Repair And Fix it

A catalytic converter helps to remove certain pollutants from the car exhaust, rather than releasing those pollutants into the air. The catalytic converter sits in the car exhaust system, behind the exhaust headers and before the car muffler. Normally, a catalytic converter will last the life of a vehicle, unless an underlying problem causes it to fail.

Emissions Test Failure

A failed catalytic converter that has not clogged can contribute to an increase in hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide exiting the car tailpipe. Normally, the catalytic converter will reduce the amount of these pollutants to extremely low levels. An increase in these pollutants in the car exhaust can also be caused by a faulty air pump, pulse air system or another component of the car air supply.

Fuel Mileage

A catalytic converter that has plugged up will create excessive back pressure in the car exhaust system. This back pressure increase can affect the car fuel mileage, meaning the car will not be able to drive as far under the same conditions with the same amount of gas. The plugged catalytic converter causes the car to work harder to maintain performance, meaning the car engine will burn more fuel than it would if it had a properly functioning catalytic converter.

Engine Power

A plugged catalytic converter can also reduce the car power at high speeds, such as when the car is driving on the freeway. The driver may notice the car cannot pass other vehicles on the road at freeway speeds as it once did. A driver may also notice that, once the car hits a certain speed, its acceleration becomes sluggish. A plugged converter can also cause the car to idle rough, meaning the engine will sputter or fluctuate in its RPMs. The failed catalytic converter can also cause the car to have trouble starting, causing the engine to stumble or stall upon starting.

Until You See Grease Near Wheel Area

One of the first signs of CV joints going bad is when the caps of the CV joints break from the structure. This will cause grease to accumulate in the CV joint area, which is located between the front wheels of the car. If you see such an occurrence, take the car for maintenance immediately.

When You Hear Clicking and Popping Sounds

When the CV joints go bad, you will hear a popping or a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The more damaged the CV joints become, the louder and more intense the sound will be. Each time you turn the steering wheel, the clicking or popping sound will resonate. This indicates serious damage.

Bottom Line

CV joints can break easily and rapidly. Within a matter of weeks, the CV joints can become so bad that the maintenance cost will be very high. The sooner you fix the damaged CV joints, the lower the cost will be. Therefore, regularly examine the CV joint area to check for grease buildup. If you see no buildup, but begin to hear clicking or popping sounds, have the car fixed.

An alternator creates electricity to power an automobile and charge its battery. It is possible to drive with a bad alternator, but this can cause many problems.

Failure to Start

Starting a car requires a good deal of electrical power. At start-up the battery must power the starter, fuel injection system and other components. A battery that is not being properly charged by the alternator will at some point fail to start the vehicle.

Becoming Stranded

While a car will operate for some time on battery power alone, the battery will eventually lose power and the driver may become stranded along the road. Driving at night when more power is needed for headlights, instrument lights, etc., makes becoming stranded more likely.

Belt Breakage

A bad alternator may seize and stop turning. The alternators drive belt with then attempt to turn on an immobile pulley and likely break. When the belt breaks other components driven by the belt will also lose power which may damage the car or make driving difficult.

The head gasket is located between the engine block and cylinder head. It seals the engine cylinders so coolant does not leak into the engine. It also promotes maximum compression of its combustion chamber. The head gasket is the most crucial seal for an engine and can be costly and time-consuming if fails. Fortunately, there are several ways to test for bad head gaskets.

Instructions

1

Open your hood and check the oil dipstick. See if there are remnants of coolant on the dipstick. Once a head gasket breaks, it usually causes coolant to filter into the oil, giving it a milky appearance. To be certain, drain some oil into a pan, place under light and see if there are spots.

2

Turn on the engine, leave it in park and walk to the back of your car to check the exhaust pipe. When head gaskets fail, the exhaust has a white color. Sometimes, there is a sweet smell coming out of the pipe.

3

Open your hood and use a flashlight to inspect the area around the engine block and compression cylinder. See if there are obvious cracks or coolant leaks that may indicate a bad head gasket.

4

Gently rev the engine while the car is in park. If your car feels like it may stall going back to an idle position, you may have a faulty head gasket. Once the head gasket fails, the compression may not be sufficient to keep the engine running. Try this method multiple times to get a better idea if you have a bad head gasket.

The power window assembly in a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox is controlled by a switch thats mounted in a switch panel in the center of the dash board, just behind the shifter. This switch panel contains four switches; one for each window. The switches connect to wires that run to grounds, relays, and fuses within the vehicle. Because of the complex wiring system needed to control the window, its not possible to bridge any of the terminals or manipulate the wiring to raise or lower the window without using the switch. Unfortunately, if the switch fails, the switch panel needs to be replaced in order to raise or lower the window.

Instructions

Removal

1

Grip the bottom of the center column trim bezel. Pull up gently on the bottom of the bezel to detach it from the center column.

2

Work around the column trim bezel, gently pulling up at the edges until the entire bezel is detached from the vehicle.

3

Disconnect any electrical connectors from the back of the trim bezel, including the window switchs electrical connector.

4

Remove the screws holding the switch assembly to the bezel with a screwdriver, then remove the switch assembly.

Installation

5

Set the new window switch panel into position on the bezel. Reinstall and tighten the screws to 22 inch-pounds with a torque wrench.

6

Reconnect the window switch panels electrical connector. Reconnect any other electrical connectors from the car to the bezel.

7

Set the bezel into position and press down around its circumference in order to seat all of the retaining clips. Test the window switches to ensure that they work properly.