Popular questions

Question
How do you work the Rear Window Defroster?
Your car is equipped with both front and rear defrosters. While the front defroster is controlled with the fan speed/blower knob and ties into your air conditioner, the rear defroster is different. Here’s how to work it: Locate the...
Question
How involved is changing the thermostat on a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder?
Replacing the thermostat on this model of Pathfinder is a relatively simple procedure, not much different from other vehicles. The first step is to drain the coolant to a sufficiently low level. Once the coolant is drained, the thermostat can...
Question
Valve manifold is stuck
Hi there. The only thing that you can do is remove the upper intake manifold runner control and replace it with a good used one or a new one. If you need further assistance removing the intake manifold runner control,...
Question
My Cadillac CTS displayed a message saying trans hot engine idle what could the cause of that be?
Check the transmission fluid and see if its low or too high. Low or too high transmission fluid will cause the transmission to overheat. The transmission temperature sensor will pick up this condition and keep the vehicle from going into...
Question
My 2007 bmw 750li, makes noise when I'm not pressing in the gas. The car indicated oil level was ok. What could causing the noise
Hi there. It really depends on what type of noise you are hearing that will determine what is causing the noise. If it's a constant ticking noise, it's possible your serpentine belt or the pulleys that drive that belt are...
Question
Advice on buying a car with hail damage
Realize that hail damage is just pieces of ice falling down on the car and denting the heck out of everything. It may look horrible but the actual hail itself doesn't damage the car. So as long as it runs...
Question
Car won't start; get error code P0340
Let us first start by discussing the OBD code P0340, which indicates a problem with the camshaft sensor in the Celica. On your particular Toyota, the camshaft position sensor is built into the distributor, therefore you are correct to think...
Question
Engine turns but won't start - 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430
Hello and thank you for your question. Check for the three essentials that the engine needs to run. Check for air in the engine and make sure that the air filter is not plugged up. Check for spark to the...
Question
My water pump is leaking but I replaced timing belt and pump a year ago. Can I just replace the water pump this time?
Hello. You can just replace the water pump in this case. Although, the cost of just the timing belt is fairly negligible in comparison to the total labor of the job. My estimator says the water pump is a 6.5...
Question
Check Engine Light
If your vehicle's check engine light illuminates, there is a malfunction that should be diagnosed and repaired. If the check engine light is flashing, that means there is a serious fault, such as cylinder misfiring, that requires immediate repair. Misfiring,...
Question
How long can you drive with a malfunction.indicator light on
Hi there. In most cases, when a error code is triggered, it indicates that there is an issue that should be inspected or repaired as soon as possible. Depending on the error code, your issue could be due to a...
Question
My 2006 Nissan quest won't change from first gear to 2 gear it over revs I can't go over 25 mph. How do I fix this problem?
How was the condition of the fluid you got out of the transmission, any fault codes? The engine is over revving because the transmission is slipping which can be caused by very worn materials inside the unit. A transmission can...
Question
What is the major problem in my car
Hello. When you have this many codes you either have an issue with the voltage system in the vehicle being low due to a bad connection, a battery that is failing, or a faulty alternator. It can also be...
Question
Electric throttle control light flashing
You should not replace the throttle actuator until you have had the computer scanned and diagnosed first to find the cause of the dash flashing failure light. The throttle will not be responsive when the computer has gone into a...
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Stalls when shifting into gear and low idle
This may be a sign of a faulty MAP sensor as the vehicle responds adversely to a load put on the motor (i.e. putting it in gear or engaging the brakes). The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor senses engine load...
Question
Water pump
Hello, thank you for writing in. You are correct in assuming the water pump may be to blame. You may also want to make sure the fans are turning on, and that your radiator and overflow tank both have the...
Question
I Had my oil changed on 5/28/16. On 5/31/16 the check engine light came on. On 6/5/16 the low oil pressure turn off engine came on
Hello, From what you describe it would not appear to me that something went wrong during your oil change. If the level is correct on the dipstick and the engine runs and sounds okay, then it is probably something else....
Question
Brakes screech, car jerks and rattles during deceleration
The noise from your brakes is most likely going to be the pad material getting wet and causing the noise. Changing to a high quality pad can fix this. The jerking on deceleration is in the transmission and may need...
Question
Squealing noise 2010 Range Rover
Hello. This is caused by an oil leak in the engine. I usually use dye in the engine to find the source of the leak. In a lot of cases on this engine the entire motor will need to be...
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My 2010 Honda Fit Sport keeps showing a decrease in oil but no oil leak. Last week it was at 15 percent and now its at 10 percent.
The values that you are referring to, 10%, 15%, etc, do not represent the level or amount of oil in the engine. The oil level in your vehicle can only be checked using the engine oil dipstick under the hood....
Question
A new battery in need of emergency replacement?
Hello, Although it would be impossible to say definitively, how long your battery would have otherwise lasted, 10.53 volts is extremely low. A normal battery will generally last for 4 to 5 years. If yours was anywhere near that mark,...
Question
what other issues can occur if a misfire troubleshooting problem is not fixed soon enough?
Unfortunately, it is possible to damage the catalytic converter, that is cause a blockage, if the engine misfires "too much" and/or for a prolonged period. It is not yet known whether your converter is damaged, but I will get to...