If you have a leaking plastic radiator, it can often be fixed using two main methods. The main methods include using an Epoxy DIY repair kit or melting the plastic back together using a soldering iron. Often when a leak is seen on a plastic radiator, many think it must be replaced when it can… Read More »
A Toyota with a P0136 OBDII error code points to a problem with an oxygen sensor in the exhaust system having an issue. There are two oxygen sensors called the upstream and the downstream sensor. What is a Toyota P0136 OBDII Error Code? A Toyota P0136 is an “O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor… Read More »
If you have a 2001-2005 2.4 Liter Mitsubishi Galant that is giving a P0340 OBDII Code the Camshaft Position Sensor usually needs replaced. A bad Camshaft Position Sensor will cause a vehicle to not start at times and other times work intermittently. What is a P0340 Code on a 2001-2005 Mitsubishi Galant? A P0340 Code… Read More »
A Honda Accord with a P1259 code means there could be a problem with the VTEC control system. The VTEC control system generates more horsepower by varying the oil pressure going to the cams when the engine speeds up, which allows for a larger valve lift. What is a Honda Accord P1259 Code? A Honda… 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 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… 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… 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… Read More »
If you have a Honda CR-V and the “Check Fuel Cap” message comes on, there are several causes and fixes. This is a common error for a Honda CRV and is usually fixable by most car owners. Often Honda CRV owners ignore the message, but it is usually not a difficult problem to fix. Of… 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 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… Read More »
If you have a Toyota that is giving a P0401 Code, there is a problem with the EGR valve. A P0401 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… Read More »
Doing a compression test is an easy task for a DIY mechanic and can show if you have bad piston rings or valves. Bad rings or valves can cause a leak to occur around them, which instead of sending a piston downward, the air goes around the piston. This will give an engine a lack… 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… Read More »
If an engine light comes up on your dashboard, and after using a scan tool to read the error, it comes up with a P0455 error code, there are some common causes. The causes will be the same for Ford, Dodge, Chevy, or any foreign and domestic vehicle. What is a P0455 OBDII Error Code?… 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… Read More »
If you have a Chevy that displays Reduced Engine Power on the dashboard, there is several cause and fixes. Most often, the message Reduced Engine Power will display, and there is no power when the pedal is pressed. An OBDII scan tool will usually give a P1516 error code which is a “Throttle Actuator Control… Read More »
A car or truck engine light can come on for many reasons, from a loose gas cap to a more serious engine problem. Clearing an engine light can be done in a few ways depending on the vehicle. Keep in mind unless the problem is fixed, more than likely, the engine light will come back… Read More »
Having an OBDII scan tool is useful in many situations when an engine light comes on. But what if you don’t have an OBDII scan tool and need to know the code? Many vehicles have a built-in diagnostic that will give the code, as I recently found out with Dodge cars and trucks. I have… Read More »
If you have a Dodge with a P2181 OBDII code, there is a problem with the coolant temperature. The onboard computer (ECM/PCM) is seeing a temperature out of range problem with the engine. What is a Dodge P2181 OBDII Code? A P2181 OBDII code is a “Cooling System Performance ” error. When the onboard computer… Read More »
Having a good book on automotive repair can go a long way to help understand how a vehicle works. Repair manuals are good but require the fundamentals of mechanical repair to be already understood. Many articles online are also a good resource but can often skip subjects and leave gaps in explanations. This is why… Read More »
Automatic Shifters are a specialty performance part that gives more control to a driver and looks cool 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… Read More »
If you have a Chevy with a P0452 OBDII error code, there is a problem with the fuel tank pressure sensor. An OBDII scan tool will give a “P0452 Evap Emission Control system Pressure Sensor Low.” While the sensor may be bad there are other things that can cause the error. When a problem with… Read More »
If you have a GMC Acadia with a P0017 OBDII error code, there is a problem with the timing. An OBDII scan tool will give the error P0017 Crankshaft Position (CKP) – Exhaust Camshaft Position (CMP) Correlation Bank 1. Several failed components can cause a P0017 OBDII error code with the GMC Acadia, including sensors… Read More »
The Jeep 4.0 is an iconic engine and one of the most popular motors ever produced. It was discontinued in 2006 but is still wildly used by many Jeep owners and continues to be a great motor with many enthusiasts. What is a Jeep 4.0 Firing Order? 1 5 3 6 2 4 A Jeep… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Silverado with a P0102 OBDII error code, there is usually a problem with the MAF sensor. A Chevy Silverado P0102 OBDII code is a “Mass Air Flow Circuit Signal Low.” While a faulty MAF sensor is the usual problem other things can also cause the error. What Is a P0102… Read More »
If your car or truck is misfiring, you may wonder, “how long can I drive with a misfiring cylinder?” The quick answer is it varies greatly and depends on how bad the problem is and how many cylinders you have. For example, if you have an 8-cylinder engine and a single spark plug wire 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… Read More »
If you find yourself alone after changing out brake pads or a master cylinder and have no help to bleed them, there are a few ways to do it alone. This happens to many DIY mechanics as most people disappear when it’s time to go to work. Luckily there are some easy options. Can You… Read More »
If you own a Diesel truck and have an engine light on or simply need to pull the codes, there are many scan tools available. The first thing you’re going to need is a scan tool to find out why the check engine light is on, with dealerships having the best equipment to troubleshoot a… 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 More »
There are a few different ways you can get a free diagnostic test done on your car or truck. All vehicles from 1996 and newer have an OBDII port under the dashboard that, with a scan tool, can read engine codes. The OBDII port, along with an OBDII scan tool, is the main way to… 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 it was no big deal just needed to swap out the external voltage regulator. To my surprise, the voltage regulator now comes… 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… 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… Read More »