Do It Yourself Auto Repair

Ford ball joints hold the suspension together. Without ball joints, a Ford suspension would travel side to side to such a degree that the tie rod and steering knuckle would separate from the...

Known switch problems cause fires in many Ford vehicles every year. The switch can be replaced to correct the problem, but a permanent solution is questionable. The design of the switch leaves...

On many Ford vehicles, a known cruise control switch problem will cause the module to corrode and eventually catch fire. Many owners have opted to simply turn off or disconnect the cruise control...

The Ford cruise control switch is secured to the steering column with a simple retaining pin or clip (depending on the year of your Ford). The cruise control module monitors the Ford vehicle's...

Ford cruise control switches are basically "plug and play." The cruise control switch is located on the steering column of Ford vehicles and uses a retaining clip to hold the switch in place. The...

Diagnosing a Ford cruise control is necessary when you suspect that there is a problem with the system. The cruise control mechanism is a switch mounted on the steering column. There are two...

Ford trucks have wide beds that can be used to transport a large variety of construction materials and other items. The objects in the bed are secured by a rear hinged door, commonly referred to...

The Ford Ranger nameplate refers to a compact line of pick up trucks produced by the Ford Motor Company since 1983. The Ford Ranger's camshaft sensor is located on the engine block and is used to...

Rebuilding a Ford Expedition's transmission is a time-consuming process that requires a considerable amount of mechanical know-how and finesse. It is a worthy endeavor because many times, rebuilt...

The ignition switch in a Ford truck is held in place by a small pin inside the base of the switch. The switch has no recommended service life, and it may fail suddenly. When it does, you will need...

Ford trucks equipped with an automatic transmission, utilize an automatic transmission fluid cooler integrated into the radiator, to maintain proper operating temperatures within the transmission....

The headlight switch on a Ford Mustang is held in place with a retaining pin inside the switch assembly. The switch doesn't normally fail, but since it controls the turn signal function, cruise...

The air-conditioning system in your Ford is basically a circulation loop through which refrigerant is pumped by a compressor. The refrigerant is a combination of gas and liquid that becomes very...

Remote keyless entry is a convenience most people take for granted, until something happens to their remote. Whether you've lost a keyless entry remote for your Ford Focus and need to program the...

Electrical problems in the 1989 Ford Mustang GT included the headlight switch and connector, as well as the alternator wiring harness meltdown seen by many Ford products. Fortunately the fixes...

Ford Motor Company is known for its trucks, primarily the Ford F-series, including the F-150. Replacing the mirrors on your Ford truck is not difficult; you don't need to be a professional to do...

The alternator in a Ford van is a generator that supplies all of the electricity that the van needs. It also charges the battery. Signs of a failing alternator are dimmed headlights, battery...

The air bags in a Ford will need to be removed if you want to remove the steering wheel. The air bag assembly is just behind the center steering wheel cover. To remove the air bag, you'll need a...

Although the Ford Escape does not have a specific maintenance interval for the fuel filter, it is likely you will have to replace the filter after two or three years. The fuel filter on your...

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...

The C6 Ford transmission was a popular three-speed transmission on some Ford trucks. While robust, the transmission can have problems, like any other transmission. Because of the complex nature of...

Over time, the plastic casing in headlight assemblies can fade or turn yellow with age. Some Ford headlight assemblies have also had problems with water seepage; requiring either a replacement...

The key switch on a Ford Taurus refers to the ignition switch, or ignition lock cylinder. This is where you insert and turn the key to start your Taurus. Ford's key switch is, thankfully, a simple...

When a Ford Explorer's wipers stop working, the lights on the console go out or the car won't start altogether, owners may become frustrated and attempt to take the car immediately to the shop....

If you need to replace the speakers in your Ford Explorer or replace a power window motor or door lock switch, you will first need to remove the interior door panel to access these components. The...

The ignition cylinder lock is a device found on older Ford Taurus vehicles before Ford started using electronically chipped keys. The cylinder lock helps to keep the ignition cylinder locked in...

The O2 sensor in your Ford E-150 Van measures the ratio of air to fuel to make sure that the van isn't running too rich or too lean. The sensor relays information to the van's computer allowing it...

The drive belt or serpentine belt on a Ford Focus has no time or mileage criteria for replacement. The most effective way to ascertain the functionality of the belt is to inspect it for cracks in...

The Windstar was a minivan introduced by Ford Motor Company in 1995 to compete with the popular Dodge Caravan. Ford discontinued the Windstar in 2003 and replaced it with the Ford Freestar...

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve on the Ford Windstar is designed to recycle the vehicle's emissions and burn them off a second time to reduce the pollutants that come out of your car's...

Replacing the new composite halogen headlights on a Ford Escape is not as easy as the old fashioned sealed beam units used to be. It's still an achievable task that you do not have to pay a...

First introduced in the 1986 model year, the Ford Taurus is a very popular vehicle, having continued in production for more than 2 decades. Initially designed as a front-wheel drive vehicle for...

When replacing the interior door handle on a Ford Explorer, take out all screws before attempting to take off the door skin. Remove door skin to replace the interior door handle on a 1996 Ford...

When replacing the interior door handle on a Ford Explorer, disengage the wires for the interior light. Disconnect electronics to replace the interior door handle on a 1996 Ford Explorer with tips...

Remove an old door handle to replace the interior door handle on a 1996 Ford Explorer with tips in this free video on car repair from a professional mechanic.

When replacing the interior door handle on a Ford Explorer, be careful removing the weather stripping so that it can be reused. Find out how to install a new interior door handle on a 1996 Ford...

When replacing the interior door handle on a Ford Explorer, reuse the weather stripping from the old handle. Reinstall the door skin to replace the interior door handle on a 1996 Ford Explorer...

When replacing the interior door handle on a Ford Explorer, reattach the door frame from the top down. Rehang a door frame when replacing the interior door handle on a 1996 Ford Explorer with tips...

When replacing the interior door handle on a Ford Explorer, make sure to replace all of the screws. Test out a newly installed interior door handle on a 1996 Ford Explorer with tips in this free...

When replacing the interior door handle on a Ford Explorer, use a metric socket set. Find out tools required to replace the interior door handle on a 1996 Ford Explorer in this free video on car...

When replacing the interior door handle on a Ford Explorer, pry off the removable covers to get to the door skin screws. Remove screws to replace the interior door handle on a 1996 Ford Explorer...

To properly remove a Ford factory radio, you need a special "U-shaped tool." While these tools are available directly from Ford or in a dealer's parts department, they are also available for a...

The most difficult part of replacing an oxygen sensor on a Ford Ranger is in the determination of whether or not the oxygen sensor has failed. The oxygen sensor is one of the only things...

This fix can be applied to a cup holder whose spring has broken the tabs off of the back of the cup holder. The problem is, without the spring the cup holder gets stuck in the dashboard, and...

Changing a tail light or even replacing a broken lens on the rear of your Ford car or SUV is very simple, and you only need a cross tip (Phillips) screwdriver to do the job.

The Ford F-150 is part of the "F Series," the moniker assigned to an entire succession of Ford trucks produced over the past 60 years. Since its beginnings, Ford has sold millions of the F Series...

The Ford F-Series trucks have been one of the Ford line's best sellers for over 60 years. If you own a 1948 or newer Ford F-Series, then you want to make sure you lubricate your truck's hood latch...

When you turn the key in the ignition and your engine doesn't start, there are a few things that could be the culprit that you can troubleshoot in the fuel system of your Ford Focus before you...

The ford Focus made it debut in 2000. It boasts abundant character and thoughtful styling along with several body options, all having contributed to worldwide popularity. Ford designed the Focus...

Timing belts can stop working without warning. Checking and changing your belt regularly prevents breakage, serious engine damage and keeps your car from breaking down. Replacing the timing belt...