There is no standard sensor package shared by every car. Engine design, fuel type, emissions equipment, model year, and optional features all affect which sensors are fitted. Some sensors also
The accelerator pedal may feel simple, but an electronic throttle system relies on several parts agreeing about how far the throttle should open. A warning light can come on when
Oxygen sensors are easy to blame when the check-engine light comes on because several trouble codes mention the sensor or its circuit. But a code describes what the engine computer
Finding oil near the back of the engine can make a costly repair seem obvious. But oil from another leak can travel down to the engine-transmission joint, and replacing the
Seeing water drip from the tailpipe can look like a leak, but a small amount is often normal. The key is whether it happens briefly as the exhaust warms up
If your car will not start, the starter may be the problem, but the battery, cables, or starter control circuit can cause similar symptoms. A jump-start may help if the
A check-engine light can be frustrating, especially when a trouble code points to an oxygen sensor. But a simulator, spacer, or other bypass does not repair the cause of the
An EGR delete disables or removes the exhaust gas recirculation system. It is sometimes promoted as a way to gain power, improve fuel economy, or avoid EGR repairs, but those
Replacing a catalytic converter can be expensive, so it is tempting to try a cleaner first. The harder question is whether the converter is actually the problem. A P0420 code,
There are some problems no one wants to deal with when it comes to car repairs. One of these is a cracked cylinder head. What are the symptoms of a
The exhaust system is made up of several parts working together to route the gases from the engine away from the vehicle. If you want to know how hot an
If you’re not already using a diesel injector cleaner, now’s the time to start. A good cleaner can extend the life of your injectors, improve fuel efficiency, and keep your
If you check your oil levels frequently, you are more likely to find problems early before they become too severe. One such instance would be when you find a milky
If something is running lean, you might automatically think that it’s a good sign, but that’s not the case with the car engine. With an engine running lean, you could
Many people assume that the car’s battery is the only thing that powers all electrical components in the car, but this is not true. The alternator plays a vital role
If you own a Volkswagen or Audi, there’s a high probability you’ve encountered the EPC light illuminating on your car’s dashboard. Seeing this can be somewhat alarming, but what does
When your car engine runs as it should, everything should be smooth without any noise. When something thing goes wrong, the engine can start running rough, especially while idling. By
Spark plugs are a necessary component to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. If the spark plugs are fouled, it becomes more difficult to get the engine running
As you head down the road, nothing can be more annoying than serpentine belt noise. This squealing belt sound is enough to stop you in your tracks, but it doesn’t
No one wants to hear unusual noises coming from under the hood of their car, but all strange sounds should be investigated promptly. If you hear idler pulley noise, this
When it comes time for your regular tune-up, you may be surprised to find oil on the spark plugs. This contamination often reveals a mechanical problem, but how do you
Today’s cars are equipped with advanced sensors for just about every system. While these sensors provide optimal operation, they can also fail and cause trouble. If you need to deal
Once the Check Engine Light shows up, you know there’s something you must address. The onboard diagnostics (OBD) system analyzes the various car components to ensure everything is working correctly.
If your car is experiencing a vacuum leak, you may notice a host of drivability issues. The unwanted air is going to mess with the air-fuel mixture, leading to a
When the check engine light comes on, it always grabs your attention. It’s designed to alert you that something isn’t right under the hood, but that doesn’t always mean it’s
We often take for granted that our cars will start right up each morning. But when you turn the key and the engine struggles or takes too long to fire,
Of all the things you could deal with while driving, engine sputtering is one that can cause a lot of alarm. Once it starts, it’s difficult to know whether or
If your car has a turbocharger, you may be concerned about a boost leak. What starts as a small issue can turn into major problems if left unchecked. That’s why
The throttle body is an important mechanical component found in fuel-injected vehicles that controls and regulates the amount of air flowing into the engine. When the throttle body is in
The Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) is an important part that ensures your car engine is functioning properly. It measures how much air enters the car engine, and then sends
If you want to keep your car running its best, you need to be alert for the most common bad ignition coil symptoms. While we hope you never have to
Many people mistake the symptoms of a bad alternator for a failing car battery because they are very similar. Once you replace the battery and have the same thing happen
Engine compression relates to how much pressure is generated by the engine within the cylinders while it’s on. The amount of pressure produced by the engine determines the power and
Most serpentine belts are meant to last at least 50,000 miles, so replacement doesn’t occur frequently. Still, you want to know the symptoms of a bad serpentine belt, so you
The PCV valve controls the crankcase emissions, but how do you tell if the PCV valve is bad? Read on to learn the most common symptoms.
The distributor cap is part of the ignition system on older vehicles. If your car still has one, you want to know the symptoms of a bad distributor cap, so
A vehicle requires proper fuel delivery to its engine to function properly. At least 4 components make up a vehicle’s fuel system, including the fuel pump, fuel pressure sensor, fuel
The car turbocharger can provide more power to the engine, but it doesn’t come without its own issues. If you have one installed in your car, you want to know
If you’ve only been working on cars for the last few years, you may never have come across one with a distributor. That’s because this part doesn’t get installed on
Car engines run through the combustion of air/fuel mixture. Spark plugs are used to provide the necessary spark for ignition. This will then move the pistons and crankshaft. However, inefficiencies