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390 messages, Last post on Oct 31, 2009 at 11:59 AM

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What is this discussion about? Brakes, Electrical, Engine, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV, Van

This topic will hopefully allow the more knowledgable of our community members share what they know with those seeking a good explanation for "how things work" in a car; or, this is a good place for equally knowledgable people to discuss the finer points of a technology.

Outline

Messages Page 35 of 39: 1; ...; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; Prev; Next; Last

#341 of 390 Re: fuel leak and dead battery [watt476] by bolivar Dec 30, 2007 (11:12 pm)
Replying to: watt476 (Dec 30, 2007 11:09 pm) It's a coincedence. A battery and a fuel leak aren't related unless someone whacked the fuel rail with the 40 pound battery. Replies to this message: watt476 (Dec 31, 2007 8:23 pm) watt476 (Feb 08, 2008 8:06 pm)
#342 of 390 Re: fuel leak and dead battery [bolivar] by watt476 Dec 31, 2007 (8:23 pm)
Replying to: bolivar (Dec 30, 2007 11:12 pm) Thanks bolivar. I had the battery checked and it came up good. I think I'll look for a bad wire, and have the alternator checked. As far as the fuel leak goes, I'll try to tighten or replace the valve core-it looks like a valve stem on a tire, so why not? I'll let you know how it goes. Replies to this message: watt476 (Feb 08, 2008 8:06 pm)
#343 of 390 2002 Chevy Tracker by dcw41 Jan 15, 2008 (3:02 pm)
If the daytime running lights come on, but the lights don't work using the switch, what is the problem? Replies to this message: kiawah (Jan 15, 2008 3:46 pm) dcw41 (Jan 15, 2008 3:49 pm) kiawah (Jan 15, 2008 4:02 pm) 0patience (Jan 15, 2008 5:45 pm)
#344 of 390 Re: 2002 Chevy Tracker [dcw41] by kiawah Jan 15, 2008 (3:46 pm)
Replying to: dcw41 (Jan 15, 2008 3:02 pm) If you can get a set of electrical schematics for your vehicle, I'll help you shoot this problem. Replies to this message: dcw41 (Jan 15, 2008 3:49 pm) kiawah (Jan 15, 2008 4:02 pm) 0patience (Jan 15, 2008 5:45 pm)
#345 of 390 Re: 2002 Chevy Tracker [kiawah] by dcw41 Jan 15, 2008 (3:49 pm)
Replying to: kiawah (Jan 15, 2008 3:46 pm) Where would I get the schematics? A dealership? Replies to this message: kiawah (Jan 15, 2008 4:02 pm) 0patience (Jan 15, 2008 5:45 pm)
#346 of 390 Re: 2002 Chevy Tracker [dcw41] by kiawah Jan 15, 2008 (4:02 pm)
Replying to: dcw41 (Jan 15, 2008 3:49 pm) I always buy a complete set of factory service manuals for my vehicles, and they include complete electrical schematics. www.helminc.com has manuals, and for some makes they have an online subscription for 2 days which gets you access to the service manuals, and it's $10 bucks. I just looked real quick, but I don't think they offer that for the tracker...at least I didn't see it first pass looking. you might check a large autoparts chain, they carry some (non-mfg) manuals...not as detailed, don't know if they'd have schematics....don't even know if they'd have a tracker. might try searching the internet. This varies significantly by mfg, year, light layout, and even trim level....so it would be hard to shoot this with generic electrical info. I'm betting you have a couple different relays that are utilized for your beams, to shift between DRL and High beams, low beams and DRL. As you've found, you run the risk of just throwing unnecessary parts at it, unless you can get a set of schematics and see what all is involved and how they have it wired. If you can get your hands on schematic, scan it and/or send me a fax to my carspace id, and I'll help you figure this out.
#347 of 390 Re: 2002 Chevy Tracker [dcw41] by 0patience Jan 15, 2008 (5:45 pm)
Replying to: dcw41 (Jan 15, 2008 3:49 pm) Where would I get the schematics? A dealership? AlldataDIY.com sells online subscriptions to the technical information for your vehicle. Helminc has disks and manuals. Your local library may even have Alldata online at the library or may have manuals.
#348 of 390 Re: fuel leak and dead battery [watt476] by watt476 Feb 08, 2008 (8:06 pm)
Replying to: watt476 (Dec 31, 2007 8:23 pm) It turns out the leaky valve sprayed gas on the alternator, knocking it out. I replaced the valve core and alternator. It's running good now, except the radiator fan nows runs constantly, even when the engine is cold. Does anyone know what causes this? Thanks for any advice.
#349 of 390 Chevy Aveo Spark Plug Wires/Plugs by luckins Feb 21, 2008 (4:56 pm)
It's a 2004 Aveo. OK, I just bought this car three weeks ago and I am fixing it up because I'm a perfectionist and like to have my cars idle perfectly. I have a rough idle and want to check the plugs. When I got to where the spark plug wires, I could not get the wires off! I managed to get one off the coil, so I know I can do it. But, I can't get any off of the plugs. I am very cautious about doing this because the car is so new to me and I don't want to damage the wires without being committed to changing them. I've seen what the wires look like and they have a really long boot into a really deep hole. Is there a trick to getting them off if they are stuck? Also, what size spark plug socket do I need to get? And, what if the wires break and get stuck in the hole?
#350 of 390 Nevermind, I got the wires changed by luckins Feb 21, 2008 (3:17 pm)
Nevermind, I managed to get the wires off and I changed all the wires. But, I could only change the plug on the first cylinder because I kept getting the spark plug tool stuck in the hole. I tightened it with the wire and I'm sure that it will be ok because it was pretty secure in the hole. But, I think I should tighten it further and I want to change the rest of the plugs. So, I was wondering if there was a trick to keeping the socket on the ratchet rather than having it come off in the hole? Replies to this message: ronsmith38 (Feb 21, 2008 8:33 pm) luckins (Feb 21, 2008 8:43 pm) kiawah (Feb 22, 2008 6:12 pm) and 1 more...