My key will not shut off all the way

Question: I am a young mechanic and my key will not shut off all the way and release from the ignition in my 2004 Pontiac Aztek I have already tested relays and replaced the shift interlock can you tell me what is going on please? Answer: If you look under the ignition on the column you will see a little hole with a rubber plug in it. Remove the plug and if you stick a small screwdriver up in that hole you should be able to get the keys to release. That hole is there for a manual key release. A hint of what to check, there could be damaged wires going to the gear selector in the center console. Or the ignition switch itself could be the problem. This is a very common problem, and the fixes vary from wiring to ignition switches to dealers wanting to replace entire columns. Good luck but the manual release should get you going for now.

Grand Cherokee 4.0 has a stalling problem

Question: My 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 has a stalling problem. I have checked the basics (plugs, coil, rotor, crank pos sensor). When it stalls it stops like it was turned off. will often restart and run OK for a day or so, sometimes a few weeks Answer: If the crank position sensor has been replaced. then with the switch of type situation it usually comes down to a bad pcm or a 5 volt sensor feed shorting. the main places I look for a short are the back corners of the head. at the area of the distributor and the oxygen sensor wires specifically the rear o2 hitting the drive-shaft.

Service engine light on 2000 Mitsubishi Galant

Question:

Service engine light on 2000 Mitsubishi Galant came on. I have a little under a 1/2 tank of gas. It suddenly started choking about 5 months ago periodically when i press the gas pedal then later that afternoon the check engine light came on. Already Tried: Clean the fuel line. Change oil. Put premium gas.

Answer:

The ONLY way to know why the check engine light came on and most likely the cause of your issue it to Extract the codes with a Scan Tool. This can be done for FREE at Autozone.

Air Conditioning pressure cycling switch

Question:

I have a 1994 Chevy truck and I need to recharge the air conditioning. When i hook up the can of R134a Freon the compressor does not engage to suck in the freon. Could it be a bad Air Conditioning Pressure Cycling Switch?

Answer:

The situation you are running into is normal. The compressor will not engage until there is enough pressure seen at the air conditioning low pressure cycling switch. So what you will need to do is manually bypass the switch with a jumper wire. This will engage the compressor and allow it to suck in the freon. After you have installed one can (14 oz.), then remove the jumper wire and finish the recharge cycle with the pressure cycling switch plugged in.

How to Recharge Air Conditioning

Chevy Code 42

Had a customer bring in a 1989 Chevy Van G20, 5.7L with a stumble issue and intermittent stall. The check engine light was on .The check engine light codes can be Extracted without a scan tool. The code that was extracted was Code 42 : Electronic spark timing (EST) circuit fault. A quick read of a great article on Code 42 that covers the specific components involved : The EST system consists of the ignition module, computer (ECM/PCM), and the connecting wiring. Used a Multi-meter to test and check the wiring and found no issues, but what was noticed is the fuel injectors would click several times by themselves with the key off. This was a bit strange, but lead me to believe there had to be a short somewhere causing this and sure enough there was an internal short in the ECM. Purchased an ECM for the local parts house for just under $100.00 and replaced it. The engine no longer has the stumble and it no longer puffs smoke when you start it up (originally thought to be valve seals gone bad). Customer happy! Side note* I did try a new EST first as it was easy to get to and a quick test. It is located under the drivers seat along with the ECM.

Air Conditioner blows warm air

1. Air conditioner system is discharged. Have the system evacuated, charged and leak tested by an MVAC certified technician, utilizing approved recovery/recycling equipment. Repair as necessary. 2. Air conditioner compressor clutch not engaging. Check compressor clutch wiring, electrical connections and compressor clutch, and repair or replace as necessary. Troubleshooting your Air Conditioning System

Toyota Sienna Fuel Injector leak problem

Question: Hi, just wondering how would I fix a problem. One of the fuel injectors in the front engine of my 2000 sienna LE is leaking slightly fuel from a mistake I made. I mistaken them to be the "back" spark plugs and lifted the bar holding the 3 front fuel injectors up accidentally and discovered that they''re not the spark plugs. When I put them back on, after changing all the spark plugs (which is a royal pain), it was leaking fuel. Do you have to put some kind of sealant around the injectors so that it wouldn't leak? if so, what kind of sealant should I use? And is this something I can handle or should I take it to a shop? Please advise. Hopefully I didn't damage it or the bar. Answer: What has happened is the oring around the top of the Injector is rolled over or is pinched. DO NOT try any sealers of any kind! Remove the bar and check the o rings on all of the injectors sometimes you can save them. If it is nicked or damaged you can buy just the oring at any Toyota dealership. I would recommend replacing all of them and the base seals that the injector seats to in the intake manifold. When installing put a (light coating) of silicone or some type of lubricant, none oil based, on the o rings. Install the injectors into the rail then install the three injectors and rail unit into the NEW oring/seals in the head as an assembly. You will find it much easier this way.

Smell antifreeze?

Question: We have a 2001 Chevy Venture. Tonight after I got home, I could slightly smell antifreeze. However, there is NO leak anywhere! (That I can see). The temp gauge is fine...ran in the "low" range all day. Any ideas what it could be? Answer: 99% certain the problem is an intake manifold gasket leak. FYI: GM has lost a lawsuit against them for this and are paying up to $800.00 to get it fixed. see link below for full article. GM Dex-Cool Lawsuit Settlement How to Replace Lower Intake Manifold Gasket

problem with the A/C on my 2005 Honda CRV

Question: I am having a problem with the A/C on my 2005 Honda CRV ex. It cuts out with no load on it and the air comes tepid and there are awful smells at times. When i am going up hill and am pushing on the gas, I can feel the car feel like it is dragging and not wanting to go then it decides to take off. What is the problem? Answer: OK, sounds like the a/c is overcharged which can be the cause of all your concerns this will cause the engine to struggle so you need to have the a/c checked first . Air Conditioning Step by Step Diagnostics

How do I install a mass air sensor on a 2003 Saturn Vue? Does the sensor just pull out of the air intake?

Question: How do I install a mass air sensor on a 2003 Saturn Vue? Does the sensor just pull out of the air intake? Answer: MAF Sensor Picture OK, on this one, on one end you remove the hose clan and pull the rubber intake hose away. then remove two bolts mounting it to the throttle-body. The electric plug is on top, unplug it. Or you can just swap out the sensor mounted inside the MAF Sensor Housing by removing the two safety torx head bolts just below the electrical plug. Please follow link and click on picture for reference!!