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… »
The Ford 5.4L V8 is a widely used engine found in many Ford trucks and SUVs from the late 1990s through the 2010s. The Triton 5.4L was used across multiple vehicles including the F-Series trucks and Expeditions, with both 2-valve and 3-valve Triton versions. Vehicles That Have the Ford 5.4L V8 Engine Option 1997–2014 Ford… Read More: Ford 5.4L V8 Engine Firing Order – Cylinder Location –… »
If you have an iPhone and a check engine light on, a small OBDII adapter can read the code on the phone. The car’s computer watches the engine and transmission. When it sees a problem it turns the light on and stores a trouble code. Every car and light truck sold in the US since… Read More: How To Use an iPhone to Troubleshoot a Check Engine… »
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If your car has a noise that gets louder when you speed up, it can be caused by several things including a bad tire, out of balance tire, bad brakes, wheel bearing and more. Sounds can be hard to locate in a vehicle when driving, but if possible, try to find the side of the… Read More: Causes When Humming Noise in Car Getting Louder with Speed »
The Chevy 3.0L is a widely used engine in many cars SUV and trucks from 2010-2026. It was introduced in 2010, and after several upgrades and variations, it is currently still in use. Whichever year the 2010-2026 Chevy 3.0L engine was built, they all have the same firing order, cylinder locations, and Bank-1 and Bank-2… Read More: 2010-2026 Chevy 3.0L Gasoline Engine Firing Order Cylinder and Coil… »
Using a laptop to scan OBDII engine codes is an easy task and even possibly one of the better options. One of the great things about using a laptop when scanning OBDII codes, is the ability to quickly look online for answers. As long as the laptop is online, an error code can be looked… Read More: How To Use a Laptop or PC as an OBDII… »
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 USB cables and scan tools available for Volkswagen, from low-cost units to expensive high-end models. What Is VAG-COM (VCDS)? VAG-COM, or VCDS (VAG-COM Diagnostic System),… Read More: What is The Best VAG-COM VCDS and VW OBDII Scan… »
Below is all engine sensor locations for 2002-2011 Toyota 2.4L (2AZ-FE) along with firing order and cylinder numbers. All information here has been verified with several Toyota 2.4L manuals. If you spot any errors let us know in the comments section. Vehicles With a Toyota 2.4L 2AZ-FE Option Toyota Camry 2002–2011 Main engine for 5th… Read More: 2002-2011 Toyota 2.4L (2AZ-FE) All Engine Sensor Locations Firing Order… »
If you own a Honda and get an OBDII code P1399, it is a notorious error for “Random Cylinder Misfire Detected.” It is an OBDII code specific to Honda vehicles including the Accord, CRV, Odyssey, Civic, and more. The most common fix is a bad injector or spark plug wire, but it can also be… Read More: What is a Honda P1399 OBDII Engine Code? »
The purge valve is a common failure in an EVAP system which often needs to be tested to see if it has gone bad. There are several ways to test the purge valve, including using a multimeter, vacuum pump, or a quick method that requires no tools. While using a multimeter or vacuum pump are… Read More: How To Test an EVAP Purge Valve (No Tools Needed) »
If you have Chevrolet or GM car or truck and see a battery saver active message on the dashboard, the error points to an issue with the charging system. While there can be other causes, the message has come on since the onboard computer no longer sees the vehicle battery being charged. There are other… Read More: Battery Saver Active Causes and Fixes (Chevrolet and GM) »
Below is all the Chevy and GM 1.8L engine sensor location, firing order and cylinder location. All information has been verified with several automotive manuals, but if you see any error below let us know in the comments section. The engine coolant sensors is not listed below since it can vary by year how many… Read More: Chevy GM 1.8L Engine Sensor Locations – Firing Order –… »
If you have a vehicle with a P0171 error code, the onboard computer (ECM) is reading a problem with the air/fuel ratio going into the engine. An OBDII scan tool will give the error message “P0171 “Bank 1 System Too Lean.” The P0171 code is a notorious engine error that can be caused by several… Read More: How To Fix a P0171 OBDII Error Code (Troubleshooting and… »
If you have a GMC Acadia with a P0496 error code, the onboard computer (ECM/PCM) is seeing a problem with the EVAP system. A GMC P0449 OBDII error code is listed as “Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Flow During Non-Purge.” Common causes include a bad gas cap that is not sealing or failed purge valve. Causes… Read More: Causes and Fixes P0496 Code GMC Acadia »
If you have a Chevy Traverse and it gives a P0496 OBDII error code, there is a problem with the Evap system. An OBDII scan tool will give a P0496 Evaporative Emission System High Purge Flow. There are several causes of an Evap system error which are listed below. What is a Chevy Traverse P0496… Read More: Causes and Fixes P0496 Chevy Traverse »
P0170 Code: Indicates a Fuel Trim Malfunction (Bank 1), the computer is having issues maintaining the optimal air-fuel mixture. Common Symptoms: Check Engine Light, rough idling, poor acceleration, misfires, reduced fuel economy, black smoke, or fuel odor. Main Causes: Vacuum leaks, faulty MAF or O2 sensors, fuel delivery issues, exhaust leaks, or computer problems. Diagnosis… Read More: Causes and Fixes P0170 Fuel Trim Malfunction (Bank 1) »
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 with features to read… Read More: Best OBDII Scan Tools That Read Transmission DTC Codes »
If you have a Honda with a P1457 OBDII engine error code, there is a problem with the Evap system. The Evap system takes the gas vapors from the gas tank and feeds them into the engine to be burnt away. This is for emissions and usually does not affect the engine unless the purge… Read More: Causes and Fixes P1457 Engine Error Code Honda »
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: Our Picks for Best OBDII Scan Tools with ABS »