Car will not Start ???

Question :

I got a 2002 NEON and all of a sudden the car will not turn over. Just a clicking sound. The speedometer and tach jump up briefly and then go back down. The the odometer switches from showing the car mileage to displaying the word Fuse. After a few seconds the engine indicator light begins flashing. I have checked all the fuses in the car and next to the battery, but it looks like they are good. Any ideas on what is wrong?

Answer :

If it is a one time hard click when you try to start it, then you need to replace the starter. If it is several clicks, then you need to replace the battery. More than likely it is just the battery that is causing all the odd stuff happening on the dash.

Best Online Auto Repair Manuals

I have found the best value is with a subscription to mitchell1. You can purchase a subscription for as little a $16.99 that gives you full access to the same software as the dealers use. It includes Step by Step repair information, full wiring diagrams, Factory recall notifications, Service Bulletins. If you are a Do-It-Yourself kind of person or job want to learn more about your car this is the best deal I have found on the net. JUST CLICK THE MANUAL AT THE TOP OF THIS ARTICLE to Check it out for yourself.

My Coolant Light is On, What should i do ?

The Coolant light illuminates on the dash to let you know your coolant, also known as anti-freeze, is low. There is a level sensor in the coolant overflow tank. So when the coolant level gets low the light will illuminate on the dash.

What you will need to do is check the fluid level once you get where you are going and the vehicle has had a chance to cool down. Also check the radiator level (do not do this when it is hot) . Top off the coolant level in both the radiator and in the overflow tank. Make sure if you are using concentrate to mix it 50/50 with water. Once you have done this you should be ok to drive it to your local auto shop and have the coolant system pressure tested to make certain there are no leaks.

My brakes are squealing, do I need brakes ?

More than likely you do. The only exception is if it only squeals in damp or rainy weather as this is a common occurrence. The best course of action is to have your brakes inspected or inspect them yourself. If your brakes have just started squealing, then you may be able to just replace the brake pads themselves. I recommend replacing the rotors at the same time. If you replace the rotors at the same time, it will prolong the life of the brakes and help prevent unwanted noise caused by two uneven surfaces. The days of having your rotors turned are in the past since the price of rotors have come way down.

Is GM comming back after Toyota beatdown ??

Is GM coming back after Toyota beat down, taking over the majority market share in automobile sales in the US?? Well it looks like GM feels the VOLT is the answer. General Motors is developing a plug-in hybrid technology for its Chevy Volt that is miles ahead of Toyota and Honda. GM plans to blow past the competition with its new technology by 2010. GM has been unleashing the best vehicles it has ever produced. Quality is better than ever. Designs are being lauded. And critics are falling over themselves praising new versions of such previously dullard drives as the Chevy Malibu. Even a Buick,the Enclave SUV (BusinessWeek.com, 8/24/07), is drawing kudos, and GM can't make them fast enough to meet demand. But overall, GM sales are down almost 6% this year, compared with a drop of 2.5% for the industry through the first 10 months of the year. Indeed, some believe the "wow" factor of getting more than 100 mpg could help plug-ins eclipse the popularity of hybrids. GM says the Volt technology will allow consumers to go up to 40 miles on battery power, after which the gas engine kicks on to recharge the battery while the driver continues. If a driver makes several short trips on battery power, the battery can simply be plugged in overnight to recharge. Many drivers could go weeks without gassing up. GM engineers say the Volt and electric car program have "an open purse," meaning that when they need more money, they get it. A123 Systems Chief Executive David Vieau says GM's schedule for 2010 is "a risk" as far as using the nano-phosphate battery, but he believes they'll make it.When Toyota launched its first hybrids, it lost money for a few years on each one until the cost of the technology came down as sales volume went up. But the halo effect of the hybrid more than made up for it. The same internal study at GM that indicates consumers see the automaker as "part of the problem" also showed that the image of the Prius led car buyers to believe that Toyota's trucks and SUVs were about 25% more fuel efficient than they really are. Says GM's Burns: "We didn't understand the marketing benefit to the whole company that a hybrid would have, but Toyota schooled us on that." resource: www.businessweek.com

Should my Gas Mileage Stay the same all Year ?

With today's cars ( 1996 and newer ) the fuel usage is controlled by the engines computer. The computer uses several sensors to decide how much fuel to inject into the engine. The sensors on the engine determine outside air temperature, air flow, engine temperature, and how well the engine is doing its job. So if one of these sensors is not operating correctly, it will effect the fuel mileage.

The outside temperature can change the fuel consumption. If you are driving in a warm climate, take a fuel mileage reading and then drive in a cold climate, you will see a decrease in fuel mileage in the colder temperatures. Why? When the Engine is colder it takes more fuel to burn to get the engine up to normal operating temperatures. In the old days it was called a choke. Now the computer does this for you. So you can expect worse fuel mileage in the winter if it gets cold where you live.

If you live in the same climate year round then you will not see a change in fuel mileage unless you change your driving habits or let someone else drive your car....

2003 f150 Heater is blowing cold air, Why ?

Question :

My 2003 f150 heater is blowing cold air, both heater hoses get hot and the temp gauge is in the normal zone [straight up]

Answer : The most common concern on these trucks is a broken temp blend door. It kinda hard to diagnose, If you were to have the a/c set to max air and on high blower and you turned the temp from cold to hot, you should here a change in how the air flow sounds while the door is moving. You really need to know what its suppose to sound like, if you know someone else with a working truck to compare to.

Make sure the knob is not broken on the temp,knob.. pull that off and look for cracks where is attaches to the shaft.

I suspect the broken door and it requires the whole dash be removed and the heater box cover removed to replace the door. Its a 8 hour job.

How Much Better is Hybrid Car Gas Mileage?

In certain driving modes, hybrid electric gas cars offer you no better fuel efficiency than standard cars. Also the fuel efficiency of Hybrid cars and SUV's works counter intuitive to what you would expect. Your gas mileage could be more volatile with a hybrid vehicle due to the way it operates in different driving modes, and how much time you spend in each driving mode. In some driving modes, your fuel efficiency can be better, and in some modes your fuel efficiency can offer you no benefit at all.

Simply put, the added price of the vehicle out ways the fuel savings unless you keep the vehicle longer than 8 years...... Keep in mind car manufacturers are building cars to make "profit". Its up to you to decide if a hybrid is right for you.

Heater blows cold, rev the engine you get heat ???

Question :

I have a '95 windstar, heater blows cold, rev the engine you get heat, heat circulates entire system even rear heater, changed thermostat - no help, changed heat sensor - no help, changed water pump - no help, elevate front end to refill radiator and aid circulation - no help, engine runs great - no warning lights, at wits end - please help.

Answer :

The flapper door that allows the flow of either hot or cold is not opening fully , caused by a vacuum leak. Once you rev the engine you are creating more vacuum and this fully opens the flapper door until you release the accelerator. Locate and repair the vacuum leak and this will cure your problem. *note*This is a common occurrence.

How Do I Check My Flat Tire For Leaks ?

If you think you have a leak in a tire, check out the valve stem on the tire before you take it to a mechanic.

To determine whether the core of the valve stem is leaking, remove the cap and use your finger to apply a little soapy water around the valve. If bubbles form, the core is leaking and needs to be replaced. You can get a new core and a valve-repair tool at any auto-parts store.

Here's how to replace the valve: 1) Carefully jack up the car so you can let the air out of the tire. 2) Unscrew the valve using the repair tool. 3) Safety tip: Be careful! The valve can fly out just from the pressure in the tire. 4) Screw the new core in place and refill the tire with the proper amount of air. Then retest to make sure the new valve core is functioning properly. If it is, put the valve cap back in place.