If you have a Chevy Malibu and can not find the gas tank button, you are not alone, as this is a common question with the car. There is no gas tank button as the fuel door is pressed on and will pop open when done correctly. The main car doors must also be unlocked,… Read More: How to Open Gas Tank Door on Chevy Malibu (2015-2023) »
Having roadside emergency lights is something that is nice to have in many scenarios, from breaking down, back tail lights stopped working, or any time road hazard lights are needed. Using them when being broken down is no doubt the time they are used the most, but I have also used them in many other… Read More: Our Picks for Best Road Side Emergency Lights »
A bad IAC valve will affect the idle of the engine with a high or low idle speed. It will only affect the idle of the engine but engine will run well when the gas pedal is pressed. An IAC valve is controlled by the computer and allows air to bypass the throttle body butterfly… Read More: Symptoms of a Bad Idle Air Control Valve (IAC) »
Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2011–2020 Toyota Sienna is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take it to a professional. There are two bulbs located inside the headlight assembly called Low-beam and High-beam. The Low beam bulb is on the outside, while the… Read More: How to Replace Headlight Bulb 2011–2020 Toyota Sienna »
I have a friend who was having a fuel pump problem on a 2004 Passat, so I went over to help troubleshoot. At first I was ready to simply swap in a new one until I seen the price, which would make it costly if it was not the problem. Plus, a special tool is… Read More: Testing if a Fuel Pump is Bad Volkswagen Passat (1998… »
A bad Body Control Module (BCM) can have several symptoms related to electrical problems in a vehicle. This includes any of the components that the BCM controls and manages such as the radio, electric windows, windshield wipers, and more. What is a Body Control Module? The body control module (BCM) is a computer that monitors… Read More: Symptoms of a Bad Body Control Module (BCM) »
If you have a car or truck and think it may have low fuel pressure, several symptoms are caused by fuel delivery issues. Symptoms include long start times, rough idle, check engine light on, misfire codes (P0300-P0308), engine running lean (P0171 Code), and reduced engine power. Low fuel pressure is often described as the vehicle… Read More: Symptoms of Low Fuel Pressure and What Causes It »
Changing the oil on the 2019 Toyota Corolla 1.8 Liter is easy to do and part of basic maintenance. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take your car to a professional. A Maintenance Required message will display when the oil needs to be changed, which will need to be reset when done. Resetting… Read More: How To Change the Oil 2019 Toyota Corolla 1.8 L »
If you think you have a bad clogged catalytic converter, there can be several symptoms that point to a bad unit. Common symptoms include low engine power, misfire, running rough, strange smell, and more. Symptoms of a Bad Clogged Catalytic Converter Lack of Power When a catalytic converter becomes clogged, exhaust from the engine will… Read More: Symptoms of a Bad Clogged Catalytic Converter »
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 a possible vacuum leak. What is a P1101 on a Chevy Malibu? A P1101 OBDII error code is listed as “MAF Out of Self… Read More: 3 Common Causes and Fixes P1101 Chevy Malibu »
If you have a Chevy Cruze with a P00B7 engine error code, it points to an overheating issue. The problem is usually a faulty component in the coolant system with several parts that can cause a P00B7 OBDII error code. What is a P00B7 Engine Error Code on a Chevy Cruze? A P00B7 Engine Error… Read More: Causes and Fixes P00B7 Engine Code Chevy Cruze »
A P0301 error code is a misfire that means the number-1 spark plug is not firing correctly. Other P0300 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. If the cylinder is not firing correctly, the engine performance will be greatly… Read More: Causes and Fixes P0301 Code: Cylinder 1 Engine Misfire »
A video is at the bottom of this post for a visual walk-through if needed. If you have a 2015-2023 Ford Mustang 5.0 and need to check the oil level, it is quick and easy to do. The hood will need to be opened to get access to the dipstick, which will show the engine… Read More: How to Check the Engine Oil 2015-2023 Ford Mustang 5.0 »
The TOPDON ArtiDiag800BT is a professional wireless OBDII scan tool built with many features and options. It uses a Bluetooth VCI OBDII Dongle to communicate with the scan tool, making it highly portable. This makes it a good option for watching real-time data from anywhere within the range of 33 feet. The ArtiDiag800BT also has… Read More: Review: TOPDON ArtiDiag800BT OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth Wireless Diagnostic Tool »
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, bad shocks, damaged leaf spring, 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… Read More: What Makes a Clunking Noise When Accelerating in a Car… »
Motor mounts are necessary components that bolt the engine to the frame of a vehicle. When a mount fails, there can be varying symptoms, such as vibrations or clunking and thud noises. What is an Engine Motor Mount? An engine motor mount secures the engine to the frame of a vehicle and helps to absorb… Read More: Symptoms of Bad Engine Motor Mounts »
If you have any questions, contact me with email, Linkedin, or in the comment section below. Contact Email: fixandrepairslots@hotmail.com About Backyard Mechanic Writers About Bob Thomas Linkedin Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/bob-thomas-9045445b/ Repair Videos: YouTube Channel Hi, I am Bob Thomas an automotive mechanic with 30-plus years of experience. I am a contributor to several book publications and… Read More: Backyardmechanic About Us – Contact Us – Disclaimer Page »
What Causes Fuel to go Bad? How Long Can Gas Sit Before It Goes Bad? How To Tell If Gas is Bad? Symptoms of Bad Gas in a Car or Truck What is the Best Method for Gas When Placing a Vehicle In Storage? What To Do If Gas Is In a Vehicle for a… Read More: Symptoms of Bad Gas in a Car or Truck »
If you have a car or truck and are not sure it will pass a smog test, an easy way to test it, is to use an OBDII scan tool with an emission check option. While each state has its emission requirements, a compatible OBDII scan tool has built-in functions that can show if it… Read More: Our Picks for Best OBDII Scan Tool for Smog Test »
If you have a Chevy Cruze with a P0299 error code, there is an issue with low pressure from the turbo. The official definition of a P0299 code is “Turbo/Super Charger Underboost.” What is a Chevy Cruze P0299 Error Code? A P0299 OBDII error code in a Chevy Cruze is “Turbo/Super Charger Underboost.” A Chevy… Read More: 3 Causes and Fixes P0299 Code Chevy Cruze »
A bad purge valve can have varying symptoms and will need to be examined and tested to see if it has failed. The main symptoms include the engine light staying on, less fuel mileage, and failing an emission test. What is the Purge Valve? The purge valve is a component in a vehicle’s EVAP system… Read More: 5 Symptoms of a Bad Purge Valve »
If you have a vehicle and suspect it has a clogged fuel filter, there can be various symptoms. The symptoms will vary depending on how clogged up the filter has become. A clogged fuel filter will block the flow of gas to the engine, causing it to run badly or not at all. What Happens… Read More: Symptoms of a Clogged Fuel Filter »
If you have a Diesel truck and have an engine light on or simply need to pull the codes, there are many scan tools available. The first thing you’re going to need is a scan tool to find out why the check engine light is on. A dealership will have the best equipment to troubleshoot… Read More: Our Picks for Best Diesel Diagnostic Scan Tools »
12-volt electric car heaters are an option when it comes to helping to heat your vehicle. Notice I say help to heat. 12-Volt heaters do not have enough power output to heat a car or truck the way a standard heater does. In fact, depending on how cold the place you live is, they might… Read More: What is the Best 12-Volt Portable Plug In Car Heater? »
Since their introduction, OBDII Bluetooth scanner tools have become a favorite among part-time mechanics and professionals to find and fix engine problems. They are low-cost engine diagnostic tools that can help troubleshoot a problem. For example, if an engine light comes on, which gives no indication of the problem, a small, low-cost OBDII adapter code… Read More: Best Bluetooth OBDII Scan Tools for a Smartphone »
A PCV valve is a necessary part of an engine that allows the pressure that builds in the crankcase to be released. When a PCV valve fails, and the pressure is not released, it can cause several symptoms, such as blowing out gaskets or engine misfires. The symptoms will vary and depend on whether the… Read More: Symptoms of a Bad PCV Valve and How to Test… »
A Chevy P0300 is a common engine OBDII code that means one or more of the cylinders are not firing correctly. There can be several causes, including spark relates issues, gas delivery issues, or air intake-related problems. The engine will need to be troubleshot to find the cause. What is a Chevrolet P0300 engine Code?… Read More: Causes and Fixes Chevrolet P0300 Code: Engine Misfire Detected »
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: How to Test if a Fuel Injector is Good or… »
A multimeter is a tool that makes life easier when testing electronics or wiring in a vehicle. Checking if a battery has a charge or testing the alternator are common problems that can be quickly checked with a multimeter. A good meter for automotive work will have basic requirements that almost any meter should have.… Read More: What is the Best Multimeter for Automotive Repair? »
A throttle position sensor (TPS) is a necessary component in modern vehicles that sends information about the amount of gas that goes into the engine. When a TPS fails, it can cause various symptoms since the air-fuel ratio will be incorrect, which can cause the engine to run badly. What is the Throttle Position Sensor?… Read More: Symptoms of a Bad Throttle Position Sensor »
There are many good OBDII scan tools for almost any vehicle, including Honda’s. Some scanners can only read basic functions, while a few have more advanced features that are Honda-specific. Do Honda Vehicles Have an OBDII Port? All Honda vehicles built after 1996 have an OBDII port built in. It is usually located under the… Read More: What is the Best OBDII Scan Tool for Honda? »
If you have a Chevy Trailblazer with a P0014 OBDII error code, there are several causes and fixes. A P0014 Code means the onboard computer is seeing low oil pressure. Below are the most common symptoms, along with causes and fixes. What is a Chevy Trailblazer P0014 Code? A P0014 error code is an “Exhaust… Read More: Causes and Fixes P0014 Code Chevy Trailblazer »
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. Can You… Read More: 4 of the Best Ways to Bleed Bake Lines by… »
If you own a Kia and need a good OBDII scan tool, there are many available. Owning an OBDII scan tool is ideal for troubleshooting a car or just knowing why the engine light is on. What Is a Kia OBDII Scan Tool? All modern vehicles, including Kia, have an OBDII port that communicates with… Read More: Our Picks for Best OBDII Scan Tools for Kia Vehicles »
If you have a Chevy Cruze with a P0171 OBDII error code, there is a problem with the air/fuel ratio going into the engine. When too much air is in the system, it will run lean, and when too much gas is in the system, it runs rich. The air gas ratio is managed by… Read More: What Is a Chevy Cruze P0171 OBDII Code and What… »