Tag Archives: Vehicle
2000 Hyundai Santa Fe Hard To Start
I have a 2000 Hyundai Santa FE and if it sits a couple of hours or more it is hard to start. Can you help me? ProTech: When a vehicle sits for a while after it has been run or driven, the engine goes through what is called a ‘heat soak’. This means it basically gets hotter for a little bit before cooling off. This…
1995 Cadillac Eldorado Rear Air Shocks And ABS Problems
I have a 1995 Cadillac Eldorado. Recently I had to change the air shocks in the rear of the vehicle. The rear auto air level shocks which is standard on the vehicle was disable by the mechanic as he said it is not necessary to have it. Now the ABS light is on and the traction control is disabled. They tell me these are not…
Auto Repair Customer Do’s and Dont’s
After writing my last article, I had some thoughts on some other things that the everyday dealership customer should know. When you bring your car into a dealership for repair, their goal is to make you happy. Fixing your car properly, being friendly towards you, and just making your experience there a pleasant one. Everyone at the dealership is there to service the customer. What…
Extended Automotive Car Repair Warranty Explained
Let’s talk a little bit about warranties. Everything from your factory warranty to extended warranties. New cars, used cars, and just about any car these days has some form of warranty! Like I said in my earlier article, most new car makers have really extended their factory warranty on new vehicles for a long time. Take GM for instance, any new vehicle they sell has…
1990 Cadillac Battery Goes Dead Overnight and Won’t Start
1990 Cadillac Fleetwood. The car won’t start due to dead battery after about 12 hours. I have had the battery and alternator tested, and they tested OK. There must be a power draw somewhere. Do you have any ideas? The battery and alternator tested OK. Mechanic JK: By what you are describing, it sounds like you may have something that is called a ‘parasitic draw’.…
Do I Need New Brakes On My Car?
This article might be a bit related to the rant and raves article I posted a while back. I’m writing this after working yesterday and having to deal with probably one of the most argumentative people ever. It all started when I got the repair order for a vehicle with an ‘abnormal brake noise’. I was going to take the car for a test drive to see…
Do It Yourself Car Maintenance And Repairs
Just a quick article about some things you ‘do-it-yourself’ guys and gals should keep in mind when doing repairs and regular maintenance on your vehicle. Now, I obviously do all the work and maintenance on my own vehicles since that is what I do for a living. Other people attempt to maintain and repair their cars or trucks, but let’s face it, some are better…
Information About Car Safety Recalls
Lately at work, there has been an increase on vehicles coming in for recall work or other safety issues. Usually, this is normal, but the past few weeks have seen a rise in recall repairs that are more than a year or two old! Just today, I had a Chevrolet Impala that came in the shop for two different recalls that were over two years…
Mechanics Do Car Repair Side Jobs For Extra Money
Every single mechanic out there does side work. Whether it be just for family or friends, or a whole list of clients, anyone who wrenches for a living will work on cars on the side. I do this on occasion too, for a select group of close friends and family. This past spring, I had started doing a few more jobs for some neighbors and…
Oldsmobile Silhouette Belt Pulley Replacement
I have a 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette and the main drive pulley appears to have a sleeve on it (the grooved part of pulley) and it popped off how do I put it back on or does it need replaced. ProTech: Just so I am clear. You have the pulley off the car and the sleeve has come loose? No, pulley is on van still just the…
2004 Buick Century Heater and Wipers Stopped Working
I have a 2004 Buick Century and all of a sudden the power windows, heater and wiper blade arms stopped working. There is also no power to the radio or windows when the vehicle is in the accessories. I tried to check the fuses and can’t seem to find anything that is wrong. You have a faulty ignition switch. Power is not getting directed as…
Some Blower Motor Fan Speeds Not Working
This one has been a big issue over the years. Many, many times a car or truck will come into the shop with the customer complaining that their blower motor doesn’t work, or only works on high speed, etc. This is usually the case after a blower resistor failure on one or more speed settings. What is happening to them you ask? Well, the resistor…
Bad Fuel Pumps Cause Vehicle To Not Start
Lately, we’ve have quite a few vehicles come through the shop with fuel pumps that have failed. This seems to go in cycles, where we see a lot of one particular thing coming in all the time and this time of year seems to be fuel pump problems. The colder weather can have a lot to do with these failing, but other than that, it’s…
Tire Pressure Light Description and Operation
Tire Pressure Monitor System Description The tire pressure monitor system was developed many years ago to alert the driver to a tire that is loosing air. As one or more tires lose air because of a leak as compared to the other tires, a warning light or message will come on the dash. A module or computer is used to monitor the system and has…