Auto Repair Articles

Question:

How is the 1990 Ford Escort ignition key tumblers replaced. I’ve removed the covers & tried to release tumblers by depressing the release pins through both open ports in canting, but tumbler unit won”t pull out in any position. How do I release tumbler assy? 

Answer:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. If equipped with a tilt steering column, remove the upper extension shroud by unsnapping the shroud from the retaining clip at the 9 o’clock position.
3. Remove the steering column lower shroud.
4. Unplug the warning buzzer electrical connector.
5. With the lock cylinder key, rotate the cylinder to the RUN position.
6. Take a ¹/₈ in. (3.17mm) diameter pin or small wire punch and push on the cylinder retaining pin. The pin is visible through a hole in the mounting surrounding the key cylinder. Push on the pin and withdraw the lock cylinder from the housing.

To install:

Fig. 1: Use a 1/8 in. (3.17mm) diameter pin or small wire punch to push on the lock cylinder retaining pin and remove the cylinder

1. Install the lock cylinder by turning it to the RUN position and depressing the retaining pin. Insert the lock cylinder into the housing. Be sure the lock cylinder is fully seated and aligned in the interlocking washer before turning the key to the OFF position. This action will permit the cylinder retaining pin to extend into the cylinder housing hole.
2. Rotate the lock cylinder, using the lock cylinder key, to ensure correct mechanical operation in all positions.
3. Attach the electrical connector for the key warning buzzer.
4. Install the lower steering column shroud or trim shroud halves.
5. Connect the negative battery cable.
6. Check for proper start in P or N, then make certain the start circuit cannot be actuated in the D and R positions and that the column is locked in the LOCK position.

The Alzheimer’s disease is not one that can be ignored as it affects every one around the affected person and can be emotionally damaging as well as dangerous.  Watching your parents or loved ones with beginning signs of the disease and the denial they portray if you even think it around them can be a lot to deal with.

A hundred years after Alzheimer’s disease was discovered, a cure for the degenerative condition that strips sufferers of their memory and personality remains a dream. The main advances have been in drugs to control symptoms such as agitation and restlessness. Restoring memory and cognitive ability has proved much harder.

The Alzheimer’s Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer’s. There are walks in more than 600 communities. A typical Memory Walk is a 2-3 mile walk held on a weekend morning in the fall.

By teaming up with the Alzheimer’s Association, you can walk with a purpose – and move us closer to a world without Alzheimer’s. Together, we can MOVE a nation. Every 71 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This year, more than 200,000 people across the nation will be on the MOVE.

Question:

I have a unit to test a/c refrigerant level/pressure and if it needs more or needs other repairs. I need to locate the low side port of the a/c on a 3.5 liter 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue engine to attach the unit. Can you tell me where it is?  Already Tried: Looked under the hood and was not sure if I located it or not. I think it is on the right side of the engine as you look at it in front of the brake lines and a bit lower.

Answer;

The low side fitting is on the accumulator on the right side of the engine compartment(driver side). You should be able to trace the large line at the compressor back to the accumulator assembly.

Air Conditioning Troubleshooting

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Question:

I have a 2002 Hyundai Sonata GL and started smelling a burnt plastic smell then the brake light started coming on and going off, and my dashlights started dimming then lost power all together. Diagnostics were run and were told that my battery was good and that all cylinders were running and that everything looked fine, we cannot figure out what is going on - there is no fluid drippings. Already Tried: Diagnostics on battery, checked under hood, checked battery cables, checked fluids, checked to make sure wasn’t a bag on the muffler, can’t find the starter to see if the cables to the starter were okay though

Answer:

Check the engine drive belt tensioner. It may be sticking and allowing the belt to slip intermittently, this would cause you to lose charge and smell burning.
 

Question:

I have a 99′ Ford Expedition and I was wondering what synthetic motor oil weight would be best for my truck? 

Answer:

The manufacturer recommends 5W30 

Find out the pros and cons of cheap insurance and even get a Free rate quote online right now!

Car Insurance …….. yeah ,they all say they’re the cheapest out there……lol. Surely you are intelligent enough to know not all insurance companies are created equal. Each individual insurance policy should be read completely just as you would read a New car warranty. The Policy is only as good as the coverage it “really” has. The Largest National Insurance Company is currently undergoing a class action law suit for charging individuals with multiple policies more than once as a primary driver, on each vehicle. So do not think just because they have a well known name that you will be treated fair. Take the time to read it, after all don’t you want to know what you are paying for?

Each policy is only as good as its coverage.

The nitrogen gas produced by an airbag inflator is NOT flammable. Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the air we breathe, oxygen is about 20%, and the remaining 2% is every other otmospheric gas (like argon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.). 

1. Air conditioner system is discharged. Have the system evacuated, charged and leak tested by an MVAC certified technician, utilizing approved recovery/recycling equipment. Repair as necessary.
2. Air conditioner compressor clutch not engaging. Check compressor clutch wiring, electrical connections and compressor clutch, and repair or replace as necessary.

Troubleshooting your Air Conditioning System

Question:

 I have a 1993 Ford E-150 Van with a 351 cu. V8 engine. What can I do to get better gas mileage? this is a new motor and every thing is all new . iwant to get new tricks on how to get the best posibale mpg . is there anything that can be done to computer?ect…???

Answer:

Make sure you have good tires and alignment as it can cause drag.

Excellent Fuel Saving Tips

You can buy an aftermarket computer chip, have it put on a dyno and and reprogrammed to leaner setting to help fuel mileage but you will loose performance when doing this.

You can install a cold air intake that will help.

Or you can buy a programmer and change things yourself.