ThrottleHolic

Why Take Your Car to the Mechanic When You Can Simpy DIY?

Diagnostics

AC Chilling Only by Passenger Side: Causes & Simple DIY Fix

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Recently, I discovered to my utter frustration that the driver's air vents of my car were blowing out barely cold air. Strangely, as I sweated out my life in the hot sun, my wife was calm and relaxed as I drove her through the mad traffic. Not that I felt bad - but being sure that I was sharing ...

Bad Coolant Cap Symptoms? Here Are 4 Signs to Watch Out For

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As a passionate auto DIY mechanic, one of the things I've noticed, over and over again is that the biggest auto issues always start small - and only when ignored do they fly over and above board. I've also noticed that if you miss little things like bad coolant cap symptoms, you'll sooner than later...

Bad Radiator Signs? Here Are 7 Sure Symptoms to Look Out For

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"What do you mean by 'bad radiator signs?!'" Jane fumed. She had only recently bought her first car: a used Lexus ES330 that I had helped her inspect only a few weeks ago. Before I could explain what I meant by 'bad radiator symptoms', she fired again: 'But I only just bought this car—and you as...

Symptoms of a Bad Alternator (+ How to Easily Isolate)

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One of the most frustrating things you can have go wrong on a vehicle is a bad alternator. Without a functional alternator (doing its job properly), your car's starter battery is going to lack proper charge and ultimately, you'll be stranded. The good thing is that an alternator doesn't just go ...

Bank 2 Sensor 2: Upstream or Downstream in an Engine?

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Fewer things are simpler than the position of bank 2 sensor 2 on an engine. Yet, as simple as this is, it also remains one of the things that can cause the greatest headaches for vehicle owners, especially those new to using OBD II code readers or those generally new to playing with an engine. ...

Bank 2 Sensor 1: Upstream or Downstream in an Engine?

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One of the very easy (but wild-sounding) things your portable code reader will ever relay to you is an issue to the effect that 'bank 2 sensor 1' needs attention.   Without an appreciation of where bank 2 of an engine is (and whether the second sensor on that bank is upstream or downstream)...

Bank 1 Sensor 2: Upstream or Downstream in an Engine?

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There's no way you won't begin sweating if your OBD II code reader indicates a challenge with one of your vehicle's sensors and simply tags it 'bank 1 sensor 2'. This is particularly true if you're a new car owner. The challenge will certainly take another dimension if you have no idea what 'ups...

Bank 1 Sensor 1: Upstream or Downstream in an Engine?

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Whether you're using one of the most expensive scan tools available on the market today or are relying on an affordable code reader, sooner than later, the tool will point you to 'bank 1 sensor 1' - and if you don't already understand this jargon, you'd be thoroughly confused if this is an upstream ...

Where Is the Bank 1 on the V6 Engine of the Lexus ES330?

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If you're new to the 3MZ V6 of the Lexus (or most other V6s for that matter), you'd be confused when a scan tool indicates that you need to check 'bank 1' for something or that some challenge exists on the first cylinder of your engine (usually found on bank 1). For example, if you get a P0420, ...

Brake Lights Stay On? Here’s a Creative, Quick, DIY Fix

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I almost panicked, looking through the window that fateful night. The rear brake lights on my daily driver were steadily on, and I was sure someone had broken in and was about to drive away. Or, what else could make the brake lights stay on in such a bold manner? It didn't help that the vehicle...