---- Updated: December 26, 2001 ----
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Question:
There is rain water trapped in passenger side rear cab panel and leaking out along the frame. Had it parked outside in rain for 3-4 days. I don't know how the water got in. Have sun roof. Passenger door seal is broken partly. How do I get the water out and keep it out. -
Jessee
Expert (Gail): I would say that the sunroof is the problem. Replace the seal and use a wet / dry vacuum to get the water out. |
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Question:
92 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3.3L, with A/C. Very little heat from heater. Replaced radiator, Hose, water pump. Fan works. Overheating problem last summer, but fixed. Please advise. -
Emiko
Expert (Gail): Sounds like your heater core is plugged. |
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Question:
Easiest Way of getting at left turn signal bulb in dash of 1985 Cadillac Deville? -
Michael
Expert (Gail): There is no easy way. You will need to remove the instrument cluster to replace this bulb. |
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Question:
I have a 1992 Saab 900 16 valve non turbo the car will die after being driven for 45 minutes at highway speeds when I slow down or come to a stop there are no problems with drivability at any other speed or around town driving. If I wait 5-10 minutes it will almost always restart. have not been able to distinguish fuel or ignition problem yet crank sensor seems to be in spec when checked although have not had the opportunity to check when car is disabled should this fault be stored in memory? Help please. -
Peter
Expert (Gail): I would suggest that the fuel filter is bad. This is not something that would be stored in the computer. |
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Question:
I have a 1995 Saturn SL1 with 90,000 miles on it. Recently I had the service engine light come up on the instrument panel and the rpm was not constant. After restarting the car, the service engine light was not seen. But, the rpm shoots up (gas pedal released) and then decreases while the gears are shifted (manual trans). -
Ramasamy
Expert (Gail): You need to have this car scanned. Take it to a shop with the equipment to do this right. |
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Question:
I had recently had my car go through a 200 point inspection. Five things failed-engine oil, fuel intake, wipers, shocks/struts and the ABS lights not going on when running-KOEO. Would the problem with the shocks cause the problems with the ABS lights? -
Tracey
Expert (Gail): No, the shocks are not related to the ABS sysyem. |
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Question:
98 Ford Explorer 4x4 V6 Engine starts but cannot take foot off gas pedal or will engine stop. If one puts car in gear and moves then car idles ok. Problem is when car has sat for and hour or so? - Mark
Expert (Gail): It sounds like the fuel system is losing pressure after sitting. Check the fuel pressure under these conditions to verify. You will probably need to replace the fuel pump. |
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Question:
I have an 86 prelude. The inspection was rejected because of the rack and pinion. Is this something I need to replace or can it be rebuilt. I was also told the upper ball joints were bad. The car has some slop in the steering and shakes when stopping. -
Walter
Expert (Gail): You can get rebuilt rack and pinion gears. The conditions that you describe are consistent with the diagnosis. |
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Question:
I have a 97 ford escort sport.: My center brake light comes on when I turn the head lights on. With head lights on the brake lights do not come on bright when brake pedal is pressed. Brake lights do work fine when headlights are off. Where should I look to fix this? -
Tom
Expert (Gail): Make sure that the bulbs are correct. A wrong bulb in a socket will cause feedback in the system causing your problem. |
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Question:
'92 Ford Tempo somebody pulled all my spark cables off the distributor cap. Cable #1 is in the six o'clock position. Clockwise from there how do I reconnect cables 2-4? -
Tyler
Expert (Gail): Look on the intake manifold for the firing order. It should be embossed on the manifold. Follow this order. |
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Question:
I have an 88 bronco when I turn it off and take the key out. I turn the place where you insert the key backwards and it goes on. problem? -
Mike
Expert (Gail): Sounds like the ignition key cylinder need to be replaced. |
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Question:
I have a '91 Maxima GXE with 175K miles. Recently, after being towed, gas overflow tube replaced, left boot and 1/2 axle replaced, speedometer read wrong readings. At 30 MPH it read 35, at 60 it read about 75MPH. garage says they did nothing to initiate this problem. Odometer reads ok and car is shifting correctly, I think. What is wrong? Thanks. -
Howard
Expert (Gail): The repairs that you describe should not change the speedometer. Check the tires. Larger than factory tires will cause the problem that you are describing. |
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Question:
1995 Plymouth Voyager 3.0 engine. Brake light stays on, fluid level ok, feel like their is no power to the brakes at all. What could it be? -
Mike
Expert (Gail): The light is on because of low vacuum.. You need to replace the power brake booster. |
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Question:
I need to know how to fix a timing belt on my 1989 Honda Civic DX 1.5. Basically, how to line up the pulleys to put the belt on. -
Jason
Expert (Gail): There are marks on the crankshaft and camshaft drive gears. Just line them up. |
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Question:
I have a 91 Ford Taurus. When you run the car with the air control in the "off" position (as opposed to low or high) and then turn the air on (doesn't matter if you turn the A/C or the heater on), a cloud of fog, sometimes a bit smelly, pours through the vents and fogs the entire inside of the car. What is causing this? If you run the car with the air on low or high all the time, it never happens. -
Kelly
Expert (Gail): You need a new heater core. |
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Question:
I have a 1987 Toyota Celica GT that has a leaking oil
drain lug. I cannot find a self-tapping oversized plug for an 18MM plug. Any suggestions where I cna find the latter or what else I might do? -
Bruce
Expert (Gail): If a replacement washer will not work you will most likely need to replace the oil pan. There are after market rubber plugs available, but I would not suggest using them. |
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Question:
I have a 92 Honda Civic four door LX. problem is after the car sits for a period of time, approx. 8 hours the transmission only shifts to 1st,and second gear I drive for about a block, and stop step on the gas ,it makes a small click noise and then shifts ok. Is my automatic transmission going bad? -
Peter
Expert (Gail): You need to take it to a qualified transmission tech. It probably needs a shift solonied. |
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Question:
I have a 1995 Geo Metro standard 5 speed, 3cyl engine. It has a loud squeak which sounds like a belt. I had the belts changed and it still squeaks. The tech said the alternator seemed ok. When I take the car out of gear or depress the clutch it stops. -
Sanford
Expert (Gail):
It sounds to me like the belt tensioner is the culprit. |
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Question:
I have a 1984 Jeep Wagoneer v-6 2.8l, we I reach 20mph the engine dies on me, I can never get pass 20mph. I have replaced the fuel pump, Cat. converter and Oxygen sensor. Why could it be? -
Rick
Expert (Gail): You replaced the fuel pump, how about the filter? This could be your problem. |
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Question:
When running and only at an idle there is this squeaking noise coming from the front of my car. it disappears when
I accelerate. also my temp gauge I noticed is going up slightly since this noise... it is a 1995 Pontiac grand am any suggestions. -
Julie
Expert (Gail): I am thinking that the water pump is starting to go. |
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Question:
I have a 1994 Honda civic with a 1.6L VTEC. Starts and runs fine until it warms up after driving 10 miles or so it just dies. I am considering replacing the ICM unit in the distributor. Am I on the right track. all other component check out fine. Plugs, wires, battery, fuses etc. -
Michael
Expert (Gail): I would clean the throttle bore and replace the plugs and wires before looking at the ICM. |
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Question:
I have 1990 Isuzu Trooper v6 2.8l idle rough when its cold what causes and how I fix it? -
Bruce
Expert (Gail): I would replace the plugs and wires. Factory parts generally give better results. |
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Question:
1988 Ford Tempo-I can't find the radiator drain valve so I can do a flush. Where is it? -
Mark
Expert (Gail): It is under the lower radiator hose. Probably in the hardest place to get to. |
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Question:
I have a 97 Chrysler Sebring Convertible with 45,000 miles. The "Check Engine Soon" light has started coming on intermittently. I have also noticed it runs a little rough during idle. Otherwise, it seems to be fine. -
Twig
Expert (Gail): It probably needs an oxygen sensor, but it needs to be checked. Take it to the Dealer. |
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Question:
My 1992 Eagle Talon Tsi is in fail safety mode. What can I do about it. -
Jason
Expert (Gail): Take it to the
dealer. |
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Question:
I bought a used 1993 Saturn and I love it. But I did not get an owner's manual. I have not used the cigarette lighter because I don't smoke but last week I purchased an item that plugs into the lighter and I am getting no current. I cannot find which fuse is for the cigarette lighter. My fuse box is under the hood. The fuse box is labeled but nothing says, "cigarette lighter", or anything like that. I bought the Haynes manual and it does not have the fuse box diagram. Is there a web site that has this kind of thing? -
Michael
Expert (Gail): You need to get online and go to the Saturn home page and find an owners manual. It is probably made to work this way as a safety issue. |
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Question:
I have a 1992 Nissan XE with a blown engine. I saw an engine GA16(GA15) for a 1991 at a Japanese import website. The price for this was half of one for a 1992 engine. Can I use this engine in my car. I am low on cash and need a cheap as possible fix. -
Chris
Expert (Gail): Only if the engine sizes are exactly the same. |
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Question:
I have purchased a used 1997 Honda Civic. It is in decent condition except that the power locks do not work at all. And I cannot lock the driver door, except from the outside with the key. I've checked the fuses for the power locks and they are good, And I am wondering if the fact that I cannot lock the door is some kind of feature to keep me from locking my keys in the car. It didn't come with a manual so I can only guess on that. Are there other things I should check on the power locks before having a service technician at Honda tear into it for unlimited $? -
Matthew
Expert (Gail): Most Hondas are designed to do exactly what you describe. This is a feature that keeps you from locking your keys in the car. |
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Question:
Have a 1991 Ford Taurus Wagon 3.0. Auto trans. Low mileage 38K. Last week drove on open highway for about 60 miles at between 65-70 mph with cruise control on. Car began bucking but didn't stall out. Limped to where I needed to go (local driving) and car had slight knock, and made popping noises. Car didn't overheat but ran hotter than normal. Left engine running for entire trip. Returning home on open road at between 50-55mph. No problems. Parked car in garage and listened to engine which continued popping then subsided. Suspected may be bad cat. convertor. Changed oil in car next day and added slick 50 fuel additive. Car drove great for next 4 days. On 5th day car began bucking again. Car not shifting properly but not slipping. Suspected throttle control sensor switch. Brought car to local mechanic who said he ran diagnostic and got several errors. He wasn't sure about all of them. Said he replaced throttle control sensor and suggested I drive for a few days. Then said car wouldn't die on me & the engine and trans were OK but suggested I bring car back to have O2 sensors replaced as ck engine light kept coming on. Mentioned something about an TP transmission switch possibly bad. Diagnostic printout also showed possible PFE/DPFE (?) fault. he also said cat converter not plugged. Drove home and about 2 miles into the drive I came to stop light. When I stepped on gas to turn right, the car wouldn't move. I shifted from neutral to drive to low to park, etc., but car wouldn't move. Eventually it went into gear and I limped into a shopping center where I parked. Called mechanic who'd just worked on car and he now said trans probably bad and good luck. If I turned engine off for a few minutes it would go into gear but eventually would begin doing same thing. Called mechanic friend who looked at car and found a disconnected wire hanging near the firewall (toward passenger side) Couldn't find where it was supposed to connect. Says it may have been broken off but not sure. Drove it again with him in car and shifted fine. Managed to get it home and he looked at the throttle control sensor switch and said it didn't look new or like it had been replaced. Waited for 3 days and drove car, trans shifting fine and engine sounded OK. After about 2 miles car wouldn't go into gear while attempting to make a k-turn. No gear slippage. Shut off engine for about 2 minutes and car again went into gear after restarting. It bucked on way back. Friend also said he thought the disconnected wire should be connected somewhere but wasn't sure where. Said he doubted if trans had mechanical problems as it was shifting OK.
I'm thinking it's an electrical problem tied to a sensor of some sort (transmission control module?) Or possibly that wire not being plugged
in. Any assistance would be appreciated. - Shawn
Expert (Gail): I think that is an electrical problem as well. I would suggest that the transmission control module has a short in it. |
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