Jun 30 2008
Question:
Are two separate a/c units in the 1995 Ford Econoline E150 van. This is a custom/conversion. (service advisor at dealership did not know answer)
Answer:
No. There is only one compressor, one Accumulator, but there are 2 evaporators and two blower motors etc. The system all uses the same freon .
Jun 28 2008
Question:
I have a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix 3800 series III V-6. The problem is this. About 3 weeks ago I took the car to my local Wal-Mart for an oil change. I came back to pick up the car and I was told by the tech that he had to jump the car to make it start and he suspected a bad starter. He could not define exactly why he thinks it is a bad starter. Since then the car has started every time every day except I have noticed that about 3 times now the information for date and time are off and I have had to reset everything. Finally this morning the wife calls me and said it is dead. I have checked the battery voltage with my volt ohm meter and have 12.4 volts. Under load when I try to start the voltage drops to just under 8 volts. Also, I noticed just opening the door to get into the car the voltage dropped to 9.99 volts. This car has 54K miles on it. Could these guys have hurt something jumping the car or would it be that I indeed have a bad battery or worse yet a starter issue. Already Tried: Tested battery for 12 volt. 12 volt is present until I try to start. Voltage drops to under 8 volts.
Answer;
This is a classic description of a bad battery. Put in a new battery and all will be good once more. The battery volts should not go below 10 volts under load.
Jun 27 2008
Observe the Speed Limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.30 per gallon for gas.
Observing the speed limit is also safer.
| Fuel Economy Benefit: |
7-23% |
Jun 26 2008
Question:
1990 Honda Prelude Air Conditioning Problem- The a/c will work idling for quite a while then when it does quit working the compressor clutch will not engage and the red warning light comes on. I’ve tested and it is not energizing the compressor relays. The fans work, it is full of freon, the compressor clutch is not slipping, and I replaced the belts. I wanted to replace the compressor control unit but the part has been discontinued and i need to figure out if that is what it is so i can look in a salvage yard to find the part. Any suggestions on what the problem could be other than the compressor control unit? Could it be the sensor in the compressor, and if so do i have to evacuate the system to replace it? Is there any way to get diagnostic literature on the system?
Answer:
Look at the a/c cycling switch as a cause of failure. A/C Diagnostics
Jun 25 2008
Recall ID # 06V341000 – POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Recall Date:SEP 07, 2006
Model Affected:2007 JEEP LIBERTY
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE A MOMENTARY LOCK UP OF THE DRIVE WHEELS IF THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING OVER 40 MPH AND THE OPERATOR SHIFTS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE.
Consequence:
IF THE DRIVE WHEELS LOCKED UP, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Potential Units Affected:2333
Notes:DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION F43
Jun 24 2008
Question:
I have a 1998 Honda Civic HX and every time after a stop it stutters when moving off. Any idea what causes that problems it has 209,000 miles
Answer:
There are several things it could be. The first thing to check is the state of tune the engine is in. Have you tuned it up lately. It could be that simple. The second place to look is the fuel pressure, and fuel filter. Have the fuel pressure tested to see if it is up to specs, and change out the fuel filter too. Then I would like you to check for vacuum leaks, these can cause lots of problems. It would also be a good idea to run some fuel injector cleaner through the fuel system, because dirty injectors could contribute to this problem.
Do you see a yellow check engine light on your dash. Sometimes they say check engine, or service soon. This is your on board diagnostic system. This system diagnoses problems and stores it as a code. This trouble code will often tell you what is malfunctioning on your engine. You don’t have to go to a dealer or a shop to have these codes read. There is a little known secret that most larger auto parts stores will read these codes for you for no charge. It helps them to sell parts, and to build customer loyalty.
If all of this does not fix the issue, then you need to look at your MAP sensor. This device can cause the symptoms you are having. You need to go through the basics I described before you get to this sensor.
Jun 23 2008
Question:
My car is over fueling and blows black smoke. i already replaced the ecu, coolant sensor, fuel regulator. 1992 Chevy 2.8 V6. What could it be?
Answer:
This would be caused by the a Failed O2 Sensor or a vacuum leak that is tricking the O2 Sensors into thinking it needs more fuel.
If the check engine light is on you should extract the codes. And repair as needed.
Jun 20 2008
The 2009 Shelby GT500 is a 2-door, 4-passenger sports car, or convertible sports car, available in two trims, the Coupe and the Convertible.
Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 5.4-liter, V8, 500-horsepower, supercharged engine. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.
The 2009 Shelby GT500 is a carryover from 2008.
Standard Engine:
5.4L V8, 32 valve, 500 hp @ 6000 rpm
Jun 19 2008
9) If you do have Power leaving the A/C Clutch Relay and heading to the compressor but not power at the clutch, then replace the wire between the two.
If you have power at the compressor AND IT DOES NOT Click in (engage) then you need to replace the compressor. Refer to step 4
Jun 18 2008
Have to hand it to Honda — the company promised its zero-emissions vehicle, the FCX Clarity, would be available this summer, and they technically beat that deadline by about a week. The future-y sedan, which is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, is now available in limited quantities (only a few dozen this year, which were quickly snapped up by SoCal celebs) in Southern California and costs $600 a month to lease. Buying it outright isn’t an option, apparently.
That’s just as well, since there are hydrogen fuel stations in only three cities in California right now. Fuel-cell technology is clearly still in the early part of the early-adopter phase, but with Honda making its move maybe we’ll start to see more of them. However, Honda’s production schedule of 200 units over the next three years is fairly unambitious (surely the hydrogen fuel stations will be able to handle more than that). And it would be nice if they started mixing up the design of these things — this fuel-cell car design from GM looks pretty much cribbed from the FCX.
