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Discover the expert in you.
Troubleshooting electrical home lights is something you can do with a variety of different tools including a pin voltage tester. Troubleshoot electrical home lights with help from a longtime electrical contractor in this free video clip.
Every path leads, and every path wends, but even the best are destined to end. Such was the case Ford's 1979 Fox-body restyling of the classic Mustang shape. Throughout its production run, the Fox and its SN95 derivative went through a number of design evolutions, some better executed than others. By the 21st century, though, Ford had pretty much exhausted every usable permutation of the squared-off Fox-body design path. But before going back to the well with the 2005, Ford managed to recapture a bit of the original Fox's squared-off cool with its still-relevant, 1999-to-2004 "New Edge" ponies.
A bad fuel pump relay won't prevent your 1996 Chevrolet S-10 from firing up, but if it takes several extra cranks to get the engine started, there's a good possibility that the fuel pump relay is the culprit. Under normal conditions, the fuel pump relay primes the fuel pump soon after switching on the ignition, which allows the fuel system to pressurize before you engage the engine's starter. If the relay isn't working, the oil pressure switch will engage the fuel pump after cranking the engine enough to meet the required oil pressure. Replacing a defective fuel pump relay will…
In a perfect world, cars, trucks, and automotive components would last forever. But there's a delicate balance between cost and longevity, so vehicle manufacturers constantly push the engineering envelope as it relates to doing more with less. Although the headlight switch for your 2001 Ford F-150 is considered an electrical component, its mechanical aspect is susceptible to normal wear and tear after years of regular use. Replacing the defective headlight switch is easy, requiring minimal hand tools to get the job done.
The functionality of the topmost switch on your iPad’s right edge has evolved over time. Originally, it was a rotation lock that prevented the screen display from reorienting whenever you moved the device, especially while reading a book in a reclined position. Later, it mimicked the side switch of an iPhone, which is singularly used to mute the device in a hurry. Today, you have both options. You can quickly set your preference or switch between the options as needed in the Settings app.
Bumpers, as the name might suggest, lead a difficult life. They're the first thing to get hit in most collisions, and they're designed to flex upon impact. This flexing is good when it comes to absorbing impact, but not so much when you're talking about repairs and cracks in the paint. Replacing the bumper on a Stratus is a fairly straightforward procedure, and there's no reason you can't do it in your driveway. Painting the new bumper, however, is a task that you'll likely want to have done by a professional before installing it.
The Chevy S10 is a lot of things to a lot of people, but it is, above all else, still a truck. And a truck, by definition, is light in the rear to allow for its cargo carrying and towing capabilities. This is great when you're actually setting the truck to such a task, but not so much when it comes to unloaded driving and braking performance. Trucks like the S10 were some of the first vehicles mass-produced with standard antilock brakes, primarily to keep the rear under control during panic stops. Replacing the S10's ABS control module is more…
In all the world, you might find 50 people who bought a Chevy Camaro brand new in 1972, and are still alive and driving it four decades later. Aside from those lucky few, most owners of vintage Camaros bought them third-hand or higher -- and any one of those previous owners might have a couple of spare keys to fit your car. That, among others, is perfectly good motivation for installing a new ignition cylinder in place of the original, even if the original still works. But be forewarned: this procedure might not be exactly what you're expecting.
The 1991 Honda Civic base model came with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a four-speed manual transmission. The ignition switch tumbler is designed to prevent the vehicle from being turned on or the steering wheel from being unlocked without the proper cut key. Over time the pins inside the tumbler can become worn and will allow the key to be removed without out being turned off, or will make it difficult to turn the key from the off position, if at all. The entire keyed switch is replaced as an assembly, but will require removing the steering column cover and…
Solenoids and relays are often placed in a circuit to keep the heat of the work load away from less hardy components, like complicated switches. Starter solenoid terminals with an " I " designation complete a connection in the ignition circuit while the engine is cranking. Two objectives are met by this circuitry design. The ignition switch is protected from the heat generated by the starter work load, and the ignition system is activated by a means other than the switch, which is already involved with the cranking procedure.
Say what you will about GM's J-Body chassis -- Chevy Cavalier, Olds Firenza, Pontiac Sunbird and Buick Skyhawk -- but it sure did a good job of keeping GM going for almost two decades. One of the secrets to the Cavallier's success was the great number of standard features and low-cost options available for a car in its price range. This includes an alarm, keyless entry and radio lock, among many others.
Saturn was the Rocky Balboa of the automotive world. Well, sort of. It was Rocky if the Gipper had gone into massive debt betting against Rocky, and then had to sell off Rocky's internal organs -- one at a time -- to pay his loan sharks. Saturn had everything going for it, including worldwide rebranding under the Saab and Opel names, attractive pricing, a bright future with the Ion and Sky, and all the best tech that GM had to offer. While fate may have intervened to cut Saturn's upward trajectory, the original L-series' sophisticated computer and the processes used…
One of the greatest ironies about automobiles is that, while they're designed to take you places, the two most important systems on any car are the ones that makes you stop and the one that saves you when you stop a little too quickly. The airbag is, by necessity, one of the sturdiest, simplest and most redundant systems on your Ford F-150 truck. After all, how many other computers will tell you when you've got a light bulb out?
Mechanical fuel pumps, like those normally found on carbureted vehicles, are capable of developing pressures of about 5 to 10 pounds per square inch. Fuel-injected vehicles typically have an electric pump mounted inside the fuel tank, which are capable of generating much higher pressures. Neither style fuel pump is designed for, or capable of, compressing air. Therefore, no means exist for a fuel pump to inject air into liquid-filled lines or hoses. However, there are instances when this may seem to happen. These symptoms can become exaggerated, if the fuel pump is not functioning correctly.
When the speed sensor on a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado begins to fail, the first noticeable sign may be a fluctuating speedometer. The speedometer’s needle may jump from one speed to another, or fall to zero and then suddenly return to the correct speed. The vehicle speed sensor, or VSS, is the sensor responsible for relaying the vehicle’s speed to the engine computer. In addition to using data from the VSS to calculate the vehicle’s speed, it also uses this data to make other computational decisions, including when to shift the transmission. The VSS is located on the tailshaft of the…
The power window assembly in a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox is controlled by a switch that’s mounted in a switch panel in the center of the dash board, just behind the shifter. This switch panel contains four switches; one for each window. The switches connect to wires that run to grounds, relays, and fuses within the vehicle. Because of the complex wiring system needed to control the window, it’s not possible to bridge any of the terminals or manipulate the wiring to raise or lower the window without using the switch. Unfortunately, if the switch fails, the switch panel needs to…
Many Hondas and Acuras produced during the 1990s used a power-retractable radio antenna. With the radio on, the antenna telescopes upward from the driver’s rear fender. When the radio is turned off, the antenna retracts to safety in the rear fender. A noisy power antenna may be caused due to broken teeth on the drive cable of the mast. An antenna that does not work at all may be caused by a faulty motor in the antenna assembly mounted in the trunk.
GMC introduced the S-15 Jimmy SUV in 1983. The S-15 and its Chevrolet S-10 Blazer counterpart are based on the S-10 pickup. The 1991 S-15 Jimmy was powered by a 4.3-liter V-6 engine with throttle-body fuel injection and available in two- and four-wheel drive. The windshield wipers on the Jimmy are controlled by a single motor that is located on the cowl. Replacing the motor is well within the scope of the DIY mechanic.
2001 Chevrolet Silverados use a hub-mounted wheel sensor system that consists of an electro-magnetic sensor and a notched reluctor wheel on each front wheel. The reluctor wheel spins at the same RPM as the wheel and the electro-magnetic sensor records this information in pulses. The PCM and ABS computers decode this information and use it determine wheel speed. By determining the wheel speed, both computers can tell if a wheel is locked up or spinning faster than the other. In order to diagnose a faulty wheel sensor, you must monitor the data stream with a scan tool and also confirm…
The 745i is BMW’s flagship sedan, carrying the most technologically advanced computer system that BMW has to offer. The 745i, like many other BMW vehicles, contains a vast network of sensors and computers that continually monitor the performance of various vehicle systems. The airbag system in a 745i is no exception to this rule, and has a dedicated standalone computer designed to operate and monitor the airbag system. When this computer detects a fault with the airbag sensor, it writes a trouble code to its memory and alerts the driver by turning on the “Service Airbag” light. Sometimes this light…
The wheel sensor system on a 1998 Subaru Legacy is directly controlled and monitored by the anti-lock braking system, or ABS, computer. It order to determine which wheels are locking-up, the ABS computer monitors the speed of each wheel individually and compares that speed to the vehicle speed sensor value and the other front wheel. In the event of a wheel lock-up, the ABS computer selectively limits brake pressure until the wheels return to a normal rolling condition. Replacement wheel speed sensors are available for purchase from auto parts stores, Subaru dealerships, and online parts websites.
When the windshield washer pumps fail on a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the windshield washer system cannot transfer fluid through the system tubing in order to clean the windshield. These pumps, located in the windshield washer tank, are the sole components responsible for moving fluid throughout the entire system. These pumps operate by running off the vehicle’s 12 volt electrical power supply. When the “wash” section of the windshield wiper arm is depressed, the wiper motor relay switches to a closed position allowing current to flow to the washer pumps. In the event of a pump failure, current still flows…
2006 Saturn Vue SUVs contain two front speed sensors—one at each wheel. These sensors are bolted to the rear side of the steering knuckle. The PCM and ABS computers monitor data from these sensors about the rotational speed of the front wheels, which is used to determine when to engage the anti-lock braking and traction control systems. When one of these sensors fails, the PCM will deactivate the traction control and anti-lock brakes until the sensor is replaced.
The washer pumps in a 2000 GMC Jimmy are located on the outside edge of the washer fluid reservoir, next to the right-side fender. These electric pumps draw fluid from the reservoir and force it through rubber tubes that connect to the washer jet nozzles. Over time, the small motors inside these pumps wear out and fail, rendering the washer fluid system inoperable. In order to replace these pumps, the washer reservoir must be removed from the vehicle.
A fuel pump that has either failed or is in the process of failing portrays symptoms that are quite similar to that of several mechanical or electrical problems. Professional technicians can easily confuse the symptoms as mechanical or electrical in nature. Performing a few simple tests will quickly determine whether or not the fuel pump causes the symptoms. The next step is to determine if the fuel pump has failed due to lack of power to operate it or if it has an internal issue.
The 2002 Volkswagen Passat came standard with a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine and a five-speed manual transmission. Each of your Passat's wheels has an anti-lock brake sensor -- or wheel speed sensor -- that tells the computer what the speed of each wheel is, so that it can signal ABS operation accordingly. A faulty wheel speed sensor can cause the ABS system to engage incorrectly or not at all, and should be replaced immediately. The process to replace any of the wheel speed sensors is the same and can be completed with basic hand tools.
Owning a Yamaha WaveRunner FX140 means maintenance and repair. As is the case with so many electronic parts, diagnosis is pointless, since the unit can't be serviced. This means that, when you notice the speedometer is giving you wacky readings -- it might tell you you're going 5 mph when you're clearly moving at a faster clip -- it's time to replace the speed sensor.
The 2000 Chevy Silverado base model came with a 4.3-liter six-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The front wheel speed sensors on your truck are mounted to the steering knuckle and are used to help the computer determine when one wheel is rotating at a different speed than the other. A faulty wheel speed sensor can cause the anti-lock braking system to become inoperative, bring forth the possibility for the front wheels to lock up during hard stops or in slippery conditions. No special tools are required to replace either sensor, but you will have to remove the brake…
If you've locked your keys in your car, a few tricks will have your power doors unlocked and will have you back on the road in no time. Find out about a few neat tricks to unlocking a power door when you lock your keys in it with help from an expert in the automotive industry in this free video clip.
On many vehicles equipped with a rear window defogger, electricity flows through small, brown grids mounted on the inside of your rear window, heating the area enough to clean up any fog or frost. If your defogger is malfunctioning and only partially clears the window, you may have damaged or broken grids, which may not allow current to flow past the damaged area. Permatex manufactures a kit to repair the broken grids and restore your rear defogger to its full efficiency.
The 2003 Chevy avalanche came standard with a 5.3-liter eight-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. The fuel pump on your Avalanche is located inside the fuel tank and may be the cause of sluggish performance or a non-starting engine. The fuel systems consists of the fuel pump and strainer, fuel lines, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, fuel rail and fuel injectors. To test the fuel pump correctly and efficiently diagnose the fuel pump, there are a few specialty tools needed, but they generally are available to rent at parts stores.
The 1999 Chrysler LHS came with a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. The front wheel bearing on your LHS is sealed within the hub assembly, which means the entire hub has to be replaced anytime the wheel bearing fails. The antilock brake sensor; also known as the wheel speed sensor, is mounted on the steering knuckle, but is not integrated into the wheel hub. Replacing the ABS sensor can be done at the same time as the wheel hub, but will require additional steps. Replacing the hub assembly will require removing the spindle nut, which will have…
In the 1970s, manufacturers began releasing vehicles that had very basic computer controls to operate high-tech-at-the-time fuel injection and electronic ignition systems. Through the 1980s, these computers became more complex, and by the 1990s, these computers controlled or monitored nearly every engine function. The 1993 Protege used an engine control unit, which some people incorrectly call a powertrain control module, to monitor various sensors throughout the vehicle to adjust the fuel and ignition systems. Relative to more modern automotive computers, the 1993 Protege’s ECU is a simple component and requires no additional programming after installation.
Fuel pump failure, whether in a Mercruiser engine equipped with a carburetor or in one with fuel injection, is almost a certainty at some point. You should pressurize your fuel system with the primer bulb and look for leaks every time you go boating -- minimizing one cause of fuel pump failure. This simple act, though, won't eliminate the problem. Regardless of your inspection, other reasons for fuel pump failure may lie in places you wouldn't expect.
The Philips DVP3140 is a DVD player that features DivX playback, as well as compatibility with other digital media file formats such as MP3 audio, WMA video and JPG images. This device, released in 2011, outputs a progressively scanned resolution and sports a slim form factor. As is the case with any DVD player, electrical issues may occur. You can troubleshoot some problems at home, but others call for professional attention.
Installed on older Polaris snowmobiles as the primary starting mechanism, and on many newer machines as a backup system, pull starters are designed to turn the engine over by hand. Also known as recoil starters, pull starters function by pulling on a cord wrapped around a spindle; the spindle turns a spring-loaded cog that spins the engine flywheel. If the springs slip off the cog, the system must be dissembled to reset the spring.
The Yamaha YFM350 Wolverine was produced between 1995 and 2005 to fit the role of a medium-sized utility-type all-terrain vehicle. The Wolverine was powered by a 348 cc single-cylinder, four-stoke, engine with an integrated manuallyoperated five-speed transmission. A small switch, located against the inner left wall of the engine crankcase, was used to inform the Wolverine's rider when the transmission was shifted out of gear and into neutral, preventing the ATV from racing off when it should remain stationary. The neutral switch usually requires little attention but can fail eventually. While the switch is fairly simple and is attached to…
The vehicle speed sensor, also known as the VSS, in a 1995 Honda Odyssey is an integral part of the powertrain management system. This sensor sends data to the engine control module, or ECM, to help the ECM determine how to properly manage the transmission and other related systems. When the VSS fails, a number of vehicle systems such as the speedometer, transmission and ABS may operate erratically. Replacement vehicle speed sensors are available from local auto parts stores and licensed Honda and Acura Dealerships.
The vehicle speed sensor in a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe is located on the top right side of the transmission housing, just above the pan area. This sensor determines the vehicle speed by measuring the rotation of internal transmission components. The vehicle speed sensor, or VSS, sends this speed data to the powertrain control module, or PCM. The PCM uses the data to manage the engine functions and ensure all vehicle systems are operating properly. One example is that the PCM compares the VSS data to the wheel speed sensor data to determine which, if any, wheels are locking up. Replacement…
The 1988 Toyota MR2 was available as a coupe, T-Bar coupe or supercharged T-Bar model. The base engine in the 1988 MR2 was a 1.6-liter in-line four-cylinder engine that produced 115 horsepower and 110 foot-pounds of torque. The optional supercharged 1.6-liter in-line four-cylinder engine produced 140 horsepower and 145 foot-pounds of torque. The ignition switch on the 1988 MR2 is mounted to the steering column, toward the top of the column. You must remove other components to replace the ignition switch.
Your 2000 Oldsmobile Alero has a four-wheel anti-lock brake system that helps to prevent the vehicle from sliding on slick surfaces. The ABS system uses a speed sensor at each wheel to relay its speed to the computer. When the computer detects a difference in wheel speed during braking, the brakes are then pulsed to help prevent the wheels from locking up. The wheel speed sensors are built into each wheel's hubs, so if there is a sensor failure at the front or rear wheels, the hub assembly for that wheel will need to be replaced.
The 2005 Ford F-150 was equipped with a 4.2-liter V-6 engine in the base model. Optional 4.6-liter V-8 or 5.4-liter V-8 engines were available in upgraded trim packages. The driver's door window switch controls all of the windows for the 2005 F-150. Testing of the passenger door window switch is similar, though there is only one switch to test. Testing the electrical supply for the F-150 window switch will allow you to determine if the fault is in your window switch or in the wiring leading to the switch.
The transmission speed sensor on a 1998 Dodge Dakota is located in the overdrive gear case. This sensor actively monitors the speed of the transmission output shaft and relays this information to the powertrain control module, or PCM. The PCM uses this information to make decisions about how to properly manage the engine, transmission and other vehicle systems. When this sensor fails, the PCM gathers information from the vehicle speed sensor, or VSS. Replacement transmission speed sensors are available from most local auto parts stores and licensed Dodge or Chrysler dealerships.
Honda introduced the Accord in 1976, following the successful introduction of the Honda Civic in 1973. Several generations of Accord have been released since then. The 1999 Accord is a member of the sixth generation, which was produced from 1998 to 2002. The 1998 Accord was available in DX, EX and LX trim levels and powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder in-line four-cylinder VTEC, or a 3.0-liter V-6 VTEC engine. Electrical problems happen with any vehicle and can be difficult to troubleshoot. Fortunately, with the aid of a multimeter, the Accord’s ignition switch is easily tested.
Gasoline-fired Mercruiser engines use both a low-pressure diaphragm-type fuel pump and an electric high-pressure fuel pump. The low-pressure pump supplies the high-pressure pump, the fuel-pressure gauge and the engine's fuel rails. This means that, if the fuel pressure remains normal on the high-pressure side of the system, the low pressure side is supplying it adequately.
Trucks just seem to last longer than cars. Take the 1979 Ford F-150. In geographical locations where rust is not a problem, there are many of these trucks still on the road. That is not to say they are trouble-free. All things mechanical will eventually wear out and break. A malfunctioning ignition switch may be a quirk you are willing to endure for awhile, but eventually it may leave you stranded. Replacing the switch -- which as of 2012 is still readily available -- proactively will keep your truck going.
The 1995 Ford Explorer has its ignition switch mounted to the lower top section of the steering column directly below the dash cover. The switch is cycled through its various positions by a rod under the switch that extends up to the ignition key tumbler. As the key is rotated it moves the rod up and down the column changing the positions on the ignition switch.
In 1997, Ford made a make-it-or-break-it move by completely redesigning its best-selling F-150 pickup. This was no simple styling change, but a complete scrapping of the old boxy body in favor of a rounded body that no truck buyer had seen before. Fortunately for Ford, the gamble paid off and the F-150’s success continued on. The 1997 F-150’s base trim level came standard with a 210-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-6 engine. Ford also fitted the base 1997 F-150 with a rear antilock brake system. When the rear ABS sensor fails, there is no way to tear it down and repair it. You…
The speed sensors on a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer are part of the anti-lock braking system. The ABS uses the wheel speed sensors to collect speed, acceleration, and braking data. There are a total of three sensors in the system; one at each front wheel and a third sensor mounted on top of the rear differential. When one of these sensors fails, the ABS cannot determine the speed of the vehicle and temporarily deactivates the ABS until the faulty sensor is repaired.
The Volkswagen Rabbit, which the rest of the world knew as the Golf, reached U.S. showrooms in 1975, a year after its debut in Europe. In the 1985 model year, VW changed the “rabbit” name to Golf in the U.S. market. The 2003 Golf came standard with a 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and included a four-wheel antilock brake system. This ABS system uses four wheel sensors, one at each wheel, to determine if the wheels have locked so it can activate the ABS if needed. When an ABS wheel sensor fails on the 2003 Golf, the only repair option is…
