Auto Problem Tips from the Best Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

Auto repairs are an unfortunate necessity. 

Every auto owner faces unexpected breakdowns sometime.  While there are endless causes, here are some basic, commonly encountered auto repair issues you may experience. 

Battery Problems

A battery suffering from a low charge, no charge at all or one that is not able to hold a charge will leave you stuck.  Usually a set of jumper cables and a willing fellow motorist can remedy the immediate issue.  To be fully prepared, you may choose to purchase a road assistance device that can offer a jump start without another auto present. While the specific capabilities of the devices differ, most include a battery recharger.  It is ALWAYS advised that you keep jumper cables in your auto at all times.  Most issues arising from battery problems do not require a skilled mechanic or professional auto repair shop.

Overheating Engine

As temperatures go up, so do your odds of having your auto’s engine to overheat.  The usual causes of overheating: leaks or extremely low fluid levels, as well as defective cooling systems.  If you’re experiencing an overheating problem you should bring some extra water along in case of an emergency.  When the car overheats, wait for your entire engine to cool enough to safely touch before even raising the hood.  Once relatively cool you should raise the hood allowing excess heat to completely disperse.  Once cool enough to touch, open your water overflow tank or reservoir and check that the water levels are within the suggested markings.  For safety, always allow the engine to adequately cool before checking or adding any water or coolant to the cooling system.  If your auto is overheating, you need to locate a professional auto repair shop or mechanic to determine the reason and fix the issue before causing further damage. 

Engine Hesitation or Engine Surge

There are a multitude of issues that can lead to engine hesitation or surge.  Some of these may include a polluted air filter, or even hotter, more humid weather.  During extremely hot weather, particularly in rather humid conditions, some autos’ engines begin to struggle just to work properly.  Your vehicle must re-circulate exhaust gases coming through the engine in order to effectively reduce the exhaust emissions emitted into the air. Hotter, very humid weather can cause the exhaust flow to gather within the intake manifold affecting the auto’s drivability. It can also cause blockages, leading to the need for more significant auto repairs.

Alternator Failure

Your alternator is an essential part of your car.  Alternator failure will leave you sitting on the side of the road.  If you are having alternator problems, get it checked out and tested right away.  Signs of alternator problems might include a sluggish battery.  If the headlights and/or dashboard lights dim when the auto is idling, it is definitely pointing to alternator troubles. These warning signs should not be ignored. A mechanic or auto repair shop can help in quickly diagnosing and fixing the problem, avoiding the further complications or a breakdown. 

When the Car Won’t Start – By a Pro Mechanic in Columbia SC

 

When the car won’t start, it could be due to a number of things.  The first thing you should do is start to narrow down where your problem may lie.  It doesn’t necessarily take an auto repair professional to get your issue diagnosed or taken care of. 

The Basics

Before you head off to an auto repair shop, you should first understand as much as you can about your problem.  In the most basic description, your car starts because the key turns, creating voltage flow from the battery through the ignition switch, a safety switch, and then to the solenoid or starter relay.  The solenoid or starter relay then routes more power from the battery to the starter, which in turn cranks the engine.  At this point the starter motor spins and pushes the starter drive gear, engaging the flywheel and cranking the engine.

NO-CRANK, NO-START – What is going on?

When the car responds with no crank and no start, there are many common culprits that you will want to check.  To start, a low battery charge or bad battery cables or connections could be to blame.  You should check the battery’s voltage and recharge it or jumpstart the car if the voltage is too low.  You should also inspect the battery cables and connections on both ends.  If there is excessive corrosion on the battery terminals you should clean it off and re-attach the connections securely. 

The next thing to check is the starter relay and solenoid.  Check the voltage, inspect the connections and tighten any necessary wiring issues.  If a relay shows a charge but fails to “click” when you turn the key, you should replace the starter relay. 

If none of these are at fault, the starter itself may have gone bad.  Most auto parts retailers will test the starter, but you will have to remove it first.  If you are mechanically inclined, you may opt to jump the battery voltage directly to the starter to determine if it will spin. 

Another issue you may be dealing with is damaged or broken teeth on the flywheel or a bad starter drive.  To check on this one, you will have to have the starter out of the car.  Inspect the drive gear for damages, as well as the flywheel teeth. 

Yet another thing you may need to check is the ignition switch.  If voltage is not reaching the solenoid or starter relay when the key is turned, look for an open P/N switch, brake switch or clutch pedal switch.  This can help in determining if the ignition switch needs to be replaced.  If you have an open P/N switch, Brake Pedal switch, or clutch pedal switch, you will need to bypass the switch with a jumper wire to check if the engine will crank.  You could also use a test light or voltmeter to determine if there is voltage passing through the switch when the key is turned on. 

If you still haven’t found your problem, check that the engine has not seized entirely.  An engine can be checked using a socket and long handle; see if the engine is able to be turned by hand.  If it cannot, your engine is locked and you have a much larger issue on your hands.  Internal engine damage or bearing failure could be to blame in this case.  If the engine has not seized, you may still suffer from engine hydrolock.  This is caused by a leaking head gasket that allows coolant to seep out.  Remove your spark plugs to check for leaked coolant.  If the engine will not crank with the spark plugs out, you may have a closer look at the possibility that the engine is hydrolocked.

While a vast number of auto problems can be to blame for a car that won’t start, this should help you in determining some of the most frequent issues auto owners face.  As an auto repair professional, I know that getting necessary repairs can be a big unexpected expense.  We hope this information will help you in finding your trouble and avoiding any unnecessary auto repair bills.