The Launch 6001 is a handheld OBDII scan tool that hooks up to most any vehicle and displays the problem it is having. All vehicles built after 1996 have an OBDII port that can connect to a scan tool and give information, such as why an engine light is on. An OBD2 connector is usually… Read More: Review: Launch 6001 OBDII Code Reader with O2 Sensor Test… »
If you have a car or truck with a P0442 code, the onboard computer (ECM/PCM) is reading a problem with the evaporative emission system (EVAP). The P0442 points to a small leak in the EVAP system. Note: EVAP leaks often do not change how the car drives. The check engine light and a failed emissions… Read More: Causes and Fixes of a P0442 Code »
Testing a car or truck battery health can be done a few ways with most using a multi-meter to check the voltage. If more information is needed on the state of a 12-volt automotive battery, testers can be used which give much more information. One such unit is the TT TOPDON ArtiBattery 101 which can… Read More: Review: TT TOPDON ArtiBattery 101 Digital Automotive Battery Analyzer Tester »
The Toyota and Lexus 4.6L (1UR-FE) V8 is a popular engine and it was used from 2005 to 2023. The coil and injector numbering is the same as the cylinder numbering. Coil 1 and injector 1 are both cylinder 1. Vehicles That Have the Toyota Lexus 4.6L (1UR-FE) Engine Option 2005-2011 Lexus GS 460 (Middle… Read More: Toyota Lexus 4.6L (1UR-FE) V8 Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location,… »
Replacing a headlight bulb on a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 is a solid DIY job. The driver side is the easy one. The passenger side is tighter and usually needs the air box pulled for room. These steps cover the common halogen projector setup on the 2014-2018 Sierra 1500 (K2XX). If your truck has factory… Read More: How to Replace Headlight Bulb 2014 GMC Sierra »
On a 2000-2005 Dodge Neon, the engine air filter sits in a plastic airbox on the driver side of the engine bay. Chrysler’s normal schedule calls for replacing the element about every 30,000 miles. If you drive in dust, dirt roads, or heavy pollen, inspect it sooner and change it when it looks packed. This… Read More: How To Change an Air Filter for a (2000-2005) Dodge… »
The Honda 1.5L 4-cylinder covers popular family codes including the D15, L15A, L15B, and L15B7 Earth Dreams turbo. It was a popular engine and it shows up on models from the early 1980s into current model years. The coil and injector numbering is the same as the cylinder numbering. Coil 1 and injector 1 are… Read More: Honda 1.5L Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location, Bank-1 and Bank-2 »
On a gasoline 1998-2005 Volkswagen Passat (B5 / B5.5), the fuel filter is an inline metal can under the car on the passenger side, just ahead of the right rear tire. You do not drop the tank for this job. Drop the rear undertray, swap the filter, and put new hose clamps on while you… Read More: How to Replace the Fuel Filter on a 2004 Volkswagen… »
This unit was sent to me to review with my honest opinion and results below. The Launch CReader 4001 is a basic OBD2 scan tool. It is not fancy looking, but it makes up for that with solid beginner features. I am used to nice packaging and looks on tools I buy. The 4001 looks… Read More: Review: Launch CReader 4001 Diagnostic OBD2 Scan Tool »
If you are a professional auto body repairman, using an electric sander will be unthinkable. But what if you are a do-it-yourself at home person that wants to do bodywork? Can an electric orbital sander be used to do auto bodywork? The short answer is yes they can be used. I have seen many at… Read More: What is a Good Electric Orbital Sander for Auto Body… »
On most GM and Chevy power steering pumps the pulley is press-fit on the shaft. You cannot just unbolt it and slide it off. Prying with screwdrivers or a 3-jaw gear puller often bends the pulley or damages the pump. The right specialty puller saves time and parts. I have pulled, bent, and even broken… Read More: How To Remove a GM or Chevy Power Steering Pump… »
Reading engine codes is an easy DIY job once you have a basic OBD2 scan tool. An OBD2 (OBD-II) code reader plugs into the 16-pin port under the dash on most 1996 and newer cars and light trucks. It talks to the engine computer (ECM/PCM/ECU) and shows stored diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). For a beginner,… Read More: How To Pick an Easy Engine Code Reader for the… »
On a 2005-2006 Kia Spectra, the fuel pump, in-tank filter, and pressure regulator sit in one assembly inside the gas tank. You reach that assembly from under the rear seat. You do not have to drop the tank on these cars. These steps fit the second-gen Spectra / Spectra5 with the 2.0L. Early 2004 1.8L… Read More: How To Replace a Fuel Pump and Filter 2005-2006 Kia… »
The Hyundai and Kia 2.7L V6 is from the Delta and Mu engine families (G6BA and G6EA). It was a popular engine and it was used from 1998 up to 2010. The injector numbering is the same as the cylinder numbering. On the 2006-2010 coil-on-plug engines, the coil numbers match the cylinder numbers too. Coil… Read More: Hyundai Kia 2.7L V6 Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location, Bank-1… »
On a 2000-2005 Dodge Neon, the headlight switch is part of the multifunction switch on the left side of the steering column. That same stalk also runs the turn signals, high and low beams, and hazard switch. Fog light control is on many of these too. The same swap works on a lot of PT… Read More: How To Replace Dodge Neon Headlight Switch (2000-2005) »
The Subaru 3.6L boxer-6 is the EZ36 (also called EZ36D / EZ36R). It is a popular flat-six and it was used from 2008 up to 2019. The coil and injector numbering is the same as the cylinder numbering. Coil 1 and injector 1 are both cylinder 1. Vehicles That Have the Subaru 3.6L Boxer-6 (EZ36)… Read More: Subaru 3.6L Boxer-6 (EZ36) Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location, Bank-1… »
Replacing a starter on a 2004-2007 Kia Spectra is a backyard DIY job. The hard part is the location, not the part itself. These photos are the US second-generation Spectra with the 2.0L four cylinder. Kia sold that body through 2009, and the Spectra5 hatchback uses the same starter layout. The older 2000-2004 first-gen Spectra… Read More: How To Replace a Starter on a 2004-2007 Kia Spectra »
The Mitsubishi 3.8L V6 is a very popular engine that was manufactured from 2003-2021. This engine can be mounted transverse (sideways) or longitudinal (straight). Bank layout changes with the mount, so match the layout for your vehicle before swapping coils. Vehicles That Have the Mitsubishi 3.8L (6G75) Engine Option 2003-2006 Mitsubishi Montero / Pajero (Third… Read More: Mitsubishi 3.8L Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location, Bank-1 and Bank-2 »
Changing the oil in a Volkswagen Passat (1999-2005) is an easy job for the DIY home mechanic. The drain plug is not the hard part. The oil filter is, because the coolant reservoir has to come out of the way before the filter can be reached. Most Passats built from 1999 to 2005 use the… Read More: Step by Step How to Do a Volkswagen Passat Oil… »
A backup camera with night vision helps a lot when the driveway is dark and the mirrors leave big blind spots. Vans, RVs, trucks with campers, and older cars without a factory camera get the most out of these kits. Any vehicle can use one if the rear view is hard to see. Most aftermarket… Read More: Our Picks for Best Backup Camera with Night Vision »
This unit was sent to me to review with my honest opinion and results below. The Launch CReader 4001 is a basic OBD2 automotive scan tool for reading and clearing check engine light codes. It is aimed at the home DIY backyard mechanic who needs a low-cost handheld that plugs in and shows what the… Read More: Review: Launch CReader 4001 Diagnostic Scan Tool for Check Engine… »
A clogged cabin air filter is often the cause of weak airflow and a musty A/C smell. The climate control filter sits in the HVAC box and catches dust, leaves, and pollen before that air hits the cabin. When it loads up, the blower has to push through a dirty mat and the A/C feels… Read More: How To Replace the Cabin Air Filter on a 2010-2014… »
A 2004 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T came in with the check engine light on. I hooked up an OBD2 scanner and pulled a P0117. P0117 is Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Low Input. The PCM is seeing a voltage that is too low, which it reads like the coolant is extremely hot. Common causes are… Read More: How to Replace a Coolant Temperature Sensor Volkswagen Passat (1999-2005) »
A 2012 Toyota Corolla 1.8L came in with intake air temp and MAF codes, P0113 and P0102. On this engine the IAT sensor and the mass airflow sensor are built into the same unit. The plug has five pins. Two go to the IAT, and the other three go to the MAF. The pin-out and… Read More: How To Test Toyota 1.8L MAF and IAT Sensor Circuit… »
If you have a Dodge with a P2181 OBDII code, there is a problem with the cooling system performance. The onboard computer (PCM) is seeing the engine coolant temperature change too slow or too fast compared to what it expects. What is a Dodge P2181 OBDII Code? A P2181 OBDII code is a “Cooling System… Read More: 8 Causes and Fixes for P2181 Code Dodge »
If your 5.7L HEMI Ram cranks but will not start, loses fuel pressure, or has a fuel gauge that reads wrong, the fuel pump circuit is one of the first things to understand. In this guide we redrew the factory diagrams clean and clear so you can follow the wires from the relay, out to… Read More: 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L Fuel Pump Wiring Relay Connector… »
2000 Chevy GMC 5.3L Fuel Pump Circuit HPower starts at the ECM B fuse, a 20-amp in the underhood junction block that’s hot at all times. It feeds pin 30 of the fuel pump relay. The relay’s coil has two sides: one goes to ground (the black wire out terminal F7), and the other —… Read More: 2000 Chevy GMC 5.3L Fuel Pump PSI Wiring Diagrams Fuse… »
A P2119 code is a throttle actuator control throttle body range performance code. It means the throttle body plate is not in the position the computer expects it to be. This code can show up on Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Toyota, Nissan, Kia, and more. What Is a P2119 Code? The throttle body controls all the… Read More: P2119 Code Explained What It Means and How to Fix… »
A wheel speed sensor code can often be traced to a bad sensor. But sometimes the sensor is fine and the problem is in the wiring back to the ABS module. Testing with a multimeter is usually the best option. But you can test a wheel speed sensor with just a jumper wire if you… Read More: How To Test a Wheel Speed Sensor Without a Multimeter… »
A P0610 code is a control module vehicle options error. It means the main computer in your vehicle is detecting a mismatch in the programmed vehicle options during its self-diagnostics at startup. This code can appear on Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Toyota, Nissan, Kia, and more. What Is a P0610 Code? Modern vehicles have multiple computers… Read More: P0610 Code: What It Means and How to Fix It »
OBDII protocols make modern vehicles easier to find a malfunction by reading errors codes with an OBDII scan tool to see what problems the car or truck may have. The OBDII protocols have evolved over the years adding new definitions and code types to the standard. One such added code type is the Permanent OBDII… Read More: Pending vs. Stored vs. Permanent OBDII Codes »
The Toyota 3.3L V6 (3MZ-FE) is a widely used engine in many cars and SUVs from 2004-2010. It was a very popular engine during its production run and was installed in several different Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Vehicles That Have the 2004-2010 Toyota 3.3L V6 (3MZ-FE) Engine Option 2004–2010 Toyota Sienna: Used the 3.3L V6… Read More: 2004-2010 Toyota 3.3L V6 (3MZ-FE) Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location,… »
The Honda 3.5L V6 is a widely used engine in many Honda and Acura vehicles from 1996-2025. It was first introduced in 1996, and after several upgrades and variations, it is currently still being used inside the Honda Pilot. Vehicles That Have the 1996-2025 Honda 3.5L V6 Engine Option 1996–2025 Honda Pilot: Uses the 3.5L… Read More: 1996-2025 Honda 3.5L V6 Engine Firing Order – Cylinder Location… »
The Chrysler/Dodge 360 cubic inch (5.9L) V8 is a workhorse engine that powered countless vehicles from 1971 through 2003. It started as the LA-series small block from 1971 to 1993, then was upgraded to the Magnum version from 1993 to 2003. 1971–1993 Chrysler/Dodge Vehicles: LA-series 360 V8 1993–2003 Chrysler/Dodge Vehicles: Magnum 360 V8 Vehicles That… Read More: 1971-2003 Chrysler Dodge 360 (5.9L) V8 Engine Firing Order, Cylinder… »
Ford 3.5L V6 Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location, Bank-1 and Bank-2 The Ford 3.5L V6 is a popular engine used in many Ford vehicles including trucks and SUVs. This engine can be mounted either sideways (transverse) or straight (longitudinal) depending on the vehicle, with the F-150 being a common example that uses the straight mounted… Read More: Ford 3.5L V6 Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location, Bank-1 and… »