INTERACTIVE
TROUBLE SHOOTING -
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TROUBLE
SHOOTING - Warning Lights and Gauges
SYMPTOM:
THE ENGINE QUICKLY OVERHEATS
Description
of problem: The engine seems to run fine but gets very hot
shortly after you start it. This problem normally occurs after
only five minutes of running or after traveling about a mile.
You may also notice steam coming from the hood or smell something
hot. This type of problem is slow to develop but gets worse
the longer you drive. Once the engine begins to get too hot,
turn it off or further damage will occur.
PROBABLE
CAUSES:
- The
engine's coolant level may be too low.
- The
engine's drive belts may be broken or slipping.
- The
electric cooling fan may not be coming on.
- The
ignition timing may be set wrong.
- There
may be a vacuum leak.
- The
engine may have mechanical problems.
- The
engine's thermostat may be stuck closed.
- There
may be a leak in the cooling system.
- The
engine's head gasket may be leaking.
SYMPTOM:
ONE OR ALL OF THE CAR'S GAUGES DO NOT WORK
Description
of problem: Your gas gauge or other gauge does not show a
reading. Sometimes this problem causes all of the gauges not
to work, other times the problem only affects one gauge. This
type of problem normally happens suddenly.
PROBABLE
CAUSES:
- There
is a loose connection somewhere in the gauge circuit.
- There
is corrosion in one of the electrical connectors.
- The
sending unit for the gauge is faulty.
- The
gauge is faulty (this is an unlikely cause if all of the
gauges are affected).
- The
fuse for the gauges is bad.
- The
instrument panel voltage regulator is bad.
SYMPTOM:
A WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON
Description
of problem: All warning lamps light when you start the car.
After the engine is running, all of these lights go off except
one. No matter what you do or how you drive, the light remains
on. Normally this problem appears gradually with occasional
lamp lighting while driving. However the problem can occur
suddenly.
PROBABLE
CAUSES:
- Loose
or disconnected electrical connector.
- The
sending unit for the warning light is faulty.
- There
is a problem in the system monitored by the warning light,
and this needs to be corrected in order to put out the lamp.
SYMPTOM:
THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON
Description
of problem: All warning lamps light when you start the car.
After the engine is running, all of these lights go off except
the brake light. You try to turn the light off by playing
with the parking brake, but the light remains on. No matter
what you do or how you drive, the light remains on. Normally
this problem occurs suddenly.
PROBABLE
CAUSES:
- The
parking brake is not releasing completely.
- The
switch at the parking brake is bad.
- The
brake fluid level is low.
- There
is a leak in the hydraulic brake system.
SYMPTOM:
A WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING
Description
of problem: All warning lamps are off, then suddenly one or
more comes on. You notice nothing different about how the
engine is running. You may notice that the light or lights
come on with an increase of speed. Normally this type of problem
is evident occassionally and becomes more consistent as the
problem gets worse.
PROBABLE
CAUSES:
- Loose
or disconnected electrical connector.
- The
sending unit for the warning light is faulty.
- A drive
belt on the engine is loose or damaged.
- There
is a problem in the system monitored by the warning light
and this needs to be corrected in order to put out the lamp.
SYMPTOM:
YOUR ALTERNATOR, GENERATOR, OR BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON WHILE
DRIVING
Description
of problem: These names are the different names used by the
different car manufacturers. They all monitor the same system,
the charging system. If this light stays on regardless of
how fast you run the engine, there is a problem. Sometimes
a drive belt will squeal when the light is on. In most cases,
this problem becomes more evident as the problem gets worse.
PROBABLE
CAUSES:
- Your
alternator is bad.
- Your
voltage regulator is bad.
- The
drive belt for the alternator is loose or broken.
- There
is a wiring problem in the charging circuit.
SYMPTOM:
YOUR ENGINE OR OIL LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING
Description
of problem: The oil light may be marked engine. If this is
the case, this light and warning system monitors the water
temperature of the engine in addition to the oil. If this
light stays on regardless of how fast you run the engine,
there is a serious problem. Sometimes the light will come
on when the engine is idling and go out when the engine's
speed is increased. In most cases, this problem becomes more
evident as the problem gets worse.
PROBABLE
CAUSES:
- The
engine has lost oil pressure or has low oil pressure (this
is a serious problem that should be repaired at once).
- The
oil pressure sending unit is bad.
- The
engine is extremely low on oil.
- The
engine is overheating.
SYMPTOM:
YOUR CHECK ENGINE OR SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON OR STAYS
ON
Description
of problem: This is an area of much confusion since most manufacturers,
until recently, have called this light by different names.
This light also adds to confusion because the manufacturers
have different systems that are monitored by this light circuit.
In most cases, this warning light is part of the electronic
engine control circuit. When the light comes on, it means
that the car's computer has detected something wrong in the
control system. The lamp remains lit until the problem is
corrected. However on some systems, this light simply means
there is a problem. The check engine or service engine light
may suddenly come on and remain on, or it may come on and
go out after a period of time.
PROBABLE
CAUSES:
- The
engine's computer has detected a problem in the system.
- The
engine has a serious problem that should be repaired at
once.
- The
engine's oil pressure is exteremely low.
- The
engine is overheating.
SYMPTOM:
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS
Description
of problem: You notice a smell from the transmission after
you have driven it for awhile. You may also notice some slippage
while driving it. When you check the fluid level of the transmission,
the fluid smells burnt.
PROBABLE
CAUSES:
- The
fluid level in the transmission is low.
- The
transmission's oil vents are clogged with dirt or undercoating.
- Your
transmission oil cooler is bad.
- The
thermostat in your transmission is bad.
- The
wrong type of fluid was put in your transmission, or the
fluid is contaminated.
- There
is an internal problem in the transmission.
- Your
transmission fluid is clogged and needs to be replaced.
- You
have an engine problem.
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