Napa AutoCare Center on The Murfreesboro Post

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Posted: Friday, May 22, 2009 12:49 pm

************************FOR MY READERS, you will find a misspelled word in each one of my "REAL ANSWER" articles. When you see it, call us and your name will be put on a list to receive a $5 service credit. LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER*******************
Q Robert, I have a 2005 Dodge Caravan and the abs light keeps coming on. The brakes feel fine when I drive it and it seems to have no affect on stopping. Is this something I shoud have looked at or can I keep driving it. My husband call them "idiot lights." Why can't they just go back to gauges and keep this stuff simple?

Tell your husband that I agree with the "idiot light" comment. Gauges are better, but I can't say I've ever seen a car with a gauge that monitors something in the braking system. Anyway, abs stands for anti-lock braking system and you probably haven't noticed any difference in the brakes because you probably have not had to "lock them up" to stop on a wet road, yet. The anti lock system usually consist of a brake module (computer) and a wheel sensor on each wheel. When the car's brakes are applied on a hard stop, these components will work together and keep the wheels from locking up causing it to slide. They actually grab and release each wheel very rapidly in order to slow it down and mimimize sliding. Chances are, you probably have a bad wheel sensor causing the light to come on. This is not a very expensive fix and pretty easy to diagnose with the proper equipment.

Q I have a 2000 Lexus Rx300 that "whistles" when I accelerate. My dad and my brother have both looked at it and can't figure out where the noise is coming from. It doesn't whistle as loud when I'm in the driveway as it does when I'm out driving it. What do you think it could be?

Well lets see Mrs. Earnestine, is your Lexus whistling Dixie or is it some other tune? I'm a self - proclaimed good ole southern boy by nature so if it's a whistlin' Dixie, I'd just be inclined to leave it alone. Now on the other hand, If it's whistlin' some punk rock song or even worse, "RAP," we better fix it. I would speculate that your Lexus has a small vacuum leak somewhere on the engine. One way to find it would be to strap your dad or your brother underneath the hood, close it up as much as possible, and head down the interstate until they found the noise. Another more suitable approach might be to bring it to us and let us hook up what we call a "smoke machine" to your engine. This machine pumps a blue smoke throughout the vacuum system of the engine and usually makes it easier for the leak to appear. In most cases it winds up being a cracked rubber hose, or a leaking gasket somewhere.

Bring it on by and I'll ride in it with you, we'll make sure it ain't whisslin' Dixie, then we'll smoke out the leak.

Q I have a 2000 Ford Taurus with a 3.0 engine. It started making a knocking sound when I turn on the air conditioner and the sound is coming from the A/C compressor. It still blows cold air but does this mean that the compressor is going out?

I would have to say yes, the compressor is on its way out. Let me offer you a little advice that may save you a little money. I would recommend having the compressor and the receiver drier replaced immediately. What happenss many times is folks will hear the noise and continue to drive the car and operate the ac compressor. Eventually, the compressor either locks up or comes apart internally causing metal shavings to cycle throughout the entire air conditioning system. When this happens, there can be additional parts and labor involved and can add several more hundred dollars to the repair bill. We do lots of A/C work here almost every day. Come see us, we'd be glad to help you.

Q My Dear Robert: I have a 2001 Dodge Caravan Sport and recently my husband replaced the ignition lock cylinder. Ever since then, my van started and cranked a few times but now it will not crank over. Do you think this is related to changing the lock cylinder in the steering wheel or just coincidence?

My answer is yes, I think they are related. This van should have a factory security system called a Sentry Key Immobilizer Module System. This is basically a small connector that must be positioned properly around the lock cylinder. If this connector is not positioned properly, it will not recognize the chip in your gray key and allow the engine to start. FYI, never loose the gray key. The secondary key will usually only start the van a few times before this module will no longer accept it.

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Member Opinions:

By: lpoole on 6/1/09
Robert,

I have a Lexus ES300. Thankfully it's not whisslin' Dixie or any country rap tunes. The Track Off light is on next to the engine light. I have been told that it isn't a big deal. What do you think? Do I need to have it looked at?