Fix It

Chrysler reintroduced the 300 lineup in 1999, with the unveiling of the 300M model. In 2005, Chrysler dropped the "M" from the 300 and completely redesigned this four-door sedan. The 2006 Chrysler 300C came standard with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine that cranked out 340 horsepower. The 300C also came standard with the HomeLink system that could be programmed to open a garage door and even turn on the lights in a home without the owner having to get out of the car. This system, however, does not program automatically. You must follow a programming process for this system to work on your house.

Instructions

Single Code Garage Door Opener

1

Park your 300C near your garage door. Press and hold the two outer buttons on the HomeLink system -- the garage door buttons -- for 20 seconds and observe as "Channels Cleared" appears in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center, located between the speedometer and tachometer.

2

Hold your garage door transmitter about three inches away from the HomeLink buttons. Press and hold the garage door opener button and the HomeLink button you intend to use for the garage door, at the same time.

3

Release the buttons when the EVIC displays "Channel X Trained" -- the "X" indicates the HomeLink button that you programmed.

4

Hold the button you just programmed and check the EVIC display. If it reads "Channel X Trained," with "X" being the HomeLink button number, then you programmed the system correctly. If the EVIC displays "Did Not Train," repeat steps 2 and 3.

5

Repeat steps 2 through 4 to program the remaining two buttons, if needed. Do not repeat Step 1, as this deletes all programs.

Rolling Code Garage Door Opener

6

Follow steps 1 through 5 in the section titled "Single Code Garage Door Opener."

7

Locate the "Learn" or "Smart" button on the garage door opener motor. The exact positioning varies on every model opener, but its typically found near the antenna. Press and release the "Learn" or "Smart" button.

8

Hold the programmed HomeLink button for two seconds and release it. Repeat this step two or three times -- the exact number of times depends on the brand of garage door opener.

The tail lights on the Saturn SC1 are also the brake lights for the coupe. The procedure to replace the rear lighting on any Saturn vehicle from 1993 through 2002 is very similar. There are three lights per tail light assembly--the backup/reverse light, the turn signal and the tail light/brake light bulb. The bulb part number changed in 2001, but the procedure to remove the tail light assembly remains the same.

Instructions

1

Verify that the headlight switch is in the "Off" position. Release the trunk latch.

2

Open the trunk and locate the two retaining screws on the inside of the tail light assembly.

3

Remove the two screws with a T-15 Torx head screwdriver.

4

Pull the assembly outward and away from the back of the SC1 far enough to access the wire harness connections attached to the back of the assembly.

5

Press the lock of the tail light/brake light socket (top center bulb inside the red section of the tail light assembly) and twist the socket counterclockwise 1/3 of a turn then pull the bulb and socket assembly out of the tail light assembly.

6

Pull the bulb straight up and out of the socket then push in the 3157 replacement bulb. For the 2057 bulb, push slightly downward on the glass bulb and rotate it 1/4-turn counterclockwise to remove it from the socket. Align the small tabs at the base of the replacement bulb to the grooves in the socket and twist the bulb 1/4-turn clockwise (again, pushing slightly downward on the bulb) until it locks into place.

The bearing assemblies on vehicles allow the wheel to rotate, as well as keeping the wheels adhered to the vehicles body. Bearing types vary, but all perform the same function.

Types

There are two types of bearings: hub and wheel. Both employ the same physical characteristics of a bearing in that they house bearing spheres that are lubricated for spinning to allow the wheel to rotate.

Identification

A major difference between the two is how they are assembled. Wheel bearings can be taken apart, lubricated and reassembled to be used again. Hub bearings are prepacked at the manufacturers factory and are sold and installed as a complete unit. These cannot be taken apart for re-lubrication, but must be replaced.

Warning

Proper care and observation are necessities in keeping bearings lubricated and safe for use. If grinding noises are ignored or regular maintenance of the bearings is put off, lubrication can breakdown and allow the bearings to overheat or break.

Electric brakes are the most common type of brakes found on small trailers that can be pulled with a passenger vehicle. This includes horse, utility and travel trailers. While regulations vary between jurisdictions, it is common for electric brakes to be required on trailers that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,000 pounds or more. Check with your local transportation department for regulations before pulling a trailer that does not have electric brakes installed.

Instructions

1

Install a brake controller in the tow vehicle if there is not one already installed. Without this, the electric brakes on the trailer will not function. Many newer vehicles that are capable of towing a trailer will have a wiring harness for a brake controller already installed underneath the dash, below the steering column. Mount the brake controller to the underside of the dash and hook up wires according to the controllers instructions.

2

Fit the brake controllers wiring with a circuit breaker and run the brake controllers wires to the rear of the vehicle. If there is a factory towing wiring harness installed, this step can be skipped.

3

Mount a 7-way RV blade at the rear of the tow vehicle and connect it to the wiring that you ran from the brake controller. A 7-way RV Blade will be the most versatile plug in style and allow you to connect to trailers with various style electrical systems.

4

Check to see what type of electrical connector your trailer is wired with. Common prong types include 7-way, 6-way, 5-way and 4-way, each of which may come shaped uniquely, depending on the manufacturer. If the vehicle receptacle does not match the trailers plug-in, you will need to purchase an adapter.

5

Plug the trailers electrical connector in the the vehicles receptacle using an adapter if needed. Start the tow vehicle and depress the brake pedal. Have an assistant observe the trailers brake lights and ensure that they are functioning before using the trailer.

All engines have some source of energy (fuel), whether that energy is electricity, gasoline, hydrogen or some other source. And because all vehicles have engines, all vehicles therefore need an energy source. If the energy source is a liquid fuel such as gasoline, the design of the vehicle typically requires a way to get the liquid fuel from the gas tank to the carburetor and fuel system. In most vehicles, this method is the fuel pump. There are different types of fuel pumps, and what follows is an explanation of the different types and where theyre found.

Mechanical Pumps

Mechanical fuel pumps are one of the two main types of fuel pumps. These pumps are used on carburated engines. They are called mechanical pumps because they operate mechanically---meaning, their operation is dependent on the turning of a cam shaft, which manipulates a lever that pulls on a diaphragm; the diaphragm operates valves that allow fuel out of the tank and into the fuel system. These pumps are low-pressure pumps and operate at only about 4 to 6 psi. They typically are mounted on the engine.

Electric Pumps

Electric fuel pumps are the second main type of fuel pump. Theyre used on engines with fuel injection systems. These pumps dont require an eccentric cam on a cam shaft to operate, and they can operate at much higher pressures than mechanical fuel pumps. Most electric fuel pumps operate at 30 to 40 psi. Some fuel injection systems make use of two electric fuel pumps: One is mounted in the tank, and the other is mounted on or near the engine.

Turbo Pumps

A third type of fuel pump is not as well-known, because it is found only in jet and rocket engines. These pumps are called turbo pumps. They are centrifugal and get their propulsion from either a ram-air device or a gas turbine.

Safety

Of the two main types of fuel pumps, electric pumps are considered the safest. This is because they often make use of two separate devices. The first device is an electronic control unit (ECU), which is designed to stop the pump from operating in the instance of an accident. The second device is an inertia switch. This switch keeps the pump from operating if it senses that the vehicle has overturned. Also, the placement of the electric fuel pump within the gas reduces the risk of a fire, because liquid gasoline is less combustible than gasoline vapors.

Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons to both the main types of fuel pumps. Manual pumps can be easier and cheaper to replace than electrical fuel pumps, because the electrical pump has different components and is submerged in gasoline. However, electrical fuel pumps are more efficient than mechanical pumps due to their ability to run at higher pressures, and because they are becoming the standard type of pump on vehicles, the right electrical fuel pump may be easier to find if it needs replacing than a mechanical pump.

The Dodge Ram Sport is a full-sized pickup truck made by Chrysler. The 1999 model year represented the end of the second generation for the Dodge Ram Sport. Like all trucks, the Ram takes a lot of abuse due to the design and intended use of the truck. One of the components that will eventually need servicing is the exhaust system. The stock exhaust on a 1999 Dodge Ram Sport will need to be removed if you want to upgrade it to a stainless steel exhaust. However, many people remove the exhaust to replace it because of corrosion or damage caused by road salt.

Instructions

1

Place a jack stand under the exhaust piping at various intervals to support the exhaust while you remove it.

2

Unbolt the exhaust to manifold bolts located at the front of the exhaust system. You may need to use an extended handle on the socket wrench, called a "breaker bar," to apply additional leverage on the bolts to remove them.

3

Disconnect the electrical wiring on the O2 sensors on the exhaust. These are plug-style connectors that pull right off.

4

Separate the exhaust piping from the manifold. It should pull right apart, but depending on where you live and the condition of the piping, you may need to pry the joint apart with a large flat-tip screwdriver.

5

Slide the exhaust piping and muffler off the rubber exhaust hangers on the underbody of the Dodge and drop the exhaust down gently onto the ground.

In a perfect world, cars, trucks, and automotive components would last forever. But theres a delicate balance between cost and longevity, so vehicle manufacturers constantly push the engineering envelope as it relates to doing more with less. Although the headlight switch for your 2001 Ford F-150 is considered an electrical component, its mechanical aspect is susceptible to normal wear and tear after years of regular use. Replacing the defective headlight switch is easy, requiring minimal hand tools to get the job done.

Instructions

1

Connect a memory saver device to the vehicle, according to the products specific instructions. Although not absolutely needed to replace the headlight switch, using a memory saver will avoid short-term drivability issues after reconnecting the negative battery cable, in addition to saving you the hassle of reprogramming the vehicles stereo and other programmable features that depend on constant battery power. Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket and ratchet.

2

Insert a thin, non-marring plastic pry tool into the gap between the bottom right corner of the headlight switch assembly and the instrument panel trim. Carefully pry the assembly from the instrument panel. Disengage the locking tabs for the electrical connectors and then disconnect the connectors from the switch assembly.

3

Connect the electrical connectors to the replacement switch, then press-fit the assembly to the instrument panel. Make sure the new switch is in the off position. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery, then tighten the clamp. Use a flat-head screwdriver to spread the battery cable clamp, if necessary. Never attempt to pound or hammer a tight battery clamp onto a battery post.

4

Disconnect the memory saver device from the vehicle. Test the headlamp switch to complete the replacement process.