Fix It

Insert your key into the E320s ignition and turn it. Listen for a "clicking" noise. If you hear the clicking noise, you will need to have the car towed to a garage to have the alternator replaced.

Look at the fuel gauge while the key is in the ignition. Add gas to the car if needed and then try to start the E320.

Open the E320s trunk and locate the battery. Make sure that the battery terminals are connected to the battery properly. You can tell this by the "+" and "-" signs on the terminals and the connecting wires.

Connect jumper wires to the "+" and "-" terminals on your battery and then connect the other end of the jumper wires to a different car battery. Start the other car with the wires connected and then try to start your car.

Leave the E320 running for about 15 minutes to allow the battery to charge. Turn the E320 off and wait for a couple of minutes. Start the E320 again. If the car will not start, you need to replace the battery.

Check all the car doors to ensure that they are all latched tightly. The dome light in your Taurus will usually indicate if one of the doors is open. All doors must be secured before you leave your car to keep the alarm from sounding.

Replace the battery in your key fob. If the battery runs low, it can send unnecessary signals to your alarm system.

Make sure there is nothing is blocking the radio waves from your remote control to your Taurus when you are using it. Remove any obstacles between you and your vehicle.

Make sure you aim directly at the car. Some Taurus are not sensitive enough to receive signal from the car alarm remote control if you are a certain distance away.

Idle the vehicle for about 15 minutes until the engine is warm.

Park the vehicle and set the parking brake. Let the vehicle remain running.

Lift the hood on you Explorer and locate the transmission filler tube and dipstick. It is generally located on the drivers side of the engine in the rear. It will be labeled with the word "Transmission."

Pull out the dip stick and wipe it with the paper towel. Look at the lines on the dipstick to find "Add" and "Full Hot." Replace the dipstick into the tube and pull out again to check the level. A low transmission level can cause major problems. If the fluid is full and it smells burnt, then your transmission could need a major rebuild or replacement.

Turn off the vehicle and let it cool down.

Slide under the vehicle with the flashlight and find the transmission. You will know the transmission because you will see the dipstick tube attached to it. Shine your flashlight all around the transmission and look for any wire connections that have become detached. You can also check to see if you have any major leaks.

Check the rear brake caliper when the CR-V pulls to the left or right while you are driving. The caliper could be sticking. The hardware mounting brackets could also be stuck. Look also at the brake hoses of the vehicle to see if any of them have collapsed. The front brake caliper that is on the opposite side of the direction the vehicle pulls towards when you are driving may also be faulty or damaged and not working properly. The steering gear may also be worn out or one or more of the coil springs are broken or weak.

Find the PCV valve inside the engine of your CR-V and check whether it is plugged or damaged in any way when you see excessive smoke coming from the exhaust of the vehicle while you are driving. The fuel injectors may also be dirty or burned. The amount of fuel being inserted into the combustion chamber by the fuel injectors may also need to be adjusted depending on whether too much fuel or too little is being injected.

Examine the power steering hose when it sounds as if an unusual amount of air is being sucked into the engine compartment when you turn the front wheels to the left or right. The power steering hose could have a loose return line clamp or there may be an air leak between the power steering pump and the reservoir. The power steering pump could also be low on power steering fluid.

Inspect the fuel line assembly when you smell gas fumes inside the passenger compartment of the CR-V while you are driving. There may be one or more fuel line connectors that are loose or a fuel line may be damaged and leaking gasoline. The fuel filter may also be leaking or the fuel tank could be damaged or punctured. Look also at the carburetor and make sure it is not dirty or broken and check the fuel injectors to ensure that they are clean and still working correctly.

Start with the Mustangs battery. Remove and clean the battery terminals and posts for an improved connection to the starting circuitry. Loosen the terminal bolts with a 5/16-inch wrench and remove them from the posts. Brush both the posts and the terminals clean with a wire brush before reconnecting the terminals to the battery.

Ensure the battery is properly charged by connecting it to a battery charger. Connect the positive and negative leads from the charger to the respective posts on the battery. When the charger is plugged into an electrical outlet, the meter on the face of the charger will indicate the level of charge that exists in the battery. If the battery is low and will not take a charge, replace the battery with a new one.

Check that the alternator is properly sending a charging current to the battery. Most auto parts stores provide an alternator and battery test as a free service to their customers. If the alternator is not recharging the battery, replace it with a new or refurbished one.

Inspect the fuel pump safety switch if the car cranks but will not start. The fuel safety switch for a 2001 Mustang is located on the drivers side of the trunk compartment. Pull the carpeting down just in front of the drivers side tail light and depress the reset button on the safety switch, if it is tripped. The safety switch is designed to shut fuel off to the engine in case of an accident. However, the switch will sometimes trip for no apparent reason.

Check for faulty spark plugs if the engine cranks but fails to start. Old or fouled plugs will fail to ignite the fuel/air mixture in the engine, preventing it from starting on its own. Fouled spark plugs appear soaked in fuel. Burns or gouges in the business end of a spark plug are an indication that it needs to be replaced.

Open the petcock. Fully extend the choke knob.

Start the motorcycle. If the motorcycle is hard to start, ensure that the vacuum operated electrical switch breather hose on top of the air cleaner is connected.

Turn off the motorcycle. Remove the air cleaner cover with an Allen wrench, Torx wrench or screwdriver depending on your motorcycle. Push the breather tubes on top of the air cleaner down.

Restart the motorcycle. If the bike is still hard to start, turn off the engine and adjust the throttle and idle cables attached to the throttle cam on the front of the carburetor by turning the cable screws clockwise and counterclockwise.

Restart the motorcycle and allow the engine to idle. If the motorcycle seems to idle abnormally fast or slow, which is more than 1,000 rpm or less than 900 rpm, adjust the idle screw on the throttle cam with a flat-head screwdriver to tighten or loosen the idle cable. Replace the air cleaner cover.

Ride the motorcycle in all gears and at all legal speeds. If fuel consumption mileage is less than 40 miles per gallon, the air cleaner filter may be dirty. Park the motorcycle and allow to cool.

Remove the air cleaner cover with an Allen wrench, Torx wrench or screwdriver depending on your motorcycle. Unplug the breather hoses on top of the air cleaner and remove the air cleaner from the air cleaner backing plate with an Allen wrench, Torx wrench or screwdriver depending on your motorcycle.

Wash the air cleaner in warm, soapy water. Allow to air dry and oil according to the instructions for your air cleaner. Reinstall the air cleaner and the air cleaner cover with an Allen wrench, Torx wrench or screwdriver depending on your motorcycle.

Listen carefully to the noise your transmission makes. Correctly identifying the source of transmission noise depends on the type of sound you hear, so note whether it is a rattle, crunch or another noise.

Take notice of when the sound occurs. Noises that occur while shifting could be related to the clutch linkage or clutch shaft pilot bearing, while a low rattle in fifth gear could be caused by the way your car is built.

Pay attention to whether the noise is consistent or occurs at seemingly random times. For instance, if your transmission emits a loud clunking noise every time you shift into reverse, the problem is significantly different from the occasional squeak from your clutch. Consistent, loud noises are a source for concern.

Allow your vehicle to idle in neutral. Listen for any signs of engine failure or other problems. The sounds you hear may seem to be related to your transmission, but may in fact be issues with your transaxle, wheel bearings or CV joints. Letting the car idle in neutral for a while helps separate engine problems from transmission problems.