Local Car Repair
Common Car Problems
Car Won’t Start
The starter is an electric motor that is used to “crank” the engine to make it start. It consists of a direct current starter motor and a solenoid switch. The motor turns the car’s crankshaft and starts the engine, while the solenoid switch engages the drive gear of the starter and closes the electrical contacts of the motor.
Now, these parts don’t usually fail outright except with normal wear and tear or poor maintenance. When your car won’t start, it can be any of these things: the battery, the alternator, or the starter. How do you know which one?
The battery is a good place to start. Typically, a battery should last anywhere from three to five years. If the battery isn’t charged properly, the starter won’t work. If the car battery is dead, you might notice these things.
- Low whining noise when you start the car
- Lights don’t come on
- Engine cranks but doesn’t start
- Warning light goes on
The battery likely needs to be replaced at this point. This is something you can do but it’s best to have a professional mechanic do it for you. If the battery isn’t the problem, try checking your alternator.
It is responsible for charging the battery when the engine is running. It also powers the electrical system. Typically, it lasts anywhere between eight to 12 years. When it starts to fail, it won’t charge the battery properly. Here are some things you might notice when the alternator fails.
- Lights are dim; even the dashboard isn’t as bright as it normally is
- The warning light is on
- Burning smell
- Grinding noise
- Engine dies even after jump starting
Your on-site mechanic can make a definitive diagnosis about the alternator. If the problem isn’t the battery or the alternator, check the starter. This part is responsible for starting the engine when you turn the key or push the start button. If it’s not working, you aren’t going anywhere.
Look out for these signs:
- Clicking sound
- The dashboard may light up but the car won’t start
- The engine doesn’t start even after jump starting
Consult with your mechanic if you really can’t say for sure where the problem is. He will diagnose and advise if repairs are still possible, or if replacing the parts is the way to go.
Battery Not Charging
Oftentimes, when the car doesn’t start, it’s so easy to assume it’s a problem with the battery. You take out the jumper cables, jumpstart your car and you’re ready to go again. Sometimes it will work and at other times, maybe it won’t work. Could it just be the battery or something else? Maybe the battery isn’t holding a charge. But why?
Here are some possible reasons for a failed charge:
- Some lights or accessories may have been left on and drained the battery.
- A mechanical charging problem is causing the battery not to charge when the car is running.
- A bad alternator is causing the electrical drain.
- The battery needs to be replaced.
Here are some tests you can perform to test why the battery isn’t charging:
- Turn on the headlights. If the brightness is normal, it could just be a wiring problem. If they don’t come on or if they’re not as bright, maybe it is the battery.
- Get a voltmeter and test the voltage.
- Check how long you’ve had the battery for.
- Check the alternator and its cables for signs of fraying or other defects.
The charging system is critical when it comes to using your car. You can’t just go guessing what the problem might be. Consult with your auto repair mechanic.
Lights Not Working
You rely on your car’s lights when you’re driving at night or through the rain. When you’re having problems with your lights, not only can you not see the road, other drivers won’t be able to see you as well. Not to mention, you can get fined by authorities when you get caught driving with broken lights. If you see or experience any of the issues below, it would be best to call your mobile mechanic:
- If the headlights aren’t working properly, check the dimmer switch. It should be easy enough to remove and replace.
- Lamps and bulbs burn out over time but also check the sockets for damage or other signs of corrosion. If the problem isn’t with the light itself, check the wiring harness. It might be the source of the problem.
- Usually, if it is the circuit breaker that is damaged, it cannot be repaired. You need to check which circuit breaker needs to be replaced as they are located in different areas in the lighting system.
If both headlights and tail lights aren’t working, check the connection to the ignition switch. The problem may be the power can’t go through.
Car Horn Not Working
The horn is one of the oldest safety features in a car. It warns other drivers of an approaching vehicle or draws attention when necessary. When the horn isn’t working, it’s potentially dangerous for you and other drivers as well. Not having a functioning car horn is also illegal.
Here are some reasons why your car horn might not be working.
- The horn works using electric power. If the fuse is blown, you may need to replace it.
- Locate the horn relay in the fuse box. If the fuse isn’t the problem, it might be the relay. It’s also easy enough to replace if needed.
- Check the wire connectors for dirt. Sometimes, it just needs a good cleaning before you reattach it.
- Maybe the horn itself is bad. Try connecting the horn directly to a jumper wire but do this carefully. It can be really loud if the horn is still working.
- It can be an airbag issue or a broken horn switch. Both are located at the steering wheel and a professional mechanic should check for this. An expanded airbag can cause interference with the horn’s function.
Windshield Washers Not Working
The washer pump in your car works by spraying washer fluid from the reservoir through hoses and onto your windshield to remove dirt. Sometimes when you activate the washer, it doesn’t work. Here are some possible reasons.
- The tank or reservoir is empty. If it is, simply fill the reservoir with fluid. Make sure to check the ground for puddles because you might leak.
- The hoses from the reservoir to the wiper are made of rubber, which can break, crack, or leak. Check and then repair or replace accordingly.
- Your washer fluid could also be contaminated. Washer fluid comes in different colors but they are usually clear. If the liquid looks dark and cloudy, dirt may have found its way there.
- A broken fuse could also cause your washer not to work. If this is the case, the fuse needs to be replaced.
- If you find that both fluid and fuse are just fine, the problem might be with the pump. This may be a little harder to check and diagnose properly. It would be best for a professional mechanic to check.
Windshield Wipers Not Working
You probably never give your car’s windshield wipers a lot of thought unless the weather is bad and you need them. This is why they are often overlooked until it’s too late. There are a few reasons why your wiper may not be working:
- The condition of the wiper blades is related to how well they work. If the blades are torn, they won’t be able to remove dirt or moisture effectively.
- Heavy or wet snow needs to be cleared from the wipers with a brush. It would be a good idea to invest in winter wiper blades if you’re experiencing heavy snowfall.
- The wiper motor is an electric component that is also prone to wear and tear. If the motor is broken, the wipers won’t work.
- If the wiper motor is overloaded, its fuse burns out as well.
- The pivot nuts, which connect the wiper arms to the wiper transmission might be loose. When this happens, one wiper might move but not the other. You might also see a slight movement when the wiper direction changes but it doesn’t wipe the windshield.
If you experience any of these, or you are having other problems with the wipers but you can’t tell for sure, it’s best to call your local mechanic.
Mirrors Not Working
Like wipers, you probably don’t give your car mirrors a lot of thought either until one gets broken. Driving without a mirror can also cause accidents. A broken mirror is easy enough to replace. What about power mirrors? Here are some issues you might notice with power mirrors.
- When the internal mechanisms of the power mirror are broken, the mirror won’t move properly.
- Dirt or other contaminants inside the mirror control of the car could cause the mirror switch to become defective.
- Too much snow could also prevent power mirrors from moving.
Book a mobile mechanic for a thorough inspection of your power mirrors if you experience any of these.
Windows Not Working
Broken power windows are annoying especially when they get stuck when you’re at a toll booth, or the weather suddenly changes and you can’t get the window to go up or down when you need it to. Because power windows require electric power to work properly, the problem is usually an electrical one.
- Each power window has a regulator to move it. When it goes bad, you won’t be able to move the window.
- Each window also has a window motor to distribute electrical energy. The window motor is activated when you press the up or down button on your door. Then, the window regulator moves to open or close the window. When the motor is defective, the windows won’t move either.
- Snow and ice could also affect the function of the power windows.
- The power window switch also gets worn out over time from pressing too hard. Worst case scenario, the switch stops working.
- The wires connecting the window switch to the window motor could also become defective.
It is so important to be able to use your windows. If you have any of the issues mentioned above, call your local mechanic immediately.
Ignition Switch Gone Bad
If your car doesn’t start or it starts but dies quickly, you could be facing an ignition switch problem. You can expect the normal wear and tear of the ignition switch because of how frequently it is used.
If you start noticing any of the issues below, it is best to have your car checked by a local mechanic or your mobile repair service as soon as possible. If your car won’t start, you aren’t going anywhere.
- When the car fails to start, it could be a sign of a corroded electrical circuit.
- If the key doesn’t turn, make sure you have the right key. Check that the ignition lock isn’t engaged. If the key still won’t turn, something might be preventing the key from aligning properly with the keyhole.
- If the ignition switch fails while the engine is running, power going to the ignition and fuel systems could get cut off, resulting in the car stalling.
- A flickering dashboard could also be a sign of a problem.
If you don’t hear a sound from the starter motor, it could also be an ignition switch problem.
Problems with Sensors
Sensors work by providing input to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which is needed so the PCM can make critical control decisions. Without the correct input data, the PCM may not make the correct control decisions. The wrong data can cause emissions, performance, and other problems.
Here are some sensor problems to watch for:
- Check Engine Light – A lot of drivers find this confusing because it doesn’t tell you what the problem is.
- Oxygen sensor failures may be caused by contaminants in the exhaust.
- Coolant sensors can be damaged by overheating.
- Throttle position sensors are used to estimate airflow and engine load. These sensors can get worn out as the mileage increases.
- Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensors provide information to the PCM on how much load is on the engine. Problems with the MAP may cause hesitation, fuel mixture, and spark timing problems.
- Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor measures the airflow into the engine. This information is important for controlling the fuel mixture. Problems with the sensor may cause hesitation and reduce performance.
- Speed sensors monitor the relative speeds of the main input and output shafts. Problems with the sensor could either be a wiring-related or outright failure of the sensor due to iron particles sticking to its tip.
- Inlet air temperature (IAT) sensors are used to monitor changes in air temperature. A sensor that doesn’t work correctly can cause increases in emissions, fuel consumption, and other issues.
Tire pressure monitor systems (TPMS) are used to monitor tire pressure so that they don’t fall below the recommended levels. Some sealer products cause defects in these sensors.
