July 1, 2008
Reader Question
I have a question to ask you about my 1994 Mazda B-3000. The engine intermittenly does not start. When you turn the key you never know what you’re going to get. The starter turns but sometimes the engine does not start. If I’m lucky enough to be parked on a hill (it’s a standard) in first gear or reverse, once you get it rolling and pop the clutch it starts without much trouble. It seems to have plenty of power from the battery, (lights, etc. all work). Someone told me it’s a flywheel problem but my mechanic said he didn’t think so, and is unable to diagnose the problem. He said he took the starter out and checked it and found nothing wrong. What do you think? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Very Frusterated, Joe D.
Good question Joe,
If you can start the engine via push starting….it has to be a problem with one or more of the following:
1. Battery does not have enough juice to fully engage and spin starter motor fast enough
2. Starter motor is weak, and does not engage and turn engine
3. Flywheel has a bad spot on it, when you turn the key , you hear the starter motor turning…and usually hear a grinding noise because the starter is trying to grab a piece of the flywheel that is missing
4. There is a starter relay that is bad or some other electrical problem that is not allowing electricity from the battery to flow to the starter
5. Bad connection at the battery and battery cables. You can check this yourself…make sure the cables are clean and tight! You should not be able to move or wiggle the battery cables on the battery with your hands. Make sure you do not have a ring on your finger or a watch on your wrist when working around a battery…I have a few scars on my fingers to prove that batteries can HURT!
I would have the battery “LOAD” tested, and a starter “DRAW” test done by your mechanic with the items on the vehicle….don’t take them off the vehicle to test them.
A quick “Shade Tree Mechanic” test to diagnose a bad starter: when the engine is in “no start” mode. Turn on the headlights (make sure they are good and bright…or you have a bad battery), then turn the ignition key trying to start the engine. If the headlights DIM, but stay lit, then you probably have a bad starter motor, if you turn the ignition key and the headlights go OUT, you probably have a bad battery or loose or dirty battery cables.
ALWAYS check the battery cables first, 9 out of 10 times it is a loose or dirty battery cable…that has been over looked, that causes a no start or intermittent starting problem liek the one you are having.
Austin Davis your car repair advocate. Helping online visitors with car problems and improving communication between the auto mechanic and the customer. Let me help you with your auto repair issues. http://www.myhonestmechanic.com
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June 3, 2008
Automotive technology that was developed on the race track has trickled down to the street in one form or another for the last 40 years or more. This is the case with American Racing Vintage custom wheels they call the “Hopster.” The Hopster has been around for a number of years and is a very good choice for that classic vehicle such as a 1955, 1956 and especially 1957 Chevrolet street rods. American Racing Hopster wheels are beautiful wheels for your classic ride that features timeless 5-spoke styling. Street rods and customs often have over sized wheel wells and huge fender openings that must be properly filled to achieve the right look. American Racing Hopster’s would be a good choice. When properly fitted, it’s tough to beat the look of a fender full of great looking aluminum custom wheels and high-performance low profile tires. Stock wheels just don’t cut it any more as the baby boomers of the 1960s start to retire and relive their teenage years.
The American Racing Hopster series 550 is a 2 piece custom wheel that comes in fully polished aluminum and will fit various bolt patterns and sizes from 15 X 10 inches up to 17 X 9.5 inches in width. Looking for something bigger? American Racing offers the Hopster in a custom offset series 450. The Hopster series 450 is also a fully polished 2 piece aluminum alloy custom wheel. The series 450 is offered in 15 X 10 inches all the way up to 20 X 10 inches in width. The Hopster series C450 is a third choice offered by American Racing that features a 2 piece alloy polished rim and a chrome center. All Hopster’s have the American Racing logo featured on their great looking center caps.
Thinking about a set of custom wheels? Then give American Racing Hopster a good look, the Hopster has all the features you will need for your classic car or truck. Prices start at about $200.00 for 15 inch wheels to about $400.00 for a set of 20 inch X 10 inch custom wheels.
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May 25, 2008
Are you one of those motorcycle riders that live in northern
climates where winters can be harsh and still choose to continue
riding when the bitter winter sets in? Well, everybody would say
you’re dreadful to even consider riding out in the snow.
Contemporaries who are more protective of their bikes might even
say that you’re a brutal slave-driver of your beloved bike.
Winter is really a terrible season for motorcycle enthusiasts.
Determined as you are to go on riding, surviving the harsh
winters should be kept in mind to prevent any inevitable danger
that would cause trauma for you and your beloved motorcycle.
Remember that winter riding is not the time to boast of a great
stamina and show off your toughness just by wearing extra
clothing and driving roughshod over your bike like it’s any hot
summer day. Precautions must always be taken if you plan to go
out riding during winter. So how do you go about preparing your
motorcycle and yourself?
For your motorcycle: •You need to get a windshield. Don’t ever
think that twenty degree temperatures with severe wind chill
factors are enjoyable enough for you to neglect having a
windshield. •Make sure your motorcycle batter could stand the
strain of chilly blasts. Keep it charged and you can try to use
Battery Tender for this. •Using the proper oil for your
motorcycle is also top priority. The 10w - 40w oil is sufficient
enough. •For those with liquid-cooled bikes, make sure that the
reading on the anti-freeze is sufficient for the temperatures
you’ll be expecting. •Make sure your bike has been thoroughly
inspected for any mechanical problems before starting your ride.
For yourself:
•Be patient of the use of your protective gears that would
restrict your overall movement while riding. Like wearing
full-faced helmets and heavy clothing that would prevent free
and easy movement. •Keep yourself posted over weather forecasts
and road condition reports over the route you’ll be taking. It
is a good measure especially for those who will ride a long way
from home. •Cover up your body and eliminate all the places
where the cold air can easily enter. Some winter riders wear
heavy clothing and use duct tape to seal up openings. But modern
fabrics designed to seal out the cold and retain body heat can
be more preferable. There’s winter clothing made specifically
for motorcyclists. You can even use ski pants. •Electric vests
and electric gloves can also be preferable. These electric
gadgets are interconnected with wires that also connect to a
thermostat that can be kept in your pocket. One end of the
thermostat goes to a dedicated connector that leads to the
battery. You’ll find yourself fleecy warm in these gadgets to it
has a bulkiness to it. Your winter riding can be a great
adventure. Just make sure that while you’re having fun, you and
your motorcycle are also safe and sound. -30-
For comments and inquiries about the article visit
http://www.aftermarketmotorcyclepartsnow.com
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May 23, 2008
If you’re looking for a career in a technical field that’ll yield a high income, diesel mechanic training might be for you. The majority of jobs in this industry are found in cities where trucking companies, bus lines, etc. have their headquarters; however, the potential for work is anywhere in the U.S. Graduates can, with the assistance of trade schools, be placed in companies that work closely with schools.
You can take online courses to study diesel mechanics at home, without leaving your current job.
Preparing for an exciting and high-paying career repairing heavy equipment vehicles, diesel truck engines, and buses will require certification from an online Diesel Mechanic School. Students are taught, by way of distance learning, how to repair automotive engines, diesel fuel systems and diesel ignition systems. Learning about hydromechanical diesel fuel injection, computerized truck and bus systems, diesel powertrains and electronic technology will also be essential to future Diesel Mechanics.
Courses online can last anywhere from six months to two years depending on what school you go choose. Students that complete their courses obtain certificates, diplomas or degrees as Diesel Mechanics, Diesel Service Technicians, Diesel Truck Service Technicians or Auto-Diesel Mechanic.
Certified Diesel Mechanics are well qualified to land great jobs with auto repair shops. A Certified Diesel Mechanic can spend a few years gaining the skills and expertise he will need to eventually start his own business. This is a big incentive for many who are thinking of pursuing an education in this line of work!
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May 7, 2008
If you own a Toyota vehicle you will at some time
experience the dreaded rip or tear in your seat upholstery.
This is even more of a fear if you buy your car used or
have had it for many years. However, there is no need to
worry because there are many locations where you can find
Toyota car seat upholstery to either repair or recover your
seats. The following options are great sugggesions for
finding the right option for your seat repair needs.
Junkyards
Wrecked cars are frequently destroyed on the outside or for
insurance purposes, but many times the upholstery on the
inside is in good condition. If you are looking for Toyota
car seat upholstery all you need to do is head to the
junkyard and look for Toyota vehicles that have the same
color interior as your vehicle. Then you offer to buy
whatever piece of the car’s interior you need. Once you
have your Toyota car seat upholstery you can remove it from
the salvaged seat and repair your seat or else you can
switch the seat out. Whatever is easiest should be done.
Professionals
There are also a range of professionals that can install
Toyota car seat upholstery. For example, the Toyota
dealership is one option, although probably the most
expensive. Then, there are other car shops that focus on
repairing Toyota car seat upholstery as well. Before making
this decision you should consider the amount of damage you
have as well as what your budget is.
Repair Kits
The other option you have for Toyota car seat upholstery is
at home repair kits. There are all kinds of upholstery
repair kits available online and in automotive stores.
These kits are best used for small nicks and holes in your
upholstery as they are not perfect, although some products
claim to be. You will need to evaluate your personal
situation before deciding to use a repair kit.
A Large Selection of High Quality Replacement Auto Upholstery
at discount prices. You can now buy Seat Covers online. For
more info visit:
http://buy-seat-covers-online.partnersinsuccess.net/
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April 29, 2008
Well, not only are the voices and insights of teenagers when it comes to traffic safety important. Their voices and views are just about to be heard. They may be known as accident-prone drivers; however, not all teenagers are like this. Most of them are aware of how to be part of the whole traffic safety scheme.
Starting this week, teenagers from the United States are invited to log on to www.SafetyScholars.com. And when they are at that, they can also submit essays on various driver safety issues. And if the organizers do like their view and their insights on traffic safety and driver safety, they would be getting a whopping $2,500 on college scholarships. Other prizes waiting teens with a good vision include new laptop computers, sets of Bridgestone Firestone tires, as well as $500 gas cards.
This whole program was actually launched by the Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC along with the legendary racer Mario Andretti. The event happened during the start of the National Tire Safety Week. Together, Bridgestone and Andretti, has developed a comprehensive program which aims to educate young drivers on tire and driver safety.
Andretti says, “Car accidents are the leading killer of teens in this country. Teens are just learning to drive and face many distractions, so they’re at a very high risk for accidents. We want to help teens learn good, safe habits from the beginning. Our hope is our Safety Scholars program will help us find the best way to get all teens to hear this important message.”
To add to this, John Gamauf, the president of consumer tire replacement sales of Bridgestone, says, “Tires are the only things connecting your vehicle to the road, so, as a tire company, Bridgestone Firestone strives to educate drivers on how essential tire safety is. Beyond that, we are parents and grandparents and community members who are deeply committed to keeping all drivers safe on the roads at all times. We’re excited to be adding Safety Scholars to the array of driver safety and education programs and initiatives that our family of companies developed or sponsors, from Buckle Up Baby to Car Care Academies to Driver’s Edge.”
Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts,
Mazda 6 parts
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Kimberly Meyer is an expert when it comes to automotive issues. She is the manager of her own car parts manufacturing company. This 33 year-old maiden is also a talented writer.
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