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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
A few years ago I had a 2000 Dodge Ram truck that the voltage regulator went out on. Having worked on many older 70’s and 80’s cars and trucks at first I thought no big deal just need to swap out the external voltage regulator. To my surprise the voltage regulator now comes built into the onboard-computer which… 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 high-end expensive models. Below are some of the more popular options that would be a good fit for the… Read More »
Having a backup camera that also has night vision can go a long way to improve safety while driving. This is especially true for vans, RVs, trucks with campers, but any vehicle can benefit from seeing a clear view behind them. There are many units available with some of our favorite picks below. As always be sure to… Read More »
Anyone who has an engine light come on will no doubt like to know what the problem is. The standard way is to use an OBD2 scan tool which will give the error code which can then be looked up. But what if you dont have a scan tool? Most vehicles have a built-in diagnostic system that can… Read More »
Having a good OBD2 scan tool goes a long way to help troubleshoot a vehicle problem and point to the repair needed. There are many good OBD2 scanners to use that come with different menus, features, and price ranges. Often, what works for one person may not work for another so below we list our favorite picks for… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of the post for a visual walk-through if needed. Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2014 GMC Sierra is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. The driver side is much easier to replace compared to the passenger side which needs the air box removed. As always if in doubt… Read More »
Having road side emergency lights is something that is nice to have when broken down or back tail lights stopped working. Using them when being broken down is no doubt the time they are used the most but I have also used them in many another scenarios. For example a trailer I was towing one time had the… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of the post for a visual walk-through if needed. Replacing the turn signal bulb on a 2007-2013 Toyota Tundra is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. As always if in doubt take your vehicle to a professional. Below are the steps with screenshots to replace them along with a… Read More »