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 you have a gas pump that keeps clicking off when you are filling up, and the tank is not full, there are three main causes. Causes include a bad EVAP vent valve, charcoal canister, or rollover check valve. Each part will need to be checked to see what component has failed. Why Does a… Read More »
A bad engine thermostat can cause several symptoms, most commonly overheating, but other symptoms can also occur. Symptoms include overheating, not warming up during cold weather, coolant leaks, and more. What is an Engine Thermostat A vehicle thermostat helps an engine heat up quickly and then helps to maintain a set temperature. It will stay… 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 During Very Cold… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Cruze that is is overheating, but the engine is not overly hot, the coolant temperature sensor may be bad. One way to test the sensor is to let the engine cool down and then start it up. While the engine is cool, in the first 1-2 minutes, the car should… 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 »
The Chevrolet Traverse battery is located inside the vehicle on the passenger side floorboard. It can be located behind or in the front of the passenger seat on the floorboard under a cover. There have been many changes to the Chevy Traverse with many variations on the design, including the models L, LS, LT, Premier,… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Cobalt and 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 Chevy Cobalt Battery Located in The Trunk? The usual reason… 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 often fixable by many DIY car owners. Often Honda CRV owners ignore the message, but it can be troubleshot and fixed. Of course, if… Read More »
If you have a car that has overheated and now will not start up, it can be caused by several things. The first step is to solve why the vehicle overheated and then solve why it will not start again. How Can I Get My Car to Start After it Overheats? The first thing to… Read More »
DOT 3 and DOT 4 are commonly used as brake fluid in many 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 DOT… Read More »
The INNOVA 6100P is an advanced scan tool that can read standard OBDII engine codes as well as ABS and SRS errors. Almost any OBDII scan tool can read and erase standard errors, but only advanced units can also scan and erase ABS and SRS. Troubleshooting ABS (Anti Brake System) or SRS/Airbag (Supplemental Restraint System)… Read More »
If you have a vehicle and the alternator is charging, but the battery light stays on, there can be several causes and fixes. A bad charging system often is caused by a failed alternator, but there are other components that can cause the issue. Why Does the Battery Light Come On? When a vehicle’s computer… Read More »
Having AC electrical power in a car or truck is necessary sometimes when a device has no DC inputs or adapters. AC power outlets can be added with a power inverter and can give power to small devices such as laptops. The BESTEK 300W Power Inverter is one such unit that converts 12-Volts DC to… Read More »
Vacuum leaks that give Evap codes can be a pain to find at times and cause an engine light to stay on. Sometimes 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… Read More »
If you have a Toyota with a P0441 OBDII engine error code, there is a problem with the Evap system. The Evap system is for emissions which keeps gas vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. What is a Toyota P0441 Code Engine Error Code? A P0441 Code is an “Evaporative Emission Control System Incorrect Purge… Read More »
The Chevy Cruze is a great car, but like all vehicle’s there are certain specific problems that can plague some models. One such problem for the Chevy Cruze is the coolant system which is notorious for having issues. From overheating to not heating at all, the coolant system causes problems for many owners. The first… Read More »
If you have a Nissan and it is giving a P0456 error code, the onboard computer (ECM) is seeing a problem with the EVAP system. The EVAP system is a part of emissions that send gas vapors from the gas tank to the engine to be burnt away. The official definition of a Nissan P0456… Read More »
Any time a check engine light comes on, the onboard computer (EMC/PCM) sees an error with the engine or running gear. This includes when there is a flashing check engine light that then stops. Why Would a Check Engine Light be Flashing and Then Stop? A check engine light will come on when then the… Read More »
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 »
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 »