Diagnosing Car Problems Videos

It is very easy to check if the serpetine drive belt on your car or truck needs to be replaced.

The main parts of a car engine include the pistons, the crank shaft, the piston rods, the bearings and the fuel-supply system. Find out how to keep a car's engine lasting as long as possible by...

The speedometer cable on a car runs up through the transmission to the area behind the instrument panel where it connects directly to the gauge. Discover how most modern cars use sensors instead...

When choosing shock absorbers, it's important to consider whether the vehicle will be driven off road. Learn about struts as more costly options to shock absorbers with help from an ASE-certified...

There are two different types of car lifts, including electric lifts, which have twin posts, and hydraulic lifts. Learn about the safety latches and safety catches that help with safety issues on...

Motor control schematics are complicated in modern vehicles, but there are computer programs that provide wire diagrams for any scenario. Find out how a car may have more than one computer running...

When checking to see if a fuel pump is bad, make sure there's fuel in the tank, use a gauge to check fuel pressure, and check the relay and fuses. Discover how to check if there is power going to...

Common symptoms of electric fuel pump failure include a car that simply dies on the road, and a car that may stop and start back up intermittently. Find out how to diagnose a failed fuel pump with...

When troubleshooting a problem with an electronic starter, there will usually be more than one symptom, including a clicking or dragging sound when trying to start the car. Find out how to tell...

The speedometer cable is located on top of the transmission, and it sends an electrical signal into the computer of the car. Find out how a speedometer cable runs up and under the dash of the car...

Signs that a clutch needs to be replaced include a soft pedal that provides no resistance, an engine that picks up speed without the car picking up speed, and a burning smell. Learn about...

with help from an automotive technology professor in this free video on car pulley problems.

with help from an automotive technology professor in this free video on automotive fuel gauges.

There's no set rule on how long tires should last, but the uniform tire quality grading standards are printed on the sidewall of the tire. Find out how to calculate how long tires are expected to...

One way to check if a heater core is bad is to look for leaks in the cooling system. Discover how a pressure tester can be used to check the pressure of a cooling system with help from an...

If a car needs new tires, the wear bars that run horizontally across a tire tread will become visible. Find out how worn out tires can be dangerous when driven for too long with help from an...

with help from an automotive technology professor in this free video on balancing car tires.

In order to mechanically improve gas mileage, an individual should check their tire inflation pressure, they should drive appropriately and they should keep their speed below 55 miles an hour....

When a car doesn't start, the first thing to determine is whether or not the engine is cranking, after which the driver should check to see if a sensor is unplugged. Listen for the fuel pump to...

In order to tell if a heater core is going bad, look for the windows and windshield to fog up whenever the car is started. Learn about how wet carpet and the smell of mildew can indicate a bad...

When a transmission is having problems, a person can take it to a specialist who will determine if the problem is caused by something electrical or mechanical. Discover how transmission fluid is...

In order to check relays on cars, take out a good relay and replace it to see if the problem still exists. Learn about proving that a relay is defective before trying to replace it with help from...

In order to become an auto service technician, or mechanic, a person should take classes that are based in science, physics and math. Discover how entry-level skills can be obtained at a community...

The most common electrical concern for most vehicles is a dead battery, but other problems involve circuit malfunctions, a sending unit that's not working or a malfunctioning input or output. Find...

A power steering problem will obviously make it difficult to steer, but it helps to check the power steering fluid level to verify the problem. Find out how power steering fluid can oxidize and...

A CDL test is an in-depth test that requires plenty of studying before even thinking about the driving portion. Look up a local commercial driving school before attempting to pass a CDL test with...

The most common cause for an overheating car is low antifreeze, but other causes may be a thermostat sticking or a slipping belt. Discover how sticking brakes can cause a car to overheat with help...

Oxygen sensor problems will cause a vehicle's "check engine" light to come on, and some of the symptoms of oxygen sensor problems include poor fuel economy and a rougher idling engine. Find out...

A window drive cable is a regulator that lies within the door panel, so the door panel will have to be removed in order to access the cable rods and switch connector. Take the bolts off for a...

A bigger tire size on a car doesn't increase gas mileage because it essentially is going to make the engine work more to get the vehicle to move. Find out why big tires may be beneficial on the...

In order to disable a car alarm, an individual will have to locate the horn that was put in and disconnect it, or they will have to fix the problem with the alarm. Disconnect a car's battery to...

The easiest way to tell if a car's thermostat is faulty is by looking out for a car overheating or giving off no heat. Find out how a car thermostat works with help from an auto mechanic in this...

Most car starters usually have two or three bolts on them, and they can be removed with a socket and ratchet. Disconnect the negative battery terminal when installing a car starter with help from...

In order to eliminate rust from a car, grind the rust with sandpaper, apply rust converter and then paint on top of the converter. Use safety precautions, such as safety glasses and gloves, when...

Make sure that a car is completely cooled down before attempting to change the thermostat. Drain radiator coolant when changing a car's thermostat with help from an auto mechanic in this free...

The first steps in changing a car's brake calipers are placing a drain pan underneath and crimping the brake line off. Remove two bolts when changing brake calipers with help from an auto mechanic...

When a car's brake pedals are pushed, a rod comes into the master cylinder and forces brake fluid through the brake line and into the calipers. Find out how calipers push pistons and cause brake...

In cars, a heat exchanger or radiator is used to exchange hot and cold for air conditioning. Discover how engine coolant stays cool with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on car repair...

If a car's ignition lock is broken and a key won't turn, the problem is usually with the steering wheel lock. Discover how to change an ignition lock with help from an auto mechanic in this free...

When changing an alternator on a car, the first step is to loosen up the negative battery terminal and the belt tension. Remove the bolts and set them aside when removing an alternator with help...

When replacing front brakes, the calipers need to be removed, as well as the brake pads. Replace brake pads and calipers the way that they were taken apart with help from an auto mechanic in this...

A car's thermostat either controls the flow of coolant through the engine or turns on an electric fan. Check on the side of the radiator for sensor that is close to the thermostat housing with...

If a brake light is stuck, the culprit is usually the brake light switch, which is located above the brake pedal on most cars. Consult the owner's manual of a car to fix a stuck brake light with...

If a car gets a flat tire from a nail, the tire can be fixed with a kit that will fill the nail hole with a replacement substance. Make sure there are no air bubbles when fixing a flat tire by...

When jump-starting a car, safety is important, and jumper cables are needed to be placed on non-corroded terminals. Remember that negative is black and positive is red when jump-starting a car...

If a car is pulling to the left or right and an alignment problem is suspected, it's helpful to check the tires for excess wear and tear. Let a car coast in a safe area to determine if there's an...

A fluid leak in a car can usually be identified by keeping an eye on the driveway and looking for spots on the ground. Look under the hood with a flashlight for engine leaks with help from an auto...

When a car's brake light comes on, it's important to check the brake fluid levels. Leave a problem with the ABS, or anti-lock brake system, to the professionals with help from an auto mechanic in...

Diagnosing an engine problem requires that a person checks the spark plug wires, their vacuum lines, the car battery and more. Discover how to diagnose an engine problem without using expensive...

Problems with a car's cooling system are usually indicated by a car that generates too much heat, a car that overheats or a car that runs cold all of the time. Check the thermostat and radiator if...