Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice

Where to get wiring diagrams and repair information

Rick — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:22:38 +0000

I volunteer on a LOT of auto repair forums and I constantly see people asking for free wiring diagrams and step-by-step repair instructions. The first thing you need to know about online wiring diagrams is that there is NEVER a single wiring diagram for your car. When I need a diagram, I have to enter the year, make, model, and OPTIONS into the first page of the program. Why? Because a wiring diagram for power doors locks on a 2001 Ford Taurus WITH a security system is different than the diagram for the exact same vehicle WITHOUT a security system. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is that if you don’t key in all that information, you’ll get the wrong diagram. So when online posters just as for a wiring diagram for their vehicle, their chances of getting the right diagram are, you guessed it, ZIP. Nadda. The same applies to step-by-step repair information—it’s different for vehicles depending on what equipment you have and which engine/transmission combination is in the vehicle.

Next, you should know that there’s really no such thing as a free wiring diagram or free shop manual. The cheap manuals (Haynes, Chilton, etc) have really lousy diagrams (in my opinion), which is why you see so many posts that say, “I have a Haynes manual but need a wiring diagram for….” The car companies are charging for all repair information these days and it’s not cheap. So in order to get your hands on good reliable information, you simply have to bite the bullet and pay for it. Here are your options.

1. eautorepair.net – This site is run by Mitchell on Demand, which is used by the pros. They redraw all the factory wiring diagrams so they are MUCH easier to read. Really, I’d rather use their diagrams than any factory manual. Their repair instructions are good too. The downside to this service is their lack of body repair information. You cannot get any door panel removal instructions or any interior door repair steps. The same goes for instrument panel removal. The upside is that their service is very accessible for DIY’ers. You can buy a 1-week subscription for $12. They also sell a 1-month and 1-year subscription.

2. Alldata – This site is like the eautorepair site except that they DO include some body repair information. They have diagrams that show how to remove door panels and some dash panels. Their wiring diagrams are all FACTORY diagrams. If you know how to read them, great. If not, it can be quite a challenge for the average DIYer. They offer a 1-year subscription for $27.

3. Factory shop manuals – There’s no comparison here. These are the best manuals out there. They have the most diagrams and the best instructions. They also include in-depth articles on how the systems work. That can really help you when it comes to diagnosing a problem. The downside? The cost. Click here to find the site for your make. http://www.oem1stop.com/

3. Public library – That’s right, you forgot about them, didn’t you. Many public libraries subscribe to online repair services. If you have a library card you can use their computers and print out the repair instructions or diagrams for a small fee. The downside is that most libraries require you to access the service from inside the library—meaning, you can’t get it from home.

4. Ebay – If you sign on to ebaymotors, you’ll find tons of factory DVDs for cheap prices. Often these are bootleg copies. But if you’re concerned about whether they’re selling a legit copy, ask the seller.

Here’s the bottom line, and there is NO way around it—if you want reliable information, you’re going to have to pay for it. You would not believe the number of emails I get from people who have wasted days trying to fix their cars with the wrong wiring diagram, torque specs, or incorrect or missing repair steps. If only they had spend a few bucks on a subscription, they could have read the latest technical service bulletin warning them NOT to replace the entire ABS control module simply because the ground wire needed cleaning. Yes, it happens that often.

For more information on this repair or any others for your vehicle, buy an online subscription to either Alldatadiy.com or eautorepair.net. Click on this link to compare the two services: Compare Alldata and Eautorepair.

If you just need information for a single repair and want to save money,eautorepair offers a lower price 1-week subscription for only $11.99. Or, if you'll be working on this vehicle in the future, you can buy a 1-year subscription (Alldatadiy.com for $26.99, or eautorepair.net $29.99)

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Alternator testing

Rick — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:09:17 +0000

Cardone, a major re builder of alternators has issued a service bulletin regarding the right and wrong ways to test an alternator.

THE WRONG WAY

Disconnecting the battery cables while the vehicle is running can generate a voltage spike as high as 150 volts! That’s enough to fry every computer in your vehicle, along with your stereo, fuses, remote door locks, etc. Reconnecting battery cables generates a second spike.

THE RIGHT WAY

The battery must be fully charged and a volt meter must read at least 12.6 volts with the engine off and no loads (headlights off, etc). Next, start the vehicle and apply the voltmeter. It should read between 13 and 15 volts. Be aware that newer vehicles DO NOT CHARGE the battery unless it needs charging!!

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Dodge Caliber SRT4 check engine light

Rick — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:24:25 +0000

Owners of 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT 4 models complain of a check engine light that translates in to a specific cylinder misfire code. If the 2.4L turbocharged vehicle was built before 4/18/08, the problem is likely due to a software glitch. Re-flashing the PCM with the most current software is the only way to fix the problem.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Buick Park Avenue headlights stay on

Rick — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:18:03 +0000

Shops are reporting a problem with the GM “twilight sentinel” system on Buik Park Avenue vehicles. Owners report that the headlights will not turn off.

Start your diagnostics by unplugging the head lamp switch connector from the switch. If the headlights now go out, replace the head lamp switch.

If the lights do not go out, check the white wire at the lamp driver module (located under the center of the instrument panel) for a short to ground pin J and pin B1. If the white wire is not shorted, the problem is in the lamp control module. Replace it.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Ford F-150 blows fuse

Rick — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:28:17 +0000

Shops report that 1997-03 Ford F-150 trucks can blow fuse #29 repeatedly. The fuse powers the overdrive cancel switch located in the steering column at the end of the shift lever. The problem is most likely a short in the red/yellow wire that goes up the steering column. To repair, remove the shrouds on the column and check for the short.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

ABS light on GM vehicles

Rick — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:17:57 +0000

GM has issued a TSB #04-05-025-002A covering the following vehicles:
2004 Buick Rainier
2002-04 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT
2003-04 Chevrolet Silverado
2000-04 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe
2003-04 Chevrolet Avalanche, Trailblazer
2003-04 Chevrolet SSR
1999-04 GMC Sierra
2000-04 GMC Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL
2002-04 GMC Envoy
2004 GMC Envoy XUV
2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada

The problem shows up as a glowing ABS light and trouble coded C0265, C0201, U1041 and a loss of communication with the brake module (EBCM). The TSB warns dealers NOT to replace the EBCM. The problem is a bad ground. Refer to a wiring diagram to find the grounding location for your vehicle. Then clean the ground area and spray it with rubberized undercoating.

For midsized utility vehicles, find the location of ground #304
For Chevrolet SSR, find the location for ground #400
For full-size trucks and utilities, find the location for ground #110

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Honda expands airbag inflator recall

Rick — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:31:01 +0000

Auto Industry News

Honda expanded the recall of airbag inflators to include an additional 378,758 vehicles. The original recall affected fewer than 4,000 model year 2001 Accord and Civic vehicles. The expanded recall also includes the Honda Pilot and Acura CL. The airbag inflators on the affected vehicles could cause the airbag to deploy with too much pressure. The additional pressure can rupture the inflator casing, causing injury or death.

So far, Honda has recorded 12 incidents related to the issue. But Honda has decided to add certain 2001 and 2002 Accord, Civic, Odyssey, CR-V, and selected 2002 Acura TL vehicles to this recall.

Honda owners should take their vehicle to the dealer as soon as they receive the notification.
Honda owners will be able to determine if their vehicle requires repair by going on-line or calling. Honda owners can go to http://owners.honda.com recalls or call (800) 999-1009; Acura owners can go to http://owners.acura.com/recalls or call (800) 382-2238.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Honda Odyssey Element VSA Recall

Rick — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:18:57 +0000

Honda Motors will recall 344,000 and 68,000 Element vehicles from the 2007-08 model years. Dealers will modify the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) modulator. The recall comes from customer complaints of a soft brake pedal or a brake pedal that slowly get lower and closer to the floor. The problem gets worse over time.

The problem is due to air in the modulator. The VSA modulator performs a self-check and during the check it can allow a small amount of air to enter the system.

If you do not receive a letter regarding the email, you can go online and check to see if your vehicle is covered. Or you can call the number below.

Honda owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and select option 4.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Acura Sales Increase in March

Rick — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:10:25 +0000

American Honda’s Acura division posted a 43.7% increase in March 2010 sales compared to March 2009. Total Acura sales were up 25.2%. The biggest increases were reported in sales of the MDX luxury SUV, which was up by 42%. Acura attributes the increase to the “fresh new look” of the MDX and RDX models. The TL model was the best selling vehicle in the Acura lineup in March with 3,917 units sold, a 16.6% increase. The TSX sports sedan sold 3,072 units, up 15.6%

Acura's line of luxury SUVs posted an impressive monthly sales increase of 43.7 percent based on daily selling rate*, with Acura car sales reporting an increase of 15.6 percent. With sales of 3,281 units, the MDX luxury SUV posted a 42.0 percent increase compared to March 2009 sales. Total monthly sales for Acura were 11,722 (up 25.2 percent) while Acura year-to-date** sales totaled 27,793 units, a 14.9 percent increase compared to 2009.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Acura ZDX recall

Rick — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:58:56 +0000

American Honda Motor announced a recall of Acura ZDX cars. The recall affects approximately 1,850 vehicles and involves an inspection of the dashboard surface material. In the vehicles affected, the passenger side airbag may not deploy.

The underside of the dashboard material is scored with a laser to provide a burst line that opens when the airbag deploys. Dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the score line was properly cut. If not, the dealer will replace the dashboard.

ZDX owners can go to http://owners.acura.com/recalls or owners may call (800) 382-2238 for more information.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.