A Toyota P0031 Code is a “HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 1)” Common causes include a bad oxygen sensor, or sensor wiring. Symptoms include using more fuel than usual, check engine light, and bad acceleration. A Toyota with a P0031 OBDII Code is having an issue with an Oxygen Sensor. Oxygen sensors… Read More »
P2111 Code: Throttle Actuator A Control System Stuck Open The Throttle Body is Having an Issue That Needs Fixed Common Causes Include a Bad Throttle Body, Wiring, and a Bad Sensor. A vehicle with a P2111 code is having an issue with the electronic throttle body and will need to be troubleshooted to know why.… Read More »
A Nissan C1130 Code is an “Engine Signal 1” Error The ABS Anti-Lock Brake Module Has Bad Data This is Usually Caused by Another Malfunction, Such as as an Engine Issue. A Nissan with a C1130 Code is having an issue with the ABS module. The code does not necessarily mean the ABS module is… Read More »
If you have a Ford vehicle with a dashboard error message saying “Check Fuel Fill Inlet”, the computer is seeing a problem with the “No Gas Cap System”. This is a common problem for Ford vehicles, including the F150, Mustangs, or any Ford Capless Fuel System. The No Cap system was created to eliminate the… Read More »
Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2014-2019 Chevy Silverado is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. As always, if in doubt, take your vehicle to a professional. There are two bulbs on both sides of the vehicle behind small covers. Removing the headlight bulb on the passenger side requires removing the air-box.… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Malibu and can not find the gas tank button, you are not alone, as this is a common question with the car. There is no gas tank button as the fuel door is pressed on and will pop open when done correctly. The main car doors must also be unlocked,… Read More »
The purge valve is a common failure in an EVAP system which often needs to be tested to see if it has gone bad. There are several ways to test the purge valve, including using a multimeter, vacuum pump, or a quick method that requires no tools. While using a multimeter or vacuum pump are… Read More »
Having roadside emergency lights is something that is nice to have in many scenarios, from breaking down, back tail lights stopped working, or any time road hazard lights are needed. Using them when being broken down is no doubt the time they are used the most, but I have also used them in many other… Read More »
If your car has a noise that gets louder when you speed up, it can be caused by several things. Sounds can be hard to locate in a vehicle when driving, but if possible, try to find the side of the car the noise is coming from. If the location of the sound can be… Read More »
A bad IAC valve will affect the idle of the engine with a high or low idle speed. It will only affect the idle of the engine but engine will run well when the gas pedal is pressed. An IAC valve is controlled by the computer and allows air to bypass the throttle body butterfly… Read More »
Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2011–2020 Toyota Sienna is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take it to a professional. There are two bulbs located inside the headlight assembly called Low-beam and High-beam. The Low beam bulb is on the outside, while the… Read More »
I have a friend who was having a fuel pump problem on a 2004 Passat, so I went over to help troubleshoot. At first I was ready to simply swap in a new one until I seen the price, which would make it costly if it was not the problem. Plus, a special tool is… Read More »
A bad Body Control Module (BCM) can have several symptoms related to electrical problems in a vehicle. This includes any of the components that the BCM controls and manages such as the radio, electric windows, windshield wipers, and more. What is a Body Control Module? The body control module (BCM) is a computer that monitors… Read More »
If you have a car or truck and think it may have low fuel pressure, several symptoms are caused by fuel delivery issues. Symptoms include long start times, rough idle, check engine light on, misfire codes (P0300-P0308), engine running lean (P0171 Code), and reduced engine power. Low fuel pressure is often described as the vehicle… Read More »
Changing the oil on the 2019 Toyota Corolla 1.8 Liter is easy to do and part of basic maintenance. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take your car to a professional. A Maintenance Required message will display when the oil needs to be changed, which will need to be reset when done. Resetting… Read More »
Having a good OBDII scan tool with ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is a nice thing to have when troubleshooting ABS vehicle problems. There are many ABS OBDII scan tools available from low-cost to high-end units. Everyone will have a different requirement from an automotive scan tool. For example, a DIY mechanic will not have the… Read More »
If you think you have a bad clogged catalytic converter, there can be several symptoms that point to a bad unit. Common symptoms include low engine power, misfire, running rough, strange smell, and more. Symptoms of a Bad Clogged Catalytic Converter Lack of Power When a catalytic converter becomes clogged, exhaust from the engine will… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Malibu with a P1101 error code, there are some common causes and fixes that can solve the problem. Causes include the MAF sensor, throttle body, and a possible vacuum leak. What is a P1101 on a Chevy Malibu? A P1101 OBDII error code is listed as “MAF Out of Self… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Cruze with a P00B7 engine error code, it points to an overheating issue. The problem is usually a faulty component in the coolant system with several parts that can cause a P00B7 OBDII error code. What is a P00B7 Engine Error Code on a Chevy Cruze? A P00B7 Engine Error… Read More »
A P0301 error code is a misfire that means the number-1 spark plug is not firing correctly. Other P0300 errors point to other cylinders not working correctly. For example, the P0302 code is spark plug-2 misfire, and P0303 would be spark plug-3. If the cylinder is not firing correctly, the engine performance will be greatly… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of this post for a visual walk-through if needed. If you have a 2015-2023 Ford Mustang 5.0 and need to check the oil level, it is quick and easy to do. The hood will need to be opened to get access to the dipstick, which will show the engine… Read More »
The OTOFIX D1 Lite is a new Bi-Directional OBDII scan tool for 2023 that has many features and advanced options. Bi-Directional scan tools are much better at troubleshooting compared to standard OBDII scan tools, since they have the option to not only read a vehicle computer but send commands back. The OTOFIX D1 Lite is… Read More »
The TOPDON ArtiDiag800BT is a professional wireless OBDII scan tool built with many features and options. It uses a Bluetooth VCI OBDII Dongle to communicate with the scan tool, making it highly portable. This makes it a good option for watching real-time data from anywhere within the range of 33 feet. The ArtiDiag800BT also has… Read More »
If your vehicle makes a clunking noise when you are accelerating, it can be caused by several things. Causes include bad motor mounts, universal joints, bad shocks, damaged leaf spring, and more. What is the Most Common Cause of a Clunking Noise When Accelerating? The most common cause of a clunking noise when accelerating is… Read More »
Motor mounts are necessary components that bolt the engine to the frame of a vehicle. When a mount fails, there can be varying symptoms, such as vibrations or clunking and thud noises. What is an Engine Motor Mount? An engine motor mount secures the engine to the frame of a vehicle and helps to absorb… Read More »
If you have any questions, contact me with email, Linkedin, or in the comment section below. Contact Email: [email protected] About Backyard Mechanic Writers About Bob Thomas Linkedin Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/bob-thomas-9045445b/ Repair Videos: YouTube Channel Hi, I am Bob Thomas an automotive mechanic with 30-plus years of experience. I am a contributor to several book publications and… Read More »
What Causes Fuel to go Bad? How Long Can Gas Sit Before It Goes Bad? How To Tell If Gas is Bad? Symptoms of Bad Gas in a Car or Truck What is the Best Method for Gas When Placing a Vehicle In Storage? What To Do If Gas Is In a Vehicle for a… Read More »
If you have a car or truck and are not sure it will pass a smog test, an easy way to test it, is to use an OBDII scan tool with an emission check option. While each state has its emission requirements, a compatible OBDII scan tool has built-in functions that can show if it… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Cruze with a P0299 error code, there is an issue with low pressure from the turbo. The official definition of a P0299 code is “Turbo/Super Charger Underboost.” What is a Chevy Cruze P0299 Error Code? A P0299 OBDII error code in a Chevy Cruze is “Turbo/Super Charger Underboost.” A Chevy… Read More »
A bad purge valve can have varying symptoms and will need to be examined and tested to see if it has failed. The main symptoms include the engine light staying on, less fuel mileage, and failing an emission test. What is the Purge Valve? The purge valve is a component in a vehicle’s EVAP system… Read More »
If you have a vehicle and suspect it has a clogged fuel filter, there can be various symptoms. The symptoms will vary depending on how clogged up the filter has become. A clogged fuel filter will block the flow of gas to the engine, causing it to run badly or not at all. What Happens… Read More »
If you have a Diesel truck and have an engine light on or simply need to pull the codes, there are many scan tools available. The first thing you’re going to need is a scan tool to find out why the check engine light is on. A dealership will have the best equipment to troubleshoot… Read More »
Having a good OBDII scan tool can help greatly when it comes time to troubleshoot a vehicle with a transmission problem. A good scan tool will display the error code that points to the problem a vehicle is having. Not all scan tools can read transmission codes with only certain units with features to read… Read More »
12-volt electric car heaters are an option when it comes to helping to heat your vehicle. Notice I say help to heat. 12-Volt heaters do not have enough power output to heat a car or truck the way a standard heater does. In fact, depending on how cold the place you live is, they might… Read More »
Since their introduction, OBDII Bluetooth scanner tools have become a favorite among part-time mechanics and professionals to find and fix engine problems. They are low-cost engine diagnostic tools that can help troubleshoot a problem. For example, if an engine light comes on, which gives no indication of the problem, a small, low-cost OBDII adapter code… Read More »