If you own a Honda and get an OBDII code P1399, it is a notorious error for “Random Cylinder Misfire Detected.” It is an OBDII code specific to Honda vehicles including the Accord, CRV, Odyssey, Civic, and more. The most common fix is a bad injector or spark plug wire, but it can also be… Read More »
If your car has long start times and hesitates to start, there are several things that can cause it. While usually a sign the vehicle needs to be tuned up, there are other causes that can occur. A car needs the correct mixture of gas and air combined with a spark to start immediately. If… Read More »
A car or truck engine light can come on for many reasons, from a loose gas cap to a more serious engine problem. Clearing an engine light can be done in a few ways depending on the vehicle. Keep in mind unless the problem is fixed, more than likely, the engine light will come back… Read More »
Having an OBDII scan tool is useful in many situations when an engine light comes on. But what if you don’t have an OBDII scan tool and need to know the code? Many vehicles have a built-in diagnostic that will give the code, as I recently found out with Dodge cars and trucks. I have… Read More »
If you have a Dodge with a P2181 OBDII code, there is a problem with the coolant temperature. The onboard computer (ECM/PCM) is seeing a temperature out of range problem with the engine. What is a Dodge P2181 OBDII Code? A P2181 OBDII code is a “Cooling System Performance ” error. When the onboard computer… Read More »
Having a good book on automotive repair can go a long way to help understand how a vehicle works. Repair manuals are good but require the fundamentals of mechanical repair to be already understood. Many articles online are also a good resource but can often skip subjects and leave gaps in explanations. This is why… Read More »
Automatic Shifters are a specialty performance part that gives more control to a driver and looks cool doing it. While mainly used for drag racing, they also can be used whenever more control over a vehicle is needed. If you are looking to get an automatic shifter, there are many available with those below some… Read More »
If you have a Chevy with a P0452 OBDII error code, there is a problem with the fuel tank pressure sensor. An OBDII scan tool will give a “P0452 Evap Emission Control system Pressure Sensor Low.” While the sensor may be bad there are other things that can cause the error. When a problem with… Read More »
If you have a GMC Acadia with a P0017 OBDII error code, there is a problem with the timing. An OBDII scan tool will give the error P0017 Crankshaft Position (CKP) – Exhaust Camshaft Position (CMP) Correlation Bank 1. Several failed components can cause a P0017 OBDII error code with the GMC Acadia, including sensors… Read More »
If your car or truck is misfiring, you may wonder, “how long can I drive with a misfiring cylinder?” The quick answer is it varies greatly and depends on how bad the problem is and how many cylinders you have. For example, if you have an 8-cylinder engine and a single spark plug wire is… Read More »
If you have a Chrysler 300 and the ESP BAS light comes on, there can be several causes and fixes. The main fix is to do a reset procedure, and if this does not work, an OBDII scan tool will be needed to read error codes. An advanced OBDII scan tool will be needed to… Read More »
If you have a Chevy and get an “SVC Tire Monitor” error message on your dashboard, the onboard computer sees a low tire. It can also be an error from a bad sensor, but usually, it is a low tire that needs air. The vehicle may also give a “Tire Low Add Air” message. The… Read More »
A common problem with many Ford vehicles is a door ajar message comes on even though all the doors are closed. This can be very annoying, especially when driving at night since often the dome light will also come on and sometimes the door chime. The door ajar light is controlled by the door light… Read More »
If you have a vehicle that is giving you a P219A error code, it is having an issue with the fuel delivery on bank-1. The official definition of a P219A Code is “Fuel Trim Cylinder Balance Bank 1 – Malfunction”. The most common cause of a P219A OBD2 error code is a fuel injector that… Read More »
If the check engine light comes on in your car or truck, there are a few ways to find out why on a budget. The check engine light will come on when a vehicle’s computer receives an error from the engine and will store the code. Reading the code will point to the problem the… Read More »
Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2014-2015 GMC Sierra is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. The passenger side has the air filter box in the way that needs to be removed. The air filter box is not difficult to remove with a few screws and a hose clamp holding it in… Read More »
Changing the headlight bulbs on a 2011-2013 Kia Optima is not difficult and very much falls into the DIY category. Below are the steps with screenshots to replace them, along with a video if needed for a visual walk-through. There are two bulbs, Inner and Outer, both of which are changed out the same way.… Read More »
I recently needed to replace the fuel pump on a 1970 Dodge Monaco with a 383 engine. The Dodge 383 was a popular engine in many vehicles, including the B-Body Mopar muscle cars Charger, Roadrunner, and Challenger. Having replaced fuel pumps many times in the past, I ordered a new unit and started to install… Read More »
Converting old 1960s Dodge vehicles with front drum brakes to disc brakes is a topic talked about countless times in many articles. I found myself in this situation with my 1968 Dodge Charger project and needed to do a conversion. Old articles and forum posts are very helpful in how to go about doing the… Read More »
The 1968-1970 Dodge Chargers are some of the more popular muscle cars with a unique aggressive body style. It has been used in countless movies and TV shows as the fast muscle car, such as the Blade movies, Fast and Furious, Bullitt, and many more. I am one of those fans of the old B-body… Read More »
Changing the motor oil on a 2012 Toyota Corolla falls in the backyard mechanic DIY category. The steps will be the same for any 2009-2016 Corollas. Usually, the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD) Light comes on when it’s time to change the oil. Read here for the steps to turn off the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD)… Read More »
Resetting the Service light on a 2011-2015 Mini Cooper is easy to do. The Maintenance light can come on for a variety of reasons and will need a reset, mainly after an oil change. A series of buttons are pressed in the right combination of steps to reset the light. These same steps are used… Read More »
If you have a Jeep Wrangler and are getting a P0430 error code, there is a problem with a catalytic converter not operating to efficiency. The official definition is a “PO430: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)“. Several things can cause this error, including Oxygen Sensor, Exhaust Leak, and Catalytic Converter. Since the Catalytic… Read More »
If you have a Ford that uses a fuel pump driver module, it can be bypassed for testing. This can be a good way to test if the module is bad or possibly get the vehicle home in an emergency. I recently ran into this problem with a 2008 Ford F-150 that had a fuel… Read More »
Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. As always, if in doubt, take your vehicle to a professional. 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma Headlight Bulb Type 9003 Headlight Bulb No tools are needed when replacing the headlight bulb. Tools are only needed if there is… Read More »
Replacing a Headlight Bulb on a Toyota Camry 2001–2006 is an easy task that almost any DIYer can do. There are two headlight bulbs with the inner one the high-beam and the outer one the low-beam. The far outside one is the turn signal. Both headlight bulbs are replaced the same way and have the… Read More »
Replacing the Cabin Air filter on a 2013 Honda Accord is an easy DIY task. No tools are needed, with the Filter located behind the glove box and a few clips holding it in place. Cabin air filters need to be replaced every 15,000-30,000 miles depending on the climate lived in. For example, a desert… Read More »
If your car has an air conditioner refrigerant leak, it can be fixed by a home DIY (do-it-yourself) backyard mechanic. There are a few ways to approach a leaking air conditioning system. If the leak is slow, it likely is small, and a can of Stop Leak can be added to a system to help… Read More »
If your air conditioning only works when you are driving, there can be several causes and fixes. A vehicle A/C system’s main components include the condensing fan, condenser, compressor, and refrigerant. If one component fails, the system will stop blowing cold air, but some symptoms point to specific component failure. Below is the most common… Read More »
If you have a 2008-2016 Chevy Cruze with a 1.4L engine and the water pump has gone bad, it is often replaced by DIY individuals. It is a straightforward job which, like many vehicles, requires working in small spaces. All the work is mainly done from the front top of the engine with little to… Read More »
Recently I began to have fuel problems on a 1978 Dodge truck. I did all the obvious things, such as changing out the fuel filter and pump. which at first seemed to solve the problem, but it came back. Finally, I pulled out the fuel tank sending unit, which was rusted up good clogging up… Read More »
Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2014–2016 Chevrolet Malibu is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. The driver side has the windshield wiper fluid fill in the way, which simply pulls out. The passenger side has easier access to get to behind the bulb cover. Below are the steps with screenshots to… Read More »
Replacing the alternator on a 2012-2018 Honda Civic falls in the DIY category and is done by many backyard mechanics. Like many mechanical projects, it requires working in tight spaces. While working in tight spaces can be difficult, having the right tools and taking your time is key to getting the job done. The belt… Read More »
If you have a (2005-2009) Kia Spectra that has a P2626 error code, the O2 sensor is likely bad. Be sure to check the wiring and connections, which can also cause the same error. Usually, the O2 sensor will need to be replaced. Replacing the sensor is easy enough with the right tools. It is… Read More »
Replacing the Headlight Bulb on a 2004-2008 Chevy Malibu is an easy task that falls into the DIY category. Of course, always call a professional if in doubt. The entire headlight assembly can also be replaced with the steps below if bad. Below are the steps with screenshots to replace a bad bulb, along with… Read More »