Auto Repair Guide

About Those “Warped” Brake Rotors

Eldon Jarrard — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:03:41 +0000

I just completed a brake repair job on a 1992 Lincoln Town Car. This particular car has been very well maintained by its owners, and they weren’t really sure what to do when they suddenly began to feel a shimmy in the steering wheel during braking, along with a pulsing in the brake pedal. Pretty scary. [...]

How To Fix Paint Scratches, Abrasions, & Other Such Ugliness

Eldon Jarrard — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:05:50 +0000

Repairing paint scratches isn’t really too difficult, but if not done correctly, a small repair job can turn into a major expense. Deep scratches, abrasions and stains are best repaired by a professional, but you can repair some of the lesser scratches such as key & pebble marks yourself, and usually save a lot of [...]

Very Useful Tool: The Power Probe®

Eldon Jarrard — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:52:04 +0000

Every once in awhile, an ingenious product comes along which fills a real need, is easy to use, and is nearly indespensable. Such a product is the Power Probe,made by Power Probe, Inc. of Brea, Ca. USA. When troubleshooting & repairing electrical problems on your vehicle, you’ll need to test affected circuits in order to determine [...]

Headlight Bulbs Explained: What To Do When They Burn Out

Loren Ellis — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:55:08 +0000

We’ve all seen it: A car is coming toward you on the road, but you may mistakenly think that its a motorcycle, especially at night. Or perhaps the other driver is purposely keeping his or her headlights on high, even when it isn’t appropriate – so you “flash” the oncoming vehicle. The other driver dims [...]

Car Heaters Demystified: How They Work And How To Troubleshoot Them

Eldon Jarrard — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 04:12:34 +0000

The heating system in your car is actually pretty simple in principal. Heated liquid is circulated through a small metal radiator (called a Heater Core) inside the passenger compartment, and a carefully situated electric blower blows air through the heater core as well. As air from the blower passes through the heater core, it [...]

Those Pesky Ground Connections And Why They’re Important

Loren Ellis — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:53:39 +0000

“So, what was wrong with my car?” my friend Rick asked as I handed him his car key. “Glad you asked” I returned. “C’mon out in the shop and I’ll show you”. Rick had brought his car in, complaining about several strange troubles. The engine would suddenly run rough and sometimes backfire. The “Check Engine” indicator [...]

Engine Sensors Demystified: What They Are, What They Do, And Why You Need Them.

Eldon Jarrard — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:50:52 +0000

Understanding the various engine sensors on your car, truck, or SUV and how they function can really help you to save money and make better and more informed decisions regarding the care and repair of your vehicle. Almost all cars, trucks, SUVs and other vehicles manufactured within the last 25 years or so utilize a type [...]

Timing Belts Demystified

Loren Ellis — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 07:40:55 +0000

In order to run correctly, a car engine relies upon a precisely timed series of events. These events must occur in the proper sequence and at precisely the right times. The events include opening and closing of [...]

Electrical Repair: How To Diagnose & Repair Your Charging System Part 3

Eldon Jarrard — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:38:51 +0000

In part 2 of this series, we discussed the alternator and two possible types of regulator systems, along with some troubleshooting techniques. In this final part, we’ll cover testing for both types of regulator, alternator/regulator replacement, and testing of the associated wiring. Important: One or both battery cables must be disconnected before replacing any parts. 1) Seperate [...]

Electrical Repair: How To Diagnose & Repair Your Charging System Part 2

Eldon Jarrard — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 09:51:32 +0000

In part 1 of this series, we gave an overview of the charging system, and discussed your vehicle battery and how to test and troubleshoot it. Assuming that the battery is known to be good, the next step is to make sure that the battery terminals are clean and tight. If either of these terminals are [...]