Auto Repair Articles

I have a 1997 Honda Civic EX, when accelerating, there is a rattle or a sound like cardboard stuck in a fan coming from under the hood,  could this be coming from any of the work i had done?  if not, what could it be?

Answer:

YES !! If the noise was not there to begin with and now it is there. More than likely the timing cover was not installed properly and it is now rubbing. Won’t affect the drive-ability of the vehicle, it will just be noisy. Take it back and politely ask the manager to listen to it as you are concerned. ( remember he is just a person just like you ) If he acts like an ass, then yeah scream and yell, but I think you will find that your mechanic will be more than willing to take care of the issue. If your mechanic is not, it may be time to look for a new one.

You can try to unhook the battery, but that usually opens another can of beans with having to reprogram the radio and all.. OR, you can take it by AutoZone, and have them read the codes for you, and then reset the light. If the light comes back on then you have a problem. Correct the problem and reset/clear the codes with a scantool.

1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, SL, with 101,000 miles on it. I changed out the Instrument Panel because the odometer was not working. Now it seems the computer will not accept the new instrument panel. I think that it needs to have the computer reset or reprogrammed, because the car will run for approximately 10 seconds, then shut off and there doesn’t seem anything else wrong. Please explain how to reset the computer or tell me where I can find out how to reset the computer.

Answer:

When replacing the instrument panel on this model you must perform a relearn to the theft system after the repair has been made. Here is what I would recommend that you try.

Time required, approximately 10 minutes.

1. Insure that the battery is fully charged.
2. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
3. Turn the ignition switch from the OFF position to the CRANK position attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle will start and then stall.
4. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position while observing the security indicator.
5. When the security indicator turns off, which can take up to 10 minutes, turn the ignition switch off. Wait 10 seconds.
6. Turn ignition to start, at this point the vehicle should start and run.

Most four-stroke engines between 1996 and 2005 are equipped with DIS or Distributorless Ignition System. These systems have done away with the distributor and use sensors instead. The advantage is the ability to electronically control ignition timing without the need of adjustment. (DIS) Distributorless Ignition System  

Generally to diagnose this, I apply power to the fuel pump from under the car at the fuel pump wiring harness using a Power Probe while having a fuel pressure gauge hooked up so I can see if it is working. (in 90% of these cases it is the fuel pump and not the relay, this is why I check the pump first). Also, while your under the car and at the fuel pump wiring harness. You can have someone cycle the ignition key and check for power going to the pump from the relay. If you do not see power coming from the relay, then the next step is to check for power going to the relay. If you have power going to the relay by not coming from it(when you cycle the key) then the relay is bad and will need to be replaced.

Reference Link : How to use a Multi-meter

I have a 4.9L motor in a 1992 Ford F-150 4.9 pickup the engine is looping and i can smell gass in the exhaust. I think it is a sensor becouse it just started out of the blue when i parked it. Already Tried: checked plugs and wires and changed

Answer:

The first thing to do would be to Extract the codes which can be done without a scan tool.

Question:

have a 98 acura integra when i turn my car bucks and makes like a hitting noise and feels like its slipping when i turn with hitting the gas but when i push the clutch in i can turn and stuff and it doesnt make noise at all some one told me it was my cv joints in my axle so i put 2 new axles on and it still does it but when i go straight its fine nothing happens can you tell me what it can be 

Answer;

Make sure the axles provided are for your correct model, if the engine has been swapped make sure theyre sitting in correctly and that the cv nut it tight, and torqued to factory spec, around (134lb.ft) for most models, the problem could be anything so you have to rule out certain things, youve already replaced cvs but those would make a popping sound even with youre foot on or off the clutch.

Sounds to me like either your diff inside of youre transmission is bad, loose or damaged mainshaft(does it do it left or right, certain speeds), its not making the sound when you disengage the clutch because youre pulling load away from the trans.

2002 Nissan Altima 2.5, car over heated water went all over engine now the car will not start . checked fuses, replaced sparkplugs 
 

Answer:

If the engine overheated enough it could have warped the cylinder head. These cars have aluminum cylinder heads, not too hard to warp them. If the heads warp really bad you will loose compression. I would check compression and spark(you have coil over plug set up ,water’s not generally a problem)

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Question:

I have a 1967 Chevy C20 pickup w/camper, 81m org miles 327 all org has set for set for several yrs. We cleaned out the fuel system & it runs but rough. It has a 4bbl carb, turning the idle screws seem to make no diffrence is there any other adjustment that cam be made? we’ve replaced the points & plugs 

Answer:

If turning the idle screw does nothing then you more than likely have a vacuum leak !