Auto Repair Articles

Question:

I have a 02 Ford Focus and the transmission has trouble shifting gears (not engaging all the time) I brought the fluid level up and now the check engine light is on and the problem has gotten worse. I get an OBD-2 code P 0750 Shift solenoid A malfunction. Am I looking at a major repair here?

Answer:

If you consider $500.00 a major repair , then YES. You should be able to have the solenoids replaced inside of one day at your local transmission shop for around $500.00. These are common failure parts.
 

Question:

how to repair insufficient EGR flow and make engine light go off on 2000 mercury mystique 2.5L 6cyl.? Already Tried: new EGR 

Answer;

Call the Ford Dealer and ask for parts dept. Then replace the other two EGR components: the EGR Regulator and the EGR Position Sensor..I usually add the EGR as well, but you stated you already replaced it.

This will take care of the code. I say call the dealer, because it is difficult to find an exact match as the regulators are individually calibrated. Should not take you 20 minutes to replace both.

Question:

1994 Honda Civic with a 1.5 L engine. Good spark but no power to the fuel pump from the main relay and no ground pulse to the injectors. I suspect the ecu is faulty. Any ideas? Already Tried:
New PGMFI relay and checked for power at injectors. Has power at injectors but no ground pulse. No power to fuel pump from relay. Power to relay and ground to relay is good.

Answer;

The relay powers the circuit in the computer that sends ground to the fuel pump, and pulses the injectors. If the relay is good, and working right, getting power and all that, then there is either a problem in the wiring between the relay and computer (not likely), or the computer is indeed damaged..

Question:

Can I scan check engine light codes myself ? I have a 1995 Ford Mustang GT and the Check Engine Light is on.

Answer:

Yes. You can scan the codes yourself without the use of a scan tool. This requires a small jumper wire and reading the flashes of the check engine light to determine the codes.

 Instructions and Codes for Ford Pre-1996 this will give you step by step instructions on how to extract the check engine light codes.

If you own a 2005 or 2006 Ford F-150 Truck with a 5.4 liter 3-valve engine this is about your truck so listen up!

 Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 655,000 Ford F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT pickup trucks to fix a hose that could affect the vehicles’ braking power. The automaker is issuing the recall of 2005-2006 versions of the trucks with 5.4 liter 3-valve engines. That’s according to a posting Wednesday on the Web site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood says more than 600,000 of the trucks are in the United States and about 50,000 are in Canada. About 1,500 are in other countries around the world.

Ford says there have been 11 minor accidents and no injuries tied to the issue.

Dealers will replace the hose at no charge to consumers. Owners are expected to be notified in late June, and the recall is expected to begin in July.

For more information, owners can contact Ford at (800) 392-3673.

Question:

WHEN I FIRST START MY 99 MUSTANG GT, THE IDLE JUMPS FROM 1500 RPMS TO 100RPMS AND EVEN STAHLS SOMETIMES. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PROBLEM IS? IT IS ALSO MISSING ON HILLS AND DOES NOT HAVE THE THROTTLE RESPONSE NOR POWER IT ONCE HAD. 

Answer:

The most common reason for the idle drop is the IAC (idle air control) It is stuck/sticking and will need to be replaced. As for the lack of power. A simple tune up up and fuel/air filter replacement will help here. If it is a miss, the check engine light will come on and the codes will need to be scanned to pin point the misfiring cylinder.

Question:

I have a 2002 with code p1457, what is the easiest way to fix the problem?

Answer:

The most common cause of that code is a loose gas cap. Try tightening the gas cap and waiting a few days for it to clear. If you don’t want to wait for it to clear you can disconnect the batteries negative battery cable for a few minutes then reconnect it and it will reset it. Make sure though that you have the radio’s security code before you disconnect the battery cable if the radio is original or the radio won’t work again.
 

Question:

I have a 1990 f-150 with a 5.0 eng.,,it will not start ,,would you please give me a list of where and how to check it out ?

Answer:

You need 4 things to make and engine run.

1) Spark

2) Fuel

3) Compression

4) Timing

More than likely you are missing Spark or Fuel as they are the most common.

First see if you are missing spark. Stick and old spark plug in one of the wire ends that you take off a spark plug, lay the plug so that it is touching the block and have someone try to start it as you watch for spark.(caution, it will shock you so do not touch while cranking over engine)

Your fuel pressure needs to be 30 psi at idle and 40 psi running. Looking at the picture below, you see a stub sticking up on the same side as the regulator. This is the fuel pressure test port. Take the cap off and connect fuel gauge here for testing.

Fig. 1: Fuel pressure regulator – 5.0L and 5.8L engines 

Reference link: No Start Diagnostics Chart 

Any automotive air conditioning system employs four basic parts-a mechanical compressor, driven by the vehicle’s engine; an expansion valve, which is a restriction the compressor pumps against; and two heat exchangers, the evaporator and the condenser. In addition, there is the refrigerant that flows through this system. If the system is low on the refrigerant ( R134a for automotive use) than the system will blow hot air. In most cases the vehicles system can be recharged. Check for leaks before recharging.

Question:

I have a 68 Chevelle with a 10 bolt rear end. I need to replace the differential cover gasket due to leaking, but there is no fill plug in the cover. How to refill rear end with lube after cover is replaced? Is there a plug somewhere?
 

Answer:

There is a fill plug that requires the use of a 3/8 extension or ratchet end ( no socket attached ) turn it counter clock wise to remove. it is located on the other side just to the side of the pinion shaft ( where the drive-shaft attaches ) Looks like a square hole.