Q:97 ford ranger, passed smog recently,slightly overdue for oil change but no noises/changes in the way it drives recently.check engine comes on a few days ago, I immediately borrow the OBDII reader from Autozone 15 miles away (had to call 4 before I found one that still lends one out for free w/deposit, BTW), it comes back with P1443 code, which Autozone says means about 8 different things. check engine light goes off after OBDII read even though I didn‘t press the button to remove the code from computer via reader. CE comes on again about 50 miles later, turns off again awhile laterwhat‘s the deal? according to multiple internet posts P1443 indicates an emissions control problem,usually the solenoidthere is some rust to the emissions system running the length of the truck but Meineike said recently it‘s superficial and fine for now. In any case, if the CE light doesn‘t keep coming on, should I worry about it? or pay to have someone take a closer look now?

My 97 Ranger check engine light came on/off randomly and scanned code P1443. I replaced the gas cap, evap. sensor and vacuum hoses. This did not fix problem. I then removed the vacuum hose from the purge solenoid valve and squirted two quick squirts of silicone lubricant into the vacuum port of the solenoid, while holding it in the upright position, replaced the vacuum hose and drove around the block. Check engine light went out and and never came back on. Sly

Q:I have a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and I want to replace the standard stock headlights and fog light bulbs by a much brighter white bulbs. I don‘t have a good knowledge about how light bulbs are ranked according to their brightness. I don‘t really like the after market bulbs that some cars have, which the color looks almost blue or purple. A guy from advance auto part suggested me to get a Sylvania Super White for $50/pair. Is that the good brand, are they gonna be WHITE or will turn blue or purple? Anyone has any better suggestion for me? Thanks a lot!

In the fog those will increase glare and you'll blind yourself. Keep what you have.

Q:I just got my driver‘s license and now have my dad‘s old Dodge. After 3 days of driving it around town the Check Engine Light came on. My dad who is a heavy equipment mechanic for the past 30 years told me to check all of the fluids thinking it is probably the oil, he can‘t check himself as he is working hundreds of miles away. So I check and all of the fluids and they are full, engine oil, transmission oil, power steering fluid etc it‘s all good. I looked at the manual and the book said it was an emissions problem here is exactly what it said:Check Engine Light:This light is a part of an onboard diagnostic system called OBD, which monitors the emissions, engine, and automatic transmission control systems. If a problem is detected in one of these systems, the Check Engine Light will come on. Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as possible.What could be wrong with my truck?

the check engine light will come on for many reasons before you,ll know anything you,ll have to get the computer scanned and find out what code it gives you then you can tell what made it come on even a bad set of plugs in one can set a check engine light to come on,and i wont tell you to go out and start buying parts until you can at least get it scanned ,auto zone will scan it for free then you,ll know without having to pay a diagnoses fee on it,good luck .

Q:I have a 1992 Geo Prizm (same as a Toyota Corolla). The battery and alternator were replaced last March. The problem is that since then the battery and brake indicator light flashes on the dashboard intermittently. Sometimes it will come on for 2 minutes and not come on again for a month. Other times it flickers for half an hour every time I am driving. It seems a lot worse in the cold weather or when the car has been sitting for days without running. I noticed that when it does flicker on, the headlights dim slightly. What is going on? Any ideas?

Most of the time when a battery light comes on while driving it would indicate a problem with the charging system, it indicates a weak charging system. most local auto part stores will test your battery and alternator for free. you could have gotten a bad alternator or battery. The reason it flickers at times would be because of the demand on the charging system and if it is weak the indicator comes on when the demand if more that what can be supplied.

Q:What is the car light language?

Please note that your behavior long press for more than three seconds

Q:My dad wanted to know how to get this hitch(roughly boat-shaped/ a rectangle with a triangle on the front, with two wheels) that he attatched to the back of his toyota takoma pick-up truck to show brake lights as well as turn signals when he brakes or turns.The attatchement hitch-thing has lights and what-not and my dad mentioned something about an output and electricity outlet to and/or from the truck.no idea. I‘m not a handy man.you can use all the mechanic/electric jargon you want though since my dad understands it. If you want you may include links to any diagrams or pictures that may help.

If the truck has independent brake and turn signals he will need a trailer harness converter available at all auto parts stores as trailers currently use a combo brake turn system. If he wants to go the other route he will have to add two lights and wires to the trailer for correct operation. Standard trailer harness colors are Yellow Drivers side turn/brake Green Passengers side turn/brake Brown Marker lights White Chassis ground I am not sure of the truck harness as no year was given but I believe all modern imports are independent.(has brake lights and turn signal lights that are separate from each other) If I had the model and year of truck I could get you the correct wiring schematics for it and some Yotas actually have a quick plug harness you can buy the plug in to plugPlay the lights. You can e-mail me through my avatar if needed and I will be happy to help keep you from burning up dads truck.

Q:My automatic headlights didn‘t turn off the other night causing a dead battery. Would this be caused by the switch on the dash (it has a dial to adjust length of lights after turning car off), or would it be somewhere in the computer or other places?

These car headlights are controlled with a triple five timer chip, if water has got into your system and shorted past the timer chip then the lights would stay on. There should be a manual override switch which should sort this out for you. I have encountered this before i hope this helps

Q:1993 Pontiac Trans Am 5.7 autowhile the headlights and parking lights are off, there isn‘t a hint of a problem, but once the parking lights is on or the headlights, the left turn indicator does not work nor does the rear brake lights, the third brake light does work, side note- a viper security system is installed but the wiring harness is disconnected

It's the alarm not being hooked up. If you don't want it connected, you will have to track down where it is tied in with the park lights and disconnect it there and reconnect the wires. They probably wired it through the grounds and without it connected is giving you all sorts of faults.

Q:What should I pay attention to when replacing a car headlamp bulb?

In the state of open flame cooler

Q:just replaced yesterday but the battery light stays on evereything works fine

Get a voltage test at the battery should be 14.5 volts when running if it isn't the something isn't working. Sounds like the alternator needs replacing , take it back to whom you have bought it off, if it's used you might be a while finding a good one.