Archive for November, 2008
What To Check When Your Car Won't Start – Part II
by admin on Nov.10, 2008, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
What To Check When Your Car Won’t Start – Part II
There are plenty of parts under the hood that can prevent your car from starting. When any of them act up, locating the cause of the problem can be difficult. Last time, I described how the problem could potentially be with your battery, ignition switch, or a malfunctioning starter. Those parts are usually the easiest to check which is why mechanics often recommending checking them first.
But, let’s assume that your battery is fully-charged, and your starter and ignition switch are working properly. What else could be causing the issue? Today, I’ll describe a few more car parts that you should check while hunting for the problem.
The Ignition System
In most cases, the reason why your car won’t start is because the engine is not receiving an electrical current. Specifically, the spark is probably not being created. The next stop is your car’s ignition system. The first part of the system you’ll want to check is the ignition coil. Ideally, you should test it with a multimeter. As long as you know the resistance specs of your coil, you can use the multimeter to measure its ability to carry a current.
The next component to check is your car’s distributor cap. In my experience, the cap is seldom the problem. That said, it’s not uncommon for moisture to collect during the rainy season. It’s possible for this moisture to prevent the voltage transfer. Take the cap off and wipe it down to get rid of any moisture.
The Fuel System
By now, most of the easy parts have been checked. If you haven’t found the problem in your car’s ignition system, it’s likely in the fuel system. Checking the system completely will require taking you car to a repair shop. However, there are a few components that you can check at home. A lot of cars today have fuel injection systems. Before anything else, check all of the connections to make sure they’re snug. If they are, pressure test your fuel pump if you have the tools (most people don’t). If you don’t have the tools, a mechanic will need to do it.
Next, put your key in the ignition and put it in the “on” position. Then, use a circuit tester to measure whether the electrical current in the fuel pump is sufficient. If the tester identifies a current, the reason your car won’t start may be because of a bad pump relay. If you’ve checked all of those things without finding a problem, the fuel filter might be backed up or blocked. They’re inexpensive (usually under $20), so consider replacing it.
At this point, there’s very little else that you can diagnose at home. You probably won’t have the necessary tools you’ll need to check other components and parts. But, many of the issues that prevent cars from starting can be traced to the parts that I’ve described in this article and in the previous installment. If you can fix the problem on your own, you’ll save time and money.
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What To Check When Your Car Won't Start: Part I
by admin on Nov.10, 2008, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
What To Check When Your Car Won’t Start: Part I
When you turn the ignition and your car fails to start, the feeling is a mixture of dread and growing anger. Not only is the problem inconvenient, but it all but promises a large repair bill. The fact is, there’s a lot that could be causing the problem. Unless you’re a trained mechanic, identifying and fixing the problem yourself may not be feasible. That said, if you approach the issue methodically, you may actually find the root of the problem. Below, I’ll provide a bird’s eye view of how you can troubleshoot a car that refuses to start.
Start Simple
Even veteran technicians will first look at potential causes that are both simple and obvious. You should do the same. Begin by looking for buildup on the battery posts. Grime and corrosive material can accumulate over time. When it does, it can prevent your battery from sending a current to your starting system. Disconnect the cables and clean the part that connects to your battery’s posts. Then, clean the posts themselves. Reconnect the cables and try starting your car again.
It’s also possible that your battery has died. You can measure the ampage or have someone jump start your car to verify whether that’s the problem.
Next In Line
Assuming your battery is not causing the starting problem, you’ll need to check the ignition switch. It’s not as difficult as many people think. Stick the key into the ignition and turn it halfway. In this position, you should see warning lights on your dashboard. If you don’t, that implies that the ignition switch is malfunctioning.
Another way to check it is to turn your car’s lights on and then attempt to start the engine. If there’s a reduction in the light output, it’s likely that your ignition switch is not the problem. However, if there’s no change in the light output, you’ll probably need a new switch.
Check The Starter
Next, test your starter’s connection. As part of your car’s electrical system, it’s susceptible to the buildup of corrosion (similar to your battery’s posts). If you see any corrosive material, try to clean it off. Then, use a circuit tester to check whether the starter is receiving a current. If it is, but you don’t notice anything moving, you may have just identified the reason why your car isn’t starting.
Part II: Coming Soon
The car parts that I’ve described above are the easiest to check when your car won’t start. Believe it or not, checking the battery, ignition, and starter resolves the problem in a huge number of cases. However, it’s also possible that the reason your car won’t start is found deeper under the hood. In part II, we’ll explore some of these potential roadblocks.
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General under the Hood and Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
by admin on Nov.03, 2008, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
General under the Hood & Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Most oil change service centers will offer a 12-19 point check with every oil change. If you change the oil yourself, you will need to conduct regular inspections. Use your owner’s manual diagrams that indicate where each of these items is located. Also, your local auto parts store employees can answer any questions that you may have about any of these fluids. These checks are every bit as important as changing the oil, so you might want to check the following items every time you perform an oil change.
• Automatic Transmission Fluid-You want the engine idling when you perform this check. After starting the car and leaving it in Park, you an easily check this fluid level.
• Battery-Be sure to check each cell of the battery for proper fluid levels. Add only distilled water if necessary.
• Brake Fluid-Check to see if the brake and clutch (if applicable) fluid levels are between the MIN and MAX lines on the indicator.
• Engine Coolant-You need for the engine to be completely cool when you check this fluid level.
• Engine Drive Belts-Check the belts to make sure they are in good working condition. They should not be frayed, worn, cracked, or oily.
• Engine Oil Level-You will be checking this if you are changing the oil. The oil level needs to be between the H (high) and the L (Low) on the dipstick.
• Exhaust System- The exhaust system is more than just the muffler and should probably be checked by a professional. But you can see the muffler. While the engine is cool, check it for any cracks or holes. Make sure that it is not loose. If there is ever a smell of exhaust fumes, have the system inspected.
• Fluid Leaks-You can easily check for fluid leaks by simply looking on the ground where you normally park your vehicle. If there is water, it might just be from the air conditioner. If it is black, you might have an oil leak. If it is browner in color you might have a fuel leak.
• Power Steering Fluid & Lines-Your engine should be cold when you check this fluid level. Make sure the fluid lines are properly attached and there are no cracks or leaks.
• Radiator and Hoses-Clean the radiator of any debris. Make sure the hoses have no leaks and are securely attached.
• Under body-You should wash the under body of your vehicle every time you wash your car. It can be sprayed with water from a hose. This should be done at least after every winter.
• Windshield Washer-This fluid is visible on most cars when you open the hood. If you don’t have any washer fluid, mixing water with a little rubbing alcohol will serve the purpose until you can buy some washer fluid.
Most all of these replacement fluids can be purchased at an auto parts store for minimal amounts. Keeping these stored safely in your garage will save you time and money on car repairs.