Do It Yourself Auto Repair

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...

The steering wheel on the Renault 5 is held in place by a single center retaining hub nut. The steering wheel needs to be removed if you need to access the steering column or any of the switches...

Daily and general upkeep must be done on any vehicle to keep it drivable and to keep it allowed on the road. One of the most common problems that must be repaired is a taillight that has gone out....

Oil on the floor of a garage is a sign that there may be oil leaking from your vehicle. One of the main causes of an oil leak is a worn rear main seal no longer providing a proper seal. Depending...

When removing a transmission, the truck should be raised sufficiently to work. If done on a driveway, paper should be used to protect against transmission fluid spills as the transmission pan is...

Torque refers to the "tightness" of a bolt or nut. Heavy trucks use specific torque specifications to make sure that important components don't come loose during normal vehicle operation. Use a...

As the cold refrigerant in the air-conditioning system moves through the evaporator and absorbs heat from the passenger compartment, it is then routed to the condenser and released to the outside...

The motor mounts on the 1998 Honda Accord hold the engine to the frame of the car. The engine mounts use a rubber bushing in the center of the mount to absorb the shock of the engine's normal...

Judging by the exponentially staggering number of results you get when you Google "Kia Sorento Headlight", it's safe to say Kia Sorento owners are experiencing a rash of headlight -- and...

Replacing the existing light bulbs in your Jeep is a job that involves both vehicle safety and maintenance. Signal bulbs are important to your vehicle because they allow other drivers to know your...

The automotive air conditioner (A/C) compressor circulates freon through an evaporator and a condenser to cool the ambient air inside of a vehicle. This compressor is prone to failure due to a...

Removing GM seal bolts, or transmission seal bolts, as they are also called, may require a different strategy than standard bolt removal. These bolts have a tendency to become seized. Once they...

Installing standard transmission bolts must be done using the correct torque procedure. When you bolt the engine to the transmission, these bolts are responsible for keeping the transmission from...

Replacing your auto's thermostat takes just a few minutes and can be done easily without any automotive experience. A thermostat and gasket can be purchased for around ten dollars.

Before replacing the heater blower motor in your Ford Ranger, check it first to see if it has actually failed or if lack of power alone is to blame. Most of the time, the heater blower resister is...

The door handles on a Mitsubishi Eclipse use a simple lever action to operate the bear-claw locking mechanism that keeps the door closed. If this part fails, the door will not open. You should buy...

The shift solenoids on your Chevrolet Silverado control fluid flow and transmission shift. Years of service take a toll on these solenoids, interfering with proper shifting or even preventing the...

The rear bumper assembly of your Toyota Corolla is made of polyurethane. While this material is lighter than sheet metal, it is also more prone to unsightly cracking and chipping. If you must...

If your Pontiac Grand Am car door needs to be replaced due to severe damage or rust, you need to know how to do the job correctly. The Grand Am uses electronically controlled mirrors, door locks...

Spanish automaker SEAT produces the Ibiza, which is classified as a "supermini" automobile. While nimble, the Ibiza is not immune to wear and tear. Especially problematic are the front and rear...

The combination switch on a Kia Sportage is multipurpose: It controls the turn signals, cruise control and headlights on your vehicle. When this unit fails, you will lose all control over these...

A torque wrench is an essential tool for anyone repairing machinery. Torque wrenches can range from inexpensive beam-type models to ultra-expensive dial types, but for home use the best choice is...

The front axle on a Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers power to the front wheels from the transmission. The axle has two joints, called CV joints, that flex and allow the axle mobility when turning and...

The vast majority of engine overheating problems can be traced to a defective thermostat rather than a problem with the radiator itself. The thermostat operates like a switch to prevent the...

The air-conditioning condenser sits in front of the radiator on your Buick Regal. Depending on your particular Regal model, you may first need to remove the air duct and possibly the strut brace...

The indicator lights, also known as the turn signal lights, on a GMC Jimmy are the amber-colored lights located on the front and rear of the vehicle. Most states require these lights to be...

The process to replace the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor on many Buick models is rather involved, since you must remove the drive belt and balancer/pulley from the crankshaft. Then you will...

The computer on your Pontiac 3.8 model uses the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor to control ignition timing. Consequently, a bad CKP sensor will have a direct impact on engine performance....

The ignition switch on a Mazda is secured to the steering column. While some vehicles use a simple release pin to access the ignition switch, Mazda uses a different method that requires removing...

The Honda Prelude is a dependable, long-lasting sport-compact car with a large following of enthusiasts. The Prelude does not require a great deal of regular maintenance, however eventually the...

The GMC Sierra pickup was manufactured with optional power windows, which use a motorized window regulator for window operation. This motor can wear out and require replacement. The average...

Pickup trucks use similar air-conditioning systems as most other vehicles, except that they are typically larger. The compressor pumps Freon through the system, and this compressor can fail due to...

Carefully check around the fan assembly to see what components you may need to remove to simplify the electric fan removal and installation process. Some Chevy models come equipped with a double...

Torque ensures that a fastener properly holds a given part in place. Without a torque wrench, you have no knowledge of the exact amount of force you apply to the fastener. Click style torque...

A U bolt is a bolt that is shaped like a "U" -- hence, the name. The top two points on the bolt are threaded and nuts are screwed onto them to secure them to various types of components. On...

Automotive electric windows use a switched motor to operate an internal window regulator, raising or lowering the glass. Many issues can prevent the window from operating, leaving it in a stuck...

The Econoline van from Ford Motor Company uses Ford's standard door-locking mechanism. The door lock is attached to a lock rod assembly, which controls the opening of the door. It's bolted to the...

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...

Replacing the fuel tank on your Ford Ranger may seem like a daunting task. And it could be if you do not know the correct steps. Getting rid of the fuel system pressure is your first task to avoid...

The door locks on Volkswagen vehicles use a lock rod and latch mechanism that sits behind the interior door panel. You must remove the panel to access the door lock. Use a special tool called a...

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...

Diesel engines naturally run a little dirtier than standard gasoline engines. Diesel fuel is less refined than gasoline. This can produce impurities in the fuel. If there is an oil leak in the...

Simple step by step instructions on how to tune up your car without taking it to an expensive shop.

Do you own a 2003 KIA Sedona mini van that needs, or my need, a headlight bulb replaced? If so then you can save yourself some serious money by doing it yourself as the bulb only cost six dollars...

The Beetle sparked the "retro" movement when Volkswagen re-introduced it in 1998, after a 19-year absence from the U.S. market. The Beetle introduced in 1998 (sometimes called the "new" Beetle) is...

You should service the air conditioning (A/C) system on your Jeep every 60,000 miles to ensure proper ventilation. You can remove the condenser for maintenance or replacement. If necessary, take...

Installing a bolt on a Dodge Ram billet grille is similar to installing a bolt on any other component. A billet grille is an optional piece of equipment that can be added to enhance the looks of...

The security bolts on a motorcycle require a special key to remove. Most bolts use a standard hex-head. These types of bolts will accept a metric or standard size socket and socket wrench....

Severely rusted shock bolts represent a danger to both you and passengers of your vehicle if the rust is severe enough to compromise the integrity of the bolt. They should be removed and replaced...

Bolts that have been installed using locktight can be difficult to remove. locktight, usually spelled "loc-tite" or "lock-tite," is a compound that is put onto the threads of a bolt to help...