Custom Automotive Care

My radio will not turn off when I shut off my car. We have heard this complaint twice this week. You may think this is a complicated wiring problem or a ghost in the vehicle. In most cases it is due to a failed door ajar switch. If the computer does not see the door open it will not turn the radio off. It can be tested fairly easily with the right tools and knowledge. #radio #ajar #switch #wiringproblem

“My truck will start but will not stay running. It dies after just a few seconds. I replaced the fuel pump but it still does it.” In this case the fuel pump could be the problem or it could be something else entirely. The fuel pump was replaced without any formal testing or proof the pump was the cause. This was an expensive guess. As it turns out the fuel pump was not the issue. The computer lost the theft code because battery voltage was too low. All it needed was the battery charged (it had not been driven for a few weeks) and the theft system relearned. This was about a quarter of the cost of the new fuel pump that had been installed. Proper testing and diagnoses is usually more efficient than guessing and replacing unneeded parts. #fuelpump #theftlight #stalls #dies

Why is my timing belt important to change? This question has been asked recently. The timing belt connects major engine components like the crankshaft and camshafts to each other. The alignment of these components is very important to the operation of the engine. If the timing belt breaks or slips it can cause internal engine damage that would require the engine to be replaced, which is much more expensive than servicing the timing at the manufacturer’s recommended mileage. The timing belt also is connected to the water pump on most vehicles, so a leaking or failed water pump can damage the timing belt as well. One recent vehicle we replaced the timing belt on based on mileage, we found the water pump had been leaking and wasn’t far from failing, which could have ruined the engine. Routine maintenance is much cheaper than waiting until a problem has already occurred. #timingbelt #waterpump #enginereplace #maintenance

It’s raining inside my car, where is it coming from? If you have a sunroof it is normal to get some water leakage but the vehicle manufacturers have installed drain tubes to route the water to the outside of the car. If the drain tube gets plugged or becomes disconnected it could pool water on the floor boards or drip from the roof. We have also seen windshields that leak around the outside which can drip on the inside of the vehicle as well. If you notice the carpet is wet or drips from the inside of the vehicle you don’t want to put it off. This moisture can corrode wiring and get inside computers that are mounted behind the dash or under the seat. We have special techniques to pinpoint where the water is coming from and can get it repaired in no time. #waterleak #sunroof #wetcarpet