HEADING OFF PROBLEMS - Part 3
by Mac Meguire

We have come to the end of our series on troubleshooting your vehicle. I placed the most expensive of your repairs just before the end to avoid your going into shock and possibly losing you as a reader. The TROUBLESHOOTING section is to bring you down to earth slowly and allow you to breathe easier.

ENGINE
The following symptoms usually indicate engine trouble:

• Difficulty starting the engine.
• The "check engine" light on the instrument panel is lit.
• Rough idling or stalling.
• Poor acceleration.
• Poor fuel economy.
• Excessive oil use (more than one quart between changes).
• Engine continues running after the key is removed.

TRANSMISSION
Poor transmission performance may come from actual component failure or a simple disconnected hose or plugged filter. Make sure the technician checks the simple items first; transmission repairs normally are expensive. Some of the most common symptoms of transmission problems are:

• Abrupt or hard shifts between gears.
• Delayed or no response when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse.
• Failure to shift during normal acceleration.
• Slippage during acceleration. The engine speeds up, but the vehicle does not respond.

TROUBLE SHOOTING
Car trouble doesn't always mean major repairs. Here are some common causes of trouble and techniques to help you and your technician find and fix problems:

• Alternator
  Loose wiring can make your alternator appear defective. Your technician should check for loose connections and perform an output test before replacing the alternator.
  
  
• Battery
  Corroded or loose battery terminals can make the battery appear dead or defective. Your technician should clean the terminals and test battery function before replacing the battery.
  
  
• Starter
  What appears to be a defective starter actually may be a dead battery or a poor connection. Ask your technician to check all connections and test the battery before repairing the starter.
  
  
• Muffler
  a loud rumbling noise under your vehicle indicates a need for a new muffler or exhaust pipe.
  
  
• Tune-up
  The old-fashioned "tune-up" may not be relevant to your vehicle. Fewer parts, other than belts, spark plugs, hoses and filters, need to be replaced on newer vehicles. Follow the recommendations in your owner's manual.