18
votes
Car imitates dead battery but comes back to life ~30 minutes later and lets me start it
Since you lost power to your 12v accessory socket at the same time as the other systems, I can’t see this as being an computer malfunction. This sounds to me like you have a fault in your main fuse ...
- 24k
17
votes
Accepted
Park/marker lamps won't turn off
I pulled almost every fuse from the fuse block under the dash without any success, but now that it is dark outside I was able to see something I missed when it was day: when I put everything back ...
- 894
16
votes
Why does my 2006 Chevy Equinox have no heat when all repairs for the heat has been made?
It sounds like the approach to solving your problem so far hasn't been very systematic or "evidence based" – at least the list of parts replaces suggests that the people working on it have been using ...
- 14.4k
14
votes
Accepted
How do I troubleshoot the source of oil in my coolant?
Number one answer is always Head Gasket. The reason is that there are oil and water passages in close proximity, being separated by a gasket (which might just be flimsy paper or rubber, but is often ...
- 1,935
14
votes
Accepted
What is a leak down tester and what can I do with it?
There are many leak down testers on the market. You can actually make your own with some hardware store parts and a fish tank.
Operation of "most" leak down testers
The procedure of operation ...
- 3,343
14
votes
How can a fuse drain a car battery?
It wouldn't be the fuse which is causing the power drain, but the circuit the fuse is there to protect. (This is the reason why the copied area you have posted has 5 "Not Helpful" votes against it.) ...
- 152k
12
votes
Accepted
Multimeter - Basic Functionality and Howto
Basic Functionality
Image In order to illustrate a typical Multimeter
The Multimeter is specifically a multifunction tool. By definition it combines several, well defined instruments and multiplexes ...
- 496
12
votes
Time Delay Relay and Flyback Diode
There are a few questions in there, so I will try to address them all. The Bueler Time Delay relays are unlike the vast majority of other relays you will find. The difference is that these relays are ...
- 388
11
votes
What is a leak down tester and what can I do with it?
1. How do I operate a leak down tester?
Directions differ depending on whether it's a one gage or two gage system. It basically gets down pulling a spark plug, getting that piston to Top Dead Center (...
- 2,159
11
votes
How do I go about troubleshooting DTC codes?
The computers in a car are constantly monitoring the operating conditions and sensors that are in the car. When a test fails or something goes out of a pre specified range a DTC is set.
The biggest ...
- 16k
10
votes
Why does my RPM drop when sitting idle at traffic lights?
I am presuming this is a gasoline engine. If so, the symptoms sound very much like the throttle internals are dirty. If gunge builds up on the butterfly valve, it can restrict the air required for a ...
- 24k
10
votes
Accepted
Car imitates dead battery but comes back to life ~30 minutes later and lets me start it
You may have a loose or corroded engine ground connection. The next time you have the electrical failure, leave the ignition switch ON and, using a voltmeter, measure voltage between the negative post ...
- 5,088
9
votes
MAP sensor covered with gasoline
When I looked online, here's what I found about the location of the MAP sensor in your car. As always, a picture is worth a thousand words:
From looking at other info about that car it's port ...
- 9,326
9
votes
Accepted
How to test if oil is leaking into combustion chambers?
Pull the spark plugs and inspect them.
Oil-fouled spark plugs will look wet and black.
- 39.1k
9
votes
Car shakes when braking: warped rotors or alignment?
There are a number of possibilities here, including:
bad tire
bent rim
unbalanced wheel
bad shock absorber mount
other suspension parts loose/worn/missing
steering rack
faulty wheel bearing
warped ...
- 2,847
8
votes
What do these compression figures mean
You asked
What do these compression figures mean
Response
Not that much when the engine is cold.
Background
Based upon the information you have provided I see no indication that the rings are bad.
...
- 32.9k
8
votes
Accepted
Distinguishing between mechanical and electrical failure in ignition diagnosis
If you are hearing the starter turn (typical starter whir), the most probable problem would be the one way clutch has gone out. It's the part of the starter with the teeth on it which engages the ...
- 152k
8
votes
2004 powerstroke white smoke now no start
I'm not a diesel mechanic but after a quick search the number one cause of no starts on the 6.0 is lack of oil pressure. The injectors need 500psi minimum to operate.
This indicates there is not ...
- 10.7k
8
votes
What can cause a gasoline engine to suddenly & mysteriously stop (non-catastrophically)
This is what I can think of, in my limited knowledge. Overlaps with some existing answers. Trying to limit to things that aren't obvious, also trying to think of direct physical causes rather than ...
- 4,900
8
votes
How can I tell if a car battery that went completely flat is permanently damaged?
The bottom line is that if you venture below 10 volts, the battery is dead. Vampire dead. Done. Over. Kaput.
There were some magic solutions back in the day to try and "restore" such a battery, ...
- 12.4k
8
votes
Accepted
Lifting Support Under Panel BMW
Thats just a piece of plastic, needed to avoid scratching the body-frame when lifting the car.
Assuming no further damage (please check, as it is likely that something else is bent or destroyed) it ...
- 8,363
7
votes
Distinguishing between mechanical and electrical failure in ignition diagnosis
If the picture you have attached is similar to the starter on you car, then the power to the starter motor is only delivered if the solenoid operates, so the solenoid must be working.
However, the ...
- 24k
7
votes
How to test if oil is leaking into combustion chambers?
You can test your rings and head gasket with a leak down tester
Checking your spark plugs as shown in @Zaid's post is the first order of business. You will see it on the plugs.
Now, if you do see ...
- 32.9k
7
votes
Brake pedal bottoms out
If you've changed the calipers and the pedal now goes all the way to the floor, chances are that you've introduced air into the system whilst you had the calipers off.
To fix this, you need to "bleed"...
- 23.4k
7
votes
Accepted
Loud squealing sound, only while driving (2002 Toyota 4Runner)
Sounds exactly like worn brake pads to me. Have you checked those recently? Brake pads actually have a wear tab on them like the one pictured below. This is designed to make noise (that chirping sound)...
- 1,958
7
votes
Accepted
Troubleshooting fluid leakage onto the engine area?
While this is an educated guess, I'd put money on the fact this is oil coming from the oil filler cap. It appears the cap isn't sealing completely, or possibly the cap isn't screwed on tight enough. ...
- 152k
7
votes
Accepted
Overheating at idle - mechanic says head gasket
It would be good to ask the mechanic to explain to you how they are sure that it is the head gasket – head gasket problems often share symptoms with other problems.
One way that a head gasket failure ...
- 14.4k
6
votes
Oil pressure light on when igntion is off and goes out when key is on and engine is not running
OP answered his own question in the comments but is not responding.
Placing the commented answer as THE answer.
OP's Answer
Found the problem. The air cleaner housing is electrically isolated by ...
- 32.9k
6
votes
Diagnosing P0171 2007 Toyota Corolla
Using your scan tool watch fuel trims at idle, then while still stopped @ 3000 rpm. Fuel trims going to normal (anything below LTFT 10%) when revving point towards a vacuum leak or faulty MAF.
To ...
- 10.7k
6
votes
Late 90 Honda Civic cooling system hose broke off ,is it safe to drive?
The rubbing sound is likely a seized brake caliper. It is highly likely that the cheapest option will be to have the caliper replaced.
If the car decelerates quickly, like you say, then it is not ...
- 24k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible