Posts Tagged: Check Engine Light
Why Is My Check Engine Light On? The Real Answer
Check Engine Light On? Here’s What It Really Means (And What I Do First) Quick Summary: What You Must Know If your check engine light comes on, your vehicle’s computer has detected a problem affecting performance, emissions, or system operation. A steady light usually means you can keep driving for now, but it still needs to be diagnosed and fixed. A flashing light is serious—it indicates a misfire issue that’s serious enough to destroy your catalytic converter if you keep driving. The only real way to find out why your … Read More
P0120 Code: What It Means and How to Fix It Fast
P0120 Code: Diagnosis and Repair Guide Quick Summary A P0120 code is defined as: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor ‘A’ Circuit. It means the engine computer is having trouble trusting the data from one of the throttle position sensors (TPS). The throttle position sensors tell the computer exactly how far the throttle plate is open. When that signal becomes inaccurate, inconsistent, or out of range, the computer sets the P0120 code and may put the vehicle into reduced-power or limp mode. The most common causes of a P0120 code are a failing … Read More
Knock Sensor Symptoms Every Driver Should Understand
The Most Common Knock Sensor Symptoms Quick Summary Knock sensor symptoms still show up in predictable ways, such as reduced power, poor fuel economy, and stored trouble codes. Understanding what causes knock, how the sensor works, and how the ECU tests it is key to diagnosing the problem correctly, rather than blindly replacing parts. Article Knock Sensor Symptoms: What Your Engine Is Trying to Tell You I’ve diagnosed countless drivability complaints over the years, and knock sensor symptoms are some of the most misunderstood. Many people assume the engine is … Read More
Catalytic Converter Cleaner: Miracle Fix or Temporary Band-Aid?
Why Catalytic Converter Cleaner Rarely Works Long-Term Quick Summary A catalytic converter cleaner may, in certain cases listed below, temporarily eliminate a P0420 or P0430 trouble code. 1) Your cat is borderline failing and has carbon buildup or deposits that are reducing the converter’s efficiency 2) The underlying problem is due to excessive oil consumption, coolant leaks, or running rich, which has fouled but not damaged the catalyst 3) You catch it early, before the substrate is physically degraded Catalytic Converter Cleaners Don’t Work When: 1) The catalyst substrate is … Read More
Check engine and ABS light on GM vehicles — Service Bulletin Fix
Got a check engine and ABS light on a GM vehicle? Here’s the fix GM has issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) #06-06-04-049B for check engine and ABS light on, along with a no start, stall, and various other electrical problems on the vehicles listed below. GM has found that a chaffed wiring harness can cause all these problems. Even though they’ve making cars for over a century, that doesn’t seem to have taught them anything about how to route a wiring harness. In this case, the wiring harness rubs … Read More
Service 4WD light on Check engine light on
Service 4WD light on Check engine light on Service 4WD light on, can’t shift into 4WD, 4WD shift doesn’t work, transfer case motor doesn’t work on Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Ram, Sierra, Yukon, Check engine light on Cardone, a leading manufacturer of rebuilt transfer case motors has issued a service bulletin advising shops of a reason why a brand new Cardone motor may not work properly. In fact, the same problem may be the root cause of the factory transfer case motor not working. Apparently Chevrolet, GMC, and Dodge ground … Read More
Clean a MAF sensor — step by step guide for DIYers
How to Clean a MAF Sensor And Get Quicker Starts Quick Summary The key to cleaning a MAF sensor is to use the proper cleaning spray and avoid touching any sensitive sensing elements. Done correctly, cleaning restores accurate airflow readings and proper fuel delivery without replacing an expensive part. Article How to Clean a MAF Sensor I’ve personally brought countless engines back to smooth idle and quick starts by showing people how to properly clean a MAF sensor. The problem isn’t the cleaning—it’s the methods people use that end up … Read More