Questions tagged [troubleshooting]
for questions about determining the nature of a problem and finding possible solutions.
559
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Oldsmobile Alero squeaking when started
I just bought a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero 2 days ago, and when I start it there is a loud squeak that lasts maybe 15 seconds. Unfortunately I bought the car 'as is'. Will it most likely be a belt, and if ...
- 51
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votes
5
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Why would there be transmission fluid in the water overflow reservoir?
The car is a '98 Buick Lesabre with the 3800 engine and about 170k miles. It appears as though some oil was in the radiator, but I haven't seen any signs of coolant in the oil. The water pump recently ...
- 111
3
votes
3
answers
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Trunk lid release
I own a 2005 Ford Focus 4-door sedan. The button on the FOB and button on the dashboard to open the trunk no longer works. I can hear a click inside the car when I push the button. It started about 6 ...
- 31
1
vote
1
answer
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2010 Sebring maintains speed for about 5 seconds after depressing accelerator pedal
My car maintains speed for 4 or 5 seconds when releasing gas pedal, then the speed starts dropping slowly. When I’m getting close to a stop light, my car wants to keep going same speed, so I need to ...
- 11
3
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2
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2002 Renault Clio V6 won't start - just turns over
So I'm round my old dears and park on her drive. She needs to move my car (a 2002 Renault Clio V6 3.0) off the drive to get her car out. She gets in, reverses it and stalls it. Starts up again and she ...
- 205
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4
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Is there a good crash course website or book for auto repair for beginner who's just getting into auto repair?
I'm wondering if there's a good crash course website or book for auto repair for beginner who's just getting into auto repair?
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1
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2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Fails to Start and Electronics Go Awry
My mother-in-law drove over this morning to pick up my wife, and when they tried to leave the car wouldn't start. Not only that; the horn honked, the wipers started, the trunk popped open, and the ...
- 213
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1
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Diagnosing Cruise Control Problems
I have an aftermarket cruise-control system which only somewhat works in a 2005 Ford Focus.
By this I mean that it controls the speed but is largely inaccurate (+/- at least 10mph). Going up/down ...
- 318
3
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1
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Diagnostic: Autodata newest version
I have seen people using autodata for general information about cars, like how to fix a timing belt for particular types of cars. But the version that was being used only had up to cars made in 2009 ...
- 205
4
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1
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2012 Toyota Tacoma won't shift into Reverse
I've just had my 2012 Tacoma towed to the dealership due to the truck not shifting into reverse correctly. I first noticed a problem when I was driving home and the RPMs would get up to between 3 and ...
- 143
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3
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Third brake light (LED) test
I have a 2008 Honda Civic and the 3rd brake light is having an issue. It seems in the morning (first cold start) it works when I depress the brake (I can see it light up the rear window). But after a ...
- 341
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1
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1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee power loss (electric)
I have 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with all-wheel drive 4.7 power locks and windows etc.
In the last few weeks I have a complete electrical power loss. Like the battery is taken out of the Jeep ...
- 21
3
votes
1
answer
399
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Steering Wheel Shake New Car Performance Tires
I bought a 2012 Camaro 2SS in May. When I took the car for a test drive, the steering wheel had a tight shake for the first couple of miles. When I told the salesperson, he suggested trying another ...
- 131
5
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2
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How to safely remove stuck threads? (Brakeline from Brakehose)
I have an 81 Chevy pickup C10 that I was replacing the brake hose on. In the process of trying to take the brake line loose from it I started to twist the line when I thought I had finally started to ...
- 295
10
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7
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What could be some reasons my old diesel Mercedes won't start?
The vehicle is a Mercedes-Benz T1 model 308D.
The engine is an old Mercedes-Benz OM601.940 4-cylinder indirect injection 58 kW (79 hp) 2299 dm3 diesel engine from year 1992. It's not a turbodiesel! - ...
- 1,344
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Mercedes start/stop system doesn't always kick in
We're the (humbled) owners of a 2011 Class B Mercedes with an inbuilt ECO start/stop system. As far as I understand this is how it's supposed to work:
Gear in neutral.
Press the brake pedal all the ...
- 155
2
votes
1
answer
267
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ODB scanner with manufacturers error codes support
What is the story with ODB scanners like ELM237 - do they read manufacturer's error codes?
Previously, I had a Volvo S60 04 and cheap scanners could read only general error codes. This was not useful ...
- 21
2
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1
answer
3k
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Lifter tick—safe to ignore short-term? What to do about it?
I have a 2002 Toyota Camry V6 (1MZ-FE) with about 129,000 miles on it. Recently, I noticed a ticking that seems to be loudest at the end of the front valve cover, on the opposite side of the timing ...
- 121
2
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1
answer
217
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Bounds and solution to electrical failure in a 2004 Grand Marquis
What follows is a simple problem with hopefully a simple solution. While mechanically-oriented, vehicle repair is not my specialty, so forgive me for any lapses in problem description and terminology.
...
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3
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1
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2003 Suzuki Katana 600 won't start
My bike doesn't want to turn over. It ran just fine last week, but something has changed. I have enough power with a new battery and I can hear the motorcycle trying to turn over. The exhaust pipe ...
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16
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3
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How To Get Organized Without a Garage Workspace?
People I've seen who have garages have it made. They have a clean, dry workspace with all of their tools within arms reach. In the most organized garages, a mixture of rolling Snap-on Roll Cab with ...
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Lancer ex 2008 CVT - Slow Down warning on display!
Yesterday, i had the "slow down" warning on my display when i was doing above 180kmph on the motorway and i was no longer able accelerate. it was as if i was driving an electric car. Though after some ...
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3
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Fixing side mirror on my Buick
I have a 2005 Buick Lesabre, and I managed to break my side mirror off from its enclosure. In the images, you can see there are 3 sockets on the mirror - 1 large and 2 small. I broke the large one one ...
1
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1
answer
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Toyota Camry 2000: Odd Coughing when starts
Recently, I notice that my car begins coughing couple minutes after it starts. It have happened since Jan, 2012. First, I thought it might be due to Winter since it is cold weather.
However, it ...
10
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4
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Do I need to replace rear differential if it's leaking?
When we got an oil change, he said it's "leaking, but not out of fluid or low". Do we need to do any replacement/maintenance on it, or just wait until it gets worse? How would I check something like ...
- 377
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3
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Misfire the next morning if car runs only for 15 seconds
So I had this gremlin in my wife's BMW 330i for at least 4 years. The car runs great but once in a while you would start it in the morning and the engine would sound rough with some shaking. After few ...
- 1,431
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2
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425
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Accessing the Stereo in a '96 Infiniti G20
I do some of my own repair work on my car, a 96 Infiniti G20. Since I got it, the front speakers haven't been working and I want to fix them. How can I troubleshoot the problem? I assume it's either ...
- 111
0
votes
3
answers
574
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Engine squealing
After replacing the belt and the idler pulley, the 6 cylinder 2005 Chevrolet Silverado still has a high pitch squeal. Have not checked the power steerinmg or water pump to see if the noise is coming ...
- 1
3
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2
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What system should I inspect first for the following issues on a 2004 Chevy Aveo?
A 2004 Chevy aveo with around 78,000 miles has the following issues:
The Daytime Running Light indicator (as well as the lights themselves) randomly turn on and off. This is a slow thing and has ...
- 33
3
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2
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Loud rumbling and burning smell when turning on defroster
Tonight while driving my 2003 Kia Sedona with the defroster on, suddenly I heard this very loud rumbling which sounded like it was coming from the engine compartment on the passenger side. My first ...
- 199
4
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1
answer
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How can I diagnose a scraping sound when turning left?
My car is a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX with 72k miles. About three weeks ago I started noticing a scraping sound when I turn left. My mechanic did a courtesy check of alignment, balance and tire pressure ...
- 297
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2
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Remote locking button stopped working with 1997 BMW 728i
I have a 1997 E38 with a very strange problem with the remote locking mechanism. I'm able to unlock the doors and open the bootlid, but the locking button doesn't lock the doors anymore. It used to, ...
- 111
3
votes
1
answer
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Engine revs up while idling
I have a 2007 Toyota Matrix, and sometimes(not always) it will rev up to about 1700-2000 RPM while idling. It normally idles at about 900 RPM once it warms up. I just changed the oil & air ...
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6
votes
2
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Where exactly is the Check Engine Light connector on a 1997 Honda Honda Civic?
The check engine light on my 1997 Honda Civic lit up. I came across a method for troubleshooting (http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1901557) but I'm having trouble finding the connector. Can ...
- 175
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2
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Engine Code p0104 - EGR issues?
One of my family members owns a Ford Econoline E150 modified with a roof extender and power wheelchair lift, however the engine is a stock V8 which runs on regular gas.
Anyway, after a fairly long ...
- 728
2
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2
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Car overheating problem
I have a 2002 Ford Focus.
Whenever the car is idling the heat gauge goes up at an alarming rate and goes the farthest into the red that it can if left alone.
Now if I rev the engine a little the ...
- 349
3
votes
3
answers
9k
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How do you troubleshoot cruise control? (Mazda Tribute 2005)
I just bought a used 2005 Mazda Tribute. The only problem I have with the car is that the cruise control doesn't work....and I have no clue how/where to start!
The cruise light on the dashboard doesn'...
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5
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1
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toyota corolla 2001 air duct smell [duplicate]
My 2001 Toyota Corolla recently started smelling very foul whenever the air system was turned on. According to the research I've done online, there is no cabin air filter to change. The glove box ...
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2
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Burning rubber smell from Ford F-250 -- diagnosis?
I have a 2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty, gasoline V8 5.4L, automatic transmission, rear-wheel-drive. When driving on the highway, a burning rubber smell developed. I got the truck home, then to the shop,...
- 111
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5
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What is a good car to start with if I want to learn auto repair?
A couple of other "getting started" questions have been closed (as redundant with these questions), so I hope that my question is different and specific enough.
I'm interested in learning to repair ...
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16
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3
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What to know before buying and OBD-II reader
I read the features to look for in an OBD-II reader, but I am curious if getting one is the right move. I'm just planning to get a cheap one, which is proving to be interesting shopping local. What I ...
- 263
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0
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How to Get Basic Car Repair Knowledege [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Getting Started in Auto Repair
I'm looking for some teach yourself sources for auto repair. I'd like to start restoring an old car in my dad's garage, but I don't have the ...
- 111
0
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0
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Getting Started in Auto Repair [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Reviving a vehicle that has been idle for a long time.
How to begin learning engine tuning?
My dad has an old Mazda that has been sitting in the garage for a long time. He ...
- 111
6
votes
5
answers
115k
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Burning smell and faint white smoke
I have a 1999 Audi A4. Recently there is a burning smell when driving that is noticeable when stopped after driving. At night I noticed a faint white smoke blowing out of the front in the headlights. ...
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2
votes
1
answer
4k
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Engine sputters when accelerating and idle
I have a 1995 BMW 525i, when accelerating car seems to sputter, but as you get up to speed and cruise its fine.
I think it might be the fuel injectors. Where should I start?
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3
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1
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636
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small hole in A/C condenser for 98 blazer
I have a 98 chevy blazer 4dr. the A/C system in my truck is brand new, every last part of it. before i got hit, my a/c blew soo cold it was like being in a freezer room. when i got hit, it formed a ...
- 31
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2
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2k
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1997 Geo Metro dies after driving for a short time. What next in diagnosing culprit
Back Story: I recently took my Geo Metro on a road trip. 2700 miles of road trip. The first 800 mile nothing happened. Then going up a hill it died, dropped from 75 mph to 55 mph then the engine ...
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Does a warped engine block affect compression test?
Check other questions, and did not see an answer.
Backstory: Driving around, discovered pin hole in radiator. Chose to drive home, since I was at my exit, and I lived right there. Blew head gasket.
...
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3
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2
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122
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Free online databases?
I know there is AllDataDIY, but are there any free websites? With diagrams of where things are, or diagnosing and repair guides?
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5
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Car is sluggish, jerking, and idles rough
I have a VW Polo Classic, 1.6L.
Just recently it started to be slightly jerky when in idle and whilst driving. There is also a loss of power, a strong fuel smell, and sounding slightly like a VW ...
- 173