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Automotive/Questions Answered by Expert Ernest (Ernie) Kenward
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Oil pressure gauge '79 G20 | 1/10/2012 |
| Q: I have a '79 Chevy G20, V8, Automatic, 5.7L.... Has been running well since I bought it 3 years ago ... A: If the gauge is a mechanical gauge, that is, directly driven by oil pressure, I would look for a ... | |
| 'recirculate' air button won't stay on | 12/20/2011 |
| Q: Have you any idea why the recirculate button of a car's air system (Chevy Malibu, but no Chevy ... A: As one with Fords and a Mercedes-Benz, I have little hands-on experience and no shop info on ... | |
| preventive maintenance | 12/14/2011 |
| Q: I own a honda accord (2006) and the dealer recommends replacing the timing belt between 90k and 100k ... A: Changing timing chains - and timing belts especially - is a key regular preventative- maintenance ... | |
| Windshields | 10/31/2011 |
| Q: This may sound like a dumb question, but should someone replace their windshield periodically? Do ... A: Glass is pretty hardy, and is very immune to dust and moisture. It is not, however, immune to ... | |
| bus | 9/29/2011 |
| Q: 1. Do you need a special drivers license to drive a personal bus? 2. i want to buy an old school bus ... A: This is an answer that only the motor vehicle office responsible for your own locale can correctly ... | |
| cultch | 7/11/2011 |
| Q: i just bought a 1991 chevy pickup single cab step side v-6 5 speed manual transmisson. the problem ... A: This is why suburban and highway motorcoaches (which I drove to pay part of my way through UBC) have ... | |
| 04 Santa Fe Timing (2.4L) | 7/4/2011 |
| Q: I read on a sticker under the hood that the timing is supposed to be set at 8 degrees BTDC. Is this ... A: In answering this, I am assuming that your finding that the timing appears to be set right AT TDC - ... | |
| Bubble in Power Steering Line | 6/2/2011 |
| Q: I had my power steering pump replaced, and the mechanic said that it had a bubble that they just ... A: Power steering is not my specialty by any means, although I have had some fluid-power experience in ... | |
| dashboard door/trunk open light remains lit | 5/25/2011 |
| Q: Good day Ernie – a question for you on my 2002 Buick Century, please. Recently, the dashboard ... A: Without knowing any of the specific details of the Century, I can nonetheless suggest that the ... | |
| Temperature gauge stays at 0 | 5/6/2011 |
| Q: Does this mean it needs a new thermostat and if so do i have to change the coolant if i change the ... A: The thermostat which modulates coolant temperature and the temperature sensor which drives the ... | |
| Headlight problem | 3/29/2011 |
| Q: I have a 2006 Hyundai Sonata with V6 motor. Last night I was driving and when using the high beam ... A: I have no shop information on your Hyundai of course (for reasons given in my notes) but the problem ... | |
| TBI Fuel injection wiring harness | 3/25/2011 |
| Q: Been thinking about this for a few days and wondered if you could shed some light on this conundrum ... A: First, allow me to apologise for not getting back to you a week prior to this!!! In fact, I DID ... | |
| no-start | 12/16/2010 |
| Q: Ernie, I hope you can give me an idea as to what the hell is keeping my car from starting! Alright, ... A: Not having any specific information on Pontiacs (nor on any other GM products other than on some ... | |
| Audi TT Power Windows | 11/24/2010 |
| Q: Yesterday it was cold out 17 degrees Fahrenheit and neither one of my windows on my 2003 Audi TT ... A: Most likely window mechanism grease which was not of appropriate specification for low-temperature ... | |
| Ford Ranger Not Starting | 11/24/2010 |
| Q: I have a 1999 Ford Ranger 3.0 Flex fuel 4x2. The problem occurs when I try to start. I have a new ... A: I can suggest that the problem would appear to be in the coil circuit of the contactor which powers ... | |
| 1991 Chevy Silverado,no 4 wheel drive | 11/21/2010 |
| Q: my 1991 Chevy K1500 has no 4 wheel drive,replaced front actuator,checked all 4 bulbs in 4 drive ... A: I wish I could help, but I have absolutely NO data on 4x4 systems, never having had one of these. ... | |
| 1983 ford escort 1.6 L with carb | 11/5/2010 |
| Q: My work vehicle is 1983 ford escort it has 70,000 original miles it started acting up by bucking ... A: Note that I do not have a Ford Escort, and so do not have any shop information on that family of ... | |
| transmission hard shifting | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: I'll preface my question with a bit of background. I recently bought a 2000 Ford E350 Superduty ... A: I am not too sure about the idea of adding brake fluid to the transmission, especially in view of ... | |
| KIA Picanto 1.1 Auto | 10/5/2010 |
| Q: Can you help please ,there are no experts on Kia cars so this is a long shot for help. I have a Kia ... A: This problem does have the hallmarks of an intermittent connection problem, either at a connector or ... | |
| 1988 Ford Ranger | 8/21/2010 |
| Q: I have an 88 Ranger, fuel injected, 2.3l engine. I can smell gas after driving when I turn truck ... A: You have given a good description of the problem, especially in terms of qualifying that description ... | |
| 1976 Bronco | 7/18/2010 |
| Q: You previously answered my question regarding my heater temp. control cable. After searching under ... A: I was quite intrigued by the use of the modulating hot-water valve - my 59 Ford, 59 Edsel and 78 ... | |
| air volume out of dash vents | 7/14/2010 |
| Q: we have an ageing fleet of ford vans we use for plumbing,most of them have high mileage.when we put ... A: There may well be restrictions in the air duct system, in the form of leaves and other debris which ... | |
| Edsel Vacuum wiper removal | 7/11/2010 |
| Q: I am trying to remove the wiper motor from my 58 Edsel Pacer. After removing the two mounting screws ... A: If you would care to get in touch with me via the Edsel Owners' Club #EOC# web site, on which I am a ... | |
| temperature control cable | 6/21/2010 |
| Q: I'm a novice at this.....I've been restoring a 1976 Bronco and I'm just about there. However, one ... A: I don't have any service information on the Bronco, but the combined facts that the cable (Bowden? - ... | |
| F-150 Dual tanks | 6/5/2010 |
| Q: Ernie, I just bought an F-150, 1990 with 4.9 L6 automatic. The problem lies with the coolant temp ... A: I have no documentation on the Fords built after 1980, and so can say nothing specific. However, ... | |
| Jumping a dead battery | 5/15/2010 |
| Q: When I am jump starting the dead car, I was told to step on the gas pedal of the source car, revving ... A: If you have a battery condition meter (effectively an rms voltmeter), then you may notice that the ... | |
| Alternator Frequecy | 4/29/2010 |
| Q: I have Cummins gas engine and AVK alternator of 2150KW. at which frequency my genset should shed its ... A: Two (or more) alternators will remain synchronised as long as their respective governors can track ... | |
| 79 mercedes 300 cd | 3/18/2010 |
| Q: Can't get it to start. 240000 mile with no problems. runs great. Not a primary car. Changed the ... A: Not sure from your query whether the battery is able to even crank the engine, or whether it can, ... | |
| Diesel Engine-Hot Hard Start problem | 2/26/2010 |
| Q: Mr. Ernest, I have this Toyota-Land Cruiser (Pik-Up),it has a hot hard start problem-i.e. it starts ... A: Even though Diesel fuel has a much lower vapour pressure at regular ambient temperatures than do ... | |
| 95 mercury sable GS 3.0L | 2/3/2010 |
| Q: my headlight switch keeps going out,and i was curious on what do you think i should look for as the ... A: A new headlight switch, perhaps? Most likely! Many Fords have made use of headlight switches with ... | |
| cylinder head bolts for daewoo nexia | 1/3/2010 |
| Q: In the Daewoo Nexia, when re-fitting a new cylinder head gasket it is recommended that you also fit ... A: Without any specific data on Daewoo models, I would simply say that replacing hold-down bolts or ... | |
| 95 Sentra won't start | 1/3/2010 |
| Q: I have a 1995 Nissan Sentra. I have replaced the starter several times in the past year. In the ... A: Connections at the starter appear to be becoming intermittent, although it is also possible that the ... | |
| 1980 mercedes 300cd | 11/23/2009 |
| Q: Where can i get a diagram on the wiring so I can roll windows up. The switch does not work. 1980 ... A: Reminder: Again, please refresh your query by asking the queestion once again. It is only on ... | |
| 1980 mercedes 300cd | 11/14/2009 |
| Q: Where can i get a diagram on the wiring so I can roll windows up. The switch does not work. 1980 ... A: I probably can supply. I have a 1984 model (turbodiesel 617) of the same car, or actually a ... | |
| Oil pan damaged during oil change | 10/24/2009 |
| Q: I just had a place attempt to do an oil change on my 2002 Saturn SL1 and they broke the oil pan bolt ... A: In the overall scheme of things, it sounds as if they opted to charge you for the part price of the ... | |
| 2002 Sebring 'lock out' after battery change | 10/9/2009 |
| Q: After replacing the battery in my 2002 Sebring, the car started fine. Upon driving, after stopping ... A: This is more likely to be an intermittent connection that has developed in the starter control ... | |
| Ford Tempo 1990 | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: I am having charging problems with my Tempo. I have replaced the battery, altinator, cooling fan and ... A: The following is a general approach answer, as I do not have a Tempo nor specific information on ... | |
| temp gage | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: I have a dodge durango and I've had an issue with the temp gage fluctuating drastically. usually it ... A: Not having a Durango, I cannot speak to its specific idiosyncrasies, but it does seem to me logical ... | |
| Oil pan damaged during oil change | 9/10/2009 |
| Q: I just had a place attempt to do an oil change on my 2002 Saturn SL1 and they broke the oil pan bolt ... A: I would certainly argue the point with them, if I were you, given that it was they who broke the ... | |
| 1997 Ford Escort | 8/18/2009 |
| Q: Sorry, I see the question posted before but not with a complete answer. My brake tail lights stay on ... A: It would appear that this car has a mechanically-actuated brake light switch - as many do - and that ... | |
| 1958 edsel pacer brakes locking up | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: we got our Edsel running...by the way thanks for the advice it really helped. but we got it running ... A: The problem here would appear to be a car which has been parked for a prolonged period, with little ... | |
| F 150 2008 - power ports not working | 8/4/2009 |
| Q: Our F150 the Power ports and Cigar lighter just all of a sudden quit working... fuses look good... ... A: The fuse may look good, but a continuity check will be more indicative of its true state. Too, ... | |
| a/c leaking | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: My girlfriend has a 2001 mitsubishi galant and when you drive it for a while with the a/c on the ... A: The only problem with your HVAC system is either a partially-blocked condensate drain, or possibly ... | |
| foggy interior mirror | 7/31/2009 |
| Q: I have a 2002 Nissan altima. The interior rear view mirror looks like water vapors or something is ... A: My assumption is that "is in it" means that water has somehow gotten into the mirror assembly and ... | |
| tachometer readings | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: Can you explain to me why a tachometer with readings of 0 to 8 has a "legend" on the dial that says ... A: Ah ... the joys of semantics! Yes, I do agree with you that, when one reads a dial which ranges ... | |
| left signal light | 6/23/2009 |
| Q: I have noticed that my left signal light on my 2003 Chev Cavalier is clicking faster than it used ... A: There may be some specifics as to the 2003 Chev and other late (to me) model cars of which I am ... | |
| Current draw | 6/10/2009 |
| Q: I have just followed your Q and A regarding current draw because it pertains to a problem I am ... A: I have no specs whatsoever on your vehicle, not having that particular one, but I DO have all the ... | |
| 1998 BMW 540I Electrical Short | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: When I turn the steering wheel on my 1998 BMW 540i to the right sharply the engine shuts off. This ... A: One presumes that the ignition lock is in the steering column, as it is in most cars in which the ... | |
| 1990 ford 150 radio wiring | 5/6/2009 |
| Q: got an a/m/ f/m cassete radio from a 1990 ford f150 need to know the wiring to hook it up.The ... A: I cannot speak for what most likely is but might not be available in the states, but I do know that ... | |
| No Reverse on 2001 Hyundai Elantra GLS | 5/3/2009 |
| Q: I have a 2001 Hyundai Elantra GLS, automatic transmission, that now has 100,000 miles on it. The ... A: The problem really is the transmission, unfortunately, so that will have to be the area of ... | |
| emission 2000 lincoln ls | 4/29/2009 |
| Q: but i figured i would try .I just failed emission test the nox readind is 1909 should be at the most ... A: One of the most common causes of a high NOX reading in a late-model (relatively) ... | |
| over heating | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: my 97 ford f-150 will overheat after a few hours of driving. I have already checked thermostat,fans ... A: The only suggestion I might have is general preventative maintenance, and I do recognise that you ... | |
| 1995 Plymouth Neon shuts down | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: My 1995 Plymouth Neon (SOHC,AT) will shut down after 20-30 minutes of driving time. The engine ... A: My automotive work being largely custom work on "legacy-technology" vehicles, I can only speak ... | |
| instrument cluster fuse bolws everytime the car is started | 4/18/2009 |
| Q: I have a 3.8L V6 03 Pajero The intrusment cluster fuse blows everytime the car is started relusting ... A: It is a little surprising to hear that any fuse or (more likely) fuses protecting the ... | |
| 97 chevy cavalier z24 | 4/17/2009 |
| Q: I have a 97 cavalier z24 with 130K miles, and as of recently I have been have engine troubles. I ... A: I have no specific answer for your 97 Cavalier, but can offer the following general thoughts ... ... | |
| Possible car problem. | 4/14/2009 |
| Q: I read your blog about how you are not a walking shop manual for every car in existence so I will ... A: It is always a good idea to do a "due diligence" check on any car (even new) when you buy it, or pay ... | |
| Dead Car | 4/11/2009 |
| Q: I have a 2002 Chrysler Sebring and started having electrical problems last summer. The problem at ... A: Time to check out the performance of the alternator and, if this second item is external to the ... | |
| thanks! | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: Your Question was: i know your probably not an expert on this, but i have a 99 grand am. i put in ... A: Thanks also for the chance for me to take a second look at your question, and noting this time that ... | |
| Windshield wiper not working... | 4/3/2009 |
| Q: Hey, The problem arose about 6 months ago, the wipers are getting slow in speed, you turn them on ... A: This could be a wiper motor problem, but just as readily could be an excessive resistance problem in ... | |
| 1992 bmw 520i auto transmission | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: i have an issue with my bmw 520i. When I go on long drives or possibly after 30 mins the gearbox ... A: The cold clear water undoubtedly is condensate from your car's air conditioning system. The ... | |
| 1990 Camaro RS, 6 cyl. | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: I was driving my 1990 Camaro around town, headed home, pulled onto street where I live at low idle ... A: There are a few too many electrical and mechanical variables here to allow one in a remote seat to ... | |
| water in intake | 3/7/2009 |
| Q: My son took his 97 blazer 4 wheeling. He got water in the air filter as it was soaked. He tried ... A: This very likely is an issue caused by a liberal soaking - very liberal indeed, judging by your ... | |
| 1997 Ford Explorer Charging system | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: I own a 97 ford explorer, and 3 days ago I noticed the battery gage goes up and down when I have the ... A: Not having the details on the battery-monitoring system that may be used in the 97 Explorer, I shall ... | |
| Toyota Camry LE V6 1991, auto | 2/9/2009 |
| Q: I have some oil spill in engine compartment, and I power washed engine, but shortly after started & ... A: It would appear that your power washing exercise may have been a tad too aggressive, and you managed ... | |
| 03' chevy silverado | 2/6/2009 |
| Q: I am starting to have problems with the speedometer in my truck. It drops to 0 after driving for a ... A: I have no details on your truck, so will answer generally as follows: The assumption is that you ... | |
| power window trouble | 2/6/2009 |
| Q: 1983 GMC truck power window problem.I am having a problem with the passengers window it will only go ... A: I do not have the specific details as to your 1983 GMC, but would suggest that you look very ... | |
| window motor | 1/10/2009 |
| Q: I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 2500,the driverside window quit working,when I try to take it up I can see ... A: You will have to deal with the specific details for your truck, as I have no data on this model, ... | |
| Dashboard lights | 1/2/2009 |
| Q: My 79 mark v dashboard lights, after driving awaile, blink off for about 20 seconds then come back ... A: It would appear that the dashlight circuit is protected by an auto-reset thermal circuit breaker, ... | |
| Chrysler 2000 T & C turn signals | 12/29/2008 |
| Q: The right turn signal blinks rapidly. The owner's manual says it's probably a light bulb ready to ... A: Note that I do NOT have the specific details for your vehicle (and would not be expected to have ... | |
| brake light | 12/29/2008 |
| Q: the brake warning light in my 2001 kia sportage was coming off and on, but it is on all the time ... A: The first action would be to REinspect it! The most likely cause of this type of problem is a ... | |
| 2002 Acura RSX Electrical Problem | 12/19/2008 |
| Q: Last Friday my 2002 RSX had its first electrical problems ever. For 5 minutes in the middle of a 2 ... A: The only realistic advice that anyone can give you from a distance for any problem of a random and ... | |
| 1992 ford ranger xlt - wipers | 12/17/2008 |
| Q: my wipers move very very slow...........I have changed the wiper motor and it didn't seem to make ... A: Either resistance has built up - due to a bad or corroded connector, most frequently - in the power ... | |
| Increased Fuel Consumption | 12/12/2008 |
| Q: Ernie, I have a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis with 68K. I recently replaced a faulty fuel pump. It ... A: Do you keep track of fuel used per number or miles (or km) per tank fill? Do you log work performed ... | |
| Ford F150 windshield wipers | 12/10/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2000 Ford F150 with 120,000 miles in good shape except for a bit of rust (Wisconsin ... A: Almost all windshield wiper systems rely on one form or another of cam switch or sliding-contact set ... | |
| '88 Ford F-250, 351W, 4x4, fuel problem | 11/21/2008 |
| Q: My 1988 F-250 4x4, has a 351W engine(fuel injected), automatic, and dual tanks. I was driving it ... A: I don't have info on your "newer" (compared to my 78, at least) rig, but do wonder if a valve that ... | |
| 82 toyota corolla | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: My 82 Toyota corolla will start fine but seems after about 30 minutes of drive time and seems like ... A: I have no details on the Toyota, but can certainly surmise that this problem is due to some blockage ... | |
| Toyota Celica '91 electrical issue | 11/14/2008 |
| Q: Why would a vehicle not start in temps below 40 degrees? Over the years I have changed batteries ... A: The facts that (i) a trickle charge does NOT help, and (ii) you can start it immediately upon ... | |
| Ford F-100 | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: I have a problem... I am in high school and trying to rebuild my great grandfathers 1964 F-100. I am ... A: I do have shop manual information on a number of the late fifties and early sixties Fords, owing to ... | |
| Timing belt problem | 11/11/2008 |
| Q: I own a 2002 kia sportage with 110,000 miles. Last week my timing belt broke on it for the 2nd time. ... A: The ratio between a 110000 mile actual life time (for YOUR belt at least) and the 60000 mile ... | |
| relays | 11/5/2008 |
| Q: Question 18: Faulty switches on older cars can often be caused by: A: a lack of lubricant B*: no ... A: My usual pat answer to the failures of any older equipment comes down to the ravages of Time and ... | |
| 97 Ford 250 Powerstroke | 11/4/2008 |
| Q: Is 200,000 miles high for this 7.3 engine. will it pass emissions A: I do not know the specifics of the emission testing in your area, but I do know that the AirCare ... | |
| noiusey when start up | 11/1/2008 |
| Q: when i first turn ignition on the car sounds very loud but after a minute the loud noise gets quiter ... A: Most of the time, loud clatter on initial start-up suggests engine bearings and hydraulic lifters ... | |
| chev,350 motor | 10/31/2008 |
| Q: When I shut my motor off it wants to keep running, it is a 383 professionally built carburated with ... A: You may have a lot of carbon build-up, owing to excessively rich operation or perhaps some oil from ... | |
| 95 jetta trouble starting | 10/25/2008 |
| Q: My 95 jetta has been giving me trouble starting the past year... i had believed it to be electrical ... A: I have no specific information on the Jetta, so the following is only a general thought: The only ... | |
| 58 edsel ranger | 10/21/2008 |
| Q: If you can tell me where the turn signal flasher is located in a 58 ford Edsel Ranger. Thanks, dave ... A: The TS flasher module plugs into a moulded quick-connect socket that is an integral part of the main ... | |
| Car Storage | 10/9/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2006 Infiniti G35 automatic and have a question regarding storage of a vehicle. I'm in the ... A: Sorry for the delay in getting to you! I read your note several days ago, but wanted to dig up some ... | |
| battery drain | 10/8/2008 |
| Q: 95 buick park avenue. Fine for a while, then battery may go dead,even with regular use. Have found ... A: It would appear that the interior light shutoff-delay module is either not shutting off the interior ... | |
| trailblazer voltage problem/idle & A/C | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: Sir, We own a 2006 trailblazer xlt 2wl.drive w/an I6 engine. it has 48Kmiles. Recently, when at a ... A: Modern alternator regulators will initially (on engine start-up) provide 14.5 volts plus to the ... | |
| audi tt indicators | 9/20/2008 |
| Q: I have a 51 plate Audi TT and I am having trouble with my indicators. My hazard lights are working ... A: I have no specific information on the Audi, but can tell you that the most typical arrangement of ... | |
| 2002 Hyundai Accent starting problem | 8/28/2008 |
| Q: I washed my car (2202 Hyundai Accent) about 2 months ago, when I did I chose to wash the engine as ... A: You will need to check things out further. While is is possible that this is due to some residual ... | |
| alternator fuse link | 8/27/2008 |
| Q: cant find fuse link, owner guide says loation is starter motor relay were abouts that A: My first suggestion is that you do what I do ... make it a point to obtain and maintain the needed ... | |
| Car Horn replacement blows fuse | 8/26/2008 |
| Q: I am trying to replace my original car horns on my 2000 Dodge Dakota. I have hooked up wires to the ... A: The most likely possibility is that you did not pay heed to polarity or colour code when connecting ... | |
| 2006 Trailblazer power problems | 8/24/2008 |
| Q: I just had to replace my alternator, and in the process had to change my battery, but I am now ... A: One would prefer to be on the scene in order to sample enough detail to be able to make better than ... | |
| Engine Overheating | 8/22/2008 |
| Q: I recently had the coolant changed by the Pontiac/GM dealer. The engine is overheating on steep ... A: Coolant generally is a mix (50:50 or higher) of glycol antifreeze, water (demineralised, in ... | |
| 1998 Chevy Cavalier - Power Window Switch | 8/21/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1998 chevrolet cavalier. One of the passenger windows will go down but won't easily go back ... A: You do not give absolute specifics, but one logical assessment of the wording "it won't easily go ... | |
| motorhome vaporlocking | 8/18/2008 |
| Q: Help!!!! We just had an awful trip home through the mountains on 2 very hot days. We have a 1996 ... A: If your RV dealership does mechanical work, then that shop would be a good choice; it is likely that ... | |
| motorhome vaporlocking | 8/17/2008 |
| Q: Help!!!! We just had an awful trip home through the mountains on 2 very hot days. We have a 1996 ... A: I shall keep this short, but only because I have answered this type of question - and in ... | |
| 97 Chevy Cavalier | 8/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a 97 Chevy Cavalier that my teenage daughter has been driving for the last few years. After ... A: First, I would check out the dome light switch on that door which was damaged. Either the switch ... | |
| 1989 ford 250 egr valve | 8/15/2008 |
| Q: It has the 351 engine, fuel inj. It idles rough always. I scanned it and got a 33 and a 63 ? Also, ... A: Yes, if one has a standard rather than automatic transmission, just idling the engine is fine. I do ... | |
| All Electrics Suddenly Dead | 8/14/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2000 GMC Jimmy, that began making a very rapid clicking noise when running. A few days ... A: However it was caused, the apparent lack of connection of the battery to the rest of the automotive ... | |
| 1989 ford 250 egr valve | 8/12/2008 |
| Q: It has the 351 engine, fuel inj. It idles rough always. I scanned it and got a 33 and a 63 ? Also, ... A: A very common cause of rough idle, whether the engine uses legacy carburetion or current Electronic ... | |
| compression 4.3 liter v6 | 8/12/2008 |
| Q: I have a cylinder in my 1989 chev 1500 that is at 35psi and the rest are at 90psi. People have told ... A: Properly done compression tests generally will yield readings from about 145 PSIG and up for ... | |
| Steering Wheel Shimmy | 8/11/2008 |
| Q: I'm not sure if you'll be able to answer this one, but I thought I'd put it out there. I'm looking ... A: Loose wheel bearings are one possibility, and I would not discount the possibility that the lugs ... | |
| 1989 Econoline Guage Problem | 8/8/2008 |
| Q: Recently I thought I had an overheating issue. After changing the thermostat and pulling the rad for ... A: I would imagine that the 1989 E-series is similar to the 1978 in regard to its use of a flexible ... | |
| 1990 Nissan Truck | 8/2/2008 |
| Q: My son has an old 1990 Nissan truck He's trying to fix. It has a new starter and a new battery, but ... A: Assuming that the problem is as implied by your question, ie: one turns the key but the starter is ... | |
| Charging/Electrical | 8/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1987 Toyota pickup with a 22RE and a 5 speed. Recently the alt stopped charging but at the ... A: A bad alternator is one possibility, as is the failure of the regulator which controls it (which is ... | |
| ac/heater not working properly | 7/19/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1992 Dodge Dynasty and the ac/heat and defrost are venting on the floor and at the ... A: The majority of modern vehicle climate-control systems use a combination of electrical and vacuum ... | |
| speedo error | 7/13/2008 |
| Q: 98 Ford Escort Wagon. According to GPS speedo is running about 6 mph fast. Odometer is only off ... A: I am not sure what the spec is for speedometer accuracy, however, the odometer information suggests ... | |
| 1986 Ford 250 302 engine, one tank, 4x2, manual | 6/27/2008 |
| Q: I've this truck that I mainly use to pull horse in horse 2 horse trailer. As I'm going down ... A: I fully agree that your best and most practical approach is to isolate and identify the problem ... | |
| turn signals | 6/26/2008 |
| Q: i have a 2002 chevy malibu whose turn signals sometimes dont work. sometimes they work fine. ... A: The first and most likely possibility is a flasher module which is in the process of failing. A ... | |
| oo' f350 won't start sometimes | 6/21/2008 |
| Q: i have a 7.3l. sometimes it doesn't start. All dash lights come on but no turn over. sometimes after ... A: The most likely source of this problem would be a defective Park-Neutral interlock switch - either ... | |
| pontiac 99 grand am | 6/20/2008 |
| Q: im not sure if you can help me but you seem to know a lot! i have a 99 grand am se, it runs great ... A: The main thing I know is that one wants to go into any problem with one's eyes and mind open, and ... | |
| 1998 Ford Windstar | 6/18/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1998 Ford Windstar that the blinkers were working properly, after I replaced the fuse, and ... A: Aside from being sure that the fuse you put in was, in fact, not already open, I would suggest that ... | |
| 1988 Ford F-250 P/U 5.1/351v8 | 6/17/2008 |
| Q: Ernie, Have a 1988 ford f-250, dual gas tanks, When the outside temp. reaches 100f or more, as it ... A: Interestingly, we have a region here in BC that is known by many travellers as being a place for an ... | |
| Criterion Required to Become an Automobile engineer | 6/10/2008 |
| Q: I Aashish R Jariwala Hailing from India is pursuing a course In electronics (B.Sc in electronics ... A: What follows is a very general response, and is so because I am not part of the automotive industry, ... | |
| 42 Olds Model #66 Club Coupe 6v Horn repair | 6/7/2008 |
| Q: I have a original restored 42 olds coupe. It has a trumpet horn that i cannot get to make even a ... A: The greatest kick of all when reworking vintage hardware, whether it be classic cars, vintage ... | |
| no brake lights | 6/6/2008 |
| Q: i have a 1998 gmc 4x4 and just about a week ago i was checking my lights and found i have no brake ... A: The most common causes of Brake Light failure is a defective Stop Light switch, or of the mounting ... | |
| 42 Olds Model #66 Club Coupe 6v Horn repair | 6/5/2008 |
| Q: I have a original restored 42 olds coupe. It has a trumpet horn that i cannot get to make even a ... A: You realise that, once you have solved this problem, you should become the point person for any ... | |
| 97 grand marquis front brake squeal. | 6/5/2008 |
| Q: I just replaced the front brakes and rotors on my 97 grand marquis. Now when you apply the brakes ... A: By the time you have solved the problem, I would expect that you would have become the niche ... | |
| Honda vs. VW | 6/4/2008 |
| Q: Sir, Maybe I need to rephrase my question. I am currently looking for a car, that gets good gas ... A: The very general answer is that (1) there is more energy in a given volume of Diesel fuel than there ... | |
| Blown Fusible Link | 6/2/2008 |
| Q: Mr. Kenward, I have a 1993 Nissan Sentra XE. The fusible link on the positve battery cable just ... A: Any fusible link which goes as far as to "catch fire" would certainly suggest a high-level fault ... | |
| Car Won't Start When It's Warm Outside | 6/2/2008 |
| Q: Have kind of a strange issue that I haven't seen before and was hoping you could help with. I have ... A: There is an intermittently-open circuit somewhere in the starter-enable circuit; this could be in ... | |
| 1994 park ave transmission | 5/29/2008 |
| Q: car takes time to heat up before going into gear. when it was colder it took longer. also jsut ... A: Addressing the engage-delay and puddling only, it sounds as though you have had a transmission leak ... | |
| 1999 GMC Denali | 5/21/2008 |
| Q: My windows, wipers, and radio all stopped working at the same time. The radio will come on ... A: The connections - at the fuses at least - probably are less okay than you might think! The problem ... | |
| windshield wiper problems | 5/17/2008 |
| Q: My daughter has a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. When she uses her wipers, they are not smooth. They jump ... A: There probably a lack of complete information here, so anything I can suggest would only be ... | |
| 1995 canadian volks wagon jetta deasil/ stick | 5/15/2008 |
| Q: Check oil , good. There no leaks on the bottom. Oil tracks on the top value cover, but dont know ... A: First order of business: do the oil change and tune-up, and check out the oil pressure sender unit. ... | |
| 2000 buick century | 5/14/2008 |
| Q: My left directional doesn't work i've changed the bulb and the socket it works ok in the mornign ... A: When ambient or vehicle temperature plays a role in a problem in an electrical ... | |
| chevy van quit on me | 5/12/2008 |
| Q: i have a 1990 chevy custom van 100k miles 5.7l.....it recently quit on me driving down the road ... A: You might try connecting a timing light ... not to check the timing (which likely is fine), but to ... | |
| No Bus on 2000 Dodge Ram 4x4 | 5/11/2008 |
| Q: I am not sure if it is related, but during this past winter we noticed a lot of static in our truck. ... A: Would you believe that we here in "Lotus land" had snow as little as three weeks ago, some 34 cm in ... | |
| No Bus on 2000 Dodge Ram 4x4 | 5/9/2008 |
| Q: I am not sure if it is related, but during this past winter we noticed a lot of static in our truck. ... A: Not having the manuals or any other specific details on the Dodge Ram 4x4 (for the simple reason ... | |
| parking (tail) lights not working | 5/7/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2000 ford mustang conv. My parking lights are not working as well as the license plate ... A: I do not have a manual for the 2000 Mustang, nor for any other recent Ford, but most Fords and other ... | |
| Volvo,2002,V70,2.4T,Electrical problem | 5/7/2008 |
| Q: Something is drawing about 0.6Amps from the battery when the car is not running. By pulling fuses, ... A: 600 mA overall is definitely enough of a parasitic draw to discharge a battery if the car is left ... | |
| No Bus on 2000 Dodge Ram 4x4 | 5/6/2008 |
| Q: I am not sure if it is related, but during this past winter we noticed a lot of static in our truck. ... A: My first order of business would be to check the electrical diagrams so as to identify whichever ... | |
| 95 Nissan Maxima stalling at half tank | 5/6/2008 |
| Q: S.E. 136,000 miles. No error codes. From a full tank down to just under a half tank, the car runs ... A: One gets the distinct impression that the bottom portion of the fuel pick-up, that portion bearing ... | |
| dodge dakota | 5/5/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2000 dodge dakota that is hard to start when the engine is cold. But once the engine is ... A: Several possibilities come to mind, but do know that, given the ages of my own vehicles, I can be ... | |
| 92 Chevy Blazer | 5/3/2008 |
| Q: My dad is a mail carrier and owns a 92 chevy blazer. This past week he has had alot of trouble with ... A: Things that run properly but then intermittently fail show the classic signature of a loose ... | |
| Trailer Lights | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: This is a complicated situation, I recently changed cars, and installed a hitch, and 4 pin ... A: The only suggestion I would have - given that your trailer system has worked as intended with more ... | |
| Dim dash lights | 4/27/2008 |
| Q: I have extremely dim dash lights on my 1984 Dodge D-150 pick-up. I have replaced the headlight ... A: There likely is excess resistance in a connector supplying the feed from the illumination dimmer ... | |
| 99 Cavalier- no brake lights, no turn signals | 4/27/2008 |
| Q: any suggestions would be appreciated. While driving i recently noticed that when i used the turn ... A: The one remaining piece of hardware to investigate would appear to be the turn-signal switch itself; ... | |
| Electrical | 4/25/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2000 Ford Expedition. The SUV wouldn't start one day and it took a bit to get it going, ... A: There could be any of a number of causes to a problem such as this, but one definitely worth ... | |
| toyota tail light stay on all the time | 4/25/2008 |
| Q: I don't know if you can/will help me but I appreciate any feedback you can offer. It all started ... A: More likely it is your brake lights that are continually on, in fact! I presume that your car is ... | |
| Petrol | 4/24/2008 |
| Q: Will fuel vapor in my petrol tank condense back into liquid fuel? I presume that this may be ... A: Volatile fuel such as gasoline will go increasingly from liquid to vapour phase as a function of ... | |
| '91 Honda Accord | 4/22/2008 |
| Q: My '91 Honda Accord began to short out or appear to just stop running suddenly. Then, when I ... A: Intermittently open circuitry would be the indicated cause rather than "short" circuits, from your ... | |
| General Enquiry | 4/19/2008 |
| Q: I just wanted to know if there was any validity in the theory that driving your engine hard every ... A: Driving something "hard" to "burn out the sludge" can be very subjective to interpret. My only ... | |
| headlights | 4/12/2008 |
| Q: i have a 99 ford taurus. it has been sitting, unused for a few months. i started it tonight and ... A: I wonder if the headlight contactors (correct term for power relay) contacts have oxidised over the ... | |
| window problem | 4/11/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2000 Hyundai elantra and the ds window doe snot roll up correctly. It leaves an opening on ... A: The most likely possibility is that one of the anchoring fasteners for the window track or lift ... | |
| 1999 Ford Taurus 3.0 overhead cam won't start... | 4/10/2008 |
| Q: I was driving down the highway with no problems, no noise, engine running as smooth as the day I ... A: I definitely would get a second opinion, and possibly a third, from quite different locales is ... | |
| O2 Sensors | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: Our 1998 Buick Lesabre has 5 O2 sensors in it. How do we determine which sensor is defective. ... A: Sensors are either two-wire or four-wire (the latter having integral heater), and can certainly be ... | |
| 1999 Ford Taurus 3.0 overhead cam won't start... | 4/6/2008 |
| Q: I was driving down the highway with no problems, no noise, engine running as smooth as the day I ... A: The most immediate suggestion that comes to mind is that this probably is a fuel delivery problem, ... | |
| VW electrical question | 4/2/2008 |
| Q: flashing at 6x the normal rate; I always thought this meant a bulb was burned out; all bulbs work ... A: Six times the normal rate ... I give you kudos for taking the time to count the pulses per unit ... | |
| 1995 Nissan P/U Intermittently Blows Turn Signal Fuse | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: I have replaced the turn signal/head lite switch on the steering column. The turn signal fuse blows ... A: Your description thus far indicates that you are already proceeding very effectively with ... | |
| 1997 f150 gauges pegged | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: I have had a battery connection problem so i held the cable while it was started today and when i ... A: Sorry for the delay. Was the cable that had to be held in place that on the negative (chassis ... | |
| 91 toyata camry V6 | 3/31/2008 |
| Q: it ran great for two days then one day i went to star it and nothing so i bought a new battery. so ... A: The battery most likely is not receiving sufficient charge, and this normally would point to a ... | |
| ford motor horsepower ratings p&p | 3/30/2008 |
| Q: all my older motor manuals show a change in the way horsepower was rated after 1972 i.e motor ... A: I would have to verify this since it has been some time (thirty plus years) since I last recall ... | |
| power steering level check | 3/28/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1990 Ford E 150 conversion van. Had it checked at the local dealer and they say I will need ... A: In general, the power steering fluid reservoir is an integral part of the power steering pump. On ... | |
| 2000 ford ranger electric window | 3/27/2008 |
| Q: My drivers window will not go all the way up. It goes up to the top (about a half inch from the top) ... A: Before replacing anything, I would remove the door panel and check the window mechanism for a loose ... | |
| signal lights on 1980 F250 Ford | 3/22/2008 |
| Q: I would greatly appreciate your help. My signal lights on my old Ford F250 just stopped working one ... A: Your 1980 F250 is similar enough to my 78 E250 that I can probably find you something specific from ... | |
| jump starting | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: i have got a 24volt (2 batteries)truck that sits around doing nothing for most of the time, once it ... A: I would imagine that a workable approach would be to determine which of the two batteries in the ... | |
| jeep grand cherokee automatic transmission | 3/18/2008 |
| Q: motor revs up when changing from 1st to 2nd gear. let off of gas and it will eventually change into ... A: Changing the fluid and the filter is always good, but I wonder if perhaps some gumming has already ... | |
| Ford Probe | 3/12/2008 |
| Q: I am looking at buying a 1996 Ford Probe SE. While test driving it this evening, the engine check ... A: As the Romans were reported to have said: "Caveat emptor!" (hope I got that right!) Given that ... | |
| 98 Buick Park Ave Ultra Rear Wind. Defogger | 3/12/2008 |
| Q: I have a 98 Buick Park Ave Ultra and my rear window defogger quit working. My RWD switch still ... A: Chasing down two problems at once is not highly desirable, but can be productive if, for example, it ... | |
| battery charging | 3/8/2008 |
| Q: from the mountains of Wales, UK. I've just bought one of those powerpacks to get the car started ... A: Most likely, the 26V voltage is only an open-circuit value, and drops under load to a level more or ... | |
| Nissan Altima 3.5SE Automatic Transmission Problem | 3/5/2008 |
| Q: I have had automatic transmission problem with my Nissan Altima eversince I bought it new in 2006. ... A: Sorry to delay my answer; my workload is especially heavy now, as midterm approaches. Paying ... | |
| 1997 ford f250 superduty 7.3 diesel | 2/27/2008 |
| Q: My ford has 177,000 miles runs excellent but recently when it warms up, say after 35 min. of ... A: This is only a guess from someone who is not specifically familiar with the equipment layout details ... | |
| 1989 CHEV. BLAZER K5 ELECTRICAL PROBLEM | 2/21/2008 |
| Q: MY BLAZER HAS STARTED LOSING ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING WITH EXCEPTION OF INT. LIGHTS AND ... A: The problem with intermittent failures is that the cause is, all too often, NOT obvious. The origin ... | |
| '96 dodge 1500 w/ 5.2 auto | 2/21/2008 |
| Q: truck has a stumble around 2500 rpms, no codes present, no misfires present, rpms on scan tool, not ... A: It does sound as if something is going "open loop" somewhere, and the controller is overshooting ... | |
| Truck Electrical Problems | 2/19/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1995 Chevy 1ton Dump Truck that I purchased used from a plumber. The truck was in good ... A: The impression that I get is that either a main bus fuse or, more likely, a main bus fusible link ... | |
| 2006 bmw 325 i | 2/16/2008 |
| Q: i unhooked the negative cable and after hooking it back up all the power things work but the car ... A: I trust that the negative cable was tightened securely upon being reconnected. The starting motor ... | |
| '93 Grand Prix fuel leak | 2/14/2008 |
| Q: Why would the duct work between the breather and throttle body be full of gas? A: Yikes! This does sound more like the sort of problem that would arise due to an ... | |
| power locks won't open | 2/12/2008 |
| Q: Have a 99 Chevy Venture, power door locks will lock, but not unlock. Only way to get out of car is ... A: There is no one simple "magic answer" to this, rather, the multitude of symptoms suggest a general ... | |
| 1994 Ford F150 | 2/11/2008 |
| Q: 166,000 miles. Just stopped running. Replaced ignition coil and module. Not getting spark from ... A: It being rather time-consuming to describe basic circuit tracing, circuit analysis and ... | |
| 1998 Dodge Ram Diesel | 2/9/2008 |
| Q: The water pump, thermostat, blower motor, heater core, radiator and coolant have all been replaced ... A: You do not indicate whether or not there is air flow, even if not heated, or whether the fan works ... | |
| Headlight problem | 2/8/2008 |
| Q: I own a '99 Grand Am, and I'm having a very odd headlamp problem.. When I turn my brights on my ... A: Well, whatever the problem is, it would appear NOT to be a problem with the headlight "ground" ... | |
| 89 Chevy Cheyenne Volt Meter Woes | 2/3/2008 |
| Q: In an earlier question about my 89 Chevy Cheyenne, I asked for advice on an ammeter. Turns out ... A: The most likely problem is a defective (or disconnected) voltmeter. Was this after-market? If so, ... | |
| alternator/starter issue | 2/2/2008 |
| Q: another guy, Mike I believe, asked you the very same question back in November. I recently replaced ... A: The answer probably (and one hopes) is quite simple ... The battery positive and the main bus both ... | |
| 1992 Plymouth Acclaim | 2/1/2008 |
| Q: It says my car is overheating on the gauge but it's minus 25C out, it also does not produce any heat ... A: Sorry for the delay; the term's work is picking up here. Heating air that is not too warm usually ... | |
| 2002 GMC Envoy | 1/31/2008 |
| Q: The battery went dead, called the tow truck, could not shift into neutral, he did something ... A: The most likely scenario is that the tow-truck operator disconnected the selector linkage from the ... | |
| '89 Chevy Cheyenne Amp Gauge | 1/31/2008 |
| Q: While fixing several of the "little" things on my recent work truck purchase, I can't seem to make ... A: Interestingly enough, I am myself in the process of replacing the entire instrument cluster in my ... | |
| windshield wiper will not shut off | 1/26/2008 |
| Q: 2004 CK1500 chevy truck (30,000 mi), wipers will not shut off. This was an intermittent problem ... A: All wiper systems have a "park" mode, which historically has relied on a cam-operated switch or even ... | |
| 2001 AUDI TT ROADSTER QUATTRO | 1/26/2008 |
| Q: I believe my car is possessed. The break light started coming on in the middle of the night and ... A: Possessed possibly it may be ... possessed of a stoplight switch that has gone out of adjustment or ... | |
| buick Lesabre 1994 | 1/25/2008 |
| Q: First, my first language is french but a try to ask my question the most clearly possible. Hi have a ... A: If the car had been one using a carburetor, one would be looking at the accelerator pump setting and ... | |
| 1993 Geo Tracker wont start | 1/25/2008 |
| Q: Tracker ran fine then wouldn't start. Engine turns over and plugs fire. Pour some gas into the ... A: I wonder whether there is either a slow fuel line leak or a one-way check valve at the inlet end of ... | |
| 96 Ford Taurus | 1/24/2008 |
| Q: The cooling fans will not shut off which is draining the battery A: I presume that you are referring to the thermostatically-controlled fan unit at the radiator. Yes, ... | |
| 2001 Ford Tuarus air condition | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: In my 2001 Ford Tuarus, The A/C only comes on if I have it on high blast. Could this be a sign that ... A: This would more likely be a sign of some anomaly in the control interface between the A/C system and ... | |
| 1994 GMC Sierra NO HEAT | 1/21/2008 |
| Q: A couple of days ago I noticed my heater fan not running. I hit the dash and it came back on. I ... A: That a one-time "fix" to making the fan run was to be had by hitting the dash does suggest that, ... | |
| 1999 Malibu back up lights not working | 1/15/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1999 Malibu that the back up lights aren't working. I recently replaced a left rear circuit ... A: Park/Neutral interlock switches are most frequently mounted at the point where the selector levers ... | |
| will engine work? | 1/14/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1992 F350 with a blown engine. I have located an engine that is new and is currently in a ... A: From the purely physical point of view, there is very unlikely to be a problem in mounting an engine ... | |
| 1999 Malibu back up lights not working | 1/12/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1999 Malibu that the back up lights aren't working. I recently replaced a left rear circuit ... A: What you really need is your own vehicle's wiring diagram. Not having a 99 Malibu, nor any other GM ... | |
| Chev Venture Headlights flickering | 1/11/2008 |
| Q: I own a 2002 Chev Venture (extended - 3.4L). While driving lately out of the blue the lighting ... A: The fact that not only the headlights go out, but also the tail lights and instrument lights, ... | |
| 1997 Tocoma V6 Odometer chatter noise | 1/6/2008 |
| Q: Enie, I recently started getting a Buzzing/Chattering noise from my Speed Odometer instrument panel. ... A: The odometer and speedometer are probably fine, but there does appear to be an issue with either (i) ... | |
| Intermittent electrical problem in 95 Eagle Vision | 1/4/2008 |
| Q: I recently started having intermittent problems with all sorts of controls and indicators, e.g., ... A: Definitely random! You might as well start with the ignition/accessory switch, inasmuch as there is ... | |
| wiper motor 1964 mercury monteray | 1/3/2008 |
| Q: has single speed motor i think i bought a single speed motor it has 3 bolt holes. plate in front of ... A: The difference in the bolt hole patterns would suggest at the very least that the replacement motor ... | |
| Headlights | 1/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1990 GMC 1500, 5.7 When it gets cold out my headlights sometimes take up to half an hour to ... A: Your comment about cool night-time temperatures (that is 30F, I presume, and not 30C!) indicates ... | |
| 2000 plymouth neon | 1/1/2008 |
| Q: we just changed out the radiator, added the fluids back in to the correct level and took the first ... A: You mention nothing about any possible excess temperature warning but, given the nature of the ... | |
| brake lights | 1/1/2008 |
| Q: I recently bought a used 2003 Audi A4 with about 44,000 miles on it. The other morning my husband ... A: I have no information on the Audi, but would be interested in knowing how the Stop Light Switch is ... | |
| 2001 Dodge Caravan speedometer cable | 12/31/2007 |
| Q: My speedometer cable on my 2001 Caravan Sport broke! I am wondering what kind of labour I should be ... A: I understand your situation, and wish I could offer more specific help in this case. Generally, ... | |
| camaro radio problem | 12/23/2007 |
| Q: I have a 2000 camaro ss with a monsoon c/d player. I only have 6100 miles on it so that tells you ... A: One first assumes that the receiver/player is correctly installed, and did work originally ... You ... | |
| signal light problem | 12/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a '92 Chevy Astro Van. V-6 4.3L. The passenger signal light does not work. When switched on ... A: The most likely possibility is damaged insulation on the wire that feeds the right turn signal ... | |
| Electrical failure when brakes applied hard | 12/19/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1995 Cutlass Sierra which I brought a couple of months ago from EBAY. Lately the ... A: That moving or tipping a battery should temporarily clear a problem, and that hard braking ... | |
| 2000 Dodge Dakota | 12/18/2007 |
| Q: My truck has had issues with the gauges since I bought it 3 years ago. They periodically go out and ... A: Intermittent connections can be the most difficult and the most frustrating to find. It is a ... | |
| nissan altima, 2001 sedan | 12/17/2007 |
| Q: When I'm at a stop light and the car is in idle, it makes a "wom wom wom" noise that sounds like ... A: I echo your concern about not wanting to be stranded anywhere. Your best bet I would think would be ... | |
| VW 1.3 96 model starter wont crank | 12/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1.3 petrol vw golf manual. The starter will not crank at all, i hear i light clicking sound ... A: May I suggest a systematic approach, one with the proper information in hand. Bridging wires ... | |
| 90 cougar | 12/16/2007 |
| Q: 1990 mercury cougar 3.8 v6 car appears to idle fine the problem w/the car is it will not accelare ... A: Perhaps the ignition modulator is worth a check then. It is a power semiconductor module, and these ... | |
| 1988 f250 fuel system | 12/13/2007 |
| Q: i have a88 f250 with the straight 6.i went to jump afrinds car as soon as i made the connection my ... A: Given the "collision of events" that transpired at the very time of the failure, it is a pretty good ... | |
| irregular pop sounds in exhaust | 12/12/2007 |
| Q: I drive a 1989 Nissan 180SX with a Motec aftermarket ECU. Recently, due to the bout of rainy ... A: "Sparking and voltage leak" results in a loss of spark energy, and its attendant problems. As to ... | |
| irregular pop sounds in exhaust | 12/11/2007 |
| Q: I drive a 1989 Nissan 180SX with a Motec aftermarket ECU. Recently, due to the bout of rainy ... A: I would agree that exhaust popping sounds are the hallmark of an air/fuel ratio that is on the lean ... | |
| 1989 town car engine swap | 12/8/2007 |
| Q: Yes, I was just wondering what are the compatible engines that you could place in a lincoln town car ... A: You will have to do your own research, just as would I if I were to contemplate the same job! Many ... | |
| headlights flashing | 12/7/2007 |
| Q: i have a '92 mustang gt. when i run it for about 25-30 minutes with the headlights on they start ... A: In other Fords, this sort of problem has arisen due to overheating of auto-reset circuit breakers. ... | |
| Electrical Problems | 12/6/2007 |
| Q: I have 4x4 1997 Dodge Laramie Ext. Cab and I am having taillight problems. I have brake lights, but ... A: Not having a wiring diagram for a vehicle I personally do not own anyway, I can't provide you any ... | |
| key stuck in ignition | 12/3/2007 |
| Q: I own a 95 Honda civic lx. Ocasionally the key gets stuck in the ignition. I am able to turn the car ... A: This may be a lubrication problem, but more likely is indicative of a mechanical problem such as a ... | |
| VW Passat wont start just clicking sound | 12/2/2007 |
| Q: 2004 VW Passat won't start, just makes a clicking sound when I turn the key. Car starts up with a ... A: Before condemning the battery, check out the cable and clamp connections to its terminals - it is ... | |
| 93 Plymouth Acclaim Intermittent Ignition or Fuel Deliv. Prob. | 11/29/2007 |
| Q: I have a 93 Plymouth Acclaim with the 3.0L V6. A few years ago it started sputtering and stopped ... A: My only thought is that there likely is an intermittent electrical connection in any one (or more) ... | |
| Power ratings on an engine, specifically kW | 11/28/2007 |
| Q: I realize this question my sound a little silly but its something I have always wondered about, and ... A: In practical terms, 1 HP = 746 Watts or 0.746 kW. You have asked a very good question, in fact, ... | |
| 99 nissan maxima problems | 11/26/2007 |
| Q: My 99 nissan maxima is having major problems. It will shut off when driving and when I try to ... A: This appears to be a widespread and dramatic power problem, and that usually suggests a main bus ... | |
| '92 F150 heater fan motor replacement | 11/23/2007 |
| Q: This summer the fan motor went on my heater. It used to make a squealing noise every so often, and ... A: I do not have the specific details on the F150 but, based on experience with other (earlier) Fords, ... | |
| AC | 11/21/2007 |
| Q: I want to know if I have to slow down before I turn the aircondition on in my car? Or is there any ... A: Interesting question! Yes, if the engine is moving along at cruising speed, the A/C compressor will ... | |
| 1994 Pontiac Firebird, 3.4 | 11/17/2007 |
| Q: Ernie, I am a not so proud owner of a 94 Firebird, well lately anyway. Options of importance are ... A: Incredible sensitivity is one attribute that gives these contemporary combustion control systems ... | |
| 1998 ford escort | 11/16/2007 |
| Q: my heater doesnt warm too good.the gauge stays on cold then warms up then goes back on cold. when i ... A: In regards to the first question, your thermostat has probably failed into the "open" condition, and ... | |
| engine problems | 11/15/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1986 Ford f-250 460 I was driving and my truck started stalling like it was out of gas and ... A: 1986 ... it is possible that the screen on the pick-up in the tank has finally become plugged with ... | |
| 1986 Ford F-250 | 11/11/2007 |
| Q: I have an 86 f-250 diesel 2x4, and I am considering converting it to a 4x4. Is this possible? I ... A: I haven't had experience with that specific conversion, but do agree that it could be an interesting ... | |
| 2000 A6 won't start, i see you like troubleshooting | 11/10/2007 |
| Q: I read your profile so I hope I can give you a good troubleshooting request. I took my car in to ... A: Oh I do! However, I do occasionally have to hold back a little; I am currently in the midst of ... | |
| f150 gauges peg when i try to start | 11/10/2007 |
| Q: 2000 f150 4.6l...when i turn the key all the gauges peg to full then come back to normal..the ... A: My E250 is much older than your F150, so I have no electrical diagrams for your vehicle, one which ... | |
| Ignition module | 11/8/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1994 Camry 4 cylinder, LE. I was driving home a few days back and my car just stopped. It ... A: If you have a multimeter, or access to one, you can check the continuity of your switch's ignition ... | |
| starter solenoid and alternator wire | 11/5/2007 |
| Q: I am converting my 1955 T-bird from a generator to an gm delco alternator. When I first wired it up ... A: Given that most American cars used six-volt systems until the 1956 model year, I am assuming that ... | |
| failed Ontario Canada emissions test | 11/4/2007 |
| Q: My 1992 plymouth sundance duster 3.0L V-6 failed the emissions test. The only section that failed ... A: NOx is the one thing that goes up with combustion efficiency, that is, as the CO and HC values ... | |
| headlamps dim and undim and flicker. | 11/2/2007 |
| Q: Mr.EK,I have a 2001 Olds Intrigue 3.5 litre. The headlamps dim and undim and flicker. Olds put out a ... A: Dimming, undimming and flickering suggests to me an intermittent short to ground somewhere on the ... | |
| Alternator short | 10/31/2007 |
| Q: I had my alternator changed in February. The mechanic recommended that I replace the battery stating ... A: "Humid" battery? In some parts of the world, that term appears to be used to describe a wet or ... | |
| !958 Edsel E-400 | 10/30/2007 |
| Q: I recently had a total engine re-build. After attaching the exhaust manifold to the heads using the ... A: Surprised I didn't hear from you via the "E-team" site! Anyway, my FE-block 361 definitely uses ... | |
| 1996 Nissian Maxima | 10/29/2007 |
| Q: The jumper cables were crossed when jumping, Now the radio and clock do not work. The fuses look OK. A: Reverse polarity does cause damage, although sometimes only to protection diodes within the affected ... | |
| heater blower motor- 6 volt to 12 volt conver. | 10/28/2007 |
| Q: I converted my 47 Buick to 12 volt. Used wire wound resistors on heater and defroster motors. ... A: Too much resistance for the current drawn if voltage is dropped to 4 volts; an overly hot resistor ... | |
| Car sometimes don't start in cold | 10/27/2007 |
| Q: I have Mazda 626 1.8, 94 model. It works perfectly , engine seems to be quite ok. There is quite a ... A: It would appear that the grease in the starter's clutch mechanism (if it is of the Bendix type) or ... | |
| 97 ford f-250 blown fuse #22 | 10/27/2007 |
| Q: this fuse has the in-line fuel heater,pcm,and the glow plug controller on it.I un pluged the in-line ... A: I have no specific information on your Ford diesel, not owning one myself, but do see my closing ... | |
| testing charging system | 10/26/2007 |
| Q: The battery on my John Deere LT155 lawn tractor died suddenly. The key was not left in the ... A: Your first order of business should be to check out the connections. Batteries do not often ... | |
| 84 F 150 blower motor resistor | 10/25/2007 |
| Q: since my blower motor only works on high I beleive the resistor is bad. the resistor on this ... A: You got me curious anyway; besides, it would be worth my while to know the values of these resistors ... | |
| 84 F 150 blower motor resistor | 10/23/2007 |
| Q: since my blower motor only works on high I beleive the resistor is bad. the resistor on this ... A: My E250 is a 78, but close enough in vintage that I likely do have the information in the manual or ... | |
| honda fit 2007 gas filter | 10/19/2007 |
| Q: maybe you can help with this no gas filter on the Honda fit to change. It doesn't make sense to me. ... A: I have no Honda information at all, but it certainly would surprise me if it was true that the ... | |
| 1999 Ranger air compressor | 10/19/2007 |
| Q: I have a question or two about my truck, 1999 ford ranger, 4 cyl....I believe I have a Freon Leak in ... A: The problem likely IS a system leak, one which has drained the system to the point where the ... | |
| 94 Ford Tempo won't start in park | 10/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 94 Ford Tempo GL, 88k miles with auto transmission. Recently when I go to start my car, I ... A: The problem most likely is with what is variously called out as a "Park-Neutral-interlock-switch". ... | |
| Ford Taurus High beam dash indicater won't work | 10/15/2007 |
| Q: 1996 Ford Taurus GL standard 6-cyl. I took apart the dash and checked the bulb for the high beam ... A: IF your Taurus is like most Fords of the last twenty or thirty years in my experience, the ... | |
| 12v battery not being recharged. | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: I have recently rebuilt a 1970 ford 4000 tractor , don't panic. The wiring is the same as any ... A: Glad to hear that all is working properly! All too often, it is the component we set aside, taking ... | |
| car problem | 10/12/2007 |
| Q: I drive a 1995 eagle talon and lately (a few days) i noticed that every time after driving my car ... A: My prime suggestion is that you return the car to the shop that performed your recent engine repair ... | |
| 91 civic dx 1.5 liter dash lights | 10/10/2007 |
| Q: whenever the lights on the dash come on for the blinkers and highbeams, they flicker, and cause my ... A: This might be a good time to learn a little about auto electrical systems, so that you can carry out ... | |
| E350 Ford Diesel 7.3 IDI | 10/5/2007 |
| Q: Oh man, I just found out some pretty bad news. I took the van in to get looked at. It has been ... A: The engines in any of the Fords I have had, including my E250, pretty much require lifting or ... | |
| Brake light out on 1998 VW Passat | 10/5/2007 |
| Q: I have the passenger side brake light not working on my 98 Passat (driver's side brake light works ... A: You have pretty much described the systematic process one might reasonably use to hunt down the ... | |
| 1982 Toyota Corolla wont start in the mrnings | 10/1/2007 |
| Q: i have taken it to mechanics they have no idea and i have had a new battery put in it a new coil, ... A: One possibility is that a one-way check valve in the fuel pump (which I do note was replaced) or ... | |
| dodge neon | 9/28/2007 |
| Q: My car cranks up but after awhile it cuts off when idle or when putting it in gear, what could be ... A: There could be any of a number of problems, possibly ignition or timing problems, or perhaps fuel ... | |
| Audi 80 non starter | 9/28/2007 |
| Q: i have a 1992 audi80 automatic that won't start. i fitted a new radio the other day and since then ... A: This may be a bit of a reach, but I wonder if the fault that opened the fuse (which fuse, by the ... | |
| power windows on1998 ford explorer sports | 9/27/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1998 ford explorer sports. the passenger side power window went down and wont come up. I ... A: Don't have the details on the recent Fords, but can still say that the problem most likely would be ... | |
| 1996 pick-up electrical | 9/27/2007 |
| Q: for quite sometime now i have been experiencing problems starting my vehicle. when i turn the ... A: I certainly would agree that a sudden complete shutdown at highway speed would be undesirable for a ... | |
| fuse light problem | 9/26/2007 |
| Q: My 91 camry 4 cylinder has the dash light indicating a rear light problem, allso the fuse for the ... A: Both the dash trouble-status light and several fuses would suggest that there is an electrical fault ... | |
| 87 chevy blazer fuse issue | 9/26/2007 |
| Q: my fuse that controls the horn/radio/overhead light go out almost instantly when a fresh one is ... A: A fuse that opens almost instantly upon restoring power to a circuit is responding to a fault-level ... | |
| hard start | 9/25/2007 |
| Q: I would like to find out how to solve the problems with my W124 1989 260E : 1) high rpm at 1000 ... A: In respect to problem 2, a car which is hard to start after sitting for a time often suggests that ... | |
| 97 buick 3800 engine | 9/25/2007 |
| Q: good evening, this vehicle is a non supercharged 3800 engine and has engine or engine related ... A: Is there any possibility that a mount was damaged, not securely torqued down, or perhaps was ... | |
| timing belt broke on a 93 eagle talon, will it work again? | 9/24/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a 93' Eagle Talon DL 1.8 liter. The car has a broken timing belt and i was wondering ... A: What you need to know is whether of not the engine in your 93 Eagle is a "interference" design. An ... | |
| Headlight problem | 9/14/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1990 Triple E motor home. It is built on a ford E350 chassis. My headlights flash on and ... A: Mark, the Ford vans of that era use a headlight switch which includes an integral thermal circuit ... | |
| electical | 9/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1995 Ford F150. Both the fuel guage and now the turn signal indicators do not work. I have ... A: It is good that the fuses appear okay, however, it is not uncommon for fuse contacts to develop a ... | |
| Electrical problems with 2000 expedition | 9/11/2007 |
| Q: I recently had to replace my alternator in my wife's car. After a couple of weeks, the car started ... A: Given the relatively widespread problems that occur when they do occur, I would expect that the ... | |
| Intermittent head light problem | 9/7/2007 |
| Q: My 2002 Chevy Suburban is experiencing intermittent head light problems. Basically, they won't turn ... A: I would imagine that, more often than not, the lights work when first turned on cold, but cease to ... | |
| radio will not work | 9/5/2007 |
| Q: I recently changed my spark plugs, distributor, and wires in my '99 Dodge Dakota 4x4 5.2 liter ... A: Is there any possibility that you might have inadvertently reversed the battery connection at some ... | |
| 1994 Pontiac Firebird, 3.4 | 9/5/2007 |
| Q: Ernie, I am a not so proud owner of a 94 Firebird, well lately anyway. Options of importance are ... A: Don't you just hate that situation where you find a plausible cause-and-effect, only to have the ... | |
| 1994 Pontiac Firebird, 3.4 | 9/4/2007 |
| Q: Ernie, I am a not so proud owner of a 94 Firebird, well lately anyway. Options of importance are ... A: The best I can do for you is pass on the "eureka" moment that I was lucky enough to have after some ... | |
| ford E-150 | 9/4/2007 |
| Q: I recently had a new engine put into my 97 Ford E-150 (V-6)/ Afterwards I noticed a slight ticking ... A: I shouldn't think that your Ford dealer would stick you with any bill for their having either ... | |
| No Brake Lights & Turn Signals Do Not Work. | 9/2/2007 |
| Q: Vehicle is a '97 Lincoln Town Car. The only Brake Light working is the one mounted above trunk ... A: It is quite clear from your own investigation that the Brake Light Switch IS functioning as ... | |
| Ford Engine Runs HOT | 9/1/2007 |
| Q: We have a 1995 Ford Econoline (Conversion) with a 351 engine. In the spring, my husband was on a ... A: You can add me to those scratching their heads! I too have an Econoline (E250), one which I too ... | |
| Overheating | 9/1/2007 |
| Q: My '66 Mustang's been overheating lately. The radiator's pretty new, I have a 16 pound cap on it, ... A: To save time, but still give you all the detail on overheating issues, I am referring you to the ... | |
| 1995 Suburban Electrical | 8/31/2007 |
| Q: Greetings Ernie, I have a '95 diesel suburban 6.5. Had heads replaced 1 month ago. 1st I lost all ... A: There definitely are definitely are electrical problems, suggested by the breadth and variety of ... | |
| 1992 Plymouth Acclaim | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: I was just given this car. I went to start it tonight and smoke came out from around the steering ... A: Well, you definitely had an electrical fire, due to an apparent short-circuit type of fault, ... | |
| 2006 Trailblazer Gas Gauge | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: My Trailblazer has only 33K miles on it, but the gas gauge doesn't want to work. It either ... A: I think that the first order of business would be to check the connections to the tank senders; they ... | |
| 1997 Dodge van | 8/27/2007 |
| Q: Have a full sized dodge ram van 8 cyl 1997.Recently has had new fuel filter,fuel pump full tune up ... A: This is one of those situations where one would prefer to be there to get a feel for the problem, ... | |
| after-market gauges | 8/27/2007 |
| Q: Sorry this is not a repair question. I am writing to ask your opinion on aftermarket gauges. I can ... A: Answering other than repair questions is just fine - FUN, actually! A definitive name-brand ... | |
| 1988 Chevy Silverado Won't Start | 8/23/2007 |
| Q: I recently replaced the battery in my truck, but failed to notice that the previous owners had ... A: Yikes! I hate it when predecessors leave a legacy of "undocumented features", especially when they ... | |
| 2000 Plymouth Neon | 8/22/2007 |
| Q: My wife has a 2000 Plymouth Neon. She started having troubles with the climate system. The knob ... A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you ... Cold this be a relatively easy repair? I would ... | |
| VW Windshield Wiper Malfunction | 8/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1999 VW Jetta. Three weeks ago, the windshield wipers stopped working and pulled slowly ... A: Note that I do not have service data for vehicles other than my own, so my comments which follow are ... | |
| Digital Instrument Panel | 8/21/2007 |
| Q: Not sure if this is in your league or not,but thought I would try due to your knowledge in ... A: Happy to help! Btw, I never took food prep in high school, but play a lot with (con)fusion cuisine ... | |
| turn signals | 8/19/2007 |
| Q: I have a '57 Chev. Turn signals are not working. Lights on turn signal indicators on dash board ... A: Just an added thought, but an important one: The most common electrical problem in older vehicles ... | |
| 2000 Ford Expedition bogging down | 8/18/2007 |
| Q: It has always been the smoothest ride so it is very easy to detect when it is occurring. Seems ... A: Inasmuch as your Expedition is a late-model PCM- or ECU-controlled vehicle, I would think that the ... | |
| Fan Clutch | 8/17/2007 |
| Q: On my 2002 Trailblazer, I don't think my PCM is "telling" my cooling fan clutch to "come on". I have ... A: Certainly you would expect to hear the fan work when it IS moving air, and not merely freewheeling ... | |
| gmc dually | 8/17/2007 |
| Q: i have a 77 gmc dually big block auto new plugs carb fuel pump it idles like a new truck but when ... A: Several problems, so could be a number of things ... Hesitation on acceleration most often means a ... | |
| 98 Dodge Ram | 8/16/2007 |
| Q: My seat belt light stays on even with the seat belt buckled. Is this an indicator of anything ... A: There may be the odd exception, but the usual purpose of a seat-belt indicator lamp is to turn on if ... | |
| keep blowing fuel pump fuse | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1998 Chevy. Tahoe 4 door 4x4 5.7 liter (350) with 127k miles we were having trouble with ... A: This may sound like an obvious question, but it is the seemingly obvious ones that often trip us up! ... | |
| 98 grand prix se | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a 98 grand prix se it runs hot I have changed the thermostat and hoses. The water pump is not ... A: I take it that you are referring to a coolant-recovery jug, and that this is not a pressurised part ... | |
| Ford Contour 2.5L engine overheats | 8/12/2007 |
| Q: I had one cooling fan replace and the mechanic said he replaced the thermostat. I got it back and ... A: As indicated in my notes, I do not have data on vehicles other than my own, however ... Usually, a ... | |
| 1985 Ford Bus (E350 Chasis, 6.9L Diesel) Headight Question | 8/12/2007 |
| Q: I bought a surplus Shuttle Bus from the USAF (no manual). It has sat for 3+ years and I am trying to ... A: From your description of the headlight switch, I get the impression that this switch is of the same ... | |
| Ignition | 8/10/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1990 Pontiac Firebird. I have never had trouble starting it, never even needing so much as ... A: Unless you have been using an original key, one that is very very worn by this point in time, I ... | |
| Head Unit Battery Drain Part 2 | 8/8/2007 |
| Q: After going back and testing again I can now tell you what I have done and what I know. Firstly, I ... A: that does clear things up nicely! Yes, I would say that a constant 950 mA from a battery really ... | |
| High altitude driving | 8/5/2007 |
| Q: I own a studebaker pickup with the champion flathead 6. I want to take a trip to the rockies, 10K+ ... A: I would think that a better idea would be to leave the main jets (or jet, in this case, I believe) ... | |
| Montero Sport 97......Smoking out tail pipe | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: Yes my Mitishbushi 97 Montero Sport smokes when I sit an idle at stop lights at the house. I ... A: A bit more detail would help ... example: what colour is the smoke, and is it excessive (one ... | |
| 1991 Toyota pickup cab light | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: I recently purchased a 1991 Toyota pickup 4 cyl 5 spd 4wd. The overhead light in the cab doesn't ... A: Time to do a detailed trace! There are two nonfunctional items, which may or may not be on the same ... | |
| Temperature Sensor | 7/30/2007 |
| Q: we have a 2.0 GTI, W reg, 2000 and we have been told that we need a new temp sensor and air mass ... A: I can't be sure on this, as I do not have all the data on your particular car; as my notes indicate, ... | |
| GMC Safari 2000 engine runs hot with ac on | 7/29/2007 |
| Q: I have a GMC Safari 2000. November last year I changed the heater core. No problems during winter. ... A: It is doubtful that a bad electrical ground would have anything to do with a hot engine, UNLESS the ... | |
| 1994 Mustang electrical question | 7/29/2007 |
| Q: We have a 1994 Mustang GT convertable V8 and my 17 y/o son let the battery run down and tried to ... A: Reversing polarity in this manner almost always damages any electronics not internally protected by ... | |
| 1997 VW Jetta won't start | 7/28/2007 |
| Q: I was driving down the road, the car stalled, I turned the key to start it and there is no response. ... A: Considering the symptoms as stated, it would appear that the problem is in the start circuit. You ... | |
| a/c on a 2002 vw bug | 7/28/2007 |
| Q: The problem i have is i have hot air coming out of the vents.the a/c works,the compressor kicks in ... A: As indicated in my notes, I do not have (nor do I need for my regular requirements) reams of service ... | |
| 1997 Blazer overheating/4X4 blows fuses | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: My 1997 Blazer tends to overheat after driving for about 40 minutes in 80-90 degree weather. ... A: Good preventative maintenance practice would suggest a proactive approach carried out on a regular ... | |
| turn signals | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: i have 2000 dodge intrepid and when i use the right turn signal it blinks until i step on the brake ... A: I can't speak to the specific details of the 2000 Intrepid but, before proceeding further, why don't ... | |
| power windows 1966 cadi | 7/22/2007 |
| Q: I was wondering since the passenger front and driver rear isn't working if there might be a relay or ... A: My Mercedes 300CD is configured the same way; there are two circuit breakers assigned to provide ... | |
| 2003 Suburban electrical problem | 7/21/2007 |
| Q: Ernie, Here's my problem: 2003 Suburban. Dies while driving...will not turn over as if dead ... A: This is a tricky one to assess, but that added point does appear to corroborate the idea that there ... | |
| 1994 Ford Explorer | 7/20/2007 |
| Q: Runs well until warm weather sets in. After it has been driven long or short trips it will not ... A: Tricky, but the problem does appear to be related with temperature, specifically higher temperature ... | |
| 2003 Suburban electrical problem | 7/20/2007 |
| Q: Ernie, Here's my problem: 2003 Suburban. Dies while driving...will not turn over as if dead ... A: Well-documented process of elimination! You have pretty much cleared away the common causes. That ... | |
| 1986 audi 4000s no start | 7/18/2007 |
| Q: i picked up an 86 audi 4ks yesterday that is a project that i would like to have as a daily driver. ... A: Alternators themselves usually are pretty reliable, but they can suffer from reduced output if one ... | |
| 1986 audi 4000s no start | 7/13/2007 |
| Q: i picked up an 86 audi 4ks yesterday that is a project that i would like to have as a daily driver. ... A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you; I would like to help with this project - and certainly ... | |
| 1998 malibu is idleing ruff | 7/12/2007 |
| Q: I put new spark plugs and wires on my Malibu and it still idles ruff A: New plugs - properly gapped and torqued in to spec, of course - and wires are fine, but clearly do ... | |
| Overheating | 7/8/2007 |
| Q: 89Ford Full size Bronco, Running hot so that if I stop & attempt a immediate restart the engine ... A: Follow-up: Is there any possibility that the ignition timing is off, perhaps a little too advanced? ... | |
| 1991 Toyota pickup fuse problem | 7/7/2007 |
| Q: The fuse for the directional lights on my Toyota pickup blows whenever I try to use the ... A: Well, a systematic approach would begin with considering what part of the systems works and what ... | |
| 1979 Lincoln Mark V | 7/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1979 Lincoln with a 460ci engine. The car starts and runs great until about the 20-30 ... A: Sorry I did not get to you earlier; we have had some issues with dropped connections here lately. ... | |
| 12v battery not being recharged. | 7/5/2007 |
| Q: I have recently rebuilt a 1970 ford 4000 tractor , don't panic. The wiring is the same as any ... A: Well, I would admit that my tractor experience in the main comes down to taking in and greatly ... | |
| 97 gmc safari screeching noise | 7/5/2007 |
| Q: I have a 97 gmc safari and when I turn on the air conditioner the engine makes a loud screeching ... A: Inasmuch as the "screeching" noise happens specifically when you turn on the air conditioning, that ... | |
| 92' CAMRY 300K A/C NOT WORKING | 7/2/2007 |
| Q: My question, when i bought my camry last year, the dealer re-charge it and after couple of month i ... A: First things first: a system which loses cooling ability within a month or two definitely has a leak ... | |
| Nissan 97 maxima start problem | 6/30/2007 |
| Q: maxima 97 170k mi - got starter replaced 1.25 yrs ago now it does nothing when key is turned except ... A: The most likely possibility is one that is quite easy to check and, if necessary, fix ... What is ... | |
| 1990 Ford Tempo fuel gauge | 6/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1990 Ford Tempo. The gas gauge does not work. Could you tell me how to fix it? Is it ... A: You could go after this from a number of sources ... (1) Check out you local library to see if the ... | |
| 1990 Ford Tempo fuel gauge | 6/23/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1990 Ford Tempo. The gas gauge does not work. Could you tell me how to fix it? Is it ... A: The fuse that supplies power to a fuel gauge supplies power to other instruments as well so, if no ... | |
| Chevy Suburban / Hot AC | 6/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1996 Chevy Suburban 1500 5.7L 4x4 with rear heat and AC. My AC is blowing warm air. While ... A: Glad to hear it and to have been of help. Thanks also to you for sending in those kudos! This task ... | |
| diesel injector | 6/19/2007 |
| Q: I recently collected my 99 Jeep Cherokee 2.5 turbo diesel from a major service/clutch replacement. ... A: I would think that a non-functional injector would make itself known any time any real load was put ... | |
| Chevy Suburban / Hot AC | 6/18/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1996 Chevy Suburban 1500 5.7L 4x4 with rear heat and AC. My AC is blowing warm air. While ... A: Sorry ... I was too busy to get on line the past couple of days ... part of the joys of still ... | |
| Chevy Suburban / Hot AC | 6/17/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1996 Chevy Suburban 1500 5.7L 4x4 with rear heat and AC. My AC is blowing warm air. While ... A: This is not critical, however, the system will generally accept refrigerant more readily through its ... | |
| Chevy Suburban / Hot AC | 6/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1996 Chevy Suburban 1500 5.7L 4x4 with rear heat and AC. My AC is blowing warm air. While ... A: Sorry, I thought you already had the answer to that question! Yes, frequent compressor cycling is ... | |
| Chevy Suburban / Hot AC | 6/15/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1996 Chevy Suburban 1500 5.7L 4x4 with rear heat and AC. My AC is blowing warm air. While ... A: Once the compressor cycles off, you will probably see the pressure go higher over time. Not to ... | |
| "79"G20 Van Headlights to Halogen Type | 6/13/2007 |
| Q: Very disappointed with the illumination of the old standard units as to what my 91 Buick has and the ... A: What you are proposing is one of the most common and effective upgrades that one may make to older ... | |
| Tune-up for a 98 dodge ram 1500 truck. | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: I need to give my truck a tune-up and I want to try to do it myself. i was thinking about getting a ... A: The first thing one should do in checking for a vacuum leak is really just to verify if there is one ... | |
| Tune-up for a 98 dodge ram 1500 truck. | 5/31/2007 |
| Q: I need to give my truck a tune-up and I want to try to do it myself. i was thinking about getting a ... A: I would definitely encourage anyone to get personally involved in a good preventative maintenance ... | |
| 91 pontiac sunfire convertible | 5/25/2007 |
| Q: Ok, my mom just bought this 91 pontiac sunfire convertible. It only has 96,000 miles on it. ... A: You did not state this, but I would presume that the "smoke" originated from the exhaust. My answer ... | |
| f-350 not fueling when started | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: Why does My 1983 f-350 ford pump gas to the carb during cranking but after the engine starts,the ... A: This being a 1983 model, and carbureted, I presume that it also has a mechnical fuel pump, operated ... | |
| 91 Plymouth acclaim issue | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: my car will have a hard time going over 40 km/h, it seems to over rev and then finally kick into ... A: While I am a Ford (and now Mercedes) guy, and not specifically versed in the fine products of Walter ... | |
| electrical problems and fuel economy | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1999 Ford Expedition and I have problems with my odomeder light going on and off and ... A: Intermittent electrical connections almost always come down to corroded connectors and/or wiring ... | |
| 1999 ford taurus | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: my Taurus accerates between shifts it is not a transmission slippage then you pop it into neutral ... A: While I am an electronics engineer, my automotive interests run to custom systems in older (pre-ECU) ... | |
| Engine timing | 5/15/2007 |
| Q: What is the proper procedure for setting the timing on a 1996 ford 4.9l straight 6 cyl. The bolts ... A: If you are able to move the distributor through a proper arc now, you should be able to attain the ... | |
| 1993 Ranger, starting problems... | 5/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1993 Ford Ranger, (2.3) and when I start it I just get the click of the starter relay and ... A: You are working along the right approach; the problem clearly is one of an intermittent electrical ... | |
| 92 capri electric window motor | 5/12/2007 |
| Q: Window went down will not come back up, Can hear motor noise when trying to close but will not ... A: The simplest answer is to suggest that you replace the drive for that window; a problem with the ... | |
| Truck won't start | 5/10/2007 |
| Q: I have a 87 ford f350, It won't start unless you hold a screwdriver on the solenoid, then it starts ... A: The clues that you provide would appear to point to the "park-neutral" interlock switch as being the ... | |
| 1999 VW Jetta TDI ignition problem | 5/9/2007 |
| Q: The ignition will not turn at all when trying to start my car. It acts like it is frozen in the off ... A: There is either a mechanical obstruction or "hang-up" in the key-operated lock mechanism that ... | |
| 2000 honda civic si | 5/9/2007 |
| Q: I started my car and drove it to work and when i left work i tried to start the car and nothing ... A: The next best area of investigation would be the starting motor contactor (generally close to the ... | |
| 2000 Suburban 'Oil' leak | 5/8/2007 |
| Q: thought I would try this before the dealer... My 2000 suburban (5.3 L, 4x4) suddenly developed an ... A: Finding leaks can be tough, especially when covers are in place that do not allow you to see the ... | |
| Lowbeam headlights off/ Highbeams on | 5/8/2007 |
| Q: My lowbeams will not come on at all but my highbeams will come on only if I pull the lever and hold ... A: Could be any of a number of causes: 1. Low-beam filaments are both burned out 2. Headlight Relay ... | |
| Toyota Yaris | 5/8/2007 |
| Q: I have a 2007 Toyota Yaris Sedan with less than 5000 miles. But in July, I will be gone for little ... A: If it is going to be in the sun, cover it or, better yet, find it a garage! Your main concern, ... | |
| 2000 plymouth neon ecm | 5/7/2007 |
| Q: My mechanic got an error code from the computer stating that it was bad. I ordered one online and ... A: The proper ECU should "plug and play", and should require no setup, in general. While there are no ... | |
| 2003 mercury windshield wipers and lights | 5/6/2007 |
| Q: I HAVE A 2003 MERC GRAN MARQUIS LS WITH 35,000 MILES AND RECENTLY MY WIPERS WORK ONLY ON HIGH SPEED ... A: I can't be as specific as I would like to be here, as most of my automotive experience and reference ... | |
| Car Power | 5/6/2007 |
| Q: My question is really basic and relates to basically all cars, not only a specific type of car. When ... A: Happy to answer a basic question, especially when it is well articulated! Automotive electrical ... | |
| 90 corsica | 5/5/2007 |
| Q: I have a 90 corsica automatic it starts fine but after you drive it a while and it warms up it ... A: Unfortunately, I cannot be too helpful here, as many problems of an intermittent or possibly thermal ... | |
| teen w/flaky mustang needs HELP | 5/3/2007 |
| Q: I'm thinking that the car has the same attitude as it's OWNER (my 17 year old son) but he's just not ... A: Glad to be of help, and know that I am highly sympathetic. Neither my eighteen-year-old son nor my ... | |
| EFI | 5/3/2007 |
| Q: I have an1989 Bronco II that sat for 5 years. It ran then, but now after replacing tank, fuel pump, ... A: I can't be too helpful here because, while I am myself an electrical and electronics designer, where ... | |
| teen w/flaky mustang needs HELP | 5/3/2007 |
| Q: I'm thinking that the car has the same attitude as it's OWNER (my 17 year old son) but he's just not ... A: Here is a "further-to" answer: I had a chance to think a bit more about the problem, and it also ... | |
| 1980 Cadillac Eldorado | 5/1/2007 |
| Q: Car was in good running shape prior to my taking it of the road for 6 months , tried starting it a ... A: Being a 1980 model, this car would most likely be carbureted and equipped with a mechanical fuel ... | |
| 2005 Chevy Impala w/ Onstar Stereo change | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: I went to change my factory stereo to a CD player last night. When I removed the radio and installed ... A: If the problem was a matter of electrical power loss ONLY, I would suggest that, while in the ... | |
| gauge lights | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: my check gauge lights comes on and off on my 1993 oldsmoble acheiva for no apparent reason I had all ... A: I cannot give a particularly specific answer here, as much of my own experience relates to either ... | |
| air bag light | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: i just finish installing a car stereo and amplifiers to my 06 titan. i removed the front seats ... A: When a problem surfaces just after a task is performed in which electrical connections are broken ... | |
Automotive
Answers by Expert:
Ernest (Ernie) Kenward
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual for every car in existence! While I have been described by colleagues and students as having an encyclopedic knowledge of automotive and transportation equipment in general, I do NOT have a collection of shop manuals and detailed specifications for every vehicle in existence! What I DO have is a good collection of literature and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are similarly making a point of learning about their vehicles. In regard to manuals and specifications, your automotive parts shop, automotive parts houses and, often, the public library are good resources for these. I also have a good track record for trouble-shooting and solving emissions problems in older carbureted vehicles. Doing the latter requires that one has the interest and makes the effort to learn how combustion systems are intended to work and can appreciate how the various systems and settings interrelate - there are no short cuts nor "quick fixes" here; this is a job definitely doing properly and with one's eyes open, as the payoff is not only an honest pass of an emissions test, but an engine which will perform with its intended power, economy and reliability!
Experience
A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. As well as being a Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-Team" for several years, I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my area being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, development and delivery of courses in electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and in AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software.
Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair and my 1978 Ford E250 custom class-B motorhome conversion.
My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as promising ideas present themselves. This often includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better operating specifications or reliability can be had via current concepts. Regarding the E250 motorhome conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed in recent years by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made many revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it.
Similar design and rework is underway on a sixties-vintage travel trailer, also PLC managed. The Moeller Electric "Easy Relay" mini-PLCs offer a wealth of control and monitoring options for such projects, among them "smart" energy management and charging automation to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV and other auxiliary power applications.
My current project is the ongoing care and restoration of my daily-driver Mercedes 300CD turbo-Diesel, a car which I find to be a pleasure upon which to work, owing to its structural integrity and the - mostly - logical access of its parts and systems for adjustment, maintenance and repair.
Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities
SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318
Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during earlier years
Education/Credentials
Degree in Physics, UBC
Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from both IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities
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