Ask the Auto Doctor

[Auto Doc]

moe wrote:

Have a 1992 sevelle and the coolant temp go up real fast but if I'm driving it go down what's the prob

Thermostat needs replaced

[Auto Doc]

twopac32001 wrote:

what cause a battery to die when starting your car in the morning, I know that if alternator gone battery does all the work or if startor it should drain battery while starting. It ran fine all that day, just like regular turn'ed the key nothing. When and purchess a new battery, hook-up and no problem, removed cable to see if alternator was gone stay'ed running. what do I check.
Thank You

try your key switch, might be staying on, but it might be a hassle to fix.

[Auto Doc]

Bonehunter wrote:

I leased a 2005 Altima 37 months ago. It has 16,900 miles on it and I heard a weird noise. I took it to the dealer and they said my rear brakes were so bad they had to replace the whole drum and everything. How is it possible that a car with that low mileage could have that happen?
Of course it isn't covered under warranty and I turn it in in May.

Because someone else that used it ran the breaks to hard, hich might have caused them to overheat and all hell broke loose.

[WOOD]

On my 2000 Lincoln LS, I recently had to get the brakes replaced (rotors & pads X 4) and then had the front lower ball joints replaced about a week later. My ABS light and traction control light came on simultaneously after having the ball joints done. Is there a plug that could have gotten loose or what? Is seems strange they both would come on at the same time; are the two systems related?

[misspooh79]

I have a 91 chevy caprice classic i tried to start it but it would't turn over so i got a jump and it started.then i tried the next morning and my battery's dead whats wrong?

[Auto Doc]

misspooh79 wrote:

I have a 91 chevy caprice classic i tried to start it but it would't turn over so i got a jump and it started.then i tried the next morning and my battery's dead whats wrong?

Well Mrs. Pooh, can u be more specific please? it probably is your alternator that is bad, and is not charging your battery, or you need a new battery. email me at [e-mail] so I can reply fast thanks!:)

[Auto Doc]

WOOD wrote:

On my 2000 Lincoln LS, I recently had to get the brakes replaced (rotors & pads X 4) and then had the front lower ball joints replaced about a week later. My ABS light and traction control light came on simultaneously after having the ball joints done. Is there a plug that could have gotten loose or what? Is seems strange they both would come on at the same time; are the two systems related?

Yes they are related, the traction control works in several different ways, by reducing spark to certain pistons, limiting the fuel, or automatically breaking certain breaks
THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR IS INTERGRATED INTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. EBCM (ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE). THIS IS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER FRONT INNER FENDER WELL. THIS UNIT HAS STEEL LINES AND ELECTRICAL WIRE COMING OUT OF IT....WHEN THIS MESSES UP ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL DOES NOT WORK, it is very expensive, but must get fixed.

[Phil]

Thanks I've Done all that and gone as far as opening the wire loom and no pinched/broken wires. The Headlight assembly works fine when we took it out and plugged it into the other side all lights work fine, so really VERY frustrated over what should be pretty easy fix. Any more ideas???

Wenis wrote:

Auto Doctor, you out planting corn or fixing the John Deere? I've been a l'il busy myself and kind of miss Topix's. I'll catch you on here sooner or later.
Phil, you have to start with the basics, check (with a test light) for power and ground at the plug that goes to the light socket itself, if there's either no power or ground there you may have a broken wire or something on that order. Good Luck Phil.

[Auto Doc]

Have you replaced the headlamps? try replacing the dimmer switch first, then if thats not it, its either in the harness or the headlamps themselve need replaced. hope this helps!

[Craig]

I have a 2000 lincoln ls v6 and the alarm stays on and will not allow the car to start. do you know how to disable the alarm or possibly have another solution

[Auto Doc]

Craig wrote:

I have a 2000 lincoln ls v6 and the alarm stays on and will not allow the car to start. do you know how to disable the alarm or possibly have another solution

Find the fusebox, and find the one for the alarm, and take it out.

[Wenis]

Phil wrote:

Thanks I've Done all that and gone as far as opening the wire loom and no pinched/broken wires. The Headlight assembly works fine when we took it out and plugged it into the other side all lights work fine, so really VERY frustrated over what should be pretty easy fix. Any more ideas??? <quoted text>

But Phil, you didn't say if you had power and ground at the plug itself. Most of the time people look past the real problem, take a second and really check for both power/ground. Have to really start with the basics first. Now think it through, it's either missing one of the above or the lights bad, hm... what haven't you checked real good yet? There's always a possibility that the plug itself is bad but you still have to check it. Let me know what you find Phil

[Wenis]

WOOD wrote:

On my 2000 Lincoln LS, I recently had to get the brakes replaced (rotors & pads X 4) and then had the front lower ball joints replaced about a week later. My ABS light and traction control light came on simultaneously after having the ball joints done. Is there a plug that could have gotten loose or what? Is seems strange they both would come on at the same time; are the two systems related?

Wood, cool name.
Yes there's a plug at both wheels, it sometimes gets broken or left off during a brake job, worse yet the sensor itself could have been hurt. I'm really not sure why it gets left off, it doesn't have to be unplugged, oh well you get what you pay for I guess. If you look at the back side of the wheel or brake caliper you should see it. If it's unplugged you got lucky, typically something gets broke.

Now a quick crash course on ABS/Traction, If the system has any problems it will (1) turn on the lights (2) shut off the ABS and (3) disable the traction control. Now in the summer that ain't too bad, you can get by without it but come winter look out. If your careful driving in the winter you'd get by, but remember, the other folks have it and if they stop and you don't-- your fault.

Good Luck

[Phil]

Thanks I'll check the plug and ground & Power! Do you know where I can get Wire Diagram So I know which wires should be Hot with low beam and with high beam? The plug has 6 wires in it.

Wenis wrote:

<quoted text>
But Phil, you didn't say if you had power and ground at the plug itself. Most of the time people look past the real problem, take a second and really check for both power/ground. Have to really start with the basics first. Now think it through, it's either missing one of the above or the lights bad, hm... what haven't you checked real good yet? There's always a possibility that the plug itself is bad but you still have to check it. Let me know what you find Phil

[Brian]

I have a 2000 Nissan Quest and the front blowers do not work any ideas on how to repair.

[Shane]

I cannot reach the back two bolts on a thermostat housing for a 2000 Lincoln ls v8. any help, please!!!

[Wenis]

Phil wrote:

Thanks I'll check the plug and ground & Power! Do you know where I can get Wire Diagram So I know which wires should be Hot with low beam and with high beam? The plug has 6 wires in it.<quoted text>

I got a pic for ya, follow this link and print it if you want, I delete these help pages usually within one weeks time. Hope it helps...

http://carinfo.homestead.com/HeadlightWiring....

[Kathy]

Since you know my name, you know I'm a "GIRL" so really don't know what I'm talking about. My son has a 97 Chevy Blazer that does not want to shift. He replaced some kind of a selenoid switch and put some tranny cleaner in but not the problem. He was wondering if it could be that the catalitic converter could be plugged or a problem with the mass air flow sensor? I'm not sure if I'm breaking the law or not but don't know exactly how to get your response. could you email it to me also at [e-mail] ? Thanks

[Kathy]

It doesshift but when it gets warm it "falls on it's face".(He said you would understand that term. It sounds like it is sucking in air or something. it does shift which is why he is thinking it's not the tranny.

[Wenis]

Kathy,

I don't believe it's the transmission either, usually when it falls on its face and/or may sound like the motors revving way high before shifting it's something other then the trans. I'd start by checking or replacing the fuel filter, this is probably the most common fix for that complaint in my shop. It is possible that the Cat. Converter is restricted which indeed will cause a very similar scenario but harder to check and a lot more expensive.

Good Luck