Pontiac Grand Am is running on only two cylinders

Question:
2001 Pontiac Grand Am is running on only two cylinders...the mechanic I use has tried to replace the coil but it didn't help...he doesn't have the equipment to diagnose...but I feel sure he could fix it if he knew where to go next... Already Tried: replacing the coil...I don't really know what else he did...but the coil didn't fix it...and I had it replaced about 2 years ago so I don't know that it was the problem to begin with...but my mechanic doesn't have the computer diagnostics to figure out where to go next...please give me all options and opinions as to what else the problem might be...it will save me trying to drive it 15 miles (which is might not make) to get to a place that has the computer diagnostics to figure it out...

Answer:
This system uses both cylinders for the spark in each. If the plug or wire for one set of plugs on a coil is bad, the other won't fire. Change to plugs and wires for the cylinders that are not firing as that is an inexpensive attempt. If that does not do it, the Ignition module is the problem. I strongly suspect the module myself.

in the market to buy a used mid-sized sedan

QUESTION:

I am in the market to buy a used mid-sized sedan. I am looking to spend $10,000-12,000. What would be the best deal, and how long could I expect it to last?

ANSWER:

You could purchase a 2003 or 2004 Toyota Camry for that price. I have always been impressed with this car. A well-cared-for Toyota will give you many miles of happy motoring.

Which Online Repair Manual is Better, Mitchell or Alldata?

It is cheaper to fix the old one than to buy a new one. But with today's cars you need detailed information and wiring schematics in order to repair your Car, Truck or SUV. In other words, you need an Online Auto Repair Manual. We can all agree on that part of it.



Both Online Auto Repair Manuals , Mitchell and Alldata, stand to be great sources of information for car repair procedures, wiring diagrams, torque specifications, belt installations, Service bulletins and more. One major difference is the price. Both cover 1983-2007.

1. Mitchell : minimum purchase is $9.99


2. Alldata : minimum purchase is $12.95 if you use coupon code 1MOTR2587

If you have an older car you can purchase a Vintage Manual DVD from Mitchell that covers 1960-1982

my fob doesn't work, and the car won't start. totally dead.

Question:

2008 Subaru outback : Last Sunday, my wife and I both used our key fobs at the same time, and while she was able to start the car with her key, we couldn't auto-lock it. Now, I just went to drive the car for the first time since then, and my fob doesn't work, and the car won't start. totally dead.

Answer:

If the vehicle is totally dead the problem could be the battery, that is where I would start. See if it can be jumped and if it starts see if anything was left on in the vehicle to drain the battery if nothing is noticeable have the battery tested.

My car is making a loud tapping noise when I start it

Question:
2004 Chevrolet Impala 3.4 : My car is making a loud tapping noise when I start it, but it fades as the car runs. I've been told I have bleeding lifters and there's nothing I can do out side of changing the lifters and it's no guarantee it won't happen again. What are my options can I buy something to add to my oil to stop this? Changed the oil every 20,000 miles.

ANSWER:
You can try an additive that is called "lifter quite". What it does is clean the passage ways so the oil can get through easier and it cleans what may be letting the lifters bleed down. This may be called something else where you live but if you ask your local auto parts store I'm sure they can get you something like this.

In the future I recommend changing your oil every 3,000 miles on all your vehicles. This will be the cheapest money you ever spend on your engine.

How do I remove the ECU from a 1994 Infiniti Q45?

Basically you just have to disconnect the negative battery cable, then remove the electrical connectors then remove the ECU. It is located behind the passenger side kick panel (In case you did not know.).

What does it mean when the TPMS light on my 2006 Pilot comes on?

QUESTON:
What does it mean when the TPMS light on my 2006 Honda Pilot comes on? I know this means that the system has been deactivated, but what are the possible causes and can I ignore this or is there a way to resolve this without having to spend too much money?

ANSWER:
The first thing you should do is check the air pressure in the tires. Does the words TPMS actually light up or is there a picture of a tire with an exclamation point lit?

If filling the tires up with air and driving the car over 30mph doesn't turn the light off than chances are there is a problem with one of the sensors. Usually they are the part of the system that commonly fails.

Continuing to drive with the light on will not harm anything. Its just a tire pressure monitoring system. Basically warning you when a tire is low and prevents rapid tire wear or running it flat.

How can I become a Car Mechanic ?

When you become interested in learning all that you can about being an Car mechanic, Nascar mechanic or just want to know more about Car repair, Automotive mechanic school is the place to start. Here are a few to get you started :
NASCAR Mechanic Colleges - Features NASCAR Technical Institute ... Auto Mechanic School. Marine Mechanic. Motorcycle Mechanic. Aviation Mechanic. NASCAR Mechanic
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the a/c blower does not work on settings 1 thru 3, but it will work on 4

Blower Motor Resistor

QUESTION:
We unfortunately own a 2002 Kia Sedona. the a/c blower does not work on settings 1 thru 3, but it will work on 4(max)..


ANSWER:
You have a bad blower resistor. It is accessed on the passenger side either from under the dash or through the glove box. This is about a $55.00 part and is held in by 2 screws. Here is a picture of it so you know what you are looking for.

Where Can I Ask A Car Question?

You will find that all you have to do is type your car question in the box provided and click the tab at the bottom of the box. Follow the step by step instructions. There are mechanics online 24/7 ready to answer your question. You can decide if you want to pay them for there time and how much you would like to pay them if at all. its up to you. You can even choose the mechanic you wish to have your question answered by.

How the Air Conditioner Works

Air conditioning system and the flow of refrigerant

Any automotive air conditioning system employs four basic parts-a mechanical compressor, driven by the vehicle's engine; an expansion valve, which is a restriction the compressor pumps against; and two heat exchangers, the evaporator and the condenser. In addition, there is the refrigerant that flows through this system.

The belt-driven compressor uses engine power to compress and circulate the refrigerant gas throughout the system. The refrigerant passes through the condenser on its way from the compressor outlet to the expansion valve. The condenser is located outside the passenger compartment, usually in front of the vehicle's radiator. The refrigerant passes from the expansion valve to the evaporator, and after passing through the evaporator tubing, it is returned to the compressor through its inlet. The evaporator is located inside the vehicle's passenger compartment.

When the compressor starts running, it .... READ MORE

what are possible reason for water getting in the engine

Some of the most common causes are a bad head gasket or depending on the vehicle it could be an intake gasket leaking. Some other causes could be a cracked head or a cracked block causing water to get into the engine. If it just a very little bit of water and you are not loosing coolant it could be just condensation. You should have the vehicle pressure tested and depending on the results from that you may need to do a compression test.

where is the right front 02 sensor

QUESTION:

Where is the right front 02 sensor at on a 1998 Chevrolet ss z28 Camaro 5.7liter and do I just unplug the old one and plug in the new to get the engine lite to go off?

ANSWER:

The right front O2 sensor would be on the passenger side exhaust before the catalytic converter. It requires a 7/8 wrench to remove it.

As for the light going off, if this is why the light is on, then yes, replacing it will make the light go out.

check engine light came on and a mechanic read the code and it came up P1400

QUESTION:
Recently my check engine light came on and a mechanic read the code and it came up P1400 which is the manifold differential pressure sensor circuit. I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant; does this need to be repaired by a Mitsubishi dealer or can I take it to any auto repair facility?

ANSWER:
P1400 is an MDP sensor. on turbo equipped engines a special sensor is used to measure manifold pressure (MDP=Manifold differential pressure)...or the difference between manifold pressure and barometric pressure. the engine controller has seen values outside of what is programmed normal and therefore set the code. manifold pressure sensing is critical to fuel management. if the sensor is remote mounted and has a hose going to it...check the hose for splits, holes, soft places that might collapse, kinks or anything else that might prevent the pressure signal from reaching the sensor. if it's not that simple...you may a have a failed sensor or engine controller. to sort that out you need to do some specific pinpoint testing using the trouble tree for that code plus a DVOM...at the very least.

Most auto mechanics would probably just change the sensor and send you on your way, after charging you a hefty fee for the part. If it were my car I'd check for vacuum leaks everywhere, including all devices that use vacuum (especially the ones going to the sensor). While it could be a bad sensor just the same, I have a suspicion that the code is giving you a symptom and the real problem might be a vacuum leak or valve cover gasket, etc.

2002 Buick Century, Low oil light stays on.

QUESTION:

Have a 2002 Buick Century, Low oil light stays on. is the sensor at bottom of oil pan, have cleaned connection. can i disconnect wire to sensor. or ground wire, don't think this light is necessary anyway. or can bulb on dash be removed.

ANSWER:

Grounding that wire should make the light go off unless there is a problem in the wiring to the sensor, removing the bulb could be a bit of a job.

Another School Year is Here

The Warm Days of summer are fading fast as kids head back to school and parents scramble to get every thing organized. Each year it gets more expensive to outfit you child for school. The price if every thing just keeps going up and up. A great way to safeguard your back to school investment is to make sure each item is labeled. The he Dymo label maker is a handy tool than lets you identity all your child's belongings. Color labels can be applied on books, gym clothing, lunch boxes and just about any other item you can think off. Dymo makes several easy to use label makers than have unlimited uses. Once you get your hands on one of these compact label machines you will be busy organizing your home or work for weeks. Label material comes in different colors and styles plus you can even make embossed labels. Dymo even has a label machine that prints out USPS approved postage stamps. Help prevent your kids from loosing their back to school supplies and get a label machine to identify their property.

How do I extract the check engine light codes?

QUESTION:

I have a 1995 Ford Mustang GT and my check engine light is on. How do I extract the codes? Do I need a scan tool or can I do it without one?

ANSWER:

You do not need a scan tool to extract the codes on this vehicle. This vehicle is OBD I and does not switch till 1996 so you do not need a scan tool. Basically you install a jumper wire or paper clip in the diagnostic test port located under the hood toward the passenger side firewall. Once the jumper is in place, you turn the key on (do not start engine) and the check engine light will flash the code. Here is a link to Complete Instructions and a full list of Ford OBD I Check Engine Light Codes with descriptions of each code: EXTRACT FORD CODES

Where can I find out what my check engine light codes mean?

QUESTION:

Where can I find out what my check engine light codes mean? I took my car to the dealer and paid them to scan my codes. After paying them for this, i had to argue with them to get them to tell me what codes they found. I want to look up the codes for myself. Can you help me....

ANSWER:

In the future when your check engine light comes on, if you purchase a Scan Tool, you can skip the trip to the dealer. Once you have the codes, you can look them up easily.

COMPLETE LIST OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TROUBLE CODES. You will even fine out how to extract the check engine light codes without a scan tool on older vehicles.

HYBRID - To Buy or Not To Buy ?

2010 Honda Insight Concept

If you are in the market to buy a new car and have decided that a Hybrid is the way you want to go, you may just want to wait a bit longer. I have said this before and I will say it again. The Hybrids are still too new and have changed from year to year, so it is to soon to know what kind of problems your are going to have to deal with. The manufacturers have changed there designs almost every year since introduced to try and handle these issues. There is hope however for more reliability and a better price.

The 2010 Honda Insight, all new Hybrid. The Insight will be smaller than a Civic and CEO Takeo Fukui says it will be priced significantly below current hybrids. We expect it to start about $19,000, in keeping with the automaker’s goal of pricing it competitively against conventional small vehicles in its segment. “This new Insight will break new ground as an affordable hybrid within the reach of customers who want great fuel economy and great value,” Fukui says in a statement.

The Insight rides on an all-new platform as a bespoke hybrid, as opposed to offering a hybrid version of an existing vehicle as is the case with the current Honda Civic hybrid and the Honda Fit hybrid planned by 2015.

The on-sale date for the Insight is April 22—Earth Day—and the automaker is projecting global annual sales of 200,000, half of which are for the North American market.

My 78 ford F100 will not start.

QUESTION:

My 78 Ford F100 will not start. I have replaced coil, battery, and the electronic unit that plugs into the wiring harness for the distributor. ( I'm not sure what you call it.) My truck will turn over great but it will not fire off. What else can I check? It was running great until I turned it off at the gas station and it would not crank again. Please Help!!

ANSWER:

Looking at all you have replaced I would suspect you have overlooked the dist stator. Under your dist cap is where you will find it. It was common back on the older F 100 when you replaced the Ignition module you also replaced the stator. The stator provides the signal to make the module fire the coil.

How do I convert miles into kilometers

QUESTION:
How do I convert miles into km for Porsche Boxster 2004 automatic?

ANSWER:
You multiply the number of miles by 1.0609344
or
1.6

1 miles = 1.609344 kilometers

Bypass the GM Security no start issue

Many GM Vehicles have a little metal chip in the key. This means your car is equipped with GM's anti-theft device called VATS ( Vehicle Anti Theft System ).

How it Works: Inside the Ignition Key Cylinder are two very tiny wires that connect on either side of the chip when the key is inserted. This allows a signal from the engines computer to travel through the chip in the key and then start the vehicle.

The Problem: These two tiny wires tend to get bridle and break and the contact points that touch the key also become worn and no longer carry the signal.

Bypass procedure: What you need to do is use a multi-meter and measure the ohms of resistance of the chip from one side to the other. (thats right, the chip is just a resistor). Once you have the measurement, take yourself over to Radio Shack and buy one for around $1.29. Look below the column for this 2 tiny wires and expose them(you do not need to take the column apart) Install the resistor and you are good to go.

Ultimate Flirting Game - Free Fun

You have got check out this free flirting game at Extreme Style by VO5. Follow the link and you are taken to the game site. It only takes a few seconds and it does not require downloading and any technical skills. You will be able to crete a character using the selections provided. You can chose male or female along with different faces and hair styles. Next you are taken to the game room where you are joined by two other playa's , I mean players where one of you are placed as the judge and ask questions. This a pretty cool diversion for anyone that likes to flirt or could use some practice.

Ultimate Flirting ChampionshipVictory Hair

Where is the fuel pump wiring harness on a 2005 Pontiac GTO?

QUESTION:
Where is the fuel pump wiring harness on a 2005 Pontiac GTO? I need to know the location and how to get to the fuel pump wiring harness.

ANSWER:
here is a picture of the electrical connector that goes to the harness. The harness in enclosed in the 2 piece cover that surrounds the fuel tank.

Silverado 350 vortec won't start when its cold.

1998 Chevy Silverado Truck Z71

QUESTION:

1998 Silverado 350 Vortec won't start when its cold.i hear the fuel pump running, and tried numerous times to start it, finally gave it one shot of starting fluid and it fired right up. Once it runs for a while and gets warm it will start right up. What could this be? Already Tried: fuel pump 6 months old, injectors one year old, fuel filter is new.

ANSWER:

Couple of things it could be. 1) Needs new spark plugs (extremely common)
2) IAC (Idle Air Control) is sticking and will need to be replaced. If you press gas pedal about 1/4 way down and it starts , then the IAC needs to be replaced.
3) Throttle body is dirty and is restricting air flow

Need some help on picking out a rice rocket?

2006 Suzuki Katana 600

QUESTION:
Need some help on picking out a rice rocket?
OK, so I've been riding a street legal dirt bike for about 5 years now, its a 200cc. I feel that I am ready to take a step up to a new bike that will go a bit faster than 50mph. (my bike only goes about 50 tops) and am interested in getting a 400cc rice rocket as I cannot see myself on a "cruiser" type bike. So I was wondering if someone has any suggestions on a good bike for me. Preferably one that I can be a bit more upright on and not so crouched down over the gas tank.. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, I just want it to get me from point A to point B.

ANSWER:
I recommend a Suzuki Katana. They allow you to set upright more than the others and are generally less expensive. Any Katana will go faster than 100mph. I would get a 600 though. It is a good idea to be afraid of the bike you ride, this keeps you in check. If you think you have mastered it, then you are looking for trouble....

I want to change Air Fuel ratio on my 1996 4.6L SFI SOHC engine, How??

Firestorm Spark Plug

Question:

I want to change Air Fuel ratio on my 1996 4.6L SFI SOHC engine, How?? I want to use a new spark plug (plazma) that is supposed to give me no emissions and i have to change the air fuel ratio from 14:7 to 30:1 for the plugs to work.

Answer:

I see a couple of ways. 1) you can install an aftermarket chip/module: computer chip or Module that has been re-calibrated to what you want. This can be done at a dyno shop also. 2) install a stand alone fuel management system that will allow you to change it anyway you want (expensive).

If these new plugs did what they say they can do you would think all the car companies that are struggling to sell cars would be jumping all over the idea.... but they are not???? I reality you do not need a new a new spark plug in order to change you fuel ratio. Changing your fuel ratio does get you better fuel mileage but at the cost of poor performance such as sluggish acceleration and less pulling power.

reference: http://www.atraderz.com/