Auto Repair Articles

Question:
Has anyone found a way too improve the poor range and some of the other undesirable shortcomings of the factory installed remote starter on the T Tundra?

Answer:
You might try adding to the gray antenna wire and extending it. Not all models have this antenna wire though.

A Toyota Technician has proven that holding the remote up to your chin and pressing the button actually proved to add about 20 feet to the range of a remote.
 

Question:
I have 89 Ford Ranger 6cyl…auto trans goes into gears fine, except when I reach a speed where it should go into 3rd or 4rth…it doesn’t…..makes kind of a ”whirring” sound…what do you think may be the problem? Will it be operable for awhile, til I can bring it to mechanic? 

Answer:
Confirm that it is not low on fluid. Check with engine running and in park on flat surface. If it is full, then you are looking at needing a rebuild or replacement. I recommend jasperengines.com as they come with a 3 year/100,000 mile parts and labor warranty. These are what i install in my shop. As for the noise, could be the front pump going out if it does it all the time, if it makes the noise only when it won’t shift, it may be the planet gears. I don’t think it will last a month if you continue driving it the way it is.

How long does it take to replace a heater core on a 94 Dodge Caravan ?

Select From the Features Below +/- Feature Heater Core Replacement Labor/Diagnostic Time 4 View Full Image 1984-95 HOURS w/AC 5.7 wo/AC 3 1996-00 (1.4) 2.2 Hours totalled 0 Labor Charge $0.00

Question:

I have a 2006 Ford SES 2.3. My ABS light is on, what is the cause?

Answer:

There are many reasons for the light to illuminate. The ABS Light will come on when one or more components of the ABS system have failed the on board system test. The light on means the ABS system is inactive. You can drive the vehicle this way with no harm to the vehicle. The only way to find the exact problem is to have the codes scanned with a scan tool. Examples: http://www.freeautomechanic.com/scantools.html 

DETROIT – After spending billions of dollars on Jaguar and Land Rover, Ford Motor Co. gave up on the storied British automakers Wednesday and unloaded them to India’s Tata Motors Ltd. for a mere third of the original purchase price.

Ford’s fortunes have changed, with slumping U.S. sales and billions in losses. The fire-sale price comes as the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker concentrates on its main brands.

“You have to cut your losses at some point,” said Erich Merkle, vice president of auto industry forecasting for the consulting firm IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids. “It’s been draining them of cash and resources.”

Tata is India’s oldest and largest conglomerate, with holdings in steel, information technology and autos. It should have the cash to save Jaguar and Land Rover and develop new products to better compete with luxury automakers, Merkle said. Continue Reading »

GM Dex-Cool/ Intake Manifold Gasket Class Action

NATIONWIDE SETTLEMENT REACHED IN GM/DEX-COOL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
On March 20, 2008, the California Superior Court granted preliminary approval to the class action settlement reached with General Motors in the GM/Dex-Cool class action lawsuit. This settlement affects people who purchased or leased a “covered vehicle” anywhere in the United States other than Missouri. A separate settlement has been reached for those who purchased or leased their vehicle in Missouri, which will offer the same benefits but will be separately approved by a Missouri court.

The lawsuits were filed on behalf of owners of General Motors vehicles, which were factory-filled with “Dex-Cool” coolant. In summary, the lawsuits alleged that Dex-Cool degraded certain vehicles’ intake manifold gaskets and other engine sealability components, and that in certain other vehicles, Dex-Cool formed a rusty sludge, clogging the vehicles’ cooling systems and causing vehicles to overheat.

Terms of the Settlement:

You may be eligible to receive between $50 and $800 in cash reimbursement under the settlement if you have paid for a covered repair by May 30, 2008, and if you submit a claim by October 27, 2008. If you paid for multiple covered repairs, you may be eligible to receive multiple cash reimbursements provided you submit a separate claim for each repair. Continue Reading »

Hooting or Whistling noise.  Owners of some 2005-06 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators with dual a/c systems may hear an irritating hooting or whistling type sound from the rear of the passenger compartment.

According to Ford, the noise occurs most frequently when the vehicle is being driven with the front a/c on, the interior cooled, the rear a/c off and the blower motor speed set its lowest setting. A defective rear expansion valve has been identified as the likely source of the noise. Installing a new-design TXV (Part No. 6LiZ-19849-B) into the re3ar HVAC case should put the problem to rest. Should take about two hours for the part to be replaced.

Recharging the Air Conditioning System with Freon should only be done if you have the tools and ability to so. If your Air Conditioning is not blowing cold, then properly diagnose the issue first. Do not assume that simply shoving more freon in the system will fix it, as to much freon will not allow the system to work properly. Follow this Air Conditioning System Diagnostic Chart . After you have diagnosed the system and are certain the system is low on freon, then it is time to add more freon. It is a good idea to fix any leak before hand. Read and follow the instructions on the can of freon for installation of the connectors from the can to the low pressure side fitting. If the system is too low to start the compressor working, use a paper clip and jump it across the low pressure switch connector to get it started, then reconnect the connector after a 15 to 20 seconds. Follow the instructions on the can till completed.

Question:
I have a 1997 Chevy Cavalier 2.2engine,timing chain broke and I replaced it but the engine runs rough. I checked the compression and found that #1 has very low,#3 has no compression on #2 & #4 are good. What should I DO NEXT?

Answer:
The good news is that this engine is not an interference engine so the likely hood that your valves are bent is very slim. I would look at the timing chain again. You can set the timing marks and them release the tensioner pin and it will influence the timing marks. The marks must line up with the tensioner pressure on it. You need to spin the motor over several times and recheck the marks afterwords before you put it back together.

The lack of compression is because the timing is off and the valves are partially open when they shouldn’t be.

*note* most of these timing chains break in this engine because the chain guide/tensioner have broken and the guide/tensioner should be replaced at the same time as the chain.

Question:
I have a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant with 48,000 miles on it. How important is the 55,000 timing chain service?  Does it need done? How important is this over long engine life ? Can you give my an estimate of  the cost? Do you recommend a Mitsubishi service tech ? Or can I find any mechanic to do the work ? 

Answer:
The timing belt service is very important and can save you money in the long run. If the belt were to break, internal damage can happen and would cost you a great deal more than the less than 500.00 dollars it will cost you now. It will probably be around $360.00 for the job give or take some shop supply charges. Most full service auto repair centers can handle this job for you, no need to take it to the dealer. It is extremely important to have this service done to to maintain long engine life.