Popular questions

Question
Heater not working reliably, is it caused by a bad thermostat?
From what you've described, it sounds like you have a stuck open thermostat. I'd recommend replacing the thermostat to see if this is the cause of the slow heat up of the vehicle since it's a relatively quick repair. In...
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Clutch issues
You car's transmission has what are called transmission synchronizers (aka "synchros") which are small fork type components that help to move the transmission in and out of gear. Sometimes these can be worn or occasionally misaligned when the transmission has...
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battery tested fine, car won't start
One way to diagnose this is to use a voltmeter to check for battery voltage at the starter motor when the key is held in the "start" position. If there is power to the starter motor, and yet it doesn't...
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the wiring harness for the stereo the chords that come from the truck in the gray connector there is a pin missing what is that
Sometimes radio wiring harness' have pins that are missing on purpose due to the fact that there are more pin holes in the connector than there are wires. If this is not the case, it is possible that a wire...
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Should I try to salvage my car that has a knocking noise do to insufficient supply of oil or do I just buy a new car?
Hello, thank you for writing in. With the issues you are having, the problem may be more serious then the car is worth. You will want to consider all of the potential costs to have it fixed. This may require...
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Wobbling or vibrating noise from the front
Hi there. Diagnosing a vibration sound is very difficult to do remotely, which is why most mechanics will test drive your vehicle first to attempt to replicate the sound you're experiencing. However, in most cases, the type of sound you're...
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Are the wheel bearings in the 98 lincoln navigator pressed in?
Hello. We will be happy to answer your question. The wheel bearings on a Lincoln Navigator are pressed down but not pressed in in the fashion that you may think. They can be removed by hand but you will have...
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Car misfires while idling
If you think your car is misfiring, you should have a Check Engine light up on the dash. If you have a Check Engine light, start by having the vehicle scanned for trouble codes. If any cylinder is misfiring, the...
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Car is on but the engine won't run
Generally, the check engine light comes on when something fairly serious is going on with the vehicle. This can happen for many different reasons such as a faulty mass air flow sensor, a faulty O2 sensor, a bad catalytic converter,...
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Is the engine on a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2l diesel 2004 a interference or a non-interference engine?
Hello - according to Suzuki, all of their engines are interference. The timing belt replacement interval is being revised to 60,000 kilometers; more like 40K miles. So, caution for replacing the timing belt earlier than expected. If you need assistance...
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D light blinks and gear stuck onto neutral although its geared to D or R. What is the problem of my honda crv 2003?
Hi there. Unfortunately, without being there to complete a gears are difficult to change inspection; any guesses on what's causing this problem would simple be a guess and not very responsible on our part. It could be something as simple...
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Engine is not smooth and i’m worried it’ll die
Yes, you should get the vehicle checked as soon as possible. YourMechanic can do a diagnostic inspection since you're past the basic warranty period. The rough running could be either an ignition, electrical, or a mechanical issue, and if neglected...
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Brake pedal feels mushy & goes almost to floor.
Liquid (oil, water, grease) contaminants on brake pads do not affect pedal travel, although they might increase stopping distances. Most brakes systems are designed and/or located such that leaks from nearby systems can't contaminate the pads. At any rate, a...
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My trucks front right wheel has negative camber.
Hi there. The first step would be to have the front end inspected to see if the upper and lower ball joints and control arms bushings are worn out and need replacement. If something is worn out and cannot be...
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Locking mechanisms malfunction - 2001 Mercedes Benz CL600
Hello. A few things I would look into are the battery and the central lock vacuum pump. A bad battery can cause all sorts of electrical malfunctions. If the battery checks out, I would then move on to making sure...
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engine hesitates and knocks
Hello, thank you for writing in. Hesitation and knocking can come from several different components. The work you have done so far is perfect and allows us to focus on other systems. When it comes to hesitation the oxygen sensors...
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What number is the fuse for the reversing lights on a 2008 vectra c
The fuse for the back up lights is number 10 and is a 15amp fuse.
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engine probs
As a mechanic that has worked on cars for over 35 years at both dealerships and independent shops I can tell you that most repairs done to a car will not cause another problem unless it was directly related to...
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Welding the harmonic balancer to crank shaft? 1991 Chevrolet S10
Hello - No, welding the harmonic balancer to the crankshaft is not a good idea for at least 2 reasons. Welding the balancer hub to the crankshaft will damage or reverse the benefits of heat-treatment to the crankshaft itself -...
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Tried pressing the clutch pedal and it just flew to the floor. It wouldn't come back until I brought it up myself.
Hi. The most likely cause of this problem is the clutch master cylinder has a leak or has just completely failed. The clutch master cylinder gives your clutch pedal the proper pressure to engage the clutch so the transmission can...
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Check Engine Light does not come on even though there are trouble codes present
The pink/light green wire in ECM pin 2 on the connector will ground the wire internally to the ECM to turn on the Check Engine Light. You could test the wire with the key on and it should have battery...
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Sputtering and other things - 2004 Ford Taurus
Hi there. Typically the issue you're describing is ignition or fuel delivery related. It could be as simple as a crankshaft sensor that is faulty or as complex as a fuel / air mixture issue caused by a faulty mass...
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The rpm in my truck is high while I'm in first gear then drops to normal once i accelerate
Hi Michael. Thanks for contacting us today. A high idle speed while not in gear is often caused by a faulty idle control valve or vacuum leak. It would probably be best to have a mechanic diagnose this issue correctly...
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When i drive my car over 60 miles my car start shakig
Vibration at speed is usually due to dynamic imbalance of the wheel/tire assembly and/or a rim is bent. Even stronger vibration on braking can mean that the brake rotors are warped as well. Certain tire defects, particularly internal belt damage...
Question
Hood not opening
You need to determine if the release handle is pulling the release cable. If it isn't, the hood release will not move. It could also be the hood latch itself, but not likely. With someone pulling the release handle, try...