Do It Yourself Car Maintenance

The term "advance" refers to the amount of time in degrees of crankshaft rotation that any individual cylinder's spark plug fires before the piston reaches the top of its compression stroke. This...

Ignition timing refers to the point during the engine's revolution at which the spark plugs ignite the air and fuel within the engine's cylinders. The ignition timing must be precisely set, or...

If your car seems to be losing power or begins to stall out, especially when you press the accelerator, you may have a problem with your fuel filter. Fuel filters are one of the easiest car parts...

Since its founding in 1902, Cadillac has represented American luxury at its finest, building world class automobiles including the Eldorado, Seville and, most recently, the CTS. Enthusiasts have...

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The ignition switch, which is usually on the steering column and sometimes in the dash, lets you control the ignition system and activate the starter solenoid by turning a key. It also gives you...

The ignition switch is the first device you activate when cranking up your Pontiac Grand Am. It's responsible for sending current to the starter to start the car, so a faulty switch will keep your...

The ignition switch is usually the first thing to get replaced when there is trouble starting a vehicle. It is easy to access and it does not take much time to replace. There are several...

The ignition switch is the most vital part of the ignition system. It allows the Chevrolet to crank and it will isolate the switch as soon as the key is turned and the motor is started. The...

A dwell meter is used to check the dwell angle on vehicles with a points-type ignition. Dwell angle is the length of time (measured by the degree of rotation of the distributor cam) the contact...

An automotive relay takes a small signal from some sort of actuator switch such as a brake pedal sensor, ignition key or reverse safety switch and uses it to activate the required circuit.

Every Toyota Camry model since 2002 has come equipped with a friendly reminder to change your oil. The "maintenance required" light is set to the factory default of 5,000-mile service intervals....

If you own a 1998 or later Mustang, it uses a transponder key that needs programmed even if it has the correct mechanical cut to work the locks. The car will not start with an unprogrammed key. If...

It seems to always happen at the most inconvenient times, like when you're late for work or for an appointment: you try to turn the ignition on, and the car won't start. When that happens, it...

An electronic ignition (most popularly the Bosch 009 package) can help your VW Bug run more reliably and with a little more power. It eliminates the points-style ignition in favor of full...

If you do your own auto maintenance, you will appreciate this. Every 20,000 to 30,000 miles, your "Maintenance Required" lamp will come on, which is the signal to bring your car to the...

Every time you turn the ignition key on your Chevy Express van, you access the ignition switch to energize the starter motor. Also, the switch closes circuits for the operation of many other...

If you want to save money by programming your own key instead of paying the dealer hundreds of dollars, you can. Some Ford vehicles require a transponder key to start the vehicle. Without the...

If your car’s ignition timing is off, your car can back fire. Correcting your ignition timing can preserve the life of your engine and save your sparkplugs. So let’s get started. Just follow the...

The Ponitac Grand Am is a small sports sedan/coupe produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors. In its most popular incarnation, it was produced from 1985 to 2005. The Grand Am came...

If your Chevy Blazer has problems starting, you should test the ignition system, especially if you know the starter and fuel system are in good condition. The ignition coils are the main...

Sometimes the ignition lock cylinder becomes defective and needs to be replaced. This only complicates the process if you have no idea how to remove the ignition lock cylinder. To reduce the...

The ignition switch is a crucial part of the ignition system on your Ford Explorer. The switch is the primary distribution point for most of the vehicle's electrical system. If this switch goes...

The ignition switch in a Jeep CJ7 connects the battery to the starter and, over time, it can wear out or malfunction. Ignition switches cannot be repaired and must be removed and replaced if not...

Diagnostic codes help you figure out what may be wrong with your vehicle which is preventing it from operating right. So just follow the steps below to get started on diagnosing the codes from GM...

If you have a transmission problem then you need to know one of two things. One, who to call to do it for you or two, how to turn a flywheel on an engine to get the transmission separated from the...

Automobile radios operate in a hostile electromagnetic environment. They're constantly bombarded by a multitude of magnetic pulses from the car's ignition and charging systems, accessory motors,...

The ignition module on your GMC Jimmy controls the ignition spark sequence and firing of the ignition coils. However, the module's electronic components are very sensitive to heat. Prior to...

The 1994 Honda Civic is a solid-performing commuter car. Built as a sport compact, the Civic has enough punch to zip from stoplight to stoplight, but wont eat up gallons of gas on an afternoon of...

Car steering wheels will lock up for a variety of reasons. But there are a couple of ways to unlock it. They require little to no tools to execute, and may ensure that your steering wheel won't...

The engine hesitation on your Dodge may be created by problems in one or more components. In most cases, a bad throttle position sensor (TPS) fails to signal the engine computer about throttle...

There are not too many easy repairs or replacement parts left on vehicles nowadays. It seems the newer the get, the more fancier and difficult parts are to replace. So far, as of yet, the wiper...

If you find, especially in cold weather, that your battery will not provide enough current to start your car right away, it may not be faulty or dead. I learned a helpful trick from a mechanic,...

With a remote car starter, a small box is wired to the ignition circuit of a car and controlled with a remote attached to a key fob. Install a remote car starter, which will run the starter for...

Learn how to program your Nissan Remote without going to the dealer. This simple procedure takes less than 5 minutes and will cost you nothing.

You should only check your Nissan Maxima's ignition system for problems if it's an older model, 1999 or earlier. Newer versions with a distributorless ignition system must be completely handled by...

The older your Sentra is, the more likely it is that your ignition system can have problems. However, older models, such as late 90s and earlier, are also easier to troubleshoot than newer models....

Only tackle troubleshooting the ignition system on a Pontiac Bonneville if it's an older model--one made in 1999 or earlier. Newer versions of the car have complex distributorless ignition systems...

Adjusting the timing on a VW Jetta with a distributor is a simpler project than in many cars but still requires a clear understanding of engine mechanics. Adjusting the timing on a VW Jetta is...

If your car has few or many miles on it, chances are it will benefit from some fuel saving measures. This is another way of saying the majority of us lack the knowledge or the time to learn about...

If you wait too long after your key fob battery dies, you will have to reprogram it. You will know if your key needs reprogramming if you replace the battery and the key does not unlock/lock the...

Adjusting the timing on a Mercury Cougar with distributed ignition is easier than on many vehicles. Mercury Cougar models with distributor-less ignition do not require adjustment. Resetting the...

Adjusting the timing on a Mercury Villager requires special tools and a clear understanding of engine mechanics. Changing the timing to add aftermarket performance parts or improving fuel economy...

Adjusting the timing on a Mitsubishi Galant requires special tools and a clear understanding of engine mechanics. Resetting the timing on a Mitsubishi Galant with a distributed ignition system is...

Adjusting the timing on a Mitsubishi Eclipse with a distributed ignition system is part of routine maintenance. Checking and adjusting the timing on the Eclipse requires special tools and a clear...

The Dodge Ram has been around for generations and many models require occasional adjustment of the timing. Dodge Ram trucks with a powertrain control module or PCM do not require adjustment....

Adjusting the timing on a Ford mustang requires special tools and a working knowledge of engine mechanics. A Ford Mustang with distributed timing needs occasional maintenance for maximum fuel...

Adjusting the timing on a Ford Taurus with a distributed ignition system requires special tools and a clear understanding of engine mechanics. Changing the timing for better fuel economy or lower...

Adjusting the timing on a Ford Focus requires special tools, an Internet connection and considerable knowledge of engine mechanics. Changing the timing on a Ford Explorer for aftermarket...

Adjusting the timing on a Ford F-Series truck is unnecessary under normal conditions. Changing the timing on a Ford F-Series truck, performed when aftermarket performance parts or fuel economy...