you have a Honda CR-V and the “Check Fuel Cap” message comes on, there are several causes and fixes. This is a common error for a Honda CRV and is usually fixable by most car owners. Often Honda CRV owners ignore the message, but it is usually not a difficult problem to fix. Of… Read More »