How to Diagnose Your Own Vehicle Problems

If you hear a backfire when driving in the engine compartment, this normally would mean that you should check many things. To start with, look at your timing belt or chain to make sure it is not slipped or broken, possibly worn too thin. Then look at your points, and make sure that they are not burned up or set incorrectly. Now look at your spark plugs and wires. If one of the plugs is loose, this will cause backfiring, and if one of the wires is not connected in the right firing sequenced, this will cause a backfire. Check your distributor cap to see if it is loose or cracked, along with the vacuum hose. If it is damaged in any way or loose, this can cause backfiring.

If you hear a clunk or thud noise when driving from under the car, always check your motor mounts. If they are loose or broken, the thud you hear is your motor moving when you take off and stop or give the engine gas. Also look at the transmission to see if it has a loose mount, for the same things can happen to it as do the engine.

If your car is hard to start when it is cold, there are quite a few things that need to be looked at, but here are the most popular listed. Your battery should be checked for proper voltage. Sometimes when it gets cool outside, the battery can lose amperage and not have enough energy to start your car. Look also at your spark plug wire loom, because if you have been trying to start the car for a few minutes with no avail, you could have flooded the carburetor. Also look at the fuel injector to make sure it is not unplugged or dirty. If your car gets no gas, it gets no start. Your rotor is in charge of ignition, and if it is damaged or corroded, you will not get a start as well. Lastly, look at the throttle position sensor, because if it is not connected well, the circuit is not complete. This will cause an electrical short of sorts, and you will not be able to start your car at all.

These things will help save you money when diagnosing small problems with your vehicle. If you cannot find help through this article, it would be in your best interest to contact a local shop and tell them the sounds you are hearing. Always go someplace that offers you free diagnostic testing, and never pay for this. You can get this free at any Autozone in the US.