Diagnosing Car Problems

If your car is pulling to one side or the other, is vibrating or seems to go through tires in a short period of time, you may have an alignment problem. Mechanics see these conditions in all types...

Vibration in your car can come from many different sources, and can range from a simple fix to problems that must be remedied by a qualified mechanic. Determine which area of your car the...

There is no single car problem that strands drivers as often as a dead battery. A battery often dies suddenly. It can be fine one day and ready for recycling the next. Drivers think very little...

The dreaded "Check Engine" light on your dash is illuminated and taunting you. You fear the worst. You can't afford a big repair bill, or worse, being without your car for an extended period....

Solenoids are a critical component of the ignition process in automobiles. Also known as starter relays, solenoid starters jumpstart the motor with electric current from the battery when the...

It happens to everyone who owns a car. At some point in the life of the car, a mechanical breakdown will occur. And gear problems are probably the worst among the things that can go wrong. For one...

For people unfamiliar with cars, the term "rack and pinion" suggests something complicated. The system really is based on simple mechanical concepts that help drivers steer their cars. Damage to...

If you've owned your vehicle for any length of time, you know when it sounds normal and when something sounds "off." However, there are a variety of car sounds your car will make when there is...

There are ways to troubleshoot a car check engine light that can save time and money. Do it yourself up front to see if you can fix the problem before taking the vehicle to a repair shop. For a...

One of the greatest conveniences found in today's cars are alarm systems, particularly those which operate remotely. Some systems even allow people to start their cars while yet in their homes,...

It's happened to all of us who drive. Your heading down the road when suddenly the little check engine light on the dashboard comes on. Don't panic. Chances are the check engine warning does...

When your vehicle's check-engine light comes on, there's usually an error or diagnostic code stored in its memory that indicates why the light came on. Knowing the code will help you diagnose...

A bad ignition coil is one of many things that can cause your car to run poorly. It helps to know what an ignition coil does, what the signs are that it is going bad, how to test the coil and how...

Have you ever checked your car in the morning while heading for your work , or taking the kids to school or going on a picnic or something like that and you have discovered that there is a bad...

Lemon law enables you to get a replacement of a newly purchased car if you find any defect on it. You are usually entitled to a refund if a dealer cannot repair the damages on the car. In order to...

This is a very simple process and will save you time and money having to avoid the costly process of elimination routine. follow my simple steps, anyone can do this.

Constant velocity joints, or CV joints, are present on most every car and truck on the road today. They are expected to last at least 150,000 miles, but if they break out of their protective...

Nobody likes it when they are getting in their car, ready to go, turn the key, and all of a sudden the car won't start. You turn the key again, and once again, the car remains silent and you begin...

Cars overheat for a multitude of reasons if you’re in a situation where your car is overheating there are a few things that you can do to help troubleshoot where the problem might lie, before...

The ampere (amp) is the standard unit of measure for electrical current. A standard 12-volt car battery may produce 600 amps or more, especially those designed for extremely cold weather. An...

A car's O2 sensor is a main component in keeping your car in smooth-running order. There are many warning signs that are caused by problems with your O2 sensor and the following will help you...

Fuel filters are a part of the fuel system on cars. They are designed to trap and filter dirt to ensure that the fuel your car runs on is clean. Usually the fuel filters are fitted somewhere...

When your car or truck starts to overheat the best thing to do is deal with that problem immediately. An engine that is overheating means that there is a lot of strain on the internals and...

The smoke coming out of your car's tailpipe can tell you a great deal about the condition of the engine, cooling system, transmission and other parts of your car. If you aren't already in the...

The serpentine, or S-belt, is a single rubber belt that snakes its way through a series of pulleys attached to the engine of a car. The belt is driven by the engine and provides power to all of a...

A modern car is full of gadgets and parts that have helped convert cars from the horseless carriages of yesteryear to the computerized driving machines that many of us purchase today. One of the...

A car not turning over or somewhat turning was causes concern and a need for diagnosis. Determining what the issue is before heading to a mechanic will save you time and possibly money. Knowing...

Are you trying to find out if your vehicle is running hot? You may have just gotten your liscense and now want to know some simple car instructions. When you car isn't running it's best there can...

If you are driving home and hear a hissing or a clunking, do you know what it means? A mechanic will listen intently to your car when trying to determine what is the problem. You can learn a...

The cold weather can cause all kinds of problems with your automobile. Most are minor and can be remedied very simply, where others can be major car repair jobs. Many can be avoided by using...

If your car is out of alignment, you can be robbed of fuel mileage. Your tires will also wear faster then normal. Today, we are going to test a vehicle to see if it’s out of alignment. So let’s...

Finding yourself unable to open a car door can be a frustrating experience. The ordeal is compounded when it occurs during bad weather conditions, but even in the best weather it can still be a...

A car that turns over but won't start can be a real headache and leave you searching for a solution. With most vehicles, there is a specific testing algorithm that you can follow to diagnose the...

The thermostat is a critical car component; if it goes bad, the car's engine can overheat quickly, which can sometimes cause permanent engine damage that may be expensive to repair. Fortunately,...

The air outside is as hot as possible, but the AC in your car seems to be blowing even hotter air and is not cooling you off at all. You pound the steering wheel in frustration--resulting in even...

The rear wheel bearings on your car carry the load off of the rear axles. The bearings are like any ball bearings in that they provide a smooth, frictionless surface for the wheel to rotate on....

The rear wheel bearings on your car are responsible for taking the load off (literally) the rear axles and CV joints. It does this by providing a smooth, frictionless surface for the wheel to...

Transmission work is among the most expensive auto-repair jobs. Because a transmission repair can cost thousands of dollars, many drivers are reluctant to take their car in when signs of trouble...

A few problems can occur with a 1998 Mitsubishi Galant car stereo system. Distortion, popping, and intermittent sound cut-out are common for some Mitsubishi speakers and the Galant suffers from...

All cars made after 1996 are required to contain an onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. Diagnostic codes are sent through the vehicle's computer and read by diagnostic tools plugged into the OBD port....

Have you ever started your car up, pulled out of the driveway, and heard a grinding, whining, moaning sound when you turn the steering wheel? It is likely it is your car's power steering unit. The...

One of the problems in attempting to get information about how best to address car repair concerns is that we tend to go to a garage mechanic or car dealership to find this out. Well, this can be...

I'm just going to write you the basics on a car so you will know if your car is blown up, or needs a head gasket, or just needs minor repiar.

If your in a position where your car is over heating and your really not sure where to start troubleshooting. Below are some simple steps to systematically troubleshoot the problem before you fix...

Worn shocks on a car can make the vehicle unsafe to drive. Many cars nowadays use a strut suspension, which is a shock integrated with the coil spring. When a shock or strut fails, it is unable to...

I always had trouble with my 'check engine' light coming on in my car. Of course, when you're out driving this is a frightening ordeal. I was told by a mechanic a very simple way of getting the...

If your car is over heating it may be about to shut down and in need of auto repair from an auto mechanic. Driving with an overheated engine could turn costly if the overheating ruined your car...

Smoke from a car's tail pipe is a common and unsightly condition that can have a number of causes, ranging from easily repaired mechanical problems to more in-depth and expensive mechanical...

For a car to start, its electrical and fuel systems have to work together to provide a steady supply of both fuel and electricity to a car's engine. What follows is a brief list of the most common...

Tips to determine if it is a battery problem, a starter problem or something more