Q: Exhaust smoke when in idle

Hello. When this occurs, the first thing I do is try turning the engine over by hand. If I cannot turn the engine over by hand, then I know that the engine is seized. If it is seized, then it...

To read the flash codes, make sure you have a clean and stable chassis ground or the codes will not flash. If there is a secure ground and no flash codes, then it is quite possible that this is an...

Hi. Most likely there is something out of alignment in your pulley system causing the belt to come off. The first thing to inspect would be the idler pulley (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idler-pulley-replacement). Remove the belt and check if the pulley wobbles. If...

Hello - this steering behavior does resemble the symptoms from that Recall (14V153000). The specific component that failed for your model was the "steering torque sensor" and should have been replaced as part of the Recall (Bulletin 14116 ). I...

Hello, thank you for writing in. The computer is trying to detect the bulb, but cant. Sometimes this can be a fuse issue, and it may require removing and replacing the fuse for the headlights (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/headlight-is-not-working-inspection). Secondly, the LED bulb...

Hello, thank you for writing in. Several things may be happening. One would be that the fuel pump simply burned itself out trying to suck for gas. This is not uncommon in these situations. Secondly, you may have sucked up...

Hi there. The codes you provided are commonly related to the EGR or Exhaust Gas Recirculation system; specifically the EGR valve or solenoid. You may want to read this article (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0404-obd-ii-trouble-code-exhaust-gas-recirculation-circuit-range-performance-by-jay-safford) on what typically triggers these codes and possible solutions....

The alternators on the two vehicles are not compatible with each other. The computers on these vehicles control the alternator charge rates and you could have a computer problem and should have the system diagnosed by a qualified mechanic like...

Hi S.E. Thanks for contacting us today. If you turn your key, and the engine cranks over every time but is hard to actually start, then the issue is not with the starter. It's more likely that fuel or ignition...