Important To Note People Having Car Problems

To prevent repeating of info. If your car has died, acting up, or anything of that nature. Please Please have the codes ran on it first then bring us your questions and the numbers. Their is no sense in answering questions related to those type questions unless we have more info like codes given on the car. If their are no codes on the car then that still helps us because then we can narrow down the causes even more. Even more so its worth having a mechanic look at it and atleast have him give you and idea what might be wrong. Then you can cross reference the information that he gives you with us. Then we can better determine if that is the cause. This will greatly improve giving you a better answer all around.

Also riding around with codes on your car is a big no no. Doing this can cost you big time down the road. If its a major code it can even cause severe damage down the road.

Its important to understand. If your not experience in working on cars or have limited knowledge. It might be in your best interest to go to a reputable mechanic. Failing to do a repair correctly can be costly and dangerous. Are help is always with the mind set that the person has fairly good knowledge of working on cars. Being able to baby step you through a repair is going above and beyond what this forum was intended for.

When buying parts for your car at your local auto parts store. Buying auto parts is not the time to be cheap. It's best to get the top brand, above oem spec part. Also the more expensive parts normally come with a lifetime warranty. This helps back you if the part does ever fail. Also just because the owners manual states use only the brand name of your car genuine parts. Doesn't always mean these are the best parts you can buy. Sometimes other 3rd party parts makers. Meet or exceed specs ten times over what the auto manufacture offers. Using high quality parts in your car. Will only make life easier for you down the road.

[way2old]

Along the same lines, if the check engine, service engine soon, or the engine picture light is on, have the codes read and post the EXACT code number.  Don't post what they tell you is wrong with the car.  The EXACT code will help us narrow down the problem quicker.  An example is if they say it is the EGR system.  There are a few codes that point to various items.  Each number has its own diagnostics.  Thanks.

yes that is very much so.

Reason why I bring this up is to many posts in here are like. "My car is acting up it stalls out when driving"  I mean it could be a whole host of problems but unless we have some form of codes we really have no idea. We could give you a grocery list to check and replace but your more or less wasting money. So thats why getting the codes check are important. For older cars you can still get codes off of those cars as well. If the cars are really really old then we will just give it are best guess.

bump just moving it up the threads bump

bump

Are code readers available at automotive stores or does it have to be done by a mechanic?

Are code readers available at automotive stores or does it have to be done by a mechanic?

   

You can but code readers from many sources. For the home mechanic, AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts sell them. You can even buy them online. Just google search code readers.

pre-1995 are like less than $30, and 1996 and newer (OBDII) start at like $70 and run into the hundreds.

1995 and older GM/Saturn, a paper clip or piece of wire will do the same job as it only connects 2 terminals on the plug in and you count the flashing light on the dash to retrieve the codes.

You can also go to the above stores mentioned and they will pull your codes for free. Cottman transmission now advertises it also. I guess if you have tranny problems, that would be the place to get free advice.

The above code readers can handle many engine problems, but you have to remember  dealers and many shops have advanced diagnostic equipment that is not available to the public. eg. ABS brakes, airbag systems, transmissions, advanced engine problems, etc.

I have a 98 mercury sable LS with the 24 valve 200 HP engine. I have had this car for 7 years and always got around 340 miles to the tank ( >15.5 gallons). When the car reached 100k miles I opted to replace the original plugs, wires, dist cap, fluids in tranny and coolant plus cleaned the fuel injectors. After all that (1K$ w/battery) fuel milage dropped 1/3 to average of >240 miles a tank! My mechanic (not the dealer!) says that it is the ethanol in the fuel and that his computer says that all the readings are normal.  I looked up the fuel milage for my car on the internet and I am within the range of 16 city but not the 26 highway. I averaged about 23 to 26 MPG for the life of the car. Car runs fine and has plenty of power etc. Could the lower fuel economy be from the E10  ethanol?

There are many problems which a car owner or driver can face. It is a machine so no body can say surely about it. Some times there is problem in starting some time problems in engines.


Leo F. Swiontek

a 1990 740 BMW V6 wont turn on, it has power, and the gas comes, it crancks yet it does not turn on. even though it was a good spark, and when you crank for a lont time the spark plugs get wet with gas, can you tell me the problem?

Adequate cylinder compression and back pressure have to be confirmed before turning attention to a timing chain issue.

I have been having several problems with my 2002 Ford Explorer.  I am a single mom and don't have the time, but more importantly the money to go to a repair shop to have a diagnostic run.  With no other options, I googled my issues, and it brought me to CarComplaints.com and saw others had the same problem as me.  Some users have graciously posted the codes that they have paid to get.  I am not sure if this will work but here is the link to a problem that sounded JUST like mine

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explo ... king.shtml

As you see, the codes were P0733 & P0745 for the issue.  I also learned from that post that there is a possible 'good faith' repair associated with this problem.  I have saved so much money thanks to that post!  

If you can't afford to go to the repair shop, I advise checking on that website for advice.  

Best wishes,
Freda