Wednesday, February 19, 2014
1992 Dodge Colt Troubleshooting No Spark
The 1992 Dodge Colt is a two-door hatchback. If you are having problems with your 92 Dodge Colt, there are a few things you can do before you have a mechanic take a look at it. The spark plug on the engine is what sparks it to life. If you have a bad spark plug, you will need to replace it in order for the engine to fire.
Instructions
- 1
Turn off the Dodge Colt and pop the hood.
2Locate the spark plug housing on the back of the engine. The spark plug housing is labeled for easy access.
3Pull the spark plug from the housing with your fingers.
4Touch the spark plug to your Dodge Colt to look for a spark. If the spark is blue, you need to replace the spark plug.
5Pull the spark plug from the housing and replace it with a new one. Put the spark plug housing back into the engine and then start the car.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Troubleshooting a Honda Odyssey Locked in Park
Edmunds ranked the Honda Odyssey as the best minivan on the market for several years straight as of 2011. Like most vehicles, its ignition switch has four positions: lock, accessory, on and start. With the switch in either of the first two positions, its not possible to move the shift lever out of "park." If the switch is not in those two positions and the lever still wont budge, the Odyssey owners manual details a shift-lock release procedure to manually disable the pin holding the lever up.
Instructions
- 1
Ensure the driver tried to follow all the usual procedures for moving the shifter lever out of park. These steps include the simultaneous actions of placing the ignition switch to the "on" or "start" positions, depressing the brake pedal and depressing the release button on the side of the shifter. If the normal process is unsuccessful, continue with the following steps.
2Pull up the parking brake.
3Take the key out of the ignition switch.
4Put a small cloth over the notch for the small shift-lock release panel, located next to the "P" on the shifter. Use a screwdriver to pry on the notch to remove the little panel.
5Slide the ignition key into the uncovered slot. Push down on it while depressing the shifter release button and slide the shifter to the "neutral" position.
6Remove the key and reinstall the small panel, ensuring the notch is on the left side.
7Depress the brake pedal and start the engine normally.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Troubleshooting Starter Problems with the VW Passat
The VW Passat is a four-door sedan that comes with a manual or automatic transmission. If your VW Passat will not start properly, it might be a problem with the starter. The starter on your Passat sends an electrical signal from the battery to the engine when the key is engaged in the ignition. You can test the starter with minimal automotive knowledge and little hassle.
Instructions
- 1
Park your VW Passat on a flat surface. Engage the emergency brake to secure the car from rolling. Make a note of the security code for your Passats radio. You can find this in the owners manual.
2Open the hood and use a wrench to disconnect the black cable from the battery on the right side of the engine. Go under the car and check for the engine shield. Use a wrench to remove the shield if your car has one (some models do not use an engine shield).
3Pull the shield out from under the car and locate the starter. The starter is located on the right side of the engines bottom. Disconnect the red cable from the car battery, then connect the red and black leads from your voltmeter to the starters red and black wires going to the battery.
4Look at the instrument display for a reading. If you do not get a 12-volt reading, you either need to replace the starter or the battery. Test the battery terminals with your voltmeter and replace the battery if needed.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
1989 Mazda 626 Troubleshooting
Slotting neatly between the 323 and 929 is Mazdas mid level offering; the 626 sedan and coupe. This third generation 626 brought with it updated styling, a choice of 5- speed manual or 4- speed automatic transmissions, and a torquey 2.2L, 4-cylinder engine that incorporates a unique 12-valve head design. These vehicles are known for their outstanding reliability with some still in use today. High mileage on the Mazda 626 can result in a few common issues that can be easily addressed and repaired.
Instructions
- 1
Tune-up the vehicle by changing oil, brake and transmission fluid. Install new spark plugs/wires, and replace clogged or dirty air and fuel filters. This service is suggested every 12 months and will help keep the Mazda running optimally; as well as address issues like an engine misfire, hesitation, and poor idle/fuel economy.
2Connect an engine code reader to the 626s diagnostic port to quickly identify any faulty components.
3Replace dirty or contaminated engine coolant, and install a new thermostat to help correct extreme engine temperatures or weak cabin heat.
4Hook up a multimeter to test alternator and battery voltages. A voltage reading lower than 12 may cause starting issues and potential misfires.
5Perform a brake inspection and replace damaged rotors or excessively worn pads (close to the metal indicator), to alleviate poor braking performance.
