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 (ECM/PCM) will give invaluable data as to what the problem is. What Is… Read More »
The Autel Auto Link AL319 is a low-cost vehicle code scanner with a lot of features. It can read codes on almost any car built after 1996, when OBDII ports became standard. Besides reading and clearing engine codes, it also has many other features, such as Live Data and Emissions related options. *This unit was… Read More »
Having a good OBDII scan tool for a Toyota Camry is nice to have when making repairs or doing maintenance. The 2010-2020 Camry onboard computer (PCM) can give basic OBDII codes along with more advanced Airbag and SRS errors. Almost any OBDII scan tool will read the basic codes but the more advanced errors need… Read More »
If you have a vehicle and the engine starts but then sputters and shuts off, there can be several causes and fixes. To narrow down troubleshot and find the problem, the best thing to do first is to read any error codes on the ECM/PCM with an OBDII scan tool. This will help to narrow… Read More »
If you have a Dodge Journey and can not find the battery, it is located in the driver-side front fender-well. The battery in the Dodge Journey 2009 to 2020 is in the driver-side front fender-well. While most vehicles have the battery located under the hood in the engine bay, the Dodge Journey has the battery… 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 »
The 2016-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee can have different battery locations depending on the year and model. There can also be two batteries for a Cherokee equipped with a Start Stop system, one for starting and one for ESS. These multiple configurations have caused some confusion, even among mechanics. 2016-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee models include the… Read More »
If you have a Chevy and GM vehicle that is displaying “Service Battery Charging System” on the dashboard, there can be several causes. Causes include a failed alternator, failed battery, sensor, and more. What is Service Battery Charging System? The onboard computer will display the “Service Battery Charging System” message on the dashboard when a… Read More »
A Jeep with a P0456 error code points to a problem with the EVAP system. The EVAP system is a part of the emissions which help to stop gas vapors from venting into the atmosphere. What is a P0456 Jeep Code? A Jeep P0456 OBDII error code is a Small Leak Detected in the EVAP… Read More »
If you have a Honda Accord and get a Check Fuel Cap message, there are several causes, with some more common than others. This problem is usually a gas cap that is not tightened all the way, or has a bad seal, but can be other issues. Once the problem is fixed, the car will… Read More »
Recently a friend bought a 2012 Toyota Corolla that had the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) light on and would not shut off. The ESC light is a dashboard light with a symbol of a car with wavy lines under it. After reading online below is what I found so far with this problem and will… 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. 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 possible causes than… Read More »
A Nissan that is giving a P1564 OBDII Code, indicates an “ASCD Steering Switch Fault.” Some scan tools will give an “Automatic Speed Control Device Switch” and “ASCD Switch Out of Range” error code. When a P1564 occurs, the onboard computer (ECM) sees a fault with the ASCD steering switch. What Is a Nissan P1564… Read More »
If you have a Honda that displays the error “Electric Parking Brake Problem,” there can be several causes and fixes. 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… 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 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 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado, Sierra, or Tahoe and get a P0521 error code, it is usually a straightforward fix. This also includes almost any Chevy engine type, including the 4.3L, 5.3L, and 6.2L. The most common cause is the oil pressure sending unit/switch, which usually needs to be replaced. What Is a… Read More »
Flushing a radiator is an easy task for the DIY Backyard Mechanic. Precaution should be taken mainly that the engine must be cold. Never open a radiator cap on a hot engine as it will have built up pressure that could explode out possibly causing injury. Since radiator fluid is damaging to the environment be… Read More »
What Happens if You Overfill Coolant? If the coolant is overfilled, it will likely be blown out of the system through the radiator cap or reservoir but usually does not damage any components. Occasionally the radiator fluid can be blown into the electrical system, which may cause a problem, but this is rare. Usually, there… Read More »
If you are scanning a vehicle with an OBDII scan tool and get a “No Powertrain DTC or Freeze Frame Data,” message it means there are no codes to display. The full message given by an OBDII scan tool is “No Powertrain DTCs or Freeze Frame Data is presently stored in vehicle’s computer.” This can… Read More »
If you have a Honda Odyssey and a “Check Fuel Cap” message comes on, there are several causes and fixes. The most common fix is to tighten the gas cap, but other things can also cause the issue. A “Check Fuel Cap” message is common with Honda vehicles and is usually a DIY job. Of… Read More »
If you have a Chrysler 200 and cannot locate the battery, it is located in the fender. The battery in the 2010-2014 Chrysler 200 is in the driver-side fender well. While most batteries are assessable from the engine bay, the Chrysler 200 will need the tire and wheel well splash guard removed to access the… Read More »
If you own a 2005-2009 Kia Spectra and the air conditioning stops blowing cold air it may need to be recharged. This is a common problem with older cars with it being a simple fix to add more refrigerant to the system. I have a 2006 Kia Spectra that needed a refrigerant charge, so I… Read More »
A Video is at the bottom of the page for a visual walk-through if needed. If you have a 2009-2013 Toyota Corolla and the air conditioning stops blowing cold air it may need to be recharged. This is a common problem with cars as they age with it being a simple fix to add more… Read More »
A Chevy Silverado with a P0171 Code is having an issue with the Air/Fuel ratio going into the engine. When troubleshooting a P0171 code, be sure to look for other codes that will help to troubleshoot the problem. For example, if you have a P0171 code along with a P1101 MAF air flow sensor, the… Read More »
If you have a Honda 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 Actuator… Read More »
OBDII protocols make modern vehicles easy to read errors with an OBDII scan tool to see what problems it 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 Code Type which began to be added in… Read More »
Using an OBDII scan tool is an easy task and is something almost anyone can do, making it perfect for the home do-it-yourself type of person. The OBDII port on a car or truck is an easy way in modern times to help troubleshoot a problem any vehicle may have. Using an OBDII scan tool… Read More »
Like almost everything new today, your car has a computer, and if it’s 1996 or newer, it has an OBDII port which stands for onboard diagnostics second-generation, that allows for error codes to be easily read. A good OBDII code scanner can read and clear error codes, which is invaluable to troubleshooting a car or… 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 5.7 Vortec engine and it is not getting any spark, there are several things that can cause the issue. Problems include 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 »
Testing a MAF (Mass Airflow Sensor) is quick and easy to do with an OBDII scan tool. A high-end scan tool is not needed; almost any low-cost OBDII scan tool will work, including $20-$30 dollar units. What is the MAF Sensor? The MAF (Mass Airflow Sensor) sensor measures how much airflow is going into the… Read More »
If you have a Tesla Model S with a bad headlight bulb, they can be changed out by a DIY type of person. Replacing the headlight bulb on Tesla is no different than many new modern cars. The access is from the wheel well, which may not be for everyone but is a straightforward task.… Read More »
A crankshaft position sensor regulates the engine timing and also affects 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… Read More »
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 »