Do It Yourself Auto Repair

Learn how to install a car battery.

Learn how to change a car battery.

The alternator in your Mazda Protege keeps the battery alive by charging it while the engine is running. Without the alternator, you would need to jump your car every time you needed to drive it,...

The automotive compressor is wired to a car's electrical system through the wiring harness, connected primarily by an electric clutch. This clutch has a power lead that can also serve to power a...

Using jumper cables on an Oldsmobile Silhouette is a fairly simple process as long as you follow the basic rules for using jumper cables properly and safely. The Silhouette is one of the original...

If your car is having problems starting, you may have a wet distributor cap. If the car usually starts, but has trouble starting on rainy or humid days, the distributor cap is the most likely...

I have a 1993 camaro 3.4 and I had to replace the idle control sensor that went bad. to come to find out I had to reset the computer ecm (engine control module)the ecm tells all the sensors how to...

We have all or will get a dead battery someday. It's not a big deal and it's very easy to jump start.

The wiper motor on a Datsun is secured to the firewall on the passenger side of the vehicle. The wiper motor controls the operation of the wiper arm and blade assembly. Check the wiper motor every...

Diesel engines are fuel efficient and reliable, and they run for a very long time, so long as you take care of the proper maintenance. One downside to owning a diesel car is that it is hard to...

Sometimes when looking under the hood of an automobile, you may see a green or white metal oxide resembling rust around the battery terminals. This is caused by corrosive gases coming in contact...

The GM alternator used in all Chevrolet models is easy to install, as it is connected using only a few wires. The alternator converts the engine's mechanical rotations into an electrical current...

The alternator for the Mercedes Benz is responsible for powering all of the electrical devices in the car. It is designed to last for at least 60,000 miles. When the alternator dies, the first...

Unlocking the stock radio on a Chevy is necessary anytime you disconnect the battery. The radio uses a special code that must be entered once battery power is restored so that you can use the...

The voltage regulator in your vehicle, although one of the smallest components in your engine compartment, serves as a major vehicle safety feature. Your automobile's electronics and battery...

There is no convenient time or place to have a dead car battery. Although a faulty alternator can cause the battery to lose its charge, the more common reason is the failure to turn off some...

The alternator converts engine revolutions into electrical power, which is used to charge a car's battery. Replacing a GM (or Delco) alternator in your car is a simple procedure, and can be...

How to change a Battery on a 1982 Honda Goldwing Aspencade. It will take about 15 minutes to change. You will learn how to change the battery and clean the terminal ends.

If you take your vehicle to a shop to fix the problem causing a service engine light, the shop will reset the light when they are finished. If you perform the repair yourself, you will need to...

Jump starting a car with a dead battery is a trouble-free procedure, but safety precautions must be followed when dealing with electrical current and an engine component containing battery acid.

Grounding is a fundamental safety feature in any electrical circuit, but establishing a good ground in a car battery is vital because their lead-acid design is tailor-made to deliver a huge jolt...

The Volvo V70 uses a standard ignition switch and cylinder assembly. When the ignition switch fails, you will be able to turn the key but the car won't start. You won't hear any clicking sound...

Replacing the fan motor assembly on your Honda Civic is much easier and faster if you follow the proper procedure. And you do not have to remove the front of your Civic, even if you need extra...

The drive belt operates several components in your Dodge Durango's engine, and the engine can't run without it. While cracks in the drive belts are fairly common, some can be a problem--in...

The Skoda Fabia car is a vehicle manufactured by Czech automaker Skoda Auto. The car was introduced in 1999. Unlike many automobiles, the battery on the Fabia uses a lower or bottom-battery mount...

Car battery connectors can eventually corrode and rust to the point of crumbling. Corroded battery clamps give a bad connection to the battery post, which can prevent the car from starting even if...

Rust and corrosion build up on the terminals of a battery. This is largely due to the acid inside the battery and the charge it generates as a result of the chemical reaction in the cells. This...

The solenoid on your 1996 Ford Mustang engages the drive gear of the starter motor to the flywheel. The solenoid's internal contacts may burn out, the windings may break or short out, or the...

If you have an old car that has any type of Point Distributor you will at some time have to deal with adjusting the points. This can be one of the most frustrating and time consuming things you...

Replacing a battery on an automobile is a relatively easy task as most car repairs go. This 2007 Grand Prix is harder than most because of the cars design. This car is loaded with electrical...

An impact driver isn't absolutely essential but if you want to work on cars quickly and efficiently, it is a necessity. It becomes even more of a necessity when you work at an automotive repair...

The ABS trouble codes on a VW can be erased by cutting power to the ECU. The easiest way to do this is by disconnecting the battery. While the codes will be erased, if there is a legitimate...

The engine code light on a 2000 Chevy Venture may illuminate if there is a system problem. However, once the problem has been fixed, you'll need to know how to reset the code light. Fortunately,...

Alternators for the Isuzu Trooper are manufactured in different amperages, so the alternator should be checked for this when replacing. The most common reason to replace alternators on a Trooper...

The alternator on a Ford Taurus powers the electrical components on the car. Over time, this electrical generator may die. The most common symptom of a dying or dead alternator is the battery...

Using two six-volt batteries in place of a 12-volt battery might be an option in some situations. How well it works depends partly on the wires used and the amount of current to be drawn from the...

A Ford starter motor only receives electrical current when the ignition key is turned fully to the right, as the starter is only necessary to start the vehicle. Between the battery and the starter...

The Honda Accord is one of the best selling cars in America. The 1998 model of the Honda Accord was available with either a 2.3L four-cylinder engine or a 3.0L V6 engine. This tutorial is...

In this article you will learn how to check an electric golf cart for bad or weak batteries. This test will work on either battery configuration(36v, 48v,).

An Isuzu Bighorn alternator should always be tested with a fully charged and inspected battery. A partially charged battery or one with a bad or shorted cell will cause false readings on the...

The Black & Decker Smart Battery Charger is an electric battery charger that plugs into a power outlet and charges your automobile battery. The Smart Battery Charger has three different charge...

The alternator in a Hyundai XG350 is a generator that powers all of the electrical equipment in the car. The alternator uses a rotor, copper wire and brushes to create an electrical charge. This...

The 2003 Chrysler Sebring uses an alternator to charge the battery. In addition, the alternator also powers the electrical devices. The alternator is a type of generator that uses a rotor, steel...

Your car's battery will provide you with at least three, four, even five years or more of dependable service, supplying the juice your car needs to get going. Ranging in price from about $60 to...

Making sure your car battery is charging properly is very important. If your vehicle's battery is not charging properly, you could find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere when the battery...

Do-it-yourselfers and installation techs love removing and installing Ford radios. Although the radios require a specific tool to remove, no dash panels or screws need to be removed first. The...

2003 Toyotas use a system known as on-board diagnostics, or OBDII, to ensure that the emissions equipment is functioning properly. The engine computer is constantly gathering data whenever the...

Alternator problems can be tricky to diagnose. First, make sure the problem lies in the alternator before proceeding with the tests. Check battery cables for corrosion, electrolyte level and...

The alternator is an electrical generator on your vehicle that charges the vehicle's battery. When your alternator begins to fail, you'll usually know because the battery will not be able to hold...

The battery in a Pontiac G6 provides the power necessary for all of the electrical equipment. You should check your battery every year. You may need to replace it if the G6 becomes difficult to...