How to Replace an EGR Valve

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace an EGR Valve . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Scan Tool
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Wrench
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • EGR Valve
  • Vacuum Pump

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $445.87 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $707.95 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Consult the owner’s manual to have an idea about the position of the OBD-I or OBD-II data link connector.
  • Once the OBD data link connector is located, shift the ignition key to ON position. You need not to start the engine.
  • Connect the OBD scanner tool to the data link connector to retrieve the diagnostic trouble code. The diagnostic codes between P0400-P0408 are normally referred to as the generic trouble codes for the EGR system.
  • Inspect the EGR valve. For this take the vacuum line off and connect the hand-held vacuum pump in its place.
  • Turn the vehicle on and force the vacuum to the valve with manual pump.
  • If the engine speed drops at idle position, this means that the EGR valve is working properly. However, if the engine idle speed doesn’t alter then you need to replace the EGR valve.
  • Discard the vacuum line and electrical connections from the EGR valve.
  • Unfasten the bolts holding the EGR valve in place and take it away.
  • Replace the old gasket with the new one and fix the new EGR valve with bolts.
  • Put the vacuum line and electrical connections back onto the new EGR valve.
  • Clear the diagnostic trouble code with the help of OBD Scanner tool.
  • Discard the Scanner tool and turn the engine on and make certain that new EGR valve is functioning properly.
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How to Replace a Throttle Position Sensor

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Throttle Position Sensor . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Scan Tool
  • Screwdriver
  • Multimeter
  • Throttle Position Sensor

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $240.97 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $402.92 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Prop the engine hood up.
  • First of all, you need to trace the OBD data link connector (DLC) in the engine compartment. Refer to your owner’s manual to have a better idea of its location.
  • Position the ignition key to ON.
  • Connect the scan tool to the OBD data link connector. Using the scan tool, retrieve the diagnostic trouble code(s).
  • Search for the throttle position sensor.
  • Discard any wiring connectors from the throttle position sensor.
  • Using DMM or digital multimeter, check the resistance present in the throttle position sensor. If DMM shows the reading which doesn’t match with the vehicle’s specifications, throttle position sensor is defective.
  • Take the throttle position sensor out of the vehicle and replace it with new unit.
  • Secure the new throttle position sensor with bolts and reattach the wiring connectors to the new throttle position sensor.
  • Using scan tool clear the diagnostic trouble code.
  • Turn the engine on and make sure that the new throttle position is properly installed.
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How to Replace a Mass Air Flow Sensor (Air Mass Meter)

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Mass Air Flow Sensor (Air Mass Meter) . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $63.24 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Prop the engine hood up and trace the air intake system in your engine compartment.
  • Air filter is normally fixed to the air intake boot with clamps right in front of the mass air flow sensor/air mass meter.
  • Unfasten the clamps holding the air filter and take it away.
  • Next, unfasten the clamps holding the mass air flow sensor/air mass meter to the air intake boot and take it out.
  • Examine the mass air flow sensor/air mass meter for any damage or wear.
  • Also, check the mass air flow sensor/air mass meter wires as well. Make sure that the wires are not damaged.
  • Fit a new mass air flow sensor/air mass meter into its place in air intake boot and secure it with clamps.
  • Reconnect the air filter and secure it with clamps. Connect the wiring connectors to the new mass air flow sensor/air mass meter.
Posted in Emission Control | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

How to Troubleshoot a Check Engine Light

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Troubleshoot a Check Engine Light . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Scan Tool

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $102.77 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Turn the vehicle on.
  • Look for the check engine light and observe it for a while.
  • Make sure that the check engine light turns on while the engine is still operating.
  • Attach the OBD scanner to the OBD output.
  • Following the instructions given in scanner’s manual, recover the diagnostic trouble code/codes. Diagnostic code usually appears to be like P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected) which means that engine cylinders are not firing accurately. It is also important here to note that the last two numbers in the code usually refer to the defective cylinder. For instance, if the code is P0301 then the defect is in first cylinder. However, P0300 refers to a random cylinder misfire code.
  • Misfire code can be caused by a number of different reasons which are given below:
  • Faulty Spark Plug Wire(s) and/or Plug(s)
  • Faulty Coil Pack(s)
  • Faulty Fuel Injector(s)
  • Faulty Oxygen Sensor(s)
  • Faulty Catalytic Converter(s)
  • After the problem is diagnosed, you need to rectify the problem by replacing the defective component with the new one.
  • After the replacement of the defective component, you need to clear the diagnostic trouble code or codes with OBD Scanner.
  • Turn the vehicle on and again recheck the status of the check engine light.
  • Make sure that the check engine light doesn’t turn on after troubleshoot.
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How to Replace Spark Plugs

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace Spark Plugs . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Spark Plug Boot Removal Tool
  • Spark Plug Gapper
  • Spark Plug Socket Set
  • 3/8 in. Drive 6 in. Socket Extension
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Spark Plug

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $7.83 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $127.82 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Secure the vehicle on a flat surface and wait until the engine cools down.
  • Prop the engine hood up and look for the spark plug wires.
  • Disconnect the spark plug wire boot from the spark plug terminal. Hold the boot with plug wire removal tool so that the plug wire and the boot don’t get separate from each other.
  • With the help of spark plug socket, extension or ratchet take the spark plug out of the cylinder head.
  • Take the new spark plug and inspect the gap on it. If required, tune the spark plug gap according to the vehicle’s specifications.
  • Thread in the new spark plug into spark plug hole. You can use 1/4 inch rubber hose, if threaded hole is difficult to get at.
  • Reconnect the spark plug wire.
  • Replace the other spark plugs in the same way. To avoid confusion, deal with one spark plug at a time.
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How to Replace an Ignition Wire Set

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace an Ignition Wire Set . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Spark Plug Wire Puller
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $63.24 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Prop the engine hood up.
  • Find the ignition wires.
  • Before removing each of the ignition wire, mark them so that you can connect them accurately later.
  • It is suggested to work on single wire at a time, don’t remove all the wires at the same time as this will cause confusion while reconnecting them.
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How to Replace an Ignition Control Unit

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace an Ignition Control Unit . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY CostsEst. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop CostsEst. $102.77 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Prop the engine hood up. Look for the ignition control unit in the engine compartment.
  • Discard the negative battery cable from the terminal.
  • Detach any connectors attached to the ignition control unit.
  • Take the ignition control unit out.
  • Fit the new ignition control unit in place and reconnect all the wires and connectors to the new ignition control unit.
  • Reattach the negative battery cable to the terminal.
  • Turn the vehicle on and check whether the new ignition control unit operating well.
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How to Replace an Ignition Coil

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace an Ignition Coil . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Spark Tester
  • Test Light
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Ignition Coil

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $56.43 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $135.32 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Prop the engine hood up and find the ignition coil.
  • Attach the spark test to the ignition coil output.
  • Have your assistant to crank the engine in order to check the spark.
  • Refer to the wiring diagram to find out whether the coil is power controlled or ground side controlled. In case it is ground side controlled, attach the test light clip to the power side of battery and make certain that the test light is touching the negative side of the coil.
  • Have your assistant crank the engine while you check if the test light turns on.
  • Discard the negative battery cable from the terminal.
  • Discard all the electrical connectors to the coil.
  • Take the coil wire off from the cap and eventually take the ignition coil out.
  • Replace the old coil with new one and reconnect all the components which you removed earlier.
  • Turn the vehicle on and observe the operations of the new ignition coil.
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How to Replace a Throttle Body

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Throttle Body . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Flashlight
  • Screwdriver
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Throttle Body

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $393.01 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $582.33 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Prop the engine hood up and find the engine’s throttle body in the engine compartment.
  • Discard the air intake duct from the throttle body.
  • Carefully examine the throttle body ports for any sings of carbon.
  • Examine the throttle bore and throttle body assemblies as well.
  • Take the throttle cable off from the throttle body control lever.
  • Discard all the air vacuum hoses and the throttle position sensor from the throttle body.
  • Take throttle body assembly out by removing the mounting screws.
  • Remove the old gasket and wipe off the mounting surface on the manifold and throttle body to remove any pieces of old gasket.
  • Position a new gasket on the manifold mounting surface and adjust the new throttle body on it and secure it with screws.
  • Reconnect all the vacuum hoses, throttle position sensor and throttle cable to the new throttle body.
  • Reconnect the air intake duct to the throttle body.
  • Turn the vehicle on and make sure that the new throttle body is properly operating.
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How to Replace a Fuel Tank Cap

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Fuel Tank Cap . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Gas Cap

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $12.64 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $78.16 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Prop the engine hood up and look for the fuel door.
  • Take the fuel tank off by opening the fuel door.
  • Take the fuel tank cap off.
  • Examine the fuel tank cap and seal for any visible damage.
  • Fit a new fuel tank cap.
  • You may need to reset the check engine light, if it is caused by a damaged fuel tank cap.
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