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 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 »
If you have a Chevy Cruze that is reporting that it 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,… 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 on but can be other issues. Once the problem is fixed, the car will need to be driven… Read More »
If you have a leaking plastic radiator, it can be fixed with DIY kits or even with a soldering iron. Often when a leak is seen on a plastic radiator, many think it must be replaced when it can be repaired by a DIY type person. Repairing a leak is an easy task that most… Read More »
Resetting the Service light on a 2011-2015 Mini Cooper is easy to do. The Maintenance light can come on for a variety of reasons and will need a reset, mainly after an oil change. A series of buttons are pressed in the right combination of steps to reset the light. These same steps are used… 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. What is a P1101 on a Chevy Malibu? A P1101 code is listed as “MAF Out of Self Test Range.” Some scan tools will give the error as an “Intake Air Flow… 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 Chrysler 200 and can not 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. The battery… Read More »
If you step on the gas pedal and your car won’t accelerate, but the RPMs go up, there is an issue getting power to the drive-train. The engine provides power which is then sent through the transmission and axles to the tires. When there is an issue with one of the drive-train components, the RPMs… Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
A radiator cap is a necessary part of any cooling system to not only keep fluid in but let coolant out if it becomes too hot. If a radiator cap goes bad, it can be replaced by most DIY-type individuals. Remember never to remove a radiator cap while the engine is hot as the cap… Read More »
Like all sensors on an engine, an engine coolant temperature sensor (CTS or ECT) is critical for a motor to run properly. This is a guide for testing and replacing a temperature sensor if it is bad. While every vehicle will have a different location for a sensor, the basic information below will be the… 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 »
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 Chevy and get an SVC Tire Monitor error message on your dashboard, the onboard computer sees a low tire. It can also be an error from a bad sensor, but usually, it is a low tire that needs air. The vehicle may also give a Tire Low Add Air message. The… 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 »
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 spark plug wire is causing… 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 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 »
A P0301 error code is a misfire that spark plug-1 is not sparking correctly. Other P030 errors point to other cylinders not working correctly. For example, the P0302 code is spark plug-2 misfire, and P0303 would be spark plug-3. P0301 Error Code Causes Bad Spark Plug Spark Plug Wires Bad Coil Fuel Injector P0301 OBDII… Read More »
If you have a 2008-2016 Chevy Cruze with a 1.4L engine and the water pump has gone bad, it is often replaced by DIY individuals. It is a straightforward job which, like many vehicles, requires working in small spaces. All the work is mainly done from the front top of the engine with little to… 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. Here are… Read More »
If the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD) Light comes on in your Toyota Corolla dashboard, it is simple enough to reset. The Maintenance Light usually turns on to remind you it’s time to change the oil. The car does not know if the oil has been changed; it is simply a reminder light that a mechanic… Read More »
Recently I began to have fuel problems on a 1978 Dodge truck. I did all the obvious things, such as changing out the fuel filter and pump. which at first seemed to solve the problem, but it came back. Finally, I pulled out the fuel tank sending unit, which was rusted up good clogging up… Read More »
Bleeding a new car or truck master cylinder is necessary to remove any air that is in the unit. It is easy enough to do for a handy DIY type person with the right tools. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to call a professional. It is best to bleed the cylinder before installing… Read More »
Replacing the alternator on a 2012-2018 Honda Civic falls in the DIY category and is done by many backyard mechanics. Like many mechanical projects, it requires working in tight spaces. While working in tight spaces can be difficult, having the right tools and taking your time is key to getting the job done. The belt… Read More »
If you have a (2005-2009) Kia Spectra that has a P2626 error code, the O2 sensor is likely bad. Be sure to check the wiring and connections, which can also cause the same error. Usually, the O2 sensor will need to be replaced. Replacing the sensor is easy enough with the right tools. It is… Read More »
There are times when a battery in a vehicle has such a low charge and in an emergency needs a jump start from another vehicle. This is done with jumper cables that hook to the battery on a vehicle with a good battery to the vehicle with a dead battery. Using jumper cables to jump… Read More »