Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
In some ways, the W210 -- sixth-generation, 1995 to 2003 -- E-Class was the car that brought Mercedes into its modern era. Throughout its production cycle, the E-Class saw not only a return to style for this once notably bland marque, but the introduction of several new engines, powertrains and standard handling and safety features that made the previous generation look Stone Age by comparison. One of these was the now-ubiquitous OBD-II computer diagnostics system, which utilized a pair of oxygen sensors to monitor both the engine and catalytic converter.
Is your check engine light on? Want to know what it means? All cars since 1996 use an industry standard on-board diagnostic system that you can check to see exactly what is causing that check engine light to light up. Learn what your car is telling in this video.
Early on, the GMC Jimmy really didn't have to try that hard to capture the marketplace. Alongside its corporate brothers, the Jimmy's very size and nature appealed to the same kind of people who buy SUVs today. By the late 1990s, though, a new wave of crossover SUVs were starting to encroach on the Jimmy's niche, forcing GMC to drastically expand the number of trim levels and chassis and drivetrain options. The Jimmy's everyman approach helped this seminal mid-sized SUV put up the good fight for several years; ultimately, though, the Jimmy joined the ranks of so many other capable…
Checking for malicious code in WordPress will make sure that your site isn't harmful to visitors. Check for malicious code in WordPress with help from an experienced computer professional in this free video clip.
The positive crankcase ventilation valve for your 1997 Ford Ranger is a simple device, designed to meter and divert unspent hydrocarbon gasses from the engine's crankcase. The unspent gases, also known as “blow-by,” will not only harm the environment if not recirculated through the combustion chamber, but will also contaminate the engine oil very quickly if allowed to remain inside of the engine. Eventually, oil sludge will restrict the PCV valve, which may lead to dirtier oil between scheduled changes, higher fuel consumption and a possible negative effect on engine performance.
There was a time when a car's engine idle speed was controlled mechanically by the slight opening of the carburetor's throttle valve. Ford's 1999 Escort relied on a fuel-injected throttle body that constantly fed the 2.0-liter engine and accommodated for changing road and weather conditions. The idle was dynamically controlled by an idle air control valve attached to the throttle body. A failing IAC valve can cause the Escort to idle roughly and stall, or become difficult to start. Most of these problems will also be accompanied by a check engine light on the dashboard.
Modern cars have numerous sensors that send information to the vehicle's control modules. One sensor in particular that sends information to several systems is the ambient air temperature sensor, also known as the outside air temperature sensor. The ambient air temperature sensor information can be used to calculate fuel mixture and can be used to determine air conditioning temperature. This sensor can be found in a number of different places on a car, but fortunately it is not too difficult on a 2002 Nissan Altima.
Your driving down the road and your check engine light comes on, you would think a problem with the engine would cause some kind of drivability problem, but in this case it doesn’t. Trouble code P1443 will not exhibit any dysfunctional driving because it has to do with the evaporative emissions system. Likely to your surprise the code will not be found in a traditional code book, or your aftermarket repair manual. This is because code P1443 is specific to Ford and is used primarily to help Ford technicians diagnose problems with the EVAP system.
Despite the lackluster interior and the poor resale value, the 2004 Ford Taurus still provided exceptional power and reliability with the equipped 3.0-liter engine. Regardless of the reliability, your Taurus is just as prone to the occasional failure as any other vehicle on the road, and P1354 is a code that relates to the coil pack setup. Coil C is in the middle of the coil pack and delivers spark to cylinders 2 and 6. Unfortunately the coil pack itself isn't user serviceable, so any failure will require replacing the entire coil pack.
Equipped with a manual transmission and a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine, your 1997 Nissan Sentra is equipped with the same evaporative emissions system that every other car on the road has. Code P0446 is directly related to this EVAP system and the cause should be diagnosed and repaired quickly. Failure to get to the root cause of this trouble code will cause you to fail emissions testing, if your state elects to perform them and its bad for the environment all together.
Powered by a 4T65E and a 3.1-liter in the base model or a 3.8-liter in the LTZ model, your 1996 Lumina is still a reasonably common car on the road today. Despite a good reliability after a long life of service, components are bound to wear down and fail. Luckily your Lumina is equipped with and OBD-II system that helps pinpoint problems; in most cases before serious damage is caused. Code P1870 relates to the transmission and its performance. The root cause could be one of few; a few causes that range from minor to serious.
So the engine in your 98' Civic has began to run rough and performance has fallen far below an acceptable level. You're likely experiencing a rough idle and a bucking or jumping sensation during acceleration, along with a check engine light. Despite the hatred the average driver has for a check engine light, it is actually a good thing cause it leads us to know that your EGR valve has become faulty. You may have to outright replace your EGR valve, but there is something you can do that can prolong this process and possibly save your self some money…
With a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission you have power and luxury in a car that didn't cost you 3 million dollars to purchase. Like all vehicles of this era, your lexus has an on-board diagnostics system that is used to help technicians diagnose problems within the engine and powertrain; in most cases before they are even serious enough to notice. Code P1130 specifically relates to your bank 1 sensor 1 air/fuel sensor, also commonly referred to as an oxygen sensor.
Ignition cables deliver high-voltage current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs on older engines fitted with distributors. Although the engine will still run if one of the wires between the distributor and the plugs produces an intermittent fault, it will deliver less power or die altogether if the wire leading from the coil to the center of the distributor goes bad. There are three basic types of ignition cable designed to suppress radio frequency interference, and each type is prone to failure after extended use. If you suspect a bad coil-to-distributor wire, there are two main symptoms to…
The 2001 Chevy Silverado 1500 came with either a 4.3-liter six-cylinder, 4.8-liter eight-cylinder or a 5.3-liter eight-cylinder engine. The six cylinder base model was offered with a five-speed manual transmission, but the extended cab and other models equipped with an eight-cylinder only included a four-speed automatic transmission; with or without four-wheel drive. Despite the many differences and options available all of them have a fuel tank pressure sensor that is used to detect the amount of pressure or lack there of. Code P0452 is directly related to this sensor, but the reason your Silverado is displaying this trouble code can…
In the realm of automotive suspensions, camber is the relationship of a tire and wheel assembly to a vertical position, when viewed head-on. A wheel that is perfectly straight up and down is considered to have zero camber. When the top of the wheel is moved inward, toward the vehicle, camber is reduced to a negative value. Conversely, as the top of the tire is moved outward, camber is measured in a positive scale. Whichever side the tire is leaned toward in the alignment process affects ride and handling characteristics. Incorrect adjustments may have exaggerated consequences, due to the relatively…
On the surface, the Chrysler Sebring didn't seem like a car particularly worth talking about; it was, after all, essentially just a front-wheel-drive sedan. But Chrysler did make one very smart move with this chassis to set it apart -- it cut the roof off. After its debut, the topless Sebring quickly laid claim and held the title of America's most popular convertible, all the way through to today. No other convertible produced in the last 50 years has sold in the volume that the Sebring has -- and that's something worth talking about.
A distributor isn't a single part; it's a collection little systems working together to make one, big ignition system. The 1986 Ford Ranger's four different engines all use ignition systems that are variations on the same themes. And, while they have seen their fair share of technical service bulletins, these distributor ignition systems were fairly sturdy from the factory. But, they don't last forever.
Sony televisions commonly rely on a self-diagnostic tool for troubleshooting errors and power issues. If your television is not working properly, you can analyze a set of blinking lights to figure out the core issues before a repair. In most cases, your television will need new parts or a complete replacement.
Introduced in 1998, the Onboard Diagnostics, Series II protocol was a technological quantum leap over older computer systems. OBD-II was a true self-diagnostic system, and Ford took advantage of its advanced nature by using the computer to do a lot of things besides just pass federal emissions tests. The thousands of resulting diagnostic trouble codes produced by your Ford Escort's OBD-II computer can help you to track down almost anything that goes wrong with your car.
The modern automatic transmission is something of a hybrid unit, combining the convenience or the traditional automatic/torque converter arrangement with the efficiency of the manual's solid clutch. The BMW 5-Series, like many other cars on the road today, does this using a small clutch contained inside the torque converter. The lockup clutch engages using a solenoid, and locks the crankshaft to the transmission input shaft in third or fourth gear. Solenoid failure will trigger code P0740, but so will a few other things.
Every smart manufacturer uses some engine design to set itself apart from others; Mazda has its Renesis rotary, GM has its endearing and thick-headed love for pushrod V-8s, Aston Martin has the V12 and Subaru has its "boxer" horizontally-opposed four-cylinde enginer. The boxer four has proven itself a fairly powerful and reliable offering over the years, but even this descendent of the old VW four-cylinder engine won't last forever. More than a decade after production, little problems -- like those that cause P0519 -- are bound to crop up.
Of all the things that can malfunction on your truck, its evaporative emissions system is probably both the most infuriating and the most insidious. Gasoline is an extremely unstable liquid, especially when it's warm -- without some way to seal the system, gas would quickly evaporate out of the tank and cost you big bucks at the pump. Code P0446 indicates a problem with one of the solenoids in this system and may be warning you of a problem that only your wallet is going to notice.
Code P0300 isn't the most uncommon code in the world, and it's particularly not-uncommon on older cars like the 1997 Sunfire. While the 2200 four-cylinder engine and, especially, the optional Quad Four engine were well-regarded for reliability, the fact is that they're both aging as time goes on. Problems are going to happen, and they're going to cause system-wide fault codes like P0300.
It's a fact: parts retailers and auto manufacturers make money selling replacement parts. But the fact is that contaminants in fuel and additives, like ethanol, can have disastrous effects on contaminant-sensitive components, including your vehicle's oxygen sensors. However, there's a pretty good chance that your O2 sensor just needs a good cleaning, instead of replacement.
Check your 1997 Jaguar XJ6 cooling system regularly, especially if you have to frequently top up the coolant header tank. Wait for the engine to cool down and inspect the upper and lower coolant hoses by squeezing them to expose cracks. Look for signs of swelling or deterioration. Pay special attention to the connections; hose clamps can sometimes pinch hoses and cause leaks. If you find any sign a leak, deterioration, or cracks replace both the upper and lower radiator hose as soon as possible.
Produced from 1979 to 2002, Mazda's 626 didn't exactly debut as the success it would later become. It wasn't until Ford and Kia got involved in 1983, marketing the 626 as the Telstar and Concord, respectively, that the 626 got the worldwide attention that it deserved. Of course, Mazda's well-known reliability and chassis tuning helped, but a couple of turbos really sealed the deal. The introduction of Onboard Diagnostics, Series II protocol in 1995 helped Mazda's fun family car meter and monitor air and fuel even more accurately, while sending up red flags when something went awry.
Code P0161 isn't unique to Chrysler; the first zero in the code name tags it as a generic Onboard Diagnostics, Series II code. Federal inspectors rely on generic codes like this to assist in emissions inspections and to help the driver repair the car so it's clean and safe. This particular code indicates low circuit voltage on the second oxygen sensor on bank two. Bank two is the right side of the engine when you're looking at the engine from the front.
Ford's Contour, like all vehicles produced since 1996, utilized OnBoard Diagnostics, Series II protocol. In the OBD-II coding system, a "1" in the first place indicates a Ford-specific code, while a "0" would have indicated a general emissions code. Code P1131 indicates a "lean" or "fuel-deficient" condition on bank number one. With the four- cylinder engine, bank one is the only bank; on the V-6, bank one is on the passenger-side of the engine. A lean condition could indicate a number of single faults or it could be a symptom of another fault.
The Passat, at least in America, has always been the frugal aficionado's family car. Originally known as the Dasher, then the Quantum, the Passat's more modern fifth-generation platform shares its underpinnings with the Audi A4. Code P0174 isn't particularly uncommon -- and, is in fact, almost certain to happen now that this fine piece of German engineering, and all of its sensors, hit the decade-plus mark.
Nissan made kind of an odd move when deciding to sell its new-for-2003 V35 to North American customers; not so much in selling it, but more for calling it an Infiniti G35. Known to the rest of the world as the Skyline, Nissan's newest flagship automobile played host to all its newest technologies and innovations. As well as a few old ones -- like oxygen sensors.
OnBoard Diagnostics, Series II protocol was a new and welcome addition to the automotive landscape circa 1996. Toyota's Avalon, like every other car produced since that watershed year, used this sophisticated system to self-diagnose everything that had to do with the car's electronic controls and sensors. This particular code indicates a problem with one of the car's most vital sensors and bears immediate attention.
The Ranger's Supplemental Restraint System is an interesting kind of anachronism, particularly in this age of sophisticated and networked self-diagnostics. The airbag system, for reasons of safety and redundancy, doesn't rely on the truck's primary computer -- instead, it utilizes an older an simpler technology to activate the airbags and to diagnose when something's gone wrong.
The 2003 Volkswagen Jetta base model, either as a sedan or station wagon, came with a 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. Your Jetta's computer is able to detect engine load based on the amount of vacuum created by the engine. Volkswagen integrated a manifold absolute pressure sensor, or MAP sensor that measures the difference in pressure. If this sensor fails, your engine will run rough and erratically.
The Chrysler Concorde, also known as the sister car to the more popular Dodge Intrepid, came from the factory with two V-6 engine options; a 2.7-liter engine and a more-powerful 3.5-liter engine. Of the two engines, the 3.5-liter engine was noted for its increased reliability over the smaller engine, which was prone to oil sludge problems. To help control and monitor the engine temperature, the 3.5-liter engine contains a coolant temperature sensor, located on the thermostat housing at the front of the engine.
Most modern passenger vehicles use two or more anti-lock brake sensors to determine the rotational speed of the wheels. These sensors relay wheel speed information to the ABS computer and the powertrain control module, or PCM. The ABS and PCM computers use this information to calculate when to activate the anti-lock brake system, engage the traction control, retard the ignition timing and many other actions. When a wheel sensor fails, the on-board computers cannot gather information properly. In this situation, they disable one or more of these systems until the problem is remedied.
The engine light codes, also known as diagnostic trouble codes, on a KIA Optima are designed to provide information about a specific failure or malfunction on the vehicle. These alpha-numeric codes are created by the engine control module and then stored in memory where they can be retrieved at a later date with a scan tool. These codes begin with the letter “P” and are followed by a four digit number sequence. Each code corresponds to a specific problem that can be identified by using a service repair manual. Most factory repair manuals provide a flow chart that technicians can…
Oxygen sensors are among the most interesting and important sensors on your engine. In fact, the old O2 sensor was one of the first ever used to electronically modulate the ratio of fuel and air used by the engine -- in a time even before what we would recognize as fuel injection today even existed. Surging is among the many problems a failing O2 sensor can cause, but it isn't the only one.
The 2000 Audi A4 base sedan came with a 1.8-liter turbo-charged four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The mass air flow sensor measures the volume and density of air entering the engine, so that the computer can adjust the amount of fuel supplied for efficient combustion. Your MAF sensor is mounted to the air filter housing between the air intake tube and air and air filter cover. A faulty MAF sensor will most likely cause a lean or rich -- not enough fuel or too much fuel -- combustion scenario, because the computer is receiving the wrong signal or…
The throttle position sensor on a 2004 Jeep Cherokee Laredo is a three-wire variable resistance sensor mounted on the throttle body opposite the throttle linkage. It is cycled by the throttle plate shaft. The sensor receives 5 volts from the powertrain control module. In return, the sensor supplies a varying voltage on a sliding scale from 0.26 volts at idle to 4.49 volts at wide-open throttle. The signal voltage informs the PCM as to the amount and speed of the throttle opening. The signal received from the TPS is used by the PCM to calculate fuel injector on-time, ignition timing…
In 2001, Toyota Camrys were manufactured with multiple engine options. In base form, the Camry came equipped with the 2.2-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine which offered buyers excellent fuel economy at a reasonable price. In upgraded form, the Camry came equipped with a more powerful 3.0-liter DOHC V6 that provided more power with slightly increased price tag. The camshafts in each engine are monitored by a camshaft position sensor that records the position of the camshafts in relation to the crankshaft. The positional information is used by the PCM to alter ignition timing and ensure that the engine runs smoothly.…
2000 model year Nissan Xterras came equipped with two engine choices: A 2.4-liter four cylinder engine and a 3.3-liter six cylinder engine. Both of these engines contain a crankshaft position sensor which electromagnetically monitors the position of the crankshaft. The ECM reads the signals from the crankshaft sensor and fires the spark plugs based on this information. If the crankshaft sensor fails, the ECM does not know when to fire the plugs, resulting in a dead engine. Because the crankshaft position sensor contains an electrical coil, its condition can be determined by measuring the resistance across its terminal pins with…
Mercedes-Benz vehicles are well known for their prestige and luxury, but despite their high reputation, they still encounter problems from time-to-time. One of the more common problems that can occur with a 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK 320 is a faulty crankshaft position sensor. The most noticeable symptom of a faulty crankshaft position sensor on a 2001 SLK 320 is an engine that cranks but won’t start. This is because the powertrain control module, or PCM, cannot determine when to fire the spark plugs inside the engine cylinders. Because the crankshaft position sensor is a non-serviceable part, it must be replaced when…
If the clutch fluid line in your car has gone bad, you'll be able to tell by watching out for a few particular things. Learn about symptoms of a bad clutch fluid line with help from an expert in the automotive industry in this free video clip.
In the 2002 model year, the Jeep Liberty took over the base-level slot in Jeep’s lineup that the Cherokee had held for 17 years. The 2005 Jeep Liberty had two gasoline engines available, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.7-liter V-6. Both of these engines used oxygen sensors to monitor the amount of harmful toxins in the exhaust. The front oxygen sensor -- sometimes referred to as the upstream oxygen sensor -- monitors the amount of oxygen in the exhaust as it exits the engine and uses this information to adjust the air-to-fuel ratio. Its readings also set the baseline for…
The parking distance control option on BMW’s 2011 X5 truck uses ultrasound sensors integrated into the bumpers to aid in maneuvering tight spaces, such as for parking. The PDC sensors detect objects within 7 feet of the X5, and depending on the PDC option, emit an audible proximity warning, as well as visual warning on the control display panel in the middle of the dashboard above the vents. Replace a sensor in the case of a malfunction as indicated on the control display.
The crankshaft position sensor, or CKP, on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 is located on the right-rear side of the engine block, just behind the driver’s side cylinder head, adjacent to the firewall. This sensor is part of the computer-controlled engine management system, designed to maximize the engine’s fuel economy and performance. This sensor sends information to the engine control module, or ECM, about the crankshaft’s rotational position in relation to the engine block. The ECM uses this information to determine how to effectively manage the engine. When the crankshaft positions sensor fails, the engine may not start at all. Once…
In 1995, Honda offered four engine configurations for the Civic: three variations of the 1.5-liter engine, and a 1.6-liter engine option. Each engine uses an electronically controlled coolant temperature sensor. This sensor is a thermistor that converts the engine temperature to voltage and sends this voltage to the engine control module, or ECM. The ECM uses this information make decisions about how to properly manage the engine, such as when to turn on the cooling fans. When this sensor fails, the engine cannot accurately determine the coolant temperature, and poor or erratic engine performance may result. Replacement coolant temperature sensors…
The 1998 Mazda 626 base model came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The 2.0-liter engine has two oxygen sensors that relay how much oxygen is in the exhaust gas as it passes through the exhaust system. If your vehicle is equipped with a California-mandated emissions system, there is one oxygen sensor at the top of the exhaust manifold and one just below it. If your 626 is equipped with federal-mandated emissions, your oxygen sensors are located below the exhaust manifold and behind the mid exhaust-mounted catalytic converter. Because of their delicate internal components, oxygen sensors…
The 2003 Toyota Tundra came standard with a 3.4-liter six-cylinder and a five-speed manual transmission. To meet federal emissions standards Toyota placed an oxygen sensor before and after the catalytic converter on the left and right exhaust piping. The upstream oxygen sensors are located on the lower base of the left and right exhaust manifolds, while the downstream oxygen sensors are located at the exit pipe of the catalytic converter on the left and right exhaust pipes.
