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… Read More »
Spark plugs that are wet with gasoline, are caused by the inadequate spark to the air/gas mixture, or too much gas leaking into the cylinder. Sometimes called flooding the engine, the fix can be a bad injector or a component of the spark such as wires and coil. An engine will misfire with wet spark… Read More »
If the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD) Light comes on in your Toyota Corolla dashboard, it is simple enough to reset. The Maintenance Required Light usually turns on as a reminder it is time to change the oil. The vehicle does not know if the oil has been changed; it is simply a reminder light that… Read More »
If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle and the driveshaft is making a clunking noise, it can be caused by different components. The driveshaft works with several components that will need to be examined to see which one has failed. The main components include U-joint, differential gears, bearings, and more. Any noise being made by… Read More »
The purge valve is a common failure in an EVAP system which often needs to be tested to see if it has gone bad. There are several ways to test the purge valve, including using a multimeter, vacuum pump, or a quick method that requires no tools. While using a multimeter or vacuum pump are… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Malibu with a P1101 error code, there are some common causes and fixes that can solve the problem. Causes include the MAF sensor, throttle body, and possible vacuum leak. What is a P1101 on a Chevy Malibu? A P1101 OBDII error code is listed as “MAF Out of Self Test… 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 »
A P1101 error code is a common problem with Chevy Cruze that can be caused by several things. 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… 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 your vehicle makes a clunking noise when you are accelerating, it can be caused by several things. Causes include bad motor mounts, universal joints, damaged shocks, and more. What is the Most Common Cause of a Clunking Noise When Accelerating? The most common cause of a clunking noise when accelerating is a bad motor… Read More »
If you have a dashboard error 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… Read More »
Antifreeze is used as a coolant in an engine to help protect it from very cold temperatures and corrosion. Water was originally used to cool engines but quickly caused issues since the freezing point is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When a fluid such as water freezes, it expands, which can crack the engine block. Different additives… Read More »
Locating an electrical short in a car or truck can be difficult and time-consuming. But by using a simple test light method, you can narrow your search dramatically. This process will save you time and money and is a quick way to find an electrical short in almost any vehicle. Using a 12-volt test light,… 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 a gas 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… Read More »
If you need to connect an exhaust pipe and do not have a welder, there are a several 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 light to stay on. 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 »
If you have a Chevy Equinox and it gives the message “Engine Power is Reduced” error message 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 fix is… Read More »
If you have a Toyota and a “Check Charging System” error message displays on the dashboard, there can be several causes and fixes. What Is the Toyota Check Charging System Error Message? The Check Charging System message is a warning that the alternator is not keeping the battery charged. Vehicle electronics, including the engine, use… Read More »
If you are bleeding brake lines and no fluid is coming out, there can be several causes. Causes include blocked lines or ports, leaky hoses, bad parts, and more. Below we look at the most common reasons no fluid comes out when bleeding the brake lines. How Come When I Bleed My Brakes, Nothing Comes… Read More »
Testing an alternator with a multi-meter is a common method, but if no meter is available, there is another method. There is an old-school method to check the alternator by starting the engine and removing the battery cable. While I always suggest using a multi-meter to check the battery, there are some scenarios when no… Read More »
A Honda with the D (Drive) light that keeps flashing means the onboard computer is seeing an issue with the transmission. If you are driving when the D (Drive) starts flashing, it is best to find a safe spot to pull over and get the vehicle examined. Why Does the D (Drive) Light Flash in… Read More »
If you have a vehicle and the alternator keeps failing or burning out, it can be caused by several things. While alternators can fail, they should not fail constantly, and more than two failures usually indicate there is an issue. How Often Should an Alternator Fail? Most alternators are built to last 90,000 to 120,000… Read More »
If you suspect your vehicle has a bad alternator, there can be several symptoms. Symptoms can vary but include the car not starting, dim lights, dashboard lights coming on, and more. How Do You Know if Your Alternator is Failing? The alternator will not charge correctly when it has failed. A test can be done… Read More »
Alternators provide electrical power for a vehicle to operate, including the engine, lights, radio, or any electronic device. It also keeps the battery charged, which is necessary to start the engine. If the alternator fails, the battery will no longer receive a charge and will drain until it is dead. Type of Multi Meter Needed… Read More »
The coolant system in modern vehicles differs slightly from older cars as they use a reservoir tank many older cars and trucks did not have. Older cars and trucks often had an overfill tank that would capture fluid that came out of the radiator when hot but was not truly a part of the system.… Read More »
How a Fuel Injector Works Symptoms of a Bad Injector Common Faulty Injector OBDII Codes How to Test if a Fuel Injector is Good or Bad Test #1: Listen for Clicking Sound Test #2: Check Injector Coil Resistance with a Multimeter Test #3 :Spray Pattern Test Test #4: Circuit Power Test Test #5: Ground Trigger… Read More »
If you have a suspected bad fuel pump relay and need to temporarily jump it for testing, it is quick and easy to do. A better method in many cases is to look in the fuse box for a relay with the same part numbers and temporarily use it. Using another similar relay is commonly… Read More »
Checking the brake fluid on a 2012 Toyota Corolla is easy to do and falls in the DIY category. The 2012 Toyota Corolla uses standard DOT 3 Brake fluid that can be bought at any automotive parts store or online. The top of the refill cap has DOT 3 on it to verify the fluid… Read More »
I recently had to replace a 2006 Kia Spectra radiator that was leaking, and so I wrote this post to help anyone who has the same problem. I made a video of removing and installing it, which is at the bottom of this post. The radiator was leaking at the top, which at first I… Read More »
Changing the oil on a 2005-2009 Kia Spectra is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. Of course, if in-doubt, be sure to take it to a professional. Items Needed To Replace the Oil on a 2005-2009 Kia Spectra Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 Synthetic Oil Filter 17 mm Wrench or Socket Drain Pan… 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 »
If you have an engine with a compression problem you need to know if it is the valves or piston rings. This can be an issue since you may only need to pull the head instead of puling the entire engine apart. There is an easy way to find out by doing a compression test.… Read More »
There are times when a vehicle battery has lost its charge and needs a battery charger to get it back to a charged state. This is an easy task to do that almost any DIY person can readily get done. Things To Know About Charging a Battery Every battery charger has a different style and… 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.” Common causes include a bad gas cap that is not sealing or purge valve. Causes and… Read More »
If you have a Honda Acura and the VSA light comes on 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 system. The system… Read More »