If you have a Honda with a P1456 error code, the onboard computer (ECM) is seeing an error with the Evap system. The official definition for a Honda P1456 is EVAP Control System Leak Detected (Fuel Tank System). The Evap system helps a vehicle run more efficiently and reduce emissions. When the system is not… Read More: Causes and Fixes Honda P1456 Error Code »
Having a good OBDII scan tool goes a long way to help troubleshoot a vehicle issue and point to the repair needed. There are many good OBDII scanners to use that come with different menus, features, and price ranges. Often, what works for one person may not work for another so below we list our… Read More: What is the Best OBDII Scanner for the DIY Mechanic »
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: What Is a P0102 OBDII Code and What are the… »
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: Why Does the Gas Pump Keep Clicking Off When Filling… »
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: 7 Common Symptoms of a Bad Engine Thermostat »
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: Chevy Cruze Thermostat Symptoms and Replacement »
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: Errors and Fixes Chevy Cruze Coolant Temperature Sensor »
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: Our Picks for Best Orbital Sander for Auto Body Work »
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: Where is the Battery Located in a Chevrolet Traverse »
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: Where is the Battery Located on a Chevy Cobalt and… »
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: Causes and Fixes Honda CRV Check Fuel Cap Message »
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: How to Fix a Car that Overheated and Now Wont… »
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: Can You Mix DOT 3 and DOT 4 Brake Fluid? »
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: Review: INNOVA 6100P SRS ABS Engine OBDII Scan Tool »
Vehicle dents can be annoying, frustrating, and expensive to repair. Below is two little tricks you can use when you have one of those dents. Of course, not all dents are the same, and not all dents can be tackled the same way. There are those hard to get to dents. There are those dents… Read More: Do It Yourself Dent Removal Tips and Tricks »
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: Causes and Fixes Battery Light On But Alternator is Charging »
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: Review: BESTEK 300W Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC »
A video is at the bottom of the page for a visual walk through. This unit was sent to me to review with my honest opinion and results below. Congress passed the clean air act in 1970 and started the epa, however it wasn’t until January 1st 1996 that all vehicles were required to have… Read More: Review: Launch 6001 OBDII Code Reader with O2 Sensor Test »
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: Best Evap Smoke Machines or Find Vacuum Leaks »
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: Causes and Fixes for a Toyota P0441 Engine Code »
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: Causes and Fixes Chevy Cruze Overheating »
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: How to Tell If a Radiator Cap is Bad and… »
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: 3 Causes and Fixes Nissan P0456 Code »
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: What to Do When Flashing Check Engine Light Then Stops »
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: Our Picks for Best Chevy OBDII Scan Tools »
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: Review: Autel Auto Link AL319 OBD2 Scanner »
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: What is the Best OBDII Scan Tool for a 2010-2020… »
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: 5 Causes When Car Starts Then Sputters and Shuts Off »
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: Where is the Battery Located on a Dodge Journey How… »
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: Causes and Fixes Chevy P1516 Code Reduced Engine Power »
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: Where is the Battery Located on a 2016-2019 Jeep Grand… »
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: Service Battery Charging System (Chevy GM) Causes and Fixes »
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: 4 Causes and Fixes for a Jeep P0456 Code »
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: 4 Causes and Fixes for Check Fuel Cap Message Honda… »
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: Toyota Corolla ESC (Car with Wavy Lines) Light Stays On… »