Car Service Tips

Check Engine Light

Check Engine Light and Maintenance

Modern cars now come with “OBD-II” (On Board Diagnostics 2). This great advancement in technology is a fault-registering system that is connected to sensors all over the car, engine, fuel and emissions system.

When the check engine light comes on, it can mean many things and to continue driving can cause car engine problems.

To date there are thousands of unique OBD2 codes that can be stored. Handheld OBD2 diagnostic tools can be plugged in to the OBD2 port which is commonly under the dash on the driver’s side or centre console or engine bay. Such tools have the ability to read out the fault code and/or reset the system to contain no codes. There are two main categories that these codes fall into: a. historical/inactive, and b. active. The historical codes are lists of things that have been detected in the past but are no longer an issue, whilst the active codes are things that are a problem right now. Codes are subdivided into B-codes (body), C-codes (chassis) and P-codes (powertrain).

The Most Common Fault Code: P0440 OBD-II code.

This is the most common code you’ll find. It is the first thing you should check. P0440 is the code for Evaporative Emission Control System Malfunction which covers a multitude of potential faults. One thing it covers that you can check is your petrol cap (gas cap). Most new cars have a pressurised fuel system and vapour recovery loop. If you’ve filled up with petrol and not twisted the petrol cap until it clicks, you’ve not sealed the fuel system. It won’t pressurise and the OBD2 system will log a P0440 code.

This fault is so common, on a lot of cars the car will have some way of telling you to check the petrol cap. In some Honda’s, for example, if a P0440 code is logged, the dash scrolls “CHECK PETROL CAP” across the odometer display. So if you get a check engine light, check the petrol cap first and see if the light goes off.

Note: Even if the light does go off, the code will likely still be stored in the OBD system and will show up next at your next car service or the next time it is checked. If it isn’t the petrol cap then you’ll need to call for a technician to attend and diagnose the source of the code.

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Home Tune Mobile Mechanics
www.hometune.com.au
PHONE: 1300 368 863

Side Mirror Indicator Light

Electrical Lights – Blinker Inidicator Flashing Faster

Is one of your indicator or blinkers flashing faster than the other?

When you indicate one way and the blinker flashes quicker than when you indicate the other way, it usually means one of the bulbs in the system has blown and you are likely to need electrial repairs.

An auto parts store will be able to tell you what sort of bulb you need to replace it with and your manual should show you how to get at the indicator bulbs – they’re different on every car or you can have it replaced professionally by one of our service technicians or during your next service. Our service technicians carry common bulbs on board at the ready and can advise on any other electrical needs you may have.

More recently LED lights have replaced bulb lights on new cars, with longer life spans and operating independently so that if one LED light fails the other will still operate. Transport vechicles such as trucks are moving to LED lighting for both function and fashion.

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ACE Auto Electrician
Electrical Repairs | Car Service
www.aceautoelectrician.com.au
CALL 13 20 42

Battery Warning Light

The Battery Warning Light, Electrical Fault Light or Charge Warning Light

This warning light is different in every car but normally it looks like a picture of a battery, similar to the picture provided here. You’ll see it come on and go off when you start your engine as part of the car’s self-test, but if this light comes on and stays on, it means the electrical charging system is no longer working properly and you’re likely to need some electrical repairs.

Think of it like a mobile phone battery. If the mobile phone is plugged into the charger, you can use it indefinitely, but when you disconnect it from the charger, there’s a limited amount of time before your battery runs out. It’s exactly the same in your car, only bigger.

Every car has an alternator – the charger – and a 12v battery used to supply power to the electrical system. If the alternator or part of the charging system becomes faulty or the drive belt to it snaps, then it will not be able to do its job.

The longer you drive, the more your car will use up the remaining juice in the battery and eventually the engine will die. The solution may require the checking of the components of the charging system or possibly a new or remanufactured alternator.

Our service technicians carry common charging system components and will be able to check your car, diagnose, locate and rectify to have you back on the road in no time.

About the Author
ACE Auto Electrician
Electrical Repairs | Car Service
www.aceautoelectrician.com.au
CALL 13 20 42

Service Engine Light

Indication Lights Include:

• Service Engine Light
• Maintenance Required Light

These lights may indicate the following:

• Service Required
• Service Engine
• Maintenance Required

It’s an indicator that you’re getting close to a scheduled maintenance interval and require a car service.

On some cars it’s as simple as counting miles before it comes on, whilst on others it maps engine temperatures, oil temperatures, air temperatures and other indicators of probable stress to tell you when it might be time for new oil or a service. In most cars this can be overridden or reset by you or if not then a service professional. Your handbook will tell you if this is the case. When your car is serviced the technician should be able to reset it for you.

Typically this light will come on when you start your car, and then turn off again as part of the self-check. If it stays on for 10 seconds then turns off, it normally means you’re within 1000 km of needing a service. If it flashes for 10 seconds, it normally means you’ve exceeded a recommended service interval.

About the Author
ACE Auto Electrician
Electrical Repairs | Car Service
www.aceautoelectrician.com.au
CALL 13 20 42

Oil Maintenance Light

Oil Level Maintenance and Oil Warning Light

Typically this light will come on if your oil pressure is too low. Low oil pressure is serious and if you continue to drive with this light on, eventually your engine will seize or die.

To prevent car engine problems and the need for an emergency car service do not drive your car when you see this light come on.

Low oil pressure can be caused by a failed oil pump, a blocked oil filter or strainer in the sump, or by low oil levels – for example if your engine is burning oil.

Either way, you need to get it fixed, and fast. Low oil pressure has the potential to cause serious damage to the engine if not attended to promptly.

Regular servicing will assist in preventing damage to your engine and extending the useful service life of your engine. The choice of oil is also very important with modern cars requiring the application of specific or special oils.

To assist you with any oil queries for you car, call a professional service technician from our sponsors page to check your oil and lubrication system.

About the Author
Home Tune Mobile Mechanics
www.hometune.com.au
PHONE: 1300 368 863

Coolant Service Warning Light

Coolant Warning Light

This is normally the coolant level warning light. If this comes on it means that the level of coolant in your radiator is low and needs topping up.

DO NOT OPEN THE RADIATOR CAP WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT!

The coolant system is pressurised and it could easily release pressure and spray you with boiling coolant. Open the radiator cap only when the engine is cold. The cooling system should only be topped up with either a pre-mixed coolant or with distilled water.

DO NOT USE TAP WATER

The mineral deposits in it boil out in the cooling system and calcium gets deposited around the inside of the radiator making it less efficient (which will eventually cause it to fail). It’s always best to use pre-mixed coolant. The coolant mixture behaves as an antifreeze in winter as well as a corrosion-inhibitor to stop your engine rusting from the inside out.

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ACE Mobile Mechanics
Car Service | Roadside Assistance | Vehicle Inspection
CALL 13 20 42
www.acemobile.com.au

Battery Jumper Leads

Jump Starting Your Car

If your battery has been drain such as by leaving lights on for an extended period of time without the engine running, take the following precautions to prevent damage to the battery and the starter motor when jump-starting your car:

• Make sure the vehicles aren’t touching.
• Don’t risk causing damage to the battery or even for it to explode. Ensure both car batteries are the same voltage eg 12 Volt.
• With both cars off, connect a positive cable end to the positive battery terminal of the dead battery.
• Don’t let the cables touch each other.
• Connect the other positive cable end to the positive terminal of the source battery.
• Connect a negative cable end to the negative terminal of the source battery.
• Attach the remaining negative cable to unpainted metal on the car engine (as far from the dead battery as possible).
• Wait a few minutes. Turn on the headlights of the disabled car before starting it. This absorbs voltage spikes that can cause damage to your vehicle’s computer. Try to start the disabled car. If it doesn’t start, start the source car and then try starting the disabled one again.
• When the car starts, be careful to disconnect the cables in the reverse order.
• If the car still doesn’t start, don’t keep trying to charge it or you are liable to damage the starter motor. Call us to arrange a service technician to attend to your car.
• Even if you’re successful, ensure a full recharge by hooking up the battery to a charger overnight or by driving the car for 8 to 16 km or at least 30 minutes. Depending on the condition of the battery, additional time may be required.

About the Author
ACE Auto Electrician
Electrical Repairs | Car Service
www.aceautoelectrician.com.au
CALL 13 20 42

Battery Problems

Disconnecting and Reconnecting Your Battery

If you’re going to do any work on your car involving electrical repairs especially with the electrical system, disconnect the battery first.

To do this, loosen the connector for the negative/ground terminal first, and wiggle the terminal cap off. Use a wire-tie or similar to tie the cable back out of the way. If you need to take the battery out, you can now take off the positive connector.

Why negative then positive?

If you disconnect the positive side of the battery first, the negative side is still connected to the entire car. If you drop a tool and it lands on the positive battery terminal and touches anything else on the car, you’ll have an electrical short. By disconnecting the negative first, you’re cutting off the return path for the current. Now, if a tool drops on to either of the battery terminals, it doesn’t matter if it touches part of the chassis or not – there’s no continuous path for the electrical current.

Reconnecting your battery.

Connect the positive terminal first, and the negative second – the reverse of removal, and for the same reasons. When you slip the negative connector on, there will be a spark as it gets close and makes contact with the negative battery terminal. Don’t be afraid of this – it’s nothing to worry about. Make sure the terminal caps are done up nice and tight.

Note that if your car radio is coded, disconnecting the battery will clear the code on the radio so ensure you have the code available to reset the car radio after the battery is reconnected. Also note disconnecting the battery on some cars may result in clearing codes from the cars computer which will need to be reset after the battery is reconnected. Our professional service technicians will be able to assist when required.

About the Author
ACE Auto Electrician
Electrical Repairs | Car Service
www.aceautoelectrician.com.au
CALL 13 20 42

Battery Terminal Corrosion

Checking Battery Terminals

Most modern cars run on a 12 volt negative ground electrical system. If your battery terminals or contacts aren’t clean, you’re making it more difficult for the current to pass around the electrical system and you are likely to experience car battery problems.

Remove the terminal caps by first loosening the connector for the negative/ground terminal and then disconnecting the negative/ground terminal from the battery (refer to Disconnecting and Reconnecting Your Battery).

Second repeat the process for the positive terminal. Clean each contact post with a wire brush to get a nice clean metal contact surface. Do the same to the terminal caps, then reattach them by reconnecting the positive terminal first, and the negative/ground terminal second (refer to post on Disconnecting and Reconnecting Your Battery).

About the Author
ACE Auto Electrician
Electrical Repairs | Car Service
www.aceautoelectrician.com.au
CALL 13 20 42

Car Battery Maintenance

Check your battery regularly to extend its life and avoid the hassle of being stranded with a dead battery.

• Do not smoke, create a spark or light a match near a battery.
• start simple, keep your battery clean. A dirty case can actually cause current to drain. Wipe with a damp rag. Use a mild detergent if necessary.
• Next, clean the battery posts or terminals (refer to other information in sections Checking Your Battery Terminals & Disconnecting and Reconnecting Your Battery).
• Inspect the battery case for damage, such as cracks or bulges (signs that a battery needs to be replaced).
• On certain batteries, coat the terminals and clamps with a thin coating of grease to prevent new corrosion.
• Some batteries need water. If your battery has vent caps, remove them to check the level of the electrolyte. It should rise 1/2 inch (13 mm) above the battery’s top plates. If it doesn’t, use distilled water to raise the level to 1/4 or 3/8 inch (6 or 10 mm) below the bottom of the vent cap. Don’t use tap water, as it may contain minerals that can damage your battery. Our technicians check your battery as a part of your regularly car service or scheduled maintenance.

About the Author
ACE Auto Electrician
Electrical Repairs | Car Service
www.aceautoelectrician.com.au
CALL 13 20 42