Popular questions

Question
Hood Open light comes on while driving
You may have a faulty hood switch on your 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500. This switch is responsible for letting the driver know if the hood is open. It is possible that the vehicle is programmed to only show the open hood...
Question
Vehicle runs roughly, shudders and rattles, vacuum leak
Thanks for writing in about your 2000 Chrysler Cirrus. When the coils were removed to replace the spark plugs, they should have been inspected for oil getting on them from a leaking valve cover. The leaking valve cover may leak...
Question
Clutch pedal not working.
You may have broke the clutch cable. This is a common problem with this car. Usually the clutch itself does not break. I recommend you get a qualified mechanic to check your clutch pedal linkage or cable problem. You may...
Question
Transmission slip, car bucking, code P0741
Hey there. This may be related to a fuel supply issue such as a dirty or failing mass air flow sensor. This is a unit in the intake system that reads the air flow into the engine as it is...
Question
misfire cylinder 1 and 2
Hello. A misfire can be caused by a variety of components. Due to the oil smell we can focus in on a few potential issues. If you are noticing any kind of smoke during acceleration or deceleration, then you may...
Question
Can it hurt my car if i drive it with the battery saver active light on?
Hi There, The battery saver active light indicates that the system has detected that the battery charge is low, which generally means either the battery itself is weak or that the charging system is not properly charging the battery and...
Question
Key getting stuck in ignition of a 2002 Mazda MPV
Hello. There is a safety interlock switch in the gear select linkage system. It prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park. If that switch is misaligned, has failed, or its connector is dirty or has failed, the...
Question
Timing chain replacement cost?
To obtain an exact quote for replacement of the timing chain, please use the "Get a Quote" link at YourMechanic's timing chain replacement service page. Once you accept the quote, a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic, will come right to...
Question
Black soot and bad smell coming from the heater vents.
Hi there. Sounds like the cabin air filter to the heating and a/c system is degrading and peeling apart. The stuff that is coming out into the cabin area is a filter full of dirt and debris. I recommend replacing...
Question
I have 2014 chevy sonic lt 1.8 and my car won't let me remote start my car anymore why? can you help me?
Often times this is a case of a dead remote battery. Your key fob battery powers the remote lock, unlock and remote starting functions as you know. When these batteries fail, you will usually lose some functionality. The other common...
Question
How do you use the speed control system?
The speed control system on your vehicle is the same thing as what other manufacturers call a cruise control system. It allows you to choose a speed you want to cruise at, set the system and then relax a little...
Question
Engine vibrates then becomes full shake as if wanting to turn off but no check engine light on side note 2016 Nissan Altima 44,000
Hi Elsa. Thanks for contacting us today. There are a few reasons why a car will vibrate like you are describing. Typically, the most common source is that the engine or motor mounts are worn out. This tends to happen...
Question
Back wheels bow out at bottom
Front or rear wheels can bow out for a number of reasons. In alignment terms, we call this negative camber. Camber is the angle of the wheels when looking straight at them from the front or rear. When the tops...
Question
Something rattling inside car door
Hello. The rattling noise you are hearing in the door is probably due to a nut or bolt that has come loose and has fallen to the bottom of the door. With a power window regulator, the window glass and...
Question
wont start but turns over
Hello, thank you for writing in. A vehicle that is suffering from a lack of fuel will show low fuel pressure at the intake. Hook up a gauge in line and crank over the engine. If the cranking fuel pressure...
Question
Loud banging from driver's side rear of car
Hello. A banging noise can come from many different parts in the rear of your vehicle. Typically if the noise only occurs intermittently then it is not a bearing. A bearing tends to make more of a rubbing or roaring...
Question
my car will not start after putting fuel in the tank, what could be the reason for this happening? 2006 Kia Rio 5
The EVAP purge valve might be stuck open. Is so, that will throw off the air fuel ratio enough to cause the problem you are describing. The purge valve can be tested, just request EVAP system testing - purge valve....
Question
After warm up I accelerate and it makes a rattling noise only when I'm pressing the accelerate
Hello there, thank you for asking about your 1999 Ford Mustang. You may have a defective mass airflow sensor. The sensor may not set a code either. The problem is the sensor may tell the computer you are at 10,000...
Question
I drove my car about 50 miles without the oil cap it started rattling and cut off and now it wont crank
Having driven that far with no oil cap, it is likely that the engine oil level ran low enough to cause engine damage, possible seizing the engine. If that is what happened, adding oil will not help once the engine...
Question
Alarm goes off when inserting key into ignition
Hello. Even though the battery has been tested, there still may be a problem with the battery or alternator not charging properly if the car needs to be jump started. The factory alarm is very hard to disable and shouldn’t...
Question
Fast Ticking sound coming from the engine.
Hi there. To see where the noise is coming from on the engine, first try removing the drive belt and starting the engine. If the ticking noise went away, then there is an issue with a pulley on an accessory...
Question
Car jerks when accelerating
What you are describing sounds like a dirty or faulty mass air flow sensor. The mass air flow sensor monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. This sensor relays vital information...
Question
Low Coolant light flashing.
When you see a flashing Low Coolant light on your Saturn’s dashboard, the coolant level sensor is reading that there is no coolant in your expansion tank. This is very easy to verify, just be sure your car is cold,...
Question
Car won't start after sitting.
As a car sits it is still using the battery so after a few months it is common for the battery to be drained because it hasn't been charged by the alternator. Jump starting it should work to get the...