The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread (merged)

[twa]

91 ford explorer- I was just driving it after work. Stopped to get gf, went to resart and as it was turning over, my hand slipped so it didn't turn over completely. Now, icant start it at all. No juice whatsoever. The door locks won't even work. I got a ride home and didn't even attempt to jump start. Maybe it's that simple?

I would guess starter solenoid stuck/bad,or perhaps the starter drive hung up

Could be a ignition switch problem or loose battery connection,but doubtful

Try jumping it or perhaps tapping on the starter w/a hammer if that does not work

You can also jump across the solenoid to test it,but that is a bit hazardous

I'd bet on the starter drive hung

this the one with the big oil leak? if so starter hung is even more likely

[ljs]

I'd bet on the starter drive hung

this the one with the big oil leak? if so starter hung is even more likely

yeah same one.

gf tells me this happened a couple years back and it was something like a vapor lock.

This car qualifies for the cash for clunkers. We are car shopping this week. I have a 4 Runner- so I'm going to talk her into a fuel economy car.

[squatch66]

not sure if you know much about tires springfield but i am needing to get a set of tires for my truck('96 ranger). there really isnt much of a selection due to the size of my tires(225/70/14) but i have narrowed it down to either a firestone firehawk indy 500, primewell ps680(i think its a firestone house brand because i have only seen it at firestone stores), and a road hugger radial g/t. the road hugger and the firehawk are both 55k warranty while the primewell is only 40k. which one would be the best tire? i only really drive from home to work and school, no offroad or anything like that and no hot rodding it.

edit: one other question. is it worth it to pay the extra for the road hazard warranty?

[ljs]

plan was to shop for cars tonight and turn in the clunker....it died at the gas station on the way to work. Can't get it jumped, has new battery from this weekend. making a very strong clicking noise. Does nothing if not hooked up to my truck's battery. I'm screwed for the Cars deal if I can't get it running at least to the dealer. So...you say hit it with a hammer? really hard? Any other temp fixes so I can at least get it a couple miles??

[twa]

Yes, tap around the back of the starter while someone tries to start it(in park w/the brake on please)

Tap ,not beat the hell out of it....That's the second stage

you could try hooking the jumper cable to the starter side of the solenoid (on the inside of the fender) but I don't think that is your problem(CAUTION: doing so engages the starter,so make sure it is in park or neutral w/the brake on)

[ljs]

How can I find out if various year parts will work in a specific year? For example, if I want to find a used started for the 91 explorer, how can I find out if a 90 or 92 one would work? Figuring I'll spend the $45 for a scrap one, have my buddy put it in- then turn in this piece of crap vehicle.

[twa]

Call a junk yard...they can tell ya the interchanges and give you a price too.

Is their job.

added

Hammering didn't work?

[SpringfieldSkins]

not sure if you know much about tires springfield but i am needing to get a set of tires for my truck('96 ranger). there really isnt much of a selection due to the size of my tires(225/70/14) but i have narrowed it down to either a firestone firehawk indy 500, primewell ps680(i think its a firestone house brand because i have only seen it at firestone stores), and a road hugger radial g/t. the road hugger and the firehawk are both 55k warranty while the primewell is only 40k. which one would be the best tire? i only really drive from home to work and school, no offroad or anything like that and no hot rodding it.

edit: one other question. is it worth it to pay the extra for the road hazard warranty?

I've never heard of the Road Hugger brand before. I have heard of the Firestone and Primewell though, so I'd probably go with one of those two. The Firestone is more of a "middle of the road" tire and the Primewell is an economy tire.

In my opinion, road hazard and treadwear warranties aren't really all that good. It is very easy for a tire company to weasel themselves out of a road hazard or treadwear warranty. There is also the (great) chance that you won't ever have to use the warranty.


As far as the treadwear ratings, it's better to go by the DOT tested numbers than by some arbitrary number the manufacturer throws out there. Try this.

Also:

Treadwear Grades
UTQG Treadwear Grades are based on actual road use in which the test tire is run in a vehicle convoy along with standardized Course Monitoring Tires. The vehicle repeatedly runs a prescribed 400-mile test loop in West Texas for a total of 7,200 miles. The vehicle can have its alignment set, air pressure checked and tires rotated every 800 miles. The test tire's and the Monitoring Tire's wear are measured during and at the conclusion of the test. The tire manufacturers then assign a Treadwear Grade based on the observed wear rates. The Course Monitoring Tire is assigned a grade and the test tire receives a grade indicating its relative treadwear. A grade of 100 would indicate that the tire tread would last as long as the test tire, 200 would indicate the tread would last twice as long, 300 would indicate three times as long, etc.

[ljs]

Call a junk yard...they can tell ya the interchanges and give you a price too.

Is their job.

added

Hammering didn't work?

I didn't feel comfortable trying that at the gas station- so I decided to tow it home first. Lets just say it was not a fun experience. I've towed a car before but my gf kept riding the brake, then wouldn't answer her cell phone. By the time we got home I was done.

I will try it when she gets home from work (she has my truck and I took the day off)

Junkyard said a 90-95 would work and they are out. I'm about to call around a couple other places.

[twa]

I didn't feel comfortable trying that at the gas station- so I decided to tow it home first. Lets just say it was not a fun experience. I've towed a car before but my gf kept riding the brake, then wouldn't answer her cell phone. By the time we got home I was done.

I will try it when she gets home from work (she has my truck and I took the day off)

Junkyard said a 90-95 would work and they are out. I'm about to call around a couple other places.

Try autozone or other discount places,sometimes they are dirt cheap on rebuilt ones(and not much worth a crap...but)

added
N/M 0ver a $100 at autozone ,hammer it or take it off and try to flush it out

[MSB 21]

I'd bet on the starter drive hung

I have a '96 Ford F250 that is doing the same thing, although mine will start after a few click click click turns of the key.

I replaced the battery and it started fine for about a month.

So when you say the starter driver hung does that mean the starter itself needs replaced?

this is not a daily driver anymore so it sits for 2 weeks max w/o being driven.

[twa]

yes, sounds like the starter is going bad,which includes the starter drive(bendix).

You should check for corrosion or loose connections first though.
It's not too hard to remove,and most parts store will test it for free.

[BrianMerson]

My thought on this subject is that as an money doctor [ATM] at the very least if the ATM isn't completely repaired the patient does't die a violent death. I get 2ND & 3rd chances. Sometimes many more.

[Blackest Eyes]

Need some transmission repair advice/quotes...

Long story short, the transmission in my 2001 Chrysler Sebring coupe broke. My father said he would fix it for me. He hasn't done any car repairs of this magnitude before but was insistent that I let him repair it (big moment on my part). Well, the process is taking entirely too long and the car I am driving now is going to die anytime now so I need the Sebring to be fixed.

We have a used transmission ready to be swapped into the car.

I am strongly considering getting a tow truck to pick the car up from his place and taking it to a shop for someone who knows what they are doing fix it. If I do end up doing that, how much money am I looking at? I assume that at this point labor is whats gonna get me since I already have a transmission...but I honestly have no clue.

Thanks.

[twa]

Prices vary greatly,but I would guess $500 to install a used one,probably more in your area.
Some will not even install used parts.