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 »
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 »
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 »
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 to never to remove a radiator cap while the engine is hot as… 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 »
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. It is… 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 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 »
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 P1101 error code is a common problem with Chevy Cruze that is an issue with the air/fuel ratio going into the engine. 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… Read More »
Locating an electrical short in a car or truck can be difficult and time-consuming. Wiring issues can be hard to find and locate, 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… 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
If you step on the gas pedal and a 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 »
Bleeding a new brake 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 it since… Read More »
The O2 or oxygen sensor is a major component in modern fuel injection engines and allows for better efficiency and emissions. It is the main sensor the onboard computer (ECM) receives data from when regulating the fuel-air ratio mixture. The O2 sensor affects everything from fuel economy to performance and catalytic converter efficiency. How Does… Read More »
A torque converter and automatic transmission are two of the main components that work together to shift gears and move a vehicle forward. Often they are thought of as the same component but are separate parts. What is the Torque Converter? A torque converter is located at the front of an automatic transmission and is… Read More »
Troubleshooting the electrical on any vehicle can, in some cases, be simple but can sometimes become complex. Having the right tools to help you find the problem can be critical to getting the job done. Keep in mind every mechanic will have their own style and method when it comes to finding a problem. Some… Read More »
Carburetors are complex and many will not tackle rebuilding them. There are some simple rules you can follow when rebuilding a carburetor to ensure you get it done correctly. First, always take a picture of all sides of the carburetor before taking it apart. Including but not limited to the bottom and the top. During… Read More »
The maintenance required message that displays on the dashboard of a 2019 Toyota Corolla is given as a reminder to change the oil. The Maintenance Required light comes on every 5000 miles and the oil should be changed. After the oil is changed, resetting the message is quick and easy to do. The message does… 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 »
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 »
I recently had a 2006 Kia Spectra that had no spark, and I could only find limited information. If you find yourself with the same problem, below is what I found. If you have an OBDII scan tool for the Kia, be sure to scan for any engine errors if possible. First, be sure it… 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 »