Dec
28
2009
I have a 2006 checy cobalt. the problem is my engine keeps comming on then it will go off. It may be off for 2 days then comes back on even while im driving. Then it may stay on again for couple of days then go off. What could be the problem.
Response:
Get someone to check the codes. Autozone or someplace like that will do it for free. I am just guessing but if you have a lot of miles on this car it could be your cat/converter is starting to be plugged or a sensor going bad. If it’s still under warrenty, the dealership will be the best place to start. Out of warrenty, check or have the engine codes checkrd and then let us know what has been discovered.
Alot of times it could something as simple as a loose gas cap. Theres a sensor that monitors the vacuum pressure and if that cap is loose then it cant keep a vacuum. I would try that…..This is True. Even a Fuel Cap being loose or having a inoperable pressure valve in it can cause this. However, if the vechicle is covered under a warrenty a maintence record is kept and these facts become availible to persons of interest like Car Fax when it is resold and the Consumer Protection Agency for ReCalls and updates.
Dec
25
2009
Hello I have problem with my wifes van. It don’t want to start. It sounded like the starter was hitting the flywheel, it stoped sounding like that band just would trun but not start. it wanted to .
Response:
Sounds like it’s flooded. How many miles? When was it last tuned up and fuel filter change?
Dec
11
2009
They stopped working about 2 months ago. When I hit a hard bump in the road, they work for a time; but then stop. What could be wrong?
Response:
Sounds like a loose connecrtion. Get out your meter. Wiper motors usually last forever. My dad had to have one replaced on a 70’s AMC wagon, and we used to burn them out on our police cars when arriving at a bad accident when it was raining. You bail out leaving all the equipment running, and on a serious injury or fatal, we might be there for a couple hours. In the meantime, it’s stops raining, and the wipers have no lubrication, which loads the motor up and it burns out. In about 55 years of driving 40 vehicles, I’ve never burnt one out.
GM’s Wonderful Pain…. Put it All-in-One, the Turn Signal Switch Assembly!!!! Ao $20 part and it pops out with minimal pressure. Careful with those Hair tin wires ’cause thats what started the mess.
I had a 92 Transport and it did the same thing…it was the wiper motor. Got one at Andy’s on W. Michigan with the whole mechanism and it worked great til the motor gave out for the 2nd time. I miss that van…was very comfy.
Dec
08
2009
I can’t turn on windshield wipers and spray windshield cleaner. The wipers work. Is there a way to check sprayer motor? Do I need to buy a new one? Should I buy one from a junk yard? I really would like to fix this, it may help keeping windows clear this winter. Thanks.
Response:
More than likely the line has frozen due to the water content that most people use to cut their cleaner in the summertime. However, if it is the pump it can be purchased seperately from the wiper motor at Auto Zone, Advanced Auto Parts, Auto Pro ect
Can you hear he motor trying to work? The lines could be froze or sometimes the nozzle itself gets plugged. Take a needle or a small pin and poke in and out of the nozzle a few times. But nothing will help if you can’t hear the washer motor trying to work.
On Fords the washer motor is at the bottom of the Solvent Reservoir. Just disconnect the line and see if it pumps.
Dec
03
2009
I am not getting spark from the spark plug wires on a ‘91 Integra. WHat can I look for? Where is the computer located and what does it look like?
Response:
This can be caused by a number of issues. First thing to do is check all the fuses , fuse links and relays.
Knowing what happened when the car stopped running can help us diagnose the problem.
Was the car running fine and then suddenly died or was a stereo installed or had it been sitting for a long time, has someone pressure washed the engine etc? Give us some history on when and how the car stopped running.
The computer is usually not the problem, but rather a sensor that feeds a signal to the computer. Cam sensor, crank sensor, oil pressure sensor etc. There can be a bad coil or coil pack, bad ignition switch, faulty wiring to any of these sensors or shorted wiring. There are too many possibilities to just say it doesn’t get spark.
I am employed as a fleet mechanic for a towing company. We tow for all local & state police agencies as well as the public. Customers pick up vehicles daily and many will not start when they try to drive them away.
The three most common reasons are:
1. Alarm system issue including wrong chip or vats key
2. Inertia switch (Triggers when vehicle is in a collision)
3. Out of fuel
Nov
28
2009
i have a 85 chevy suburban and i have a fusible link that keeps catchin on fire i cant find anyone that has one so i can replace it id rather not get one at a junk yard i rather by it brand new if anyone knows where i can find one (website or store) i would deeply appreciate it
Response:
You can purchase them by guage size at most auto parts stores including NAPA< Carquest, Auto Aone, Advanced Auto Parts, Pep Boys, Auto Pro and even some of our local Hardware Stores like ACE and places that install car radios. Be sure to get Shrink Tube to seal the connections too
If your link keeps catching on fire, it means you are drawing too many amps through it
Replacing the link does not stop the problem, you need to find to cause of the excess draw
Put an amp meter in that line, then turn on one thing at a time, and then off, so only one thing
at a time is on, until you find something with excess current draw. You could have a bad heater
motor for example ( very common ) or some where a wire shorting out in a cable you don’t see
Note, as long as you know what amp size the fusible link is, you can replace it with a similar sized
regular slow blow fuse, or you can use a Circuit breaker across the wires where the link went.
Nov
22
2009
i need to the layout of the electrical wires and what they need to and are called. this particular wire keeps blowin and when it does my truck wont start i have it mickey moused right now and i need it fixed its my only means of transportation and mechanics says its to old they dont carry the manuals on her any more and i dont have the money for guestamites. i have a 2 year old and im afraid if i dont get it fixed right away someday my car might start on fire with my son in it please someone help and if theres anyone out there willin to fix it for me i can pay
Response:
Sounds like the fuse link on the starter. Easy fix is to run a wire from the Positive on the Battery to the Alternator where that RED wire is. But that wont fix why it keeps blowing. Blown Fuse Link is usually a sign of a dead short. Probably from an aftermarket Radio or Amp Combonation that someone who didn’t know what the proper installation was. Common mistake for inexperience. That and aftermarket remote starters.
How about a loose starter creating a bad starter ground, or a bad engine ground.
Nov
17
2009
We have a 1999 GMC Savana conversion van that has been giving up problems when we go to start it. It doesn’t start the first time you turn the key, but usually does the second time. Two years ago we had the fuel pump replaced and it seems that ever since then we’ve had this problem. The gas gauge needle will also shake and when you fill the tank full of gas the needle goes way beyond the full mark and when the needle gets to the red mark you’d better get gas SOON.
Any ideas on what this is? Could the fuel pump have been bad to start with?
Response:
It sounds to me that when the Fuel Pump was replaced that the intermediate wire harness that goes from the top of the sending unit to the pump was not replaced. This explains the gauge flux and the starting problems. Also, it will NOT show any Codes. Time to drop the gas tank AGAIN.
