Popular questions

Question
overheating
You seem to be indicating there is a leak, possibly a coolant leak. If so, the leak point(s) in the cooling system should be identified in a leak diagnostic and thence repaired. If perhaps the leak relates to the water...
Question
Check Engine Light is on - trouble code P0420
As you may know, trouble code P0420 relates to the inefficiency of the catalyst system, which detects the presence of oxygen in the exhaust gases. This can be caused by failing O2 sensors that need to be replaced. This can...
Question
Knock when I turn the steering wheel
Hello, thank you for writing in. You will want to do a full inspection of the steering and suspension components. The CV joints can get damaged from sudden impacts such as you described. The axles, hubs, and steering components can...
Question
My brake light has been on for about a week. Today my ABS light and my battery light both came on at the same time.
It sounds like a fuse may have blown for the throttle control. You should check and replace any blown fuses. The ABS light will come on with the battery light if the alternator is failing as the system voltage begins...
Question
How do you install a child seat with a tether?
Your Accord is equipped with three anchor points above the back of the rear seat. You’ll need to remove the plastic covers to access the metal anchors, though. To install a child seat with a tether: Install the seat...
Question
Starter motor keeps running after car starts
Assuming that it is not an electrical issue (e.g. somehow power is NOT being cut once you release the key from the "start" position) you have a mechanical flaw with the starter. It is hard to say from your description...
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After changing many parts for maintenance recommended by my mechanic, car has a bad vibration when accelerating
Hi Paul. Thanks for sending the question tonight. To be honest, when wholesale replacement jobs like you've described are completed, multiple issues can be missed, incorrectly installed or even have compatibility issues that can lead to a vibration. If you...
Question
Engine light is on and will not hook up to diagnostic machine - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
If the engine stalls during travel, it can cause a hazard for other drivers on the road. If the vehicle does not run, your son should not drive it any extended period of time. The issue could very well be...
Question
How to fix jammed safety belt.
You may have to remove the rear seat to get to the retractor for the seat belt. The only suggestion is to try and pull it out very slowly. If it has a bad locked retractor the retractor would need...
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When I am driving the car will stopping accelerating as if I took my foot off the pedal but my foot hasn't even moved.
Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle may be having issues with the throttle or throttle position sensor. These can be tested and replaced if needed. When this happens, you should also scan the vehicle for diagnostic troubleshooting codes....
Question
One month ago cel came on I changed spark plugs to after market plugs. One month later cel on again with misfire code.
If the spark plugs hadn't been changed until 130k, it was time for the to be replaced anyway. This is probably why the dealer went with that repair as worn spark plugs can cause misfires. Ignition coils are another part...
Question
O/D off sensor lit up on the dashboard.
Hi there. I recommend changing the transmission fluid first to see if there is any contanimates in the oil and filter. If the fluid is dirty then the sensors will not work very good. If the fluid is good and...
Question
Timing belt off track
A timing belt that appears to be slipping its way off its gear, or coming off track, is an indication that the timing belt is loose. When the timing belt starts to slide off its gears, it can rub against...
Question
Safety belt and airbag warning lights on - 2010 BMW 538xi
The SRS system should have faults read out but based on your description, the seat mat sensor in the passenger is most likely the cause. The seat occupancy sensor is used in both determining air bag deployment and seatbelt pyrotechnic...
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My car does not accelerate when I throttle, instead it jerks back and forth.
Diagnosing throttle issues is very difficult to do without being on site to complete an exam. However, in some cases, this symptom is caused by a damaged or worn out throttle controller. Throttle Controller is the electronic version of what...
Question
Front axle trouble
Hi there. If the wheel itself is physically turned in or out, it's probably an indication that something has broken or is bent; but would require replacement in most cases. There are multiple suspension components that comprise the front end...
Question
My car's gas gauge jumps around
An erratic fuel gauge can be caused by a number of problems. The fuel sending unit in the gas tank can be bad/shorted. The gauge itself can be bad, or a short in the wiring between the sending unit and...
Question
i have been noticing increasing poor acceleration performance & bad gas mileage and now my check engine light is on
If the Check Engine Light is on then you would need to have the computer checked to see if the code received pertains to the problems you are having. Not getting the valves adjusted may start to cause misfire codes....
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My steering wheel jerks to the left.
You probably damaged a lower control arm. They aren't very strong and a slide into a curb is all it takes to bend one. There are a number of other components, like tie rods that can be damaged in that...
Question
Should I replace my spare tire?
You should have a tire store or dealer inspect the spare tire for damage and excessive wear and the need to replace it. If you drove over the 50 mile limit and over speeds limited by tire then without seeing...
Question
Question about driver side break
The information and description is a bit limited but I can do my best to assist you. I'm not quite sure I know what you mean when you say one caliper looks longer than the rest? The front brakes...
Question
Rough idle on acceleration displaying symptoms of a misfire, but there is no misfire codes detected. On cold starts the car is completely normal.
Hi there. Since you have a code for the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), the EGR could act like a vacuum leak and cause a random misfire. Remove the EGR and clean it out and then put it back on. If...
Question
Can a bad master cylinder cause the clutch to go out as if someone was riding it?
The fact that you have been driving the vehicle with the defective clutch master cylinder would not have caused the clutch problem if you would have had it fixed as soon as the problem was evident. The clutch was not...
Question
Car will start but will not go into drive or reverse. It revs up just fine, transmission was not slipping. Rear tire was covered in fluid.
Hello. I would need to know what kind of vehicle this is to be able to help you with specifics. From what you are explaining though it sounds like a transmission failure. When there is a transmission problem the vehicle...