Repair And Fix it

The exhaust manifold, also known as a header, on the Chevy Lumina collects the exhaust gases from the engine cylinders and diverts them through the exhaust pipe. If the manifold develops cracks, you will need to change it or the efficiency of the engine will drop. This is a project that you can do yourself, so there is no need to take the Lumina to an automotive repair shop. You can expect it to take you about three hours to complete the project.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative cable from the battery using a wrench to loosen the terminal nut. Disconnect the wiring harness from the oxygen sensor. Turn the belt tensioner using a wrench and relieve the tension from the serpentine belt. Note the proper routing of the belt if the diagram is missing.

2

Remove the serpentine belt from the Lumina engine. Remove the bolts from the alternator using a socket and ratchet and take it off the engine. Place the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Lumina. Lift the front of the car with the automobile jack. Place the jack stand under the Lumina near the jacking point and raise it to the frame.

3

Remove the bolts retaining the exhaust pipe to the manifold using a wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Lumina and lower the car to the ground. Remove the oil fill tube from the engine block using a wrench. Pull the tube away from the engine. Remove the nuts from the exhaust manifold using a socket and ratchet. Remove the manifold from the engine.

4

Remove the manifold gasket and discard it. Install a new gasket and exhaust manifold. Secure the nuts using a socket and ratchet. Install the oil fill tube and tighten the nut with a wrench. Raise the Lumina with the automobile jack. Place the jack stand under the car near the jacking point and raise it to the frame.

5

Crawl under the Lumina and connect the exhaust pipe to the manifold. Tighten the bolts with a wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Lumina. Lower the car to the ground. Install the alternator and tighten the bolts with a socket and ratchet. Install the serpentine belt according to the diagram you made, or the one under the engine hood if present.

6

Place tension on the serpentine belt by turning the belt tensioner with a wrench. Connect the electrical connection to the oxygen sensor. Connect the negative cable to the battery and tighten the terminal nut with a wrench.

The Dodge Ram is a pick-up truck that started manufacturing in 1981. If you are having problems getting your Dodge Ram to start, there are several things that you can do before you take it to a repair shop. Common issues include fuel, dead batteries, or a bad alternator. You can diagnose the problem yourself without much hassle. You dont have to be a mechanic to accomplish this task. You can do it yourself.

Instructions

1

Insert the key in the ignition and turn it over. If you hear a "clicking" noise, you may have a bad alternator. Have the truck towed to a service shop to get the alternator replaced.

2

Check the gauge on the dashboard for any indications of low fuel or a dead battery. If the dashboard does not light up at all, you need to check your battery.

3

Open the hood to your Dodge ram and use a friends car to jumpstart the engine. Connect the red and black wires from your jumper cables to the red and black terminals on your Ram.

4

Connect the other end of the wires to the red and black terminals on your friends battery. Start your friends car and then start your Ram. Allow the Ram to sit for about 10 minutes while running. This will charge the battery.

5

Add 1 gallon of fuel to your Dodge Ram if the truck will not jumpstart. Try to start the car again.

1995 Dodge trucks use a system called an On-Board Diagnostics computer to monitor the vital functions of the vehicles. When any of a trucks systems fail, it causes a warning light to illuminate on the instrument panel. The computer also keeps track of the trucks regular servicing needs. After the Dodge has been serviced or repaired, you or your mechanic will need to clear the trouble codes from the computer using a diagnostic code scanner. This can be purchased from any auto parts store.

Instructions

1

Open the drivers door and find the diagnostic scanner port. You can find it on the underside of the drivers dash.

2

Push the diagnostic code scanners connector cable into the diagnostic port on the Dodge.

3

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "run" position, taking care not to start the engine.

4

Search the trouble codes using the instructions in the manual that came with the scanner. When it is finished, press the command "Clear Trouble Codes."

5

Disconnect the scanner and turn on the engine. Verify that all warning and service lights have shut off.

The Audi A6 Quattro is a sporty, four-door sedan known for its fuel economy. If you are having problems with your A6, there are several things that you can do before you take it to an import shop. Many quick fixes can be employed to get your A6 back on the road. Common issues affect the battery, fuel and cooling system. You dont have to be an Audi mechanic to get your A6 back up and running. You can do it yourself.

Instructions

1

Turn the key in the ignition to get your A6s instrument panel to engage. Look over the dials on the gauges and make sure that you have enough fuel to start the vehicle. If you dont have enough gas, fill the tank up and try to start the car again. If the instrument panel does not light up, you have a problem with your battery.

2

Open the hood with the hood release latch on the driver side under the steering wheel. Raise the hood and lock it in place with the hood rod. Check over the connections to the battery on the left side of the car.

3

Tighten the connections with a pair of pliers. Make sure that you dont have any corrosion on the battery cables. Clean the cables with soda and a wire brush to remove any corrosion.

4

Test the battery with a voltmeter to check its charge. If you have less than 11 volts running on your 12-volt battery, attach a battery charger to the battery terminals.

5

Leave the battery charger on the battery for at least 12 hours to charge the unit. Try to restart your car. If the car does not restart, replace the battery with a new one.

6

Locate the cooling system on the left side of the car if your A6 is overheating. This is labeled as "Coolant." Make sure that you have enough coolant in the system. Fill the coolant tank with 50/50 mix of coolant and water until it reaches the fill line on the side of the tank.

Every car sold in the United States is required to have a catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is an essential part of your cars emissions system. No matter which option package or engine your Eclipse has, changing the catalytic converter is going to be accomplished the same way. The 1995 Eclipse has a a three-way catalytic converter, named as such because it converts nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and oxygen, carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and unburned hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Instructions

1

Park the car and firmly set the parking brake. Block one drivers side wheel, front and back. Place the jack under the middle of the passenger side, directly below the frame, and lift it high enough to crawl under safely. Place the jack stands under the front and rear sections of the frame and lower the car onto the stands.

2

Spray the bolts on the flanges, on either end of the catalytic converter. Remove the nuts and bolts from both front and rear exhaust flanges on the catalytic convert exhaust pipes by turning them counterclockwise, using a ratchet and socket and a wrench. Remove the converter.

3

Clean the exhaust pipe flange mounting surfaces completely, using the wire brush.

4

Hold one end of the converter in place and insert a gasket between flanges, and reinstall the nuts and bolts, turning them clockwise by hand and tightening them with the ratchet and socket and a wrench.

5

Repeat Step 4 on the other flange and gasket. Start the car and spray both flanges with the soapy water and check for bubbles. Tighten the flange if you see bubbles.

6

Roll the jack under the middle of the frame, raise the car off the stands and remove the stands. Lower the car and remove the jack and wheel blocks.

Hyundai began exporting cars to the United States in 1986. Hyundai invested in improving the quality of their vehicles and the ratings and sales of Hyundais began to improve in the 2000s. Hyundai Motor America, the companys U.S. division, currently sells a full line of automobiles. The alignment specs vary from vehicle to vehicle, as well as from year to year, so it is always best to find the specs for a specific model and year rather than simply the make of a vehicle.

Alignment Specs for the 2010 Hyundai Accent

The alignment specs are the same for all trims of the 2010 Hyundai Accent. On the front end, the caster angle can range from +0.5 degrees to +4.0 degrees, the camber can range from zero to +0.5 degrees and the toe-in can range from zero to +0.16 degrees. On the rear end, the camber can range from -1.0 degrees to +0.5 degrees and the toe-in can range from +0.16 degrees to +0.32 degrees. The caster angle is not adjustable on the rear end.

Alignment Specs for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra

The alignment specs are the same for all trims of the 2010 Elantra sedan. On the front end, the caster angle can range from +0.5 degrees to +4.32 degrees, the camber can range from -0.6 degrees to +0.5 degrees and the toe-in can range from zero to +0.16 degrees. On the rear end, the camber can range from -1.0 degrees to +0.5 degrees and the toe-in can range from +0.16 degrees to +0.17 degrees.

While the front-end alignment specs are the same for the sedan and Touring trims of the 2010 Elantra, the rear-end specs for the Touring trims are different. For the rear end of the Touring trims, the camber can range from -1.15 degrees to +0.5 degrees and the toe-in can range from +0.04 degrees to +0.08 degrees.

The caster angle is not adjustable on the rear end of the sedan or Touring trims.

Alignment Specs for the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

The alignment specs are the same for all trims of the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. On the front end, the caster angle can range from +0.5 degrees to +4.5 degrees, the camber angle can range from -0.5 degrees to +0.5 degrees and the toe-in can range from zero to +0.2 degrees. On the rear end, the camber can range from -1.0 degrees to +0.5 degrees and the toe-in should be set at +0.2 degrees. The caster angle is not adjustable on the rear end.

The exhaust manifold on a Dodge Caravan is responsible for getting the exhaust gasses created by the engine out of the cylinder head and into the exhaust tubing. The manifold is made of cast iron, which can crack under certain atmospheric conditions, or when cold water is applied to a hot manifold. When that happens, the exhaust will come out of the manifold and not out of the exhaust pipe itself, which will make an annoying noise and potentially cause a loss in horsepower.

Instructions

1

Raise the front end of the Caravan with the jack and place a pair of jack stands underneath the front of the chassis. Unbolt the exhaust from the exhaust manifold using the 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and sockets.

2

Unbolt the EGR tube and crossover pipe from the exhaust using an open-end wrench. Unplug the oxygen sensor connection by hand, then remove the oxygen sensor with the oxygen sensor wrench.

3

Unbolt the heat shield from the exhaust manifold using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, then unbolt the manifold from the engine with the ratchet. Pull the manifold off of the engine and out of the engine compartment. Remove the exhaust manifold gasket as well.

4

Scrape the mounting surface on the cylinder head using the gasket scraper. Slide the replacement gasket and manifold onto the engine and bolt it in place from the center of the manifold outward using the 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and sockets. Apply a thin coat of the anti-seize compound to the threads of the oxygen sensor, then install the sensor into the manifold.

5

Reconnect the crossover pipe, EGR tube and exhaust to the manifold with a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Then reinstall the heat shield with the ratchet. Lower the van off of the jack and jack stands.

The anti-lock brake system (ABS) on the Ford Windstar is controlled by an ABS computer. This computer illuminates an ABS warning light on the instrument panel when there is a problem with the brakes. You can reset the ABS light on your 1995 Ford Windstar right from your home using an OBD code reader. This small, computerized device can be purchased from any auto parts store. Some stores will even loan you their code reader for free for the purpose of resetting the codes.

Instructions

1

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "On" position, taking care not to start the engine.

2

Plug the code reader into the diagnostic port under the steering column on the dashboard, then turn the code reader on.

3

Navigate through the code readers menu using the arrow keys. Select "ABS" then "Clear Codes" or similar type of command.

4

Wait for the code reader to return to the main menu. This is an indication that the ABS code has been cleared.

5

Unplug the code reader and start the engine. Check to see that the ABS light has shut off.

The 1995 Jeep Wrangler design makes replacing the ignition switch easy. Unlike many other vehicle models, there is no need to remove any panels or parts to access the switch. By simply adjusting the ignition to the correct spot, youll have the old switch out and replaced in about an hour. Theres no need to call a professional. This is definitely a do-it-yourself job.

Instructions

Uninstall the Old Switch

1

Detach the ground battery cable from the battery post. Use a wrench to turn the battery post clockwise. This is a black cable that is next to a minus sign on the battery post near the ignition.

2

Insert a key to the the ignition and turn it to "Off-Lock".

3

Remove the ignition switch. Unscrew the bolts on both sides of the ignition that hold it in place with a ratchet and socket.

4

Use your hand to pull the ignition switch from the actuator rod. The actuator rod is what holds the ignition switch to the base of the steering wheel.

5

Release and remove the switch completely from the steering wheel base. Unplug the black and white wires from the ignition switch. These wires run from the steering wheel base to the ignition switch.

Install the New Ignition Switch

6

Adjust the slider on the side of the new switch to "ACC."

7

Plug the black and white wires running from the steering wheel base into the new switch. Place them in the locations on the new switch that match with the places you removed them from on the old switch.

8

Slide the new switch on to the actuator rod in the steering wheel base.

9

Replace the mounting bolts on both sides of the new switch. Use the old bolts unless you have been supplied with new bolts with the new switch. Tighten the bolts in place with an adjustable wrench.

10

Insert a key into the ignition and turn it to the "ACC" mark on the steering wheel base.

11

Reconnect the battery post to the ground battery cable. Use a wrench to tighten the connection by turning it clockwise.

The Volvo 900 series is a range of mid-size cars manufactured by Volvo Cars. The Volvo 960 was a luxury car produced from 1990 to 1997, with the 1995 model representing major changes in design. It had a six-cylinder 2.9-liter engine with electronic fuel injection, requiring a high-pressure fuel pump. The fuel pump in the 1995 Volvo 960 is accessible from the floor of the rear seat.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Connect adapter 999-5484 to fuel drainage unit 981-2270. Remove the cap from the pressure relief valve on the fuel rail. Close the adapter valve, and connect it to the pressure relief valve. Turn the drainage unit on, and open the adapter valve. Raise the vehicle on jack stands, and remove the valve cap on the fuel filter. Connect hose 999-5480 to the valve on the fuel filter, and drain fuel from the fuel system for about two minutes. Disconnect hose 999-5480 from the fuel filter valve, and replace the valve cap. Lower the vehicle. Disconnect the adapter from the pressure relief valve, and replace the cap on the pressure relief valve.

2

Move the rear seat forward. Fold back the carpet over the right wheel well panel, and remove the panel to expose the fuel pump. Disconnect the electrical connections for the fuel pump, and loosen the quick-connect fittings for the fuel lines to the fuel pump. Turn the retaining nut on the fuel pump counterclockwise with tool 999-5485, and carefully remove the fuel pump. Discard the rubber seal under the fuel pump.

3

Install a new rubber seal, and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the seal. Install the pump so the heater connection faces to the right of the vehicle. Attach the retaining nut to the fuel pump with tool 999-5484 and tighten it to 30 foot-pounds.

4

Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the fuel lines, and connect them to the fuel pump. Ensure that you properly seat the quick-connect fittings onto the pump. Attach the electrical connector to the fuel pump.

5

Replace the panels and carpeting in the rear of the vehicle, and move the rear seat back to its upright position. Connect the cable to the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Start the engine and check for fuel leaks.

A "Check Engine" light flashing on the dash can warn you of impending problems with your Grand Am, but it can also be annoying if you fixed those problems without resetting the warning light. If you dont have access to an on-board diagnostics scanner, the quickest and most popular way to reset a "Check Engine" light is to disconnect the battery. Removing the computers power source for an extended period of time will cause it to lose most of its stored information, including the parameters that triggered the "Check Engine" light.

Instructions

1

Open the hood and locate the battery. In the Grand Am, the battery will be on the drivers side of the vehicle.

2

Disconnect the black negative terminal cable with a ratchet and socket. When setting the cable aside, make sure the metal end of the cable is not touching any metal surface. Disconnect the red positive terminal cable with a ratchet and socket and set it aside.

3

Drain the residual energy in the vehicles wiring and circuitry by pressing on the horn or brake pedals until there is no power left. Wait at least 15 minutes for the vehicles engine computer to "forget" its settings.

4

Reconnect the positive and negative terminal cables to the battery. Tighten the connections with a ratchet and socket and close the hood. The engine computer may require a "learning period" in which the computer readjusts the transmission shift points and throttle input according to the owners driving style.

Removing a battery from a 1995 Mercedes E420 involves the same basic procedures as with most cars. Though the procedure is basic, it is important follow it faithfully, as failure working with and near a car battery can be dangerous if done improperly. Removing the battery from your Mercedes E420 requires you to locate the battery on the passenger side of the engine compartment before disconnecting it from the electrical components of your car.

Instructions

1

Turn the engine off while your Mercedes is on a flat part of the ground and pop the hood of your Mercedes.

2

Locate the battery on the passenger side of your Mercedes engine compartment.

3

Loosen the bolt connecting the negative (black) cable connector to the battery using a ratchet. In order to eliminate the possibility of being shocked, always remove the negative cable connector prior to the positive cable connector. Upon loosening the bolt, the connector itself should pop off the top of the negative connection on top of the battery.

4

Loosen the bolt connecting the positive (red) cable connector to the battery using a ratchet. Pop the positive connector off the top of the battery.

5

Lift the battery out of its housing.