Repair 7

Knowing how to maintain your vehicle can save you time and money. However, maintenance on your vehicle can be a bit challenging. Learning the basics, such as how to replace your turn signal bulbs, can be tricky but also one that is rewarding for both you and your wallet.

Instructions

1

Open the trunk of your vehicle and remove the round panel directly behind the taillight assembly.

2

Unscrew the exposed black knob to release the back light casing.

3

Locate the release tab on the light and pull out the casing. The release tab should be in the gap between the light casing and the portion of the vehicle closest to the hatch back door.

4

Find the two exposed light switches on the back of the exposed light. One of the switches is for your vehicles brake light and the other is for the turn signal.

5

Disconnect the wires on the back of the turn signal and turn the switch counter-clockwise to remove.

6

Remove the old bulb and with the clean cloth, insert the new bulb. The bottom of the bulb must be lined up properly in order to secure itself in the casing.

7

Replace and reconnect the turn signal switch and wires. Replace the casing and secure the black knob and panel.

8

Turn on the turn signal to ensure that it is working properly.

Fuel problems in 2005 Honda Civic vehicles have resulted in recalls and multiple consumer complaints. If not repaired, the recalled gas tanks on these vehicles could rupture in the case of a fire, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Less dangerous problems include issues with the fuel injector, and a potential for burning excess gas.

Fuel Tank

In 2007, Honda recalled certain 1998-to-2007 model-year Civics due to a risk of the tanks exploding in the event of a fire. A manufacturing defect put these tanks at risk for heating unevenly, potentially preventing the pressure-relief device from ventilating the tank. To remedy the issue, authorized dealers were instructed to install a heat-insulating material in the rear seat.

Fuel Injector

Consumer complaints to NHTSA indicate that some 2005 Honda Civic hybrid owners might experience problems with the fuel injector. Due to a manufacturing problem, the cars computer might be programmed with an inappropriately low fuel-injector fuel-flow rate. Drivers affected should have received a recall notice. Repair of the problem may subsequently result in a 10-to-15 percent drop in fuel economy.

Excess Fuel Burning

The automatic choke on the 2005 Honda Civic EX might come on every time the car is started, according to consumer complaints to NHTSA. As of 2010, no recall has been issued to address this problem.

Introduced in 1975, BMWs 3 Series is the German automakers best-selling vehicle and currently comes in seven different body styles. Although the 2005 330Ci updated several features lacking on the 2004 model, it suffers from several design and mechanical issues.

Rear Seat & Cargo Room

Cars.com indicated that the 330Ci regular-top and convertible models do not have ample room in the backseat. Taller passengers will not be able to stretch their legs. The 330Ci convertible also suffers from lack of rear cargo room. The 330Ci convertible may not be suitable if you need to transport larger amounts of cargo.

Rear Axle Problem

MSN Autos reports moderate issues with the 330Cis rear axle seals. Damaged rear axle seals can result in oil leakage. Cost to repair a rear axle seal is approximately $135 for parts and labor per rear wheel (as of 2011).

Engine

MSN Autos indicates that the 3-liter engine of the 330Ci suffers from both water pump and valve cover gasket issues. A faulty water pump can cause your cars cooling system to malfunction. Cost to repair the 330Cis water pump is approximately $288 for parts and labor. A damaged valve cover can cause oil leakage. It costs approximately $157 for parts and labor to repair a valve cover gasket. (All prices as of 2011.)

"A blown head gasket." Those words, and the accompanying repair parts and labor cost, are ice to the warm heart of any 2005 Civic owner. That pesky head gasket is so close to the heart of the engine. Repairing any head gasket is no small task, but it can be accomplished. This repair requires removing the cylinder head, a complicated and technical procedure--hence the high repair cost at the shop. If you are willing to replace your own head gasket, you can save substantial money by eliminating labor costs.

Instructions

Removing the Cylinder Head

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable. Locate the radiator drain plug and drain the antifreeze. Drain the engine oil.

2

Disconnect any sensors immediately present around the valve cover. Label each disconnected wire, as well as the point you disconnected it from, so they will be easy to reconnect later. Remove the spark plug wires.

3

Remove the entire plastic air intake and filter assembly. Remove any coolant hoses near the cylinder head. Disconnect the EGR supply tube from the exhaust manifold and at the EGR valve. Gently remove any other sensors connected to the intake manifold.

4

Unbolt the exhaust manifold from the cylinder head and from where it joins the exhaust head tube. After all sensors and vacuum tubes are disconnected from the intake manifold, unbolt and remove the intake manifold as well.

5

Remove the upper and lower timing belt covers.

6

Remove the cylinder head cover. Refer to a head bolt sequence diagram, and loosen the head bolts in reverse sequence. After loosening, fully remove the head bolts.

7

Remove the cylinder head. You may have to pry the cylinder head loose. This is best accomplished by driving a flat screwdriver or other wedge between the cylinder head and the engine block.

Installing the New Head Gasket

8

Scrape any remaining portions of the old head gasket from the engine block and cylinder head. Use a flat razor. Do not gouge the metal. Spray off the block and head with parts cleaner (brake parts cleaner works well for this). If any debris falls into the cylinders, clean it out with a shop cloth or paper towel.

9

Position the new head gasket on the engine block. It will only fit one way. Make sure it is clean and correctly fits all oil and coolant passages. Even the most reputable parts store may make a mistake and sell the wrong part from time to time, and this is one job you definitely dont want to do twice.

10

Check the cylinder head caully for cracks. A blown head gasket can cause overheating and head cracking or warping. Lay a straightedge across the cylinder head to check for warping. The bottom of the cylinder head should fall in a perfect plane. See the Warnings section below.

11

Place the cylinder head back over the new head gasket. Be very gentle--tearing the new head gasket will cause it to fail (and this is one job you dont want to do again).

12

Coat the new cylinder head bolts with oil, and finger-tighten all 10 of them.

13

Tighten the cylinder head bolts to the correct torque in a multi-step process. Locate the correct torque figures for your engine. Most 2005 Civics came with D17 series engines. The engine type number is stamped on the upper portion of the engine block. Cross-erence the engine type number of your vehicle with a torque figure erence to ensure you are using the correct torque figure. If there is more than one torque figure available, tighten all the bolts to the first figure first, then all to the second figure, and so on until you reach the highest torque figure. The head bolts MUST be tightened in the correct sequence to ensure proper sealing of the head gasket and to prevent cylinder head warping.

Reassembly

14

Make sure the crankshaft and camshaft pulley are aligned to top dead center (TDC). Reinstall the timing belt.

15

Reverse the tear down instructions above to reassemble the upper portion of the engine.

16

Fill the radiator. Change the oil filter and fill the engine oil to the correct level.

17

Start the car and allow it to run for several minutes. After a few minutes, check the radiator fluid level--it may drop as fluid fills all the coolant passages in the engine block.

The blower motor resistor on a 2005 Nissan Armada is the component that allows the blower fan to operate at varying speeds dependent upon driver preference. It accomplishes this by electronically regulating the current to the blower motor in conjunction with the fan speed setting switch. A faulty or failing blower motor resister may only allow the fan to operate on one or two setting, or certain settings may not function. The blower motor resistor is located underneath the dashboard, inside the blower motor assembly on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Instructions

Removal

1

Open the passenger door and shine a work light into the passenger foot well area.

2

Pry out the push pin from the lower dash side finisher with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull up on the lower front kick plate until it pops loose. Remove the lower dash side finisher and the lower front kick plate as an assembly.

3

Disconnect the blower motor resistors electrical connector. It has multiple colored wires attached to it and is in the center section of the blower motor assembly.

4

Remove the two screws holding the blower motor resistor in place with a metric nut driver and remove the blower motor resistor.

Installation

5

Set the new blower motor resistor into position and reinstall its mounting screws with a metric nut driver.

6

Reconnect the blower motor resistors electrical connector.

7

Set the lower dash side finisher and lower front kick plate into position. Press down on the lower front kick plate until it snaps into place. Lift the lower dash side finisher into position and press the plastic push pin into its mounting hole until its fully seated.

8

Test the blower motor on all settings to confirm that it works properly.

A warning light can be reset and turned off in your 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. The on-board diagnostics computer receives error codes from sensors positioned throughout the vehicle. There are various types of warning lights in the Laredo, including ones for the anti-lock braking system, the engine and the supplemental restraint system. Whatever the warning light, you can quickly and easily reset the light yourself right from your home garage using a tool that can be purchased from your local auto parts retailer.

Instructions

1

Find a port under the dashboard on the drivers side. Examine the port to make sure its the same size and shape as the code scanner connector. Plug the code scanner into the port. The Laredos battery will automatically power on the scanner.

2

Examine the menu on the code scanner. It will display the error codes corresponding to the warning lights on your instrument panel. Unplug the code scanner.

3

Fix the problem or perform the maintenance that generated the code.

4

Reinsert the scanner in the port. Look for the "Delete" or "Erase" button on the faceplate of the scanner. If there isnt one, scroll through the menu using the arrow keys. Select the "Erase Codes" function. Wait for the main menu to return.

5

Put the key in the ignition and start the engine. Examine the instrument panel to make sure the warning light has gone off.