Popular questions

Question
Can a jumped timing chain cause an oil or coolant leak?
The damage that can be caused by a timing chain jumping on your particular car should be fairly minimal as it is a non-interference motor. It may be possible for it to cause an oil leak potentially if the chain...
Question
Would you consider an aftermarket CV axle or only a genuine Honda one?
The on-line price for the axle, at Honda Internet dealers, is about $500. Personally, I wouldn't buy an aftermarket "air freshener" for a car and so, yes, of course you should buy the OEM axle simply because the OEM axle...
Question
Car won't crank. It just clicks once but all the lights come on.
A starter like any other mechanical and electrical part is subject to failing sometimes for no apparent reason. However, sometimes this is misdiagnosed as well and often times mistaken for something much more simple like a fuse or starter relay....
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What are the requirements for a nice drifting car?
In order to drift you will need to have a rear wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle. If you have a front wheel drive vehicle, you will only drift by pulling the emergency brake which is not good for...
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Does a bad oxygen sensor make the car slower when in full throttle ?
Hi there. It depends on whether or not you are racing your friend on a NHRA sanctioned Drag Strip or illegally on the street as to whether or not the O2 sensor is causing you to be slow. If you're...
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Auto stop not working and changed to engine idle on a Tahoe hybrid. Any thoughts on what could be causing the change?
Hi there. This is normal condition for your vehicle to perform an idle change from auto stop. The main transmission battery is low on a charge and is causing the engine to continue to drive under an idle condition to...
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Stuck in reverse
Hi there, thanks for writing in. Sounds like you may need to check the shift linkage. It most likely came off at the transmission shift control arm. The plastic bushing for the shift cable falls apart over time, and then...
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Car shuts off still like battery is dead, new alternator and battery
The output of the charging system should be verified as well as the charge status of the "new" battery. Batteries purchased at retail are not necessarily fully charged so the battery really can't be ruled out until everything is tested....
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What does the Vehicle Dynamic Control off switch do?
Your Altima is equipped with a stability and traction control system called the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). The VDC system is designed to provide better traction during slippery driving by reducing engine output. This reduces wheel spin and can...
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Steering is Stiff
The power steering fluid may have been overfilled and fluid is getting on the power steering belt causing it to slip. Check belt to see if it is wet with fluid? If it is then check power steering fluid to...
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Why would my Cadillac escalade overheat? It's at 215,000 miles.
Hi, thanks for writing in. I'd be happy to try to help you with this issue. One thing that can cause an overheat is a clogged cooling system. If any part of the cooling/heating system is clogged, then the coolant...
Question
My car was smoking on the driver side no leaks on the ground and it's not over heating
Hello. The best thing to do is visually inspect where the smoke is coming from. Replicate whatever conditions necessary to get the engine to smoke again, and lift the hood to see where it is coming from. Keep in mind,...
Question
Jeep shuts off when driving
Hello. Although this sounds similar to the problem you are experiencing, the crank sensor does not seem to be the problem because a malfunction of the crank sensor can cause the truck to run for a brief moment before shutting...
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Mass Air Flow replacement and problems with a fast idle
This may be related to a dirty or faulty idle air control valve. As you may know, this works similarly to the mass air flow sensor in that it relays air information to the computer which then makes adjustments to...
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Can a fuel cap cause my Chevy Tahoe to reduce engine power
Hi There, The check engine light indicates that there is likely something wrong with the engine or transmission in your vehicle and will usually come on in conjunction with the vehicle going into the reduced power mode. This happens when...
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My car makes a whirring noise and the check engine light is on with codes P0741 and P0700
The noise you are hearing is the transmission is having problems internally with the torque convertor clutch and valve body. The code P0741 has a long list of possible problems all pertaining with the torque convertor and valve body of...
Question
p241a read on scanner.
Hi there. Check the plugs on the O2 sensors and see if they are swapped. This will cause the fault code to come on. If the wiring is correct, then the wiring could have a break in it on the...
Question
Turning wheel left and right clunk noise possibly a strut mount?
Hi there. In most cases, a clunking sound when turning the steering wheel is typically an indication of a damaged steering stabilizer bar bushing. However, it can also be a damaged strut mount, tie rod or CV joint that is...
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Hi there! I have a 2003 Camry v6 3.0. I have a C1336 code that says Zero point calibration of yaw rate sensor undone. I've tried r
Hi there. You might want to watch this video on completing the calibration. It's a manual test that is related to Toyota vehicles.
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My Dodge Journey randomly shows hot oil message under mileage and a few other lights. Once I turn car off it then won't rest
There is a possibility that trouble codes have been stored and those should be sought first as if they exist they will provide clues to resolve the issues you are seeing. If there are no codes, what you can do...
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I have a 2009 chevy aveo. The signal and hazard lights just stopped working.
Generally this is something caused by the flasher relay going bad. This is a small relay that allows the lights to flash based upon current flow and a resistor inside that causes them to flash. When this is faulty, this...
Question
Car suddenly went into limp mode
Hello and thank you for contacting Your Mechanic. Your Hummer could have the brake system engaged for the traction control. Disable the traction control and see if the engine will increase in speed. Another thing to check is the...
Question
The car starts by itself!!!!
Hi there. In order for an engine to start, the ignition relay needs to send an electric signal to activate the fuel system, ignition system and eventually the starter to crank the motor. This happens in three possible ways. First,...
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In limp mode following a catalytic convertor repair. Have driven 70 mIles in limp mode.
The only purpose of the catalytic converter is to reduce exhaust emissions. The converter is within the exhaust system and functions as part of the vehicle's emission control system. Excepting only an unusual circumstance where the converter is physically plugged...
Question
Failed inspection due to e brake not working please help me identify parking brake and emergency brake?
What aspect of it do you need identified? To start, the parking brake and the emergency brake are the same part. Those are the two of the names given to the additional brake or hand brake as it is also...