Car Air Conditioning

As its getting closer to being summer it is time to start thinking ahead. Now is the time to make sure your Car Air Conditioning is working properly instead of waiting till its so hot you can't hardly take it. Take the time to turn your cars air conditioning on and let it run for a few minutes and see if its cold enough that it makes you want to turn it back off. That is a good sign that it is working well. If you want to be more accurate you can always search through the kitchen for a cooking thermometer and insert it into a dash vent. This will give you the most accurate reading and will let you know if its performing as well as it should. If its not working well and you find that you need an Automotive Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Guide. Free Auto Mechanic.com offers a great step by step troubleshooting guide that can help you get your Cars Air Conditioning up to working condition in no time. Also some useful diagrams and electrical information.

Door fires in Toyota Camry, RAV4 models studied by NHTSA

U.S. safety regulators have opened a preliminary investigation into consumer complaints of driver's side door fires in 2007 model year Toyota Camry sedans and RAV4 crossover SUVs.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said an estimated 830,000 vehicles may be affected. This probe is short of a recall but may lead to one.

Six consumers have complained, NHTSA said in a filing that shows the investigation was opened this week.

"Based on the available information, it appears the fires are originating from the power window master switch located on the driver's side door," the filing says.

Toyota said it awaits more information from NHTSA before responding to the government agency.

"Toyota received the Preliminary Evaluation Opening Resume for the 2007 RAV4 and Camry on February 7. However, we have not received an information request from the NHTSA. Toyota will fully cooperate with the agency in its efforts to investigate these allegations," the company said in an email statement.

Nissan recall

Nissan Motor Co. is recalling almost 37,000 Versa small cars with manual transmissions in the United States because they potentially could be shifted out of park without depressing the brake pedal, according to documents filed with NHTSA.

NHTSA said 36,608 Versas from model year 2012 with manual transmissions may experience interference between the shifter rod and shift knob. That could cause the driver to inadvertently shift the vehicle into gear without stepping on the brake pedal, increasing the risk of an accident, according to NHTSA documents.

Nissan discovered the problem in November 2011 during a dealer vehicle inspection and will notify owners and replace the shifter knob or shifter assembly as necessary, NHTSA said. The recall is expected to begin on February 20.

A Nissan official said no accidents or injuries have been reported in relation to this issue.

Repairing a broken headlamp connector

The 9006/H4 low beam bulb seemingly burned out the other day on my wife’s 2006 Sienna so I pulled the plug off and noticed that some of the brown colored plastic had broken away around one of the connector spades. I tried switching out the good bulb and it also did not work so I now surmise that the connector plug is no longer any good. Is this something I can pick up at the dealer and fix myself?
or must I take it in to a Toyota dealer for repair. Seems like it would be a simple fix.

1997 K2500 suburban 2500 with 350 vortech

Issue: brakes

This has hydro boost

I changed the master cylinder tonight... I have better braking... but pedal travels almost completely to floor before brakes begin to bite..... I adjusted the drums with no change... even with truck off I can not pump the pedal hard.. do you have any ideas? Could it be the hydro booster? I'm at a loss and need better brakes as I tow more days than not.

      Response:
Pedal Height is controlled by the rear brake adjustment and it is also a possibility you have air in the system or mastercylender. You may also have a bad wheel cylender either leaking or frozen. also check for an equalizing valve if it has a tow package. These are usually attachedto the rear axle simular to GM's Load Leveler Valve Assy. for air ride systems.


It has a tow package...I can find no type of valve that you mention. I took drums apart last nite and checked for correct function... everything was working proprly... I even vacuum bled the system but still no pedal with that new master cylinder... I have better stopping ability but no pedal height...

I read online to check the hydro booster shut the truck off and pump it several times to discharge it then while holding to the floor start truck and see if it drops then kicks back up... which it did.. so ATM I'm at a loss of what could be wrong....but I need better brakes asap don't get me wrong I can stop fine... but the low pedal is not my cup of tea

     Response:
the hydro boost is bad, but it cna be rebuilt, quit being a mechanic back in 2000, but pretty sure that's what the old oldsmobile diesels did with a bad booster, use to rebiuld them, but that was a long time ago

97k2500 suburban 2500 with 350 vortech brake issues

This has hydro boost
I changed the master cylinder tonight... I have better braking... but pedal travels almost completely to floor before brakes begin to bite..... I adjusted the drums with no change... even with truck off I can not pump the pedal hard.. do you have any ideas? Could it be the hydro booster? I'm at a loss and need better brakes as I tow more days than not

Ford sued for alleged fuel tank defect in F- and E-series trucks

Ford Motor Co. has been sued for allegedly selling trucks over a 10-year period that had defective fuel tank linings, and for hiding the problem from consumers even as it warned dealers.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday in a New Jersey federal court said fuel tank linings on 10 E- and F-series truck models made between 1999 and 2008 would "separate and flake off."
It said this would clog fuel systems with debris and rust, causing a sudden loss of engine power, and potentially causing vehicles to buck or kick or suddenly stall.
Ford in 2007 issued a "secret" technical service bulletin to dealers advising of the problem, but neither recalled the affected trucks nor offered to repair them for free, the complaint said.
"Hundreds, if not thousands" of drivers have experienced the defect, it added.
Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans Zwiebel declined to comment immediately, saying the automaker has yet to be served with the complaint.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs had no immediate comment.
The lawsuit was filed by Chester, N.J.-based Coba Landscaping and Construction Inc and its principal Galo Coba. It alleges fraud, breach of warranty, and unjust enrichment, among other charges, and seeks compensatory, punitive and triple damages.
The F-series pickup is the best-selling U.S. car or truck. The E-Series is a truck-based full-size van.