Fix It

Engine problems in Jeep Liberties have led to a safety recall due to the possibility of engine fires. On July 2, 2004, DaimlerChrysler Corporation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall of 1,600 Jeep Liberty vehicles for engine problems.

Engine Defect

Certain Jeep Liberty sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.7L engines were recalled for engine-related manufacturing defects that could lead to serious problems. Two valve cover studs on these vehicles could interfere with the fuel injector and alternator wiring harness, according to NHTSA.

Safety Risk

Due to this safety hazard, the NHTSA warns that a fire could start under the hood as a result of damage to the alternator wiring harness. Registered vehicle owners were notified of the safety recall beginning July 19, 2004, and instructed on where to bring the vehicles for repair to avoid the risk of a fire.

Solution

Authorized dealers were instructed to add protective caps to the valve cover studs and re-route the affected wiring harness to provide clearance, according to the manufacturer and NHTSA. Consumers who purchased second-hand vehicles or who are otherwise concerned about whether they may have been affected by the Jeep Liberty engine-related recall may contact the NHTSA for more information. Refer to recall number 04V337000.

Although the 2010 Hummer H3 received a five-star rating for driver safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), minor manufacturing problems in older models have led to a few recalls by General Motors. The most recent recall, over hood louvers that could detach, affects 2006-2010 Hummer H3s. Registered vehicle owners should have received notice of recalls from the manufacturer.

Hood Louver

General Motors recalled 162,129 model year 2006-2010 Hummer H3 vehicles in April 2010 for a manufacturing defect that could cause the hood louver to detach. If the louver comes loose from the hood when the vehicle is in motion, it could cause a traffic accident or injury.

Air Bags

In November 2006, General Motors recalled select 2006 model year Hummer H3 vehicles for an airbag sensor problem on the passenger side. This recall affected fewer than 800 vehicles in which aftermarket leather seat covers were installed. The seat covers could interfere with the air bag sensors, potentially causing the air bags to malfunction or not deploy in the event of a crash.

Tires and Loading

More than 30,000 General Motors vehicles, including certain model year 2006 Hummer H3s, were recalled for misprints in equipment labeling that could compromise the safety of drivers and passengers. Tire and loading information labels on these Hummers contained errors that could cause the vehicles to be overloaded or tires to be improperly inflated.

The Toyota Tacoma is a truck designed to work well with hauling trailers. Like any vehicle on the road, the truck and the trailer must have proper tail light illumination for overall safety, but there can be electrical problems.

Function

A trailer, attached to a Toyota Tacoma, uses a wiring harness converter box for its extra electrical needs. Without this power supply, the Tacoma could possibly have electrical failure from the power surge load.

Considerations

For model years 1999 to 2000, the Toyota Tacoma had a recall of its converter box. With its improper sealing, the box was susceptible to water infiltration, causing an electrical short and no power to the trailer lighting system. Toyota replaced the box and rearranged its placement on the vehicle to prevent excess water exposure.

Significance

Make sure that the lighting system is properly grounded to the frame of the Tacoma. Without a secure ground, the lighting system can malfunction by surging when both the vehicle and trailer have their brakes applied.

When a car breaks down, the cost to replace a failed part, coupled with the labor, can be staggering. Often, there is a choice between a newly built or rebuilt part, especially for vehicle parts like the alternator.

Identification

An alternator is the electrical support of the cars engine. It supplies a charge to the car battery, as well as all the electrical needs of the vehicle, such as powering the headlights. A rebuilt alternator is usually cheaper than a new one.

Considerations

Problems with a rebuilt alternator can mimic those of a new alternator. Bearings can be improperly installed upon rebuilding or wiring can be either attached incorrectly or poorly soldered for a loose connection. Also, rebuilt alternators can be installed by the mechanic incorrectly, which can cause electrical issues in the vehicle.

Significance

Often, consumers do not feel comfortable with a rebuilt alternator, though it can cost 25 to 40 percent less than new alternators. Keep in mind that rebuilders want to sell these parts, so quality assurance is of utmost importance. Its a good idea to see what warranties are available for parts and labor of a rebuilt alternator.

Chevy engine problems have led General Motors and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall 1,497,516 automobiles including 2000-2003 model year Chevrolet Impala vehicles equipped with 3.8L V6 naturally aspirated engines. This recall was announced by the NHTSA on April 8, 2009. Consumers were notified by General Motors of the recall in May 2009.

Type of Engine Problems

Nearly 1,500,000 General Motors vehicles with model years of 1997-2003, including model year 2000-2003 Chevy Impalas may have potentially dangerous engine problems. Per the NHTSA, some of these Chevrolet Impalas may have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.

Safety Risk

If oil runs below the heat shield when the manifold pressure is hot enough, the NHTSA warns that a flame may ignite and spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond. An engine compartment fire may occur, putting drivers, passengers and property in harms way.

Remedy

Chevy Impala registered vehicle owners should have received notice of the recall in May 2009, according to the NHTSA. Consumers affected by this Chevrolet Impala recall were offered free repairs by the manufacturer, as required by law. Authorized dealers were instructed to remove the potentially dangerous spark plug wire retention channel at the front of the engine and to install two new spark plug wire retainers at no charge to the consumer.

Smart keys used with Toyota vehicles are electronic devices that allow car owners to unlock, lock and start vehicles without the need of a standard key and key-entry process. The keys emit a radio frequency that is picked up by a vehicle antenna. When the vehicle senses the device is in proximity, the doors are unlocked and the engine can start without the need of a standard key. These devices make Toyota vehicles more technically savvy, but they also come with an array of issues.

Interference

When the smart key is within acceptable vicinity of the vehicle, the antenna on the vehicle will pick up the signal transmitted from the key. This signal allows the car to unlock the door or engine to start. When the key is not within range of the vehicle, the car remains locked. Because electrical signals from the key are sent through the air, similarly to radio frequencies, there is a chance they could encounter interference from other electrical frequencies. It has been reported that gas stations, military bases and airports, all locations with heavy radio frequencies and traffic, can interfere with the functionality of the smart key. When in a location with interference, the smart key may not function remotely and will require the traditional use of the key to unlock and start the vehicle.

Battery Replacement

Smart keys function by emitting a radio frequency to the vehicle, requiring batteries as their source of power. Toyota smart keys remain dormant or powered off until they receive an electrical ping from the vehicle that prompts the key to send a signal back to the vehicle. Theoretically, the battery power of the smart key would only be used when in the process of entering or operating the vehicle. However, numerous electrical devices such as cell phones and Bluetooth devices transmit electrical pings. When a smart key is near other devices that emit pings, the smart key does not remain dormant and uses small amounts of battery power. Over time, the battery power will diminish in the smart key, requiring battery replacement. The more your key is around other electrical devices, the more frequently it will require battery replacement.

Smart Key Replacement

Smart keys are unique to each Toyota vehicle that they are programmed to unlock. A Toyota smart key could not unlock another Toyota vehicle, as the keys are unique to each vehicle, just like standard keys. When a smart key is programmed, the key and the vehicle must both be adjusted and tuned to the same radio frequency. When replacing a smart key, the replacement process is not the same as with traditional keys. A vehicle owner can expect a large bill and a trip to the Toyota dealership to replace a smart key. To replace one, the vehicle requires reprogramming at a dealership and then the new smart key must be programmed to match the frequency and codes of the vehicle. For a smart key replacement, a vehicle owner can expect to pay a few hundred dollars to a Toyota dealership or Toyota authorized service mechanic.

Car headlights are an essential part of safely running a vehicle. Since headlights are electrical fixtures powered by your cars electricity, they share all the problems associated with electrical fixtures.

Physical Issues

The most obvious issue that can affect your headlights is the bulbs. They can burn out like any other light bulb. Any damage to your cars front end can damage your bulb or its connections. You can check these; also check your fuses to see if one has blown.

Electrical Issues

Electrical issues can be thought as a line of electricity which begins at the battery, goes to the alternator, the fuse box, the light switch and finally ends at your headlights. Any lapse in this continuity can cause problems. Check each aspect sequentially. Begin by starting the car. If it starts, the battery isnt the problem. If the car idles, the alternator isnt the problem. If the fuse is good, you have ruled out everything up to the relay, light switch and bulb. If the bulbs are fine, the problem is most likely the switch.

The alternator in a vehicle takes gas and converts it into power that the vehicle can use. According to Mister Fix It, the alternator is vital to keeping a vehicles electrical system running at optimal performance. When the alternator bearings on a vehicle are not working properly, the alternator does not turn properly and thus the alternator does not work.The alternator bearings turn the alternator so it can convert power from gas to electricity for systems like the air conditioner, radio and headlights. The symptoms will show different problems with the alternator bearings and other issues in the vehicle. Once the symptoms are identified and the problem is known as an alternator problem, fixing it is possible.

Progressive Squealing Sound

A progressive squealing sound, or a sound that gets louder and makes a squealing noise, is a sign of alternator bearing problems. Usually, the bearing is loose when this occurs. The mechanic should rule out other potential problems that come with similar symptoms, such as timing belt problems. Once it is determined that the alternator bearing is loose, replace it because a loose bearing gets damaged.

Dim Lights

Alternator problems cause dim lights. If the alternator bearings are not properly turning the alternator, the lights will not work properly because they are only getting power from the battery and not from the gas. Dim lights alone, without other symptoms, are usually caused by dirt or old bulbs, but if other explanations are eliminated, the alternator is a potential cause.

Car Lights Come On

Alternator problems or issues with the alternator bearing cause the warning lights to turn on. The "Batt" or "Gen" lights are the most common lights that come on when there is a problem with the alternator. These do not always come on, especially if the battery has plenty of charge, but when these lights come on there is a good chance the alternator or alternator bearing is the problem.

Automatic power windows can be found on almost all newer model vehicles as of January 2010. Windows that fail to let down could be potentially dangerous if your door locks malfunction and you needed to exit your automobile quickly. Having information on automatic window problems can be beneficial to vehicle owners.

Window Failure Problems

Several problems could be to blame when a vehicles windows fail to go up and down, such as a bad window motor. Other problems could be due to a faulty switch or faulty wiring. Out of all these issues, problems with the switch are easiest to deal with.

Window Mechanism Problems

Sometimes you will hear a slight humming sound coming from the door when you attempt to raise or lower the windows. This problem occurs because the window mechanism in the door is broken. The mechanism being rusted out can also prevent the window from working.

Window Fuse Problems

When each of the automatic windows in a vehicle fail to work, this often points to an issue with blown fuses. Under the dashboard on the drivers side is usually the location for these fuses. If replacement fuses blow as well, there is likely a short in the windows wiring.

An All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) is a four-wheeled vehicle designed for driving on uneven terrain. Manufacturers of ATVs include Honda, Yamaha, Polaris, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Arctic Cat, Can-Am, John Deere, Kymco, Bennche and OLink. ATVs are designed for recreation and enjoyed by many consumers. However, engine problems are a major concern.

Clicking Noise

In an ATV.com forum, the owner of a 2008 Polaris 700 X2 complained about a clicking noise in the engine when the truck idled. He believed that the clicking noise came from the lifters. A dealership informed him that the clicking sound is a normal two-stroke engine noise. Another ATV.com user reported an AC 500 with engine noise on YouTubes " 07 Polaris Sportsman 800 engine noise" video, with recommendations to top it off with Castrol oil. In some cases, a bad seal may cause an ATV to run low on oil, and if this occurs, the engine must be repaired before it overheats.

Deteriorating Wire Harness

Owners of a 2008 Polaris Sportsman 500 Touring experienced a deteriorating wire harness after ownership of less than two years, as reported on ATV.com. The wiring harness completely fell apart. As wire after wire broke, electronics stopped working--including the ignition.

ATV Does Not Start

User daylow2347 of TexasATVs.com installed a float needle and diaphragm to resolve a starting problem, to no avail. Opening the drain, pinching off the fuel line and draining it dry while attempting to crank the ATV, as well as spraying starter fluid into the carburetor also did not work. Causes appeared to be a wire or spark plug problem. When the plug was cranked with the wire connected, a spark occurred. Suggestions included pulling off the spark plug, unscrewing the cap that clipped onto the plug from the wire and cutting 1/8 of the wire before the cap was placed back on. ATV starting failure may be caused by either a fuel or ignition problem.

Brake Actuator Problem

Symptoms of an engine brake actuator problem include noise when the vehicle is turned on or off, or when the quad is shut off. On Kawasaki Brute Force or Kawasaki Prairie ATVs, flashing indicators usually alert owners of an engine brake actuator problem. However, based on reports on ATV forums, the indicators may not flash on the gauge. According to KawieRiders.com, a solution is to clean the motor and all related electrical parts.

Backfiring

If the engine backfires as it gets warmer or as deceleration occurs, the engine may be extremely lean, according to WeeksMotorcyle.com. Engines become lean with increased airflow after changing their mufflers or exhaust systems. Another cause of backfiring is a weak spark.

General Motors, manufacturer of the Chevy Lumina, has issued one recall due to wiring problems with the vehicle as of January 2011. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports multiple complaints regarding other wiring problems that havent prompted recalls, however, and concerned Lumina owners should verify with the NHTSA whether repair compensation is available.

Windshield Wipers

In 1997, General Motors recalled certain 1995 Chevy Lumina vehicles for a wiring problem with the washer/wiper switch power feed wire, which could strain or separate, causing the wipers to malfunction. Inoperative windshield wipers pose an accident risk in inclement weather.

Turn Signal

The NHTSAs website shows that several complaints from owners of 1993 Luminas regarding turn signal wiring problems, with some consumers reporting smoke intermittently coming from the steering column.

Alternator

A few owners of 1993 Luminas report fires due to wiring problems in the alternator, according to the NHTSA, with one consumer citing two fires. Another driver reports having trouble starting the car because of the alternator wiring malfunction.

The first Nissan Maxima was actually a top-trim Datsun 810; it reached U.S. shores in 1977. In 1981 the Maxima became its own model line; in 2010 the Maxima was in its seventh generation (eight if you include the Datsun 810 Maxima). The 96 Maxima, which has been known to have some common problems, is of the lines fourth generation.

Grinding Noise

Some 1996 Maxima owners reported a grinding in the rear brakes of their vehicles. Mechanics discovered that the parking brake kept pressure on the rear tires even after release. This required installation of new brake pads and a new brake cable.

Engine Knocking

There have been two causes identified from unusual engine noise in the 1996 Nissan Maxima. A reported "knocking" was found to be due to a defective on-board computer that had to be replaced. While a loose timing chain caused an unfamiliar "rattle." The timing chain fix required a new chain guide and tensioner.

Stalling Out

Corrosion on the cooling sensor of a 1996 Nissan Maxima has been found to be the cause of a stalling and hard-starting problem. This cooling sensor must be replaced to resolve the issue.

Poor Idle

Where electrical wires bend into the strut tower, mechanics have found broken wires that have caused failure in the starter and air conditioner. This hard bend of the wires into the strut tower has resulted in cut and broken wires in the 1996 Maxima.

The transmission system on the Porsche Boxster Series consists of a six-speed manual gearbox with a dual mass flywheel to reduce engine noise. The transmission can operate either in full automatic or via driver-commanded gear changes. When problems arise within the Boxsters transmission system, the problem can stem from several possible causes. Remedies will target the parts relevant to the occurring symptoms.

Problems of the Transmission Fluid

If you have trouble shifting your Porsche Boxster, check your transmission fluid levels. Keeping the transmission and integrated differential lubricated plays a pivotal role in preventing wear on the rings and sliders involved in shifting smoothly. The transmission fluid will also help abate temperature increases in the transmission. A general rule of thumb for transmission for Boxsters calls for a fluid change every 30,000 miles or every two years, depending on use. You must jack up all four corners of the vehicle. Changing your transmission fluid will involve changing both your automatic transmission fluid and the differential transmission fluid, which uses the same oil as a manual transmission. (The transmission fluid is specially designated for the Boxster; do not mix or match it with other types of transmission fluid.) Transmission gear oil with the specification SAE 75W90 should work as a lubricant for the differential of a Boxster.

Problem of the Mounts

One of the more common transmission problems you will face with a Porsche Boxster involves the wearing down of the rubber on the transmission mounts that separate the drivetrain from the rest of the chassis. As the mounts become older and more brittle, they will not be able to hold the drivetrain securely during shifting. Telltale signs that you need to replace these mounts include cracks in the mounts (regardless of the number of miles on the car), as well as leaking from the mounts, as your Boxster has a hydraulic system. Replacement Porsche Boxster mounts are expensive at about $250, but they do include a triangular bracket. To secure your drivetrain completely, replace the front motor mounts at the same time you replace the transmission mounts.

Problems of the Differential

Several Porsche Boxster transmission problems may originate from the differential --- part of the transmission in what is together called the transaxle. Leaking from the driveshaft could likely stem from differential seals that have deteriorated. When replacing these seals, also check the differentials carrier bearings to find out whether you must replace them as well. If you experience high-pitched whining or grinding noises that replacing the wheel bearings or CV joints does not alleviate, the sounds may stem from worn carrier bearings. Replace these preferably when the transmission is out of the car --- during a clutch or engine job, for example --- as it will facilitate these tasks.

Problems of the Suspension

If the suspension system is creating problems for your Boxsters transmission, some common items to replace involve the Constant Velocity joints, boots and axle that connect the wheels to the transmission. These components take the brunt of abuse and tend to wear down after 100,000 miles. You will know you have a suspension problem when you hear clunking sounds coming from the rear axle while driving. You have the option of replacing either the inner CV joints or the entire axle system. The new axle will include the outer CV joint as well as inner joint, along with the boots or coverings that protect these joints. If you are only replacing the inner joints, lubricate them thoroughly.

Problems of the Clutch

If the hydraulic clutch engagement system in your Porsche Boxster fails, you may experience the following symptoms: leaking the slave or master cylinder, a spongy feeling to the clutch pedal and grinding during gear shifting. Start with checking or replacing the slave cylinder, then do the same for the master cylinder an bleed the brakes. If the clutch problem is more serious, you may have to replace the entire clutch assembly. Warning signs of clutch assembly failure include spongy pedals, excessive free play, grinding or changing noises when you press the pedal and slippage of the clutch when you do not depress the pedal. City driving will tend to produce these problems more often than highway driving and may call for clutch replacement at 30,000 miles.