If you have a Dodge, Jeep, or Chrysler vehicle with a P0113 OBDII error code, the onboard computer (PCM) is reading an error at the intake air temperature sensor. It is usually an easy problem to diagnose and fix with the common fixes below. What is a P0113 OBDII Error Code? A P0113 OBDII error… Read More »
I recently needed to replace the fuel pump on a 1970 Dodge Monaco with a 383 engine. The Dodge 383 was a popular engine in many vehicles, including the B-Body Mopar muscle cars Charger, Roadrunner, and Challenger. Having replaced fuel pumps many times in the past, I ordered a new unit and started to install… Read More »
Converting old 1960s Dodge vehicles with front drum brakes to disc brakes is a topic talked about countless times in many articles. I found myself in this situation with my 1968 Dodge Charger project and needed to do a conversion. Old articles and forum posts are very helpful in how to go about doing the… Read More »
The 1968-1970 Dodge Chargers are some of the more popular muscle cars with a unique aggressive body style. It has been used in countless movies and TV shows as the fast muscle car, such as the Blade movies, Fast and Furious, Bullitt, and many more. I am one of those fans of the old B-body… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Silverado and get a P0121 error code, there is a problem with the throttle body. An OBDII scan tool will give the error as “Throttle Position (TP) Sensor 1 Performance.” Some scan tools will give the error as “Throttle Pedal Position Sensor Switch (TPS) A Circuit Range Performance Problem.” What… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Cobalt can not find the battery, it is located in the trunk next to the spare tire. To access it, open the trunk, remove the carpet, and locate the battery at the rear of the car. Why is the Battery Located in The Trunk? The usual reason for placing the… Read More »
If you have a dashboard message saying Check Fuel Fill Inlet, the vehicle sees a problem with the “No Gas Cap System”. This is a common problem for Ford vehicles, including the F150, Mustangs, or any Ford Capless Fuel System. The No Cap system was created to eliminate the gas cap and make filing gas… Read More »
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 P0496 OBDII Error… 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… Read More »
If you have a Honda Element with a P2646 OBDII error code, the ECM does not see the rocker arm oil switch working when the rocker arm oil control solenoid is switched on. An OBDII error code will be given “P2646: Rocker arm actuator A- Bank 1 Perf. or Stuck off.” or “A Rocker Arm… Read More »
Today we are talking about wheel studs and the tool needed to remove the studs. In this guide, you will find two pieces of information. What tool do you need, and a trick to use if you do not have the tool needed. Of course, the best way to tackle any job is with the… 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… 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… 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… Read More »
The maintenance required message that displays on the dashboard of a 2019 Toyota Corolla is given as a reminder to change the oil. The Maintenance Required light comes on every 5000 miles and the oil should be changed. After the oil is changed, resetting the message is quick and easy to do. The message does… Read More »
DOT 3 and DOT 4 are commonly used as brake fluid in many modern cars and trucks. Both types work very well, with DOT 3 used for routine driving and DOT 4 used more in newer vehicles, or for high performance. Can You Mix DOT 3 and DOT 4 Brake Fluid? Yes, you can mix… 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… Read More »
If you have a Honda that displays the error “Electric Parking Brake Problem,” there can be several causes. Many Honda owners report having issues with cars equipped with the new braking system. The vehicle will keep beeping and display on the screen “ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM”. Often the “BRAKE” and “BRAKE SYSTEM” lights also light… Read More »
If you have a Honda with a P0118 error code, there is a problem with a coolant heat sensor. The official definition is an “Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High.” There can be 2-4 engine coolant temperature sensors (ECT) in a Honda, depending on the year and model. What is a P0118 Code Honda… Read More »
If you have a GMC Acadia with a P0496 error code, the onboard computer (ECM) 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.” The most common cause is a bad gas cap or purge valve. Both fixes fall in… Read More »
A common problem with many Ford vehicles 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… Read More »
If you have a vehicle that is giving a P0031 error code, there is a problem with an upstream sensor on the exhaust. Fixing a P0031 error code falls into the DIY mechanic job, with many at-home backyard mechanics solving the issue. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take your vehicle to a… Read More »
If you have Chevrolet or GM vehicle and see a battery saver active message 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… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Cruze with a P0299 code, there is an issue with low pressure from the turbo. The official definition of a P0299 code is “Turbo/Super Charger Underboost.” What is a Chevy Cruze P0299 Code? A Chevy Cruze P0299 code happens when the onboard computer (ECM) sees low pressure in the manifold.… 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… Read More »
Having roadside emergency lights is something that is nice to have in many scenarios, from breaking down, back tail lights stopped working, or any time road hazard lights are needed. Using them when being broken down is no doubt the time they are used the most, but I have also used them in many other… 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… Read More »
Replacing the headlight bulb in a 2013-2017 Honda Accord is an easy task that most car owners can do. No tools are needed; only a new bulb needs to be bought. 2013-2017 Honda Accord Headlight Bulb Type High Beam 9005 Headlight Bulb Low Beam H11 Headlight Bulb Example 9005 Headlight Bulb Amazon Philips Automotive Lighting… Read More »
Changing the motor oil on a 2012 Toyota Corolla falls in the backyard mechanic DIY category. The steps will be the same for any 2009-2016 Corollas. Usually, the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD) Light comes on when it’s time to change the oil. Read here for the steps to turn off the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD)… 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. How Many Ignition Coils are in a V6 engine? A V6 engine can have 1, 3, or 6 coils… Read More »
If you have a Honda with a P0171 error code, the onboard computer (ECM) sees a problem with the gas/air-fuel ratio. The official definition for a P0171 error code is “Bank 1 System Too Lean.” What is a Honda P0171 Error Code? A Honda with a P0171 OBDII error code is a “Bank 1 System… Read More »
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 Chevy Cruze with a Bad Thermostat Overheating No Heat Coolant or Sweet… Read More »
The process of locating an electrical short can be difficult and time-consuming. By using a simple test light method, you can narrow your search dramatically. This process will save you time and money. Below is how to find a short on almost any vehicle using a low-cost 12-volt test light. Example 12-Volt Test Light on… Read More »
A P1101 error code is a common problem with Chevy Cruze with several fixes. When the Chevy Cruze first starts up, the mass airflow sensor does a self-diagnostic test. If the results are out of range, a P1101 error code is given. Some scan tools will give the error as an Intake Air Flow system… 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… Read More »