Popular questions

According to the California Vehicle Code, Section 26709, every motor vehicle that is subject to registration in the state of California, except motorcycles, must have two mirrors that reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance...

There a few things that can cause this situation on your car. The most common have to do with the throttle body and the idle air control system. The throttle body is the where your your throttle valve is...

The neutral safety switch on this transmission is called a transmission range sensor. The sensor is located on the right front of the transmission looking from the front of the vehicle. The connector should have an 8 pin connector on...

For the condition of the engine rpm's changing either the Idle Air Control valve is not working properly and needs cleaned out or the EGR valve is sticking causing the engine to bog down and stall out. I recommend taking...

Hi there. Sounds like the transmission is either slipping or the torque converter is failing. Try taking the vehicle for a test drive and manually shifting the transmission. If the engine operates normally, then the transmission valve body has an...

Your Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light / Brake Assist System (BAS) Warning Light is a common issue with Chrysler. Start with checking the electrical system. Remove the battery cables and clean them well. Next, check the ground connection at...

If your car has a smart key system, then it’s equipped with a warning light and buzzer that help in certain situations when the electronic key might be missing or out of range. There are several light/buzzer combinations that might...

Hey there. The gas smell you experience is most likely due to the unburned fuel due to the engine misfiring. Since you smell unburned fuel, the cause is most likely spark-related. If any spark plug is not firing correctly, the...

Your car’s electronic compass can provide important directional information, but it can also be thrown off by passing through strong electrical fields, strong magnetic fields, exposure to strong radio signals and more. If it’s thrown off, you’ll need to recalibrate...

Hello. Trouble code P0016 is set when the computer detects that there is an issue with the timing between the engine's camshaft and crankshaft signals. The camshaft and crankshafts are connected by a belt or chain, and are precisely timed...

Gas caps are no longer mundane, low tech devices. The only replacement gas cap that a knowledgeable, professional mechanic will recommend is an OEM cap, supplied by the dealer, and matched to your vehicle VIN number. Any other cap, including...

Hi Cassi. Thanks for sending us a message tonight. Yes, the P-0171 OBD-II trouble code indicates a lean mixture issue, which will impact the pass/fail of most emissions tests. Depending on where you live, any check engine light or code...

Hello. The stability control and traction control warning lights can trigger for several reasons. The first step you will want to take will be to have the vehicle scanned for diagnostic troubleshooting codes. This will tell you what about the...

The sway bar drop down link should be tight against the steering knuckle and the sway bar. If the sway bar link can be moved around then the plastic bushings in the joints are broken and the sway bar drop...

Hello. These symptoms suggest something is causing big swings in the fuel mixture when this occurs - quite possibly the O2 sensors (pre-catalytic converter - 2 of them). P0171 is a "lean mix" warning, and P0172 is a "rich mix"...

Closed loop with feedback based on O2 sensor output is "normal" status. If this verbiage appeared alongside an OBD-II trouble code(s), I would need the specific trouble code(s), as well as a description of the vehicle malfunction, if any, to...

This type of low pitched noise tends to be caused by wheel bearings that are just beginning to wear out, or a CV joint that might be losing lubrication as well. It could also indicate a problem with tie rods...

Hello, thank you for writing in. Starting with checking the spark plugs is a great idea, as these are typical symptoms of spark failure. Although the check engine light was not on before, it is now, and there are likely...

The vehicle should not have been driven home with the engine overheating. It's possible that you may have now blown a head gasket and damaged the engine. The fan relay connection, if it is melted, would be due to the...

Your Accord includes both a front and rear defogger/defroster. Whether your windshield is fogging up on a rainy day, or your rear glass is covered by frost, using both systems is easy. Here’s what you need to do: Front Defogger/Defroster...

If the vehicle has conventional halogen headlamps, then I'd look for a loose or broken ground to the headlights, either at each individual headlamp, or the headlamp circuit. If the vehicle is equipped with HID (high intensity discharge) headlights, then...

Hi There, The oil pressure light will usually come on when a few things could be happening. Either the motor is in fact low on oil, the oil pump could be failing or the oil pressure sending unit is not...

If your car is outfitted with a folding rear seat, then you also have convenient access to the trunk through a folding seat back. Here’s how to use it: Locate the plastic cover above the center seat and open...

Hello there, many faults will cause your RPMs to increase but the car not to accelerate. This is called a slipping clutch and happens when power is applied when in gear. There are several causes for a slipping clutch; the...