If you have a Chevy Cruze that is overheating or has no heat, you may have an issue with the thermostat. The thermostat is a common failure on the Chevy Cruze and also one of the more easier DIY fixes. Symptoms of a Bad Thermostat Overheating No Heat Coolant or Sweet Smell When a thermostat fails, the most… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Malibu and can not find the gas tank button, you are not alone, as this is a common question with the car. There is no gas tank button as the door is pressed on and will pop open when done correctly. The main car doors also need to be unlocked, or the door… Read More »
If you have a Honda Acura and the VSA light comes with a yellow exclamation (!) and triangle, this has to do with the driving stability. There is a switch to turn on or off the VSA system; if it does not work, there is an internal error with the VSA computer module. The system will come on… 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 need for an… Read More »
Replacing the transmission filter and adding ATF fluid in a 2012 Corolla is a task that many backyard mechanics can do. The 2012 is a 10th-generation Toyota Corolla that uses a 1.8-liter engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. Full Transmission Flush vs. Partial Flush A full transmission flush is when all the fluid is replaced and flushed out using… Read More »
If you have a vehicle that is giving you a P219A error code, it is having an issue with the fuel delivery on bank 1. The official definition of a P219A Code is a Fuel Trim Cylinder Balance Bank 1 – Malfunction. The most common cause of a P219A OBD2 error code is a fuel injector that has… Read More »
If you have a leaking plastic radiator, it can be fixed with DIY kits or even with a soldering iron. Often when a leak is seen on a plastic radiator, many think it must be replaced when it can be repaired by a DIY type person. Repairing a leak is an easy task that most any DIY backyard… Read More »
If you have a Honda with a P1456 error code, the onboard computer (ECM) is seeing an error with the Evap system. The official definition for a Honda P1456 is EVAP Control System Leak Detected. The Evap system helps a vehicle run more efficiently and reduce emissions. When the system has is not working correctly, a P1456 error… Read More »
If you have a Toyota Tacoma and the speedometer is not working, there are several causes and fixes. The main causes are a bad wheel speed sensor, instrument cluster, or ABS control module. Often, when the speedometer is not working, neither is the tachometer and odometer. How a Tacoma Speedometer Works Toyota Tacoma speedometer receives speed data from… Read More »
A common problem many Ford vehicles have, is the door ajar light or message, comes on even though all the doors are closed. This can be very annoying, especially when driving at night since often the dome light will also come on and sometimes the door chime. The door ajar light is controlled by the door light switch,… Read More »
If you have a Toyota that is giving a P0134 Code, there is a problem with the EGR valve. A P0134 OBDII error code is an “EGR Insufficient Flow Detected. “ This can be caused by three main components, including the EGR Valve, EGR Vacuum Modulator, or a Vacuum Line Leak. The location of the EGR Valve and… Read More »
An ignition coil is a necessary component of any engine to provide voltage to the spark plugs. No matter how old or size the engine, 4, 6, or 8 cylinders all will have an ignition coil. A V6 engine can have 1, 3, or 6 coils depending on the manufacture and year it was produced. A V8 engine… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Spark and get a Code 82 displayed on the dashboard, it is a notification that it is time to change the oil. It is not an emergency, and the vehicle will continue to operate, but the oil should be replaced as soon as convenient. What is a Chevy Spark Code 82? When a… Read More »
If you have a Jeep Wrangler and are getting a P0430 error code, there is a problem with a catalytic converter not operating to efficiency. The official error is a “PO430: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)“. Several things can cause this error, including Oxygen Sensor, Exhaust Leak, and Catalytic Converter. Since the Catalytic Converter is the… Read More »
If you have a Chrysler 300 and the ESP BAS light comes on, there can be several causes and fixes. The main fix is to do a reset procedure, and if this does not work, an OBDII scan tool will be needed to read error codes. An advanced OBDII scan tool will be needed to read ABS codes… 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 for free. What… Read More »
The ESP system on a car or truck is built to help a driver have better control while operating the vehicle. If the system malfunctions, the light will stay on and need the system to be looked at to find the error. The ESP light should not be on continuous but only when driving conditions are less than… Read More »
If you have a Chevrolet 1500 Silverado, Sierra, or Tahoe and get a P0521 error code, it is a straightforward fix. This also includes almost any Chevy engine type, including the 4.3L, 5.3L, and 6.2L. The cause is the oil pressure sending unit/switch, which usually needs to be replaced. What Is a P0521 OBDII Code? A P0521 is… Read More »
If you have a Nissan that is giving a P1564 OBDII Code, it indicates an “ASCD Steering Switch Fault.” Some scan tools also give an “Automatic Speed Control Device Switch” and “ASCD Switch Out of Range” error code. The onboard computer (ECM) is seeing a fault with the ASCD steering switch. What Is a Nissan P1564 OBDII Code?… 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 not even seem… Read More »
If you have a Chevy and get an SVC Tire Monitor error message on your dashboard, the onboard computer sees a low tire. It can also be an error from a bad sensor, but usually, it is a low tire that needs air. The vehicle may also give a Tire Low Add Air message. The onboard computer will… Read More »
If your car has long start times and hesitates to start, there are several things that can cause it. While usually a sign the vehicle needs to be tuned up, there are other causes that can occur. A car needs the correct mixture of gas and air combined with a spark to start immediately. If this combination of… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Equinox and it gives the message “Engine Power is Reduced” along with an exclamation mark, this can be caused by several things. When the vehicle on-board computer (ECM) detects a system error, it will go into reduced power mode, also called limp mode. The most common issue is the throttle body needs to… Read More »
If you have Chevrolet or GM vehicle a see a battery saver active message come on the dashboard, there may be an issue with the charging system. This is not always the case, but the message is there since the onboard computer no longer sees the vehicle battery being charged. There are other possible causes than the charging… Read More »
If you own a Honda Accord and get a Check fuel Cap message, there are several fixes that can be done. This problem is usually a gas cap that is not tightened all the way on but can be other issues. Keep in mind once the problem is fixed, the car will need to be driven for a… Read More »
The Chevy Cruze is a great car but can sometimes have issues, especially as it ages. One such problem is a P0171 OBDII Code given when the air/fuel ratio is off. Extra air or too much gas causes the system to run lean and give the error code. This includes all Chevrolet Cruze engines such ad the 1.4,… 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 not read the… 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 level. It measures… Read More »
If you get an OBDII code P1345, it is a “Crankshaft Position-Camshaft Position Correlation” error. This is one of the more interesting errors since the vehicle still usually runs and often is not a bad camshaft position sensor. While the Camshaft Position sensor may be bad, replacing it often does not fix a P1345 error code. Replacing the… Read More »
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 caused by other… 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 tank to go… Read More »
If you need to connect an exhaust pipe and do not have a welder, there are a few methods to get the job done. While welding joints together is often done by shops using U-bolts and other connection techniques is also wildly used. In fact, whole exhaust kits can be bolted together without welding and work just as… 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 »
If you have a 5.7 Vortec engine and it is not getting any spark, there are several things that can cause the issue. This includes the fuses, crank sensor, cam sensor, distributor, ignition module, plug wires, and rotor. With the many things that can cause a no spark issue, each component will need to be tested or replaced… Read More »
Having the right tools goes a long way when doing auto body repair and getting the job done quickly and right. One of the more common tools is the Random DA (Dual Action) sander. A DA spins and moves about sanding off paint or rouging in Bondo on a car or truck body. Most professionals will use only… Read More »