Repair And Fix it

A stuck car horn can prove to be quite an embarrassment, especially if you cannot get it to stop quickly. And if you happen to be parked on a crowded street, it is even worse. The problems that can affect a car horn vary, so you may have to do a little troubleshooting to get it unstuck. Be prepared to take several minutes to get the horn to stop blowing if none of the easier options work.

Instructions

1

Press the horn again or tap it a few times. This may get the horn unstuck. If not, proceed to Step 2.

2

Turn off your engine. Refer to your car manuals circuit descriptions to learn where the fuse box is located. Find your fuse box and pull the horns fuse. If you can pull the fuse, this will silence the horn. If you cannot remove the fuse or find the fuse box, proceed to Step 3.

3

Open your cars hood. Locate the horn. If you can see the rear of the horn, you may be able to see the wires. In that case pull the wires. If you cannot pull them, use scissors or a knife to cut one of the wires. If you resorted to cutting the wire, make sure to tape the loose end so as to not short out your cars electrical system. If you are unable to locate the horn or disconnect the wires, proceed to Step 4.

4

Locate your car battery. Disconnect the main wires running to your battery with a wrench. Doing this may reset the car horn. Reattach the wires. If the horn goes back on, disconnect the wires again and proceed to an auto mechanic to get the horn fixed. If it does not go back on, also go to the mechanic to look into the problem.

General Motors makes a wide variety of trucks for the consumer, but all of them rely on gas and a battery to start. If you are having problems starting your GM truck, you can troubleshoot the problem by taking a look at these two components. When your battery has a low charge or is dead, the trucks motor will not be able to fire up. GM trucks require gasoline to run, so a low fuel tank could be the culprit to your truck not starting.

Instructions

1

Turn the key in your GM truck to get the gauge readings. Check the fuel level and make sure you have enough fuel to start the truck. Add fuel if needed.

2

Pop the hood on the GM truck and locate the battery. Use a socket wrench to disconnect the battery terminals from the battery. Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush and a can of soda if corrosion has set in.

3

Reattach the battery terminals to the battery and start the truck.

4

Jump start the truck with jumper wires and another vehicle. Allow the truck to run for about five minutes and then turn it off.

5

Try to restart the truck. If the truck doesnt restart, you will need to replace your battery.

Overhead camshaft engines use a timing belt to maintain a specific synchronization between the crank shaft and the camshaft. The belt turns the camshaft in harmony with the crankshaft to open and close the intake and exhaust valves at just the right time. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing the timing belt as part of the normal maintenance schedule; however, the interval of this maintenance varies between vehicle manufacturers and ranges anywhere from every 65,000 to 100,000 miles .

Valve Timing

The camshaft has a number of lobes that push down on the exhaust or intake valve to let air into or exhaust out of the combustion chamber at just the right time. If the belt has slipped a tooth or broken, the engine will most likely stall as the intake or exhaust valves will no longer open and close at the proper times to let air in or out of the system.

Non-Interference Engines

If the timing belt breaks, the camshaft will cease to move and the valves will be stuck in whatever position they were in when the belt broke. Non-interference engines are designed so that the piston will not be able to contact the valve if the valve remains open when the piston is elevated to its highest position in its bore, so that no major internal damage can result.

Interference Engine

If your vehicle has an interference-style engine, then the camshaft timing is vital. In an interference engine, the intake or exhaust valves extend into the cylinder bore enough so that the piston will slam into the valve if the valve remains open too long. If the timing belt slips or breaks on an interference engine, the cost of repairs can be high, as the repair can involve having to replace the piston or valve.

Preventive Maintenance

To protect yourself from being stranded if the timing belt happens to break or jump a tooth, have the timing belt inspected regularly or become familiar with your vehicles timing belt inspection procedure and do it yourself on a regualr basis. If the engine in your vehicle has an interference engine, it is advisable to have the timing belt checked often and replaced on schedule to prevent the possibility of serious engine damage.

The rear window on the 1999 BMW 323i convertible is a plastic compound that may scratch or discolor over time. A damaged rear window on your convertible may make it difficult for you to see through the rear view mirror, putting your safety at risk. Buy a replacement window from a BMW dealer or parts store and replace it in minutes at home. Installing the window properly is important to protecting your BMW from water damage.

Instructions

1

Lower the windows in your BMW and open the convertible top. Raise the top an inch or two from the windshield frame to stretch it out, making it easier to work on the rear window.

2

Separate the black rubber weather seal from the rear window using the flat plastic tool provided with the replacement window. A new seal is also included with the replacement window so dont worry if you damage the existing one during removal.

3

Pry the metal clip off the bottom of the window with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the clip off the base of the window. Unzip the old window and remove it from the top. Clean any residual glue or dirt from the top with rubbing alcohol on a cloth.

4

Align the new window and attach the zipper. Zip the window into place. Replace the metal clip where the zipper stops to prevent it from accidentally unzipping. Press the clip into place. Apply a small piece of the double-sided tape included with the window to the top of the clip. Remove the protective sheet from the double-sided tape attached to the new window.

5

Press the new, rubber weather seal included with the replacement window into place on the double-sided tape. Press firmly all the way around the window to attach the seal and protect your rear window from leaks. Raise the convertible top to the "Up" position and let it sit for 24 hours before you put the top down.

Emission problems can factor heavily into the selling of a car. These problems may prevent a sale in a state where a smog certificate is required. When you are selling a car with emission issues in states that do not require such certification, you can help facilitate a sale by making the necessary adjustments for the market. Use the emission problems to your advantage.

Instructions

1

Place a sales ad on a website like Craigslist. In the body of your ad, mention the cars emission problems directly. Include all details related to the emission troubles. If you are aware of the specific cause of the problem, add this information as a suggestion for repair. For example, if a faulty catalytic converter is causing the problem, state that it needs to be replaced.

2

Drop your asking price below the Kelley Blue Book value. Say, in your ad, that the emission problems are the reason for the lower price. Market your car as a good deal for any prospective buyers due to the lowered price. Be willing to negotiate. Include a section that cites the benefit purchasing a car with a fixable problem at a very good price--that the buyer could save money. Make sure that this is the case--that the price of the car and the repair are less than the value of the car. Remember that a car with a problem isnt likely to be attractive to buyers unless they can save money.

3

Disclose all emission issues to a prospective buyer who contacts you. Go over the information regarding the emission problems once again. He must agree to incur all responsibility regarding the problems. He must be aware of possible smog checks in the future, which he will be completely responsible for.

If youre having trouble getting your Nissan Altima to start, there are a few quick and relatively simple things that you can check yourself before an expensive mechanic has to be called. In many cases when a car will not start, there is an issue with the electrical system that must be diagnosed. You can save time and money by diagnosing the issue yourself with simple tools, and you may even be able to make the repairs yourself.

Instructions

1

Put your car in park and apply the emergency brake for safety. Try to start the car. If the car tries to turn over but will not crank to life, your problem very well could be a dead battery. Turn on the headlights; if the lights are dim or not on at all, your battery needs a post. Use a set of jumper cables to try to start the car; replace the battery if even a jump fails to start the car.

2

Test the battery cables of the car by wiggling them if the car will start on occasion but not every time. You could have an electrical short. Tighten the cables to the battery posts if they are loose at all. If you notice that corrosion is forming on the battery terminals, connectors or cable ends, pour a carbonated beverage over them to remove corrosion. Clean the battery terminals with a battery terminal cleaner to get the most direct connection possible.

3

Try to start your Nissan Altima while listening very closely to the sounds that it makes. If you hear a whirling noise followed by a clicking noise, there is a solid chance that you may have a starter problem. Remove the air cleaner with a screwdriver to gain access to the starter, and tap on it. This may engage the flywheel and start the car. Contact a mechanic about replacing the starter if this also fails. This is a fix that you may be able to make but can be challenging.

4

Place the key into the ignition and try to turn it. If the key will not turn or gets jammed, you may have a broken ignition switch. Do not try to force the key. This could break the key off in the switch. Contact a mechanic about having the switch replaced.

The challenge of getting rid of bugs in a car is effectively killing the insects while preserving the interior. Some insecticides can damage upholstery and dashboards. In addition, you dont want to leave an unpleasant smell in the car after the bugs are gone. There are some effective methods for exterminating and removing bugs from a car, even if it has been parked for awhile.

Instructions

1

Clean your car interior. Remove all food scraps, trash and other debris. Vacuum well. Wipe down all surfaces with an upholstery cleaner. This will remove insect eggs that could hatch later, and it will disturb any nesting insects.

2

Heat up your car. Extreme heat kills most insects. If you can find a hot locale, park the car there and roll up the windows. A temperature above 140 degrees will kill most of the bugs. Vacuum afterwards to remove dead insects.

3

Freeze your car. If you live in a cold climate, park the car in the coldest spot you can find. A temperature of about 20 degrees below zero will kill most of the insects. Leave the windows down if there is no precipitation, so that the car will get as cold as possible.

4

Fumigate with carbon dioxide. This is the gas that adds fizz to sodas. Ask a florist where he gets his carbon dioxide for fumigation, because florists use this gas on plants they are about to ship or deliver. It will not leave a smell in your car, and if you air out the vehicle before driving, there will be no dangerous fumes for you to breathe.

5

Spray lavender oil. This kills bedbugs. You will have a lavender smell in your car for awhile, but it is not harmful to breathe. Spray the seats, seat covers and arm rests with lavender oil. Vacuum after a few hours to remove any dead bed bugs.