Fix It

The original catalytic converter on the 1988 Chevy K2500 was a flat, broad, pellet-filled component. Chevy used this style converter until the mid 1990s. The bottom of the converter featured a fill plug that would often erode from exposure and leak the ceramic pellets out from inside the shell. While replacement plugs were available, most aftermarket companies replaced the converter with a canister-shaped direct-fit converter with an internal ceramic honeycombed substructure.

Instructions

1

Park the 1988 Chevy K2500 on a level surface, turn the engine off and apply the parking brake.

2

Put on the safety glasses and crawl under the passengers side of the vehicle (behind the front tire) with the shop light or a flashlight.

3

Follow the exhaust tubing on the passengers side to the engine connection. The front pipe of the K2500 features a Y-pipe connected to both the drivers side and the passengers side of the engine.

4

Follow the Y-pipe back to the next component behind it. It will either be a large, broad, flat component or a round canister with an external heat shield spot-welded to the outer shell. This component is the catalytic converter. Depending on the size of the wheel base of the K2500, behind the converter there may be a small to medium length connector pipe leading to the muffler and the tailpipe. The connector pipe routes over the rear axle and out toward the rear bumper, all on the passengers side.

The air temperature sensor on the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe monitors the temperature of the air flowing through the intake into the filter. The engine computer regulates the fuel to air ratio based on the temperature readings from the sensor. Buy a new sensor from an auto parts retailer, and change it at home. The sensor mounts in an accessible location and requires no disassembly to access it.

Instructions

1

Raise the hood of the Tahoe. Support it with the prop rod.

2

Locate the air cleaner assembly at the top of the engine compartment, near the firewall. The air cleaner assembly is a large black box with air intake hoses attached to either side and clips securing the cover.

3

Look for a small wire running to the passenger side of the air cleaner assembly, just above the intake hose. The air temperature sensor connects to the end of the wire, threaded into the air cleaner assembly.

Before changing the camshaft sensor on your 1992 Buick Park Avenue, you must determine its location on the engine; the sensor is tucked away under the water pump, and while you can see it from the top of the engine, replacing it requires you to work under the front of the car. A replacement sensor is available from most auto parts stores or through a Buick dealership.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of your Park Avenue and locate the water pump on the front of the engine. You will see the water pump is the front-center of the engine block.

2

Look near the base of the water pump pulley, along the bottom edge: You will see an electrical connector and harness.

3

Follow the harness in toward the block, until you can see a small, round sensor threaded into the block--this is the camshaft sensor.

Because an airbag is no good unless it springs into action instantly once a crash occurs, airbag sensors must be able to deploy the airbag quickly. The location of airbag sensors on a vehicle is important as this will determine the airbags reaction time.

Location

Airbag sensors usually are located at the front of most of todays American made automobiles. They are placed purposefully in the known impact zones of a vehicle. This way when a crash occurs, the sensors can signal the airbag to deploy nearly instantaneously.

Types

There are several types of airbag sensors, such as the "spring and mass" type, which works using a weight held by a spring and trips to close a switch once an impact occurs. Another type of airbag sensor has a "micro accelerometer" chip that sends an electronic signal to the airbag when the vehicle is impacted hard enough.

Considerations

Some vehicle makers insist that their crash senors dont have to be replaced after an accident because the sensors automatically reset themselves. However, consider having them checked as the sensors may have suffered damage during the accident or failed to reset themselves properly.