Repair And Fix it

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.

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.

For the 2010 model year, Chevrolet sold three lines of pickup trucks, the Avalanche, the Colorado and the Silverado, which comes in 1500, 2500 and 3500 models. Each vehicle comes in several trims. The specs provided below should be applied only to the assigned vehicle and should not be used on any other models or trims of a Chevy truck. The rear alignment is not adjustable on any of the vehicles below.

All Trims of the 2010 Avalanche With 18-Inch Tires

The caster should be set at plus 3.3 degrees on the left front tire and plus 3.5 degrees on the right front tire, with a variance of one degree relative to the ground. The ideal camber setting is minus 0.1 degrees, with a variance of 0.5 degrees. The ideal setting for the toe-in is 0.1 degrees, but it can range by 0.2 degrees.

All Trims of the 2010 Colorado 4x4 Except the Z71

The caster should be set at plus 3.8 degrees on the left front wheel and plus 4.0 degrees on the right front wheel, with a variance of one degree. The camber should be set at zero, but can range by 0.5 degrees. The toe-in should also be set at zero, but can range by 0.1 degree.

All Trims of the Silverado C/K 2500HD

The caster should be set at plus 3.25 degrees on the left front wheel and plus 3.5 degrees on the right front wheel, with a variance of one degree relative to the ground. The camber should be set at plus 0.25 degrees, but can range by 0.6 degrees. The toe-in should be set at 0.1 degree, but can range by 0.2 degrees.

Replacing the alternator in your Chevy truck may become necessary if the original quits or starts to show signs or failure. If you are not sure that the alternator is failing, removing it from the truck will allow you to bench-test the unit and determine without question if that is where your issue lies. If the alternator is faulty, replace it with a new or remanufactured unit, available from any auto-parts store or through the Chevy dealers parts department.

Instructions

1

Remove the retaining bolt from the negative battery cable end with a wrench, then remove the cable from the negative battery terminal. Isolate the cable from the battery by setting it off to the side where it cannot fall back against the battery.

2

Place a socket and breaker bar on the axis bolt in the center of the serpentine belt tensioner pulley. Rotate the tensioner counterclockwise and then slide the belt off the alternator pulley.

3

Locate the electrical connections on the rear of the alternator. Remove the nut from the "B" terminal with a wrench, then slide the battery cable off the terminal. Disconnect the plug in the connector from the body of the alternator by pressing the locking tab, then pulling the connector out of the alternator body.

4

Locate the two mounting bolts at the bottom of the alternator. Remove both bolts using a socket and ratchet, then lift the alternator off the bracket. Position a new alternator onto the mounting bracket, install the two mounting bolts and torque them to 37 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

5

Install the electrical connections on the rear of the alternator. Plug the push-in connection to the socket on the alternator body and install the battery cable onto the "B" terminal. Torque the nut to 13 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

6

Slide the serpentine belt onto the alternator pulley, then rotate the tensioner clockwise with a socket and breaker bar, tightening the belt. Install the negative battery cable onto the negative battery terminal. Install the retaining bolt on the terminal and tighten it with a wrench.

Dodge produced several trims of the 4x2 and 4x4 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 in 2000, as well as 4x2 and 4x4 trims of the Dakota pickup truck. Each model came with its own alignment specifications. Some trims of a given model shared certain alignment specs, but several trims came with distinct alignment guidelines. Before making any adjustments to the alignment of a vehicle, it is important to clarify that the specs apply to the exact make, model and year of the vehicle being worked on.

Ram 1500 4x2

The alignment specs for all trims of the 2000 Ram 1500 4x2 are the same, except for the caster angle specs for the Club Cab and Quad Cab trims. The alignment is not adjustable on the rear end of the vehicle. For the front end, the caster angle limits are +1.0 to +3.65 degrees on all trims except for the Club Cab and Quad Cab trims, for which the limits are +1.0 degrees to +4.0 degrees. The caster angle cross tolerance is +0.5 degrees for all trims. The camber angle should be set at +0.5 degrees on all trims. The ideal toe-in is +0.1 degrees.

Ram 2500 4x4

As with the 2000 Ram 1500 4x2, the alignment specs were the same for all trims of the 2000 Ram 2500 4x4 (except for the caster angle on the Club Cab and Quad Cab trims). The alignment is not adjustable on the rear end. The caster angle limits for the front end are +1.0 degree to +2.68 degrees for all trims other than the Club Cab and Quad Cab, for which the limits are +1.0 degrees to +2.8 degrees. The toe-in should be set at +0.1 degrees. According to the "Wheel Alignment Specifications" manual by the Naas Publishing Company, Dodge did not specify a camber angle for the 4x4 trims of Ram pickup trucks in 2000.

Dakot 4x4

The caster angle limits for the front end of the 2000 Dodge Dakota 4x4 are +0.5 degrees to +3.16 degrees for all trims except for the Club Cab, for which the limits are +0.4 degrees to +3.16 degrees. The cross tolerance is +0.5 degrees for all trims. The camber angle limits are -0.25 degrees to +0.5 degrees, with a cross tolerance of +0.5 degrees. The front toe-in can range from +0.06 degrees to +0.1 degrees. The ideal thrust angle is +0.4 degrees.

For years standard pickup trucks have been converted to snow plows for personal and commercial snow removal. The weight of the plow can cause the front end of a plow truck to sag. This not only looks bad but can cause dangerous driving conditions and damage to the vehicles suspension components. Upgrading the front suspension will save money by reducing future costly repairs.

Instructions

1

Choose a new suspension kit ideal for the use of the vehicle. If the vehicle is driven in non-winter months, choose an air-filled suspension system, which will allow air to be added and removed depending on the season. This type of suspension is usually better at handling increased weight while providing a comfortable ride year round.

2

Add weight to the back of truck with sandbags. The rear weight not only assists in leveling the truck but also provides additional traction.

3

Install the new front end suspension kit following the included instructions or consult with a automotive repair facility.

4

Attach the plow to the truck.

5

Fill the suspension system with air, using an air compressor until the truck is level.

6

Release air pressure from the suspension system when the plow is removed from the vehicle.

Trucks are versatile vehicles that are used for personal transportation, transport of materials and commercial purposes. Do-it-yourself truck repair shops and commercial truck shops alike use a variety of tools to repair, rebuild and restore trucks of all shapes and sizes. These tools range from small, handheld tools to industrial-sized tools, which can be used for larger repair projects.

Rotary Tools

Rotary tools are multipurpose, handheld power tools that are used for a variety of repair and restoration projects in truck shops. Rotary tools vary in size and can be used for smaller projects such as cutting and carving truck materials that are made of metal to larger projects such as sanding and polishing trucks that are undergoing body work. Rotary tools are often utilized by mechanics and do-it-yourselfers because they require less torque, which makes them easier to operate and safer to use than many, higher powered mechanical tools. In addition, their handheld design allows for easier grasp than larger tools.

Air Compressors

An air compressor is another tool frequently found in truck repair shops. They are used to power a variety of tools. Air compressors work by converting electrical or gas power into kinetic energy, which is then used to supply power to a variety of hand tools. Air compressors come in a myriad of sizes and can be used to power smaller, handheld tools, such as spray guns and air wrenches, to larger tools such as belt sanders and windshield removers. Air compressors that are used to power smaller tools are typically transportable, while air compressors that are designed to provide increased power are normally stationary by design.

Handheld Tools

In addition to more complicated power tools such as air compressors and rotary tools, a staple used by many mechanics and do-it-yourself truck repair enthusiasts is a collection of traditional hand tools. Traditional handheld tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers are used to perform a variety of repairs, such as engine work, wire cutting, oil changes and body work. Handheld tools are able to get into tighter crevices and make intricate repairs that cannot be performed with larger tools such as air ratchets and drills.