Flushing a radiator is an easy task for the DIY Backyard Mechanic. Precaution should be taken mainly that the engine must be cold. Never open a radiator cap on a hot engine as it will have built up pressure that could explode out possibly causing injury. Since radiator fluid is damaging to the environment be sure to dispose… Read More »
Replacing the license plate bulbs on a 2000-2007 Ford Focus is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. Of course, of in doubt be sure to call a professional. There are 2 bulbs that can be replaced. If one is burnt out it is usually a good idea to go ahead and replace both. Tools and… Read More »
If you own a Kia and need a good OBDII scan tool there are many available. Owning an OBDII scan tool is ideal for troubleshooting a car or just knowing why the engine light is on. What Is a Kia OBDII Scan Tool? All modern vehicles including Kia have an OBDII port which communicates with the onboard computer.… Read More »
A hot car in the summer is all but unbearable especially in very hot climates. Many things can go wrong with a car or truck A/C system with the most common being the unit has a low refrigerant charge. Once all other possible problems are eliminated recharging a system is an easy task that most any home DIY… Read More »
Having an OBD2 scan tool is useful in many situations when an engine light comes on. But what if you dont have a scan tool and need to know the code? Many vehicles has a built-in diagnostic that will give the code as I recently found out with Dodge cars and trucks. I haven’t tried this on all… Read More »
The INNOVA 6100P is an advanced scan tool that can read standard OBD2 engine codes as well as ABS and SRS errors. Most any OBDII scan tool can read and erase standard errors but only advanced units can also scan and erase ABS and SRS. Troubleshooting ABS (Anti Brake System) or SRS/Airbag (Supplemental Restraint System) is much easier… Read More »
Everyone loves a shortcut. Sometimes some may look at shortcuts as if they are the easy way to do things but not the correct way. There are some that may always take the easy way. Never-the-less if the short cut gets results, then one could argue that it is the correct way. I have put together a small… Read More »
Replacing the camshaft sensor on a 2011-2017 Hyundai Elantra is an easy task that falls into the DIY category. There are 2 camshaft position sensors A and B both located next to each other. The Hyundai Elantra 1.8 Liter DOHC has 2 camshafts, so it has 2 sensors. The OBDII codes for a Hyundai with a bad camshaft… 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, or have no… Read More »
A crankshaft position sensor on a Kia regulates the engine timing along with the plugs getting spark. The sensor tells the onboard computer (ECM) the crank position which is necessary for timing. If the ECM detects an error with the crankshaft position sensor it will give a P0335 OBDII code. What is a P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor “A”… Read More »
Since their introduction, OBD2 Bluetooth scanner tools have become a favorite among part-time mechanics and professionals to find and fix engine problems. They are low-cost engine diagnostic tools that can help troubleshoot a problem. For example, if an engine light comes on which gives no indication to the problem a small low-cost OBD2 adapter code scan tool can… Read More »
Having a good OBDII Scan tool can help greatly when it comes time to troubleshooting a car. They display the error code that points to the problem a vehicle is having. There are many OBDII scan tools that give basic engine codes with most unable to read ABS, SRS, or transmission errors. Transmission codes are in the P0700… Read More »
Automatic Shifters are a specialty performance part that gives more control to a driver and looks cools doing it. While mainly used for drag racing they also can be used whenever more control over a vehicle is needed. If you are looking to get an automatic shifter there are many available with those below some of our favorite… Read More »
Having a good book on auto body repair can go a long way to learn not only how to do automotive body repair but also tips and tricks. Online resources are great also but often times can skip steps. A good book will guide you though the entire process from start to finish. Our Picks for Best Auto… Read More »
Portable car battery smart jump starters have become popular in recent years. Smart jump starters are a great item in an emergency when a battery has lost its charge. Modern-day devices from smartphones to laptops can drain a battery leaving a user in need of a jump which makes emergency jump kits a good item to have while… Read More »
Having a good OBDII scan tool with ABS (Anti lock Brake System) is a nice thing to have while troubleshooting vehicle problems. There are many 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 need of an expensive… Read More »
Reading engine codes is an easy task that any DIY type person can do with the right scan tool. The scan tool needed is called an OBD2 scan tool which reads information from a vehicles computer and displays the problem. OBD2 is a universal port installed in any car made from 1996 and newer. The port is usually… Read More »
A step-by-step video replacing the fuel pump is at the bottom of the page for visual walk-through if needed. Replacing the fuel pump on a 2005-2006 Kia Spectra is a task that fall in the DIY category. Of course, if in doubt be sure to take your car to a professional. There is gas involved during any fuel… Read More »
When it comes to auto body work deep dents are not easy to get out and either need to be hit from the back or pulled out. Since many dents cant be reached from the back dent puller options are often looked at as the best method. One of these methods is called a Stud Welder Dent Puller… Read More »
Setting up a car with a power inverter is easy to do and is a nice feature to add to any vehicle. Adding a 110/120 AC power outlet is useful for for many situations from traveling to simply recharging a laptop. Inverters have different Amps and Watts they can supply depending on the unit bought. Since cars use… Read More »
If the starter has gone bad on your 2004-2007 Kia Spectra replacing it falls in the DIY backyard mechanic category. Of course, if in doubt take your car to a professional. The difficulty of replacing it is the location which is in a tight spot under the engine. The car will need to be up on stands or… Read More »
Finding the right OBD II scan tool to work on a Volkswagen Passat is easy enough, some with more features than others. One of the things that VW Passat’s have unique is VAG-COM VCDS which goes beyond industry standard OBDII codes. All vehicles 1996 and newer have an OBDII port which started with OBD version 1, 1.5, and… 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 most any meter should have. Multimeter Features Used… Read More »
If you find yourself with a vehicle that the engine does not start the first things to check for is spark and gas. All mechanics will eventually find themselves with this problem and need to diagnose the electrical problem. Knowing whether an engine has spark will quickly help narrow the problem with a vehicle that does not want… Read More »
Having a good OBDII scan tool when troubleshooting a Chevy or GM vehicle is a nice thing to have. An OBDII scan tool can point to the problem a car or truck is having. Being able to communicate with the onboard computer will give invaluable data as to what the problem is. What Is a Chevy OBDII Error… Read More »
Changing the headlight bulbs on a 2011-2013 Kia Optima is not difficult and very much falls into the DIY category. Below are the steps with screenshots to replace them along with a video if needed for a visual walk through. There are two bulbs Inner and Outer both of which are changed out the same way. Both the… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of the page for a visual walk through. This unit was sent to me to review with my honest opinion and results below. Congress passed the clean air act in 1970 and started the epa, however it wasn’t until January 1st 1996 that all vehicles were required to have OBD (on-board diagnostics)… Read More »
If you find yourself alone after changing out brake pads or a master cylinder and have no help to bleed them, there is few ways to do it alone. This happens to many DIY mechanics as most people disappear when its time to go to work. Luckily there are some easy options. Here are some of the options… Read More »
Having the right tools goes a long way in doing auto body repair and getting he job done quickly and right. One of the more common tools is the Random DA (Dual Action) sander. A DA spins and is moved about sanding off paint or rouging in bondo on a car or truck body. Most any professional will… Read More »
A video review is at the bottom of the post. The KW680 OBDII automotive scan tool is a popular low-cost unit. It can read and clear a vehicles engine codes and is easy to use which makes it a good unit for home users or backyard mechanics. *This unit was sent to me to review with my honest… 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 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 onboard screen is the easiest… Read More »
Radiator caps can go bad and need replacing which is an easy task most anyone can do. Remember never to remove a radiator cap while the engine is hot as the cap likely is under pressure and boiling water can spray out. Only remove the cap when the engine is cold. What is the Function of a Radiator… 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 to this and… Read More »
Changing the oil in a Volkswagen Passat (1999-2005) is an easy task for the DIY home mechanic. A VW Passat uses special European synthetic oil that should be changed every 5,000 miles. The majority of Passat’s built (1999-2005) use the 4 CYL 1.8L motor be sure this is what your Passat uses as this post uses the 4… 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 how cold the place you live in is they might not even… Read More »