Popular questions

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Power loss, won't go up hill.
If your engine is revving but the vehicle is not maintaining speed on hills, then the transmission may be slipping due to internal clutches. Have the fluid checked by an expert to see if it is burned or has metal...
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Car does not start. Check Engine light on.
There could be several reasons behind why your Honda Civic will not start. A simple test you can try first yourself is to turn the key to the ON position (do not start the car) and see if the Check...
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My car has recently been taking about 5 minutes of cranking to start - do I need to replace the engine?
Before resorting to removing the engine, have a certified technician properly diagnose your hard starting condition. Hard starting or a long cranking situation can be caused by a number of things. The "system too lean" code can contribute to a...
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P0140, P0191, P2000. I put a new oxygen sensor in
Hi there. These codes are coming on for a possible fuel pressure issue that could also be causing the catalytic converter to burn too hot. Check the fuel rail pressure and make sure that the pressure does not exceed minimum...
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Diagnostic code P0411
A code P0411 indicates a secondary air injection system incorrect flow has been detected. This is essentially a system of flushing clean and fresh air into the exhaust system in order to keep the catalytic converter working at its best....
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My car makes a grinding noise when i put it in gear and wont accelerate
The problem sounds like you may have broke an axle CV joint or the problem is in the transmission? I suggest having a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come to you and check to see which one is failing. ...
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check engine light when headlights on.
The best thing to do is read the code that is being output by the ECM and that is causing the check engine light to come on. In 1981, of course, the number of codes output was very limited but...
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2003 Ford F-150 with an ABS light on
Watch my video "fixing ABS brake problems on your car." You cannot work on ABS brake systems without a dealer-level computer. That's just how they are. They are complex feedback computer-run systems. They measure the speed of your wheels with...
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Rear axle replacement on a '08 Mazda CX-9?
Hi there. Replacing the rear axle can be a little more daunting than a front axle. The ability to turn the steering knuckle is not present for the rear as this is a fixed steering system that does not turn....
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Battery and brake light on dash stay on car does not start sometimes
The brake light may be on if the voltage is too low and the battery light is on due to the alternator is not charging. You should have the battery and charging system checked to see if you need the...
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Air conditioning not working
Hi there: AC problems always seem to pop up when it's hot outside and we can least afford the problem. Based on what you're describing, the air conditioner problem with your Chevy K1500 AC system might simply be caused by...
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I just changed oil and I drove less than 200 miles and the dip stik show low oil levels
You may have not filled the oil completely after the oil change and the oil filter was filled. You need to make sure the oil is full by starting and running the engine for a minute after oil change and...
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Question about 1999 isuzu rodeo transmission
Hi there. Unfortunately, this is not a compatible fit for a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. It's always recommended to replace any component with the same parts from a similar year, make and model.
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My impala will only start if I put starter fluid in the throttle body. I don't have to keep spraying for it to keep running.
Hi, thanks for writing in. This type of problem could be a weak fuel pump, an injector that is leaking down and not holding pressure, a fuel pressure regulator, or any number of other possibilities. It would be best to...
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Car Sputtering at Hwy Speeds
There are several things that can cause this kind of sputtering to happen, however one that is very common is in fact the camshaft position sensor failing which can cause problems with ignition timing resulting in sputtering as you describe...
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Jeep is having a hard time starting. 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Hi there - your symptoms suggest a fuel supply issue, quite likely a fuel pressure check valve or fuel pressure regulator issue. Either of these can allow fuel pressure in the injection system to leak down while the vehicle sits....
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Engine starts but won't idle
The problem is most likely the fuel injection spider and fuel pump that needs to be replaced. The spider is inside the intake upper manifold and would cost over $1000 to get replaced. The fuel pump would be around $300...
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Hi my name is James my 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee is making a whining noise when I first accelerate the gas only when I push down bu
Hello James, there are a several things that can cause the symptoms you first describe. A few things I would examine are the fluid level of the transfer case and transmission, and any of the driveline joints. Low fluid level...
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Car stalls, and then stops, after I restart it goes a bit and stops again. Speed is low
Hi and thanks for contacting YourMechanic. All three codes refer to the pressure control solenoid in the transmission. Check the fluid level and top it off if the fluid is low. Check the harness to the transmission for any corrosion,...
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How Long Does an Engine Usually Last?
How long an engine lasts requires a long list of variables to consider before a time frame or mileage can be given. I have seen engines last less than 40,000 miles and others that lasted more than 300,000 miles. When...
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Smell gasoline and see black smoke from exhaust
Hello. Black smoke from the exhaust is the first sign of a rich condition. This means too much fuel is entering the engine. This can be caused by a number of reasons from a leaking fuel injector to a failing...
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My car won't shift into high gear after a series of thumping while accelerating hard check engine light blinks then stops later.
Hi there. Since the check engine light is coming on I would usually start by scanning the computer for codes. When the light comes on the computer should store the code to let the technician know what it saw. If...
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RPMs drop to zero (typically on acceleration). Usually come back up and belt squealing sound is heard; sometimes engine shuts down
Hello. We will be happy to assist you. You most likely have a stuck pulley along the serpentine belt routing. My first guess would be the power steering pump because it is leaking fluid so that is the component I...
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Gas cap notification and check engine light came on after getting gas. Car started to sputter and stall out.
Hi there. When the fuel cap is not securely fastened to the tank, it can create vacuum issues inside the tank; which triggers the error code to be stored in the ECU. The error will then trigger the check engine...