Custom Automotive Care

As summer is here you should have your A/C system checked to make sure it’s full and the cabin filter is clean. But if your system is already not getting cold, it needs to get a look, if the refrigerant is low there has to be a leak, refrigerant won’t evaporate. Many times it can be hard to find the leak and we will want to add dye to the system and have you come back to check it again, a hassle for sure but sometimes there’s no other way. #coldAC #warmair #blowinghot

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

That’s a good question for Lincoln drivers. All batteries wear out and need to be replaced – but some are replaced before their time. For example, if your battery is dying and you need a jump-start, it could very well be that you have a bad battery. But you should have your battery tested first to see if it’s actually bad. The problem could be parasitic drain or a bad alternator that’s not properly charging your battery. One of the tests that we perform at Custom Automotive Care is alternator output. A surprisingly high percentage of “bad” batteries brought in are actually just fine: the problem is a failed alternator or control fault that is not turning the alternator on. On most modern vehicles the alternator is energized by the PCM (powertrain control module) or the BCM (body control module). These computers can change how much and when the alternator charges. A worn serpentine belt and/or belt tensioner can cause the belt to slip, as well. If the belt ... read more

Your skeleton provides the structure to hold up your weight. Your joints cushion you as you walk and allow you to change direction. Your vehicle’s suspension system is similar: It bears the weight of your vehicle, absorbs bumps in the road and controls the body as you steer through curves on Lincoln roads and streets. Your suspension system keeps your car up off the road. From there, it’s responsible for a smooth and comfortable ride. Like the bones in your body, vehicle suspension parts are connected by joints that allow all the components to move as they should. Over time and miles, the joints start to wear and your suspension gets loose and doesn’t operate as precisely as before, reducing proper tire contact with the road. An accident, pothole or hitting a curb or rock can also damage or break vehicle suspension components. If you’ve ever hurt your foot, you know you’ve had to walk differently to keep it from hurting as bad ... read more

Some people may be confused by charges for diagnostic services for a vehicle repair, even though many other services in life include diagnostic fees – things like computer service and appliance repair. Even when we go into the doctor for a medical problem, we’re paying her to diagnose our ailment and of course for the tests that go along with it. So receiving a diagnostic charge for a tricky automotive problem shouldn’t be a surprise. Automotive diagnostics can cover quite a range. If you hear a noise in your brakes, a quick visual check is usually enough to know what needs to be done. If you’re having an intermittent problem with your engine, diagnosis may be much more involved. Some think that when the check engine light comes on, the engine computer tells the technician exactly what the problem is. The reality is much different. The trouble code just tells your technician what engine parameter is out of range, not what’s causing it. Your tech ... read more

Many Lincoln drivers have had their check engine light come on. It’s an amber colored light that shows on your dashboard. What is the purpose for the check engine light? Most of your vehicle engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer or ECM. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive in Lincoln. In order to make these adjustments, the vehicle computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Check Engine Light. If your vehicle check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Drive the vehicle as little as possible and get that taken care of right away. If your check engi ... read more