Repair 7

The 1994 Corvette has tail lights that are readily accessible from the rear of the car. As a result, if you have a tail light burn out, you can replace it in just a few minutes. Make sure that you use the light bulb that is compatible with the socket.

Instructions

1

Take the two screws out from either side of the tail light using your Phillips head screwdriver. You can reach them from the rear of the car. See page 198 of the manual in the References section for a diagram.

2

Remove the lens, and put it on a safe, level surface.

3

Push the burnt-out bulb inward and then turn it counterclockwise, or to the left. Then remove it by pulling it toward yourself.

4

Slide the new bulb into the socket. Press it in and turn clockwise, or to the right.

5

Replace the tail light lens, and then put the screws back in with the Phillips head screwdriver.

The check engine light on your Jeep will illuminate on the instrument panel when the on-board diagnostics computer receives an error code from a sensor, telling you that something is not working correctly on the vehicle. Although this light is annoying, make sure you take your vehicle to a mechanic to have the trouble code read and the problem repaired before you shut off the light. Once the problem has been fixed, then it will only take you a few minutes at home to reset the light.

Instructions

1

Find the port under the drivers dashboard that fits the code scanner connector. Plug the scanner into the port, and turn the key in the ignition to the "On" position but dont let the engine start. This will cause the scanner to turn on.

2

Use the arrow keys on the scanner to select "Reset" or "Erase." The check engine light will turn off on the instrument panel.

3

Unplug the scanner, and turn off the vehicle. Wait 10 seconds then turn the engine on. Verify that the check engine light is still off.

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) in your Chevy light pickup truck helps to prevent your wheels from locking up when you slam on the brakes. This gives you some control during an emergency braking maneuver, regardless of the road conditions. Sometimes this system may malfunction, and you will know this by the ABS light showing up on your instrument panel. You can troubleshoot the problem yourself before doing the repairs yourself or taking it to a mechanic.

Instructions

1

Locate the fuse panel cover under the steering column on the dashboard. Open the cover by pulling down on it from the top.

2

Look for the fuse puller inside the fuse panel and remove it. Read the diagram on the bottom part of the fuse panel cover to locate the ABS fuse. Use the fuse puller to remove this fuse.

3

Examine the fuse to see if it has blown. You can tell if it has blown by looking at the wire inside the fuse which will be severed. If this is the case, replace it with a new fuse of the same amperage.

4

Insert the key into the ignition and start the engine. If the ABS light stays lit on the instrument panel, then you probably have a malfunction in the ABS. Have the vehicle towed to a qualified mechanic or do the repairs yourself if you know how. Do not drive the vehicle until it has been repaired.

The Ford Explorer is an SUV manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since 1990. It was introduced as a replacement for the Ford Bronco II. The Ford Explorer brake lights provide an essential contribution to the safety of the vehicle. If they burn out, they should be replaced immediately. Troubleshooting the brake lights is a simple procedure that only requires a few tools.

Instructions

Wiring Check

1

Turn off the engine of the Explorer. Open the rear door.

2

Use the screwdriver to unfasten the two screws behind the taillight assembly.

3

Remove the assembly from the vehicle. Check the electrical connection. Plug it in firmly. If the lights are still not working, there may be a problem with the bulb.

Bulb Replacement

4

Remove the socket from the taillight assembly.

5

Pull the bulb straight out. Use a paper towel to firmly push in the replacement bulb.

6

Place the taillight assembly back into the vehicle.

7

Reinstall the two screws, and close the rear door. If the lights still do not work, there may be an issue with the brake light fuses.

Fuse Replacement

8

Open the drivers side door of the Explorer.

9

Open the fuse block, located on the left side of the instrument panel.

10

Remove the fuse block cover, and locate the fuses numbered "3" and "7." If they are broken, pull them out with your hand.

11

Replace the fuses with a fuse of identical amperage.

12

Close the fuse block, and close the drivers side door.

The On-Board Diagnostics computer on your 1998 Volvo S70 receives trouble codes from sensors throughout the vehicle. It also keeps track of when your car needs regular maintenance such as oil changes and tune-ups. When the service light shows up on your instrument panel, its time for a servicing. Service the car before manually resetting and turning off the service engine light. Its a quick fix on a Volvo, requiring no special tools and only a few moments of your time.

Instructions

1

Sit in the drivers seat and put the ignition key in, turning the key to the first position. Make sure the engine doesnt start, though.

2

Find the trip odometer knob and push it in, holding it down while you turn the key in the ignition to the second position. This is the position right before the engine starts.

3

Watch the instrument panel and look for the service engine light to flash. After it flashes three or four times, turn the key in the ignition back to the first position. Make sure you are still holding the trip odometer button down.

4

Let the trip button go and turn on the engine. Notice whether or not the service engine light has turned off. If it hasnt turned off, repeat the procedure.

The "Check Engine Light" informs a driver of mechanical issues, such as emmision-control malfunction, vacuum loss and even complete engine failure. Vehicles with a flashing "check engine light" might fail emission-standards tests in some states.

Replace

Taking apart the dashboard is required to access the bulb in the check-engine light. Completing this task is challenging on some older vehicles. Disabling the check-engine light should never be attempted; it is illegal due to emissions regulations.

Repair

A check-engine light is often often triggered by temporary problems. Once the light is on, it will generally stay on due to activated codes. Purchasing a device to clear these codes might sometims cause the light to turn off.

Testing

Failure of certain vehicle systems might cause a check-engine light to come on. Testing performed on these systems can reveal the source of the light. Checking the fuel or ignition system is usually required.

Nissan vehicles come equipped with an ECU, or Engine Control Unit, which is a computer that monitors all of the vehicles functions. When you see the Check Engine light illuminate on your instrument cluster, you should have the vehicle looked at by a qualified mechanic immediately. Once any repairs are made, then you can manually reset and turn off the engine light yourself right from your home garage. It requires no special tools and only a couple of minutes of your time.

Instructions

1

Get into the vehicle and put the key into the ignition. Turn the vehicle on but dont start the engine.

2

Press on the accelerator quickly five times in five seconds and release the pedal. Make sure you press the pedal all the way down to the floor of the vehicle. Wait for about 10 seconds.

3

Push the pedal all the way to the floor and hold it for 10 seconds or until the engine light flashes on and off. Release the pedal.

4

Repeat step 3.

5

Turn the ignition off and wait 3 minutes. Turn on the engine. The engine light should now be off.

Everyone knows that brake lights are extremely important features of a vehicle. Theyre there to keep ourselves and other drivers safe, and when brake lights burn out or get damaged, its imperative that we replace them as soon as possible. Replacing the trunk brake light on a 1995 Honda Civic wont take you long, and all you will need for the job is a screwdriver and a new bulb.

Instructions

1

Open the trunk. Disconnect the electrical wires from the hold-down clip by sliding them out toward the center of the vehicle.

2

Detach the two screws from the bulb holder using a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the bulb holder from the brake light assembly.

3

Verify which bulb needs to be replaced by having someone press the brake pedal while you look at the lights.

4

Push the bulb gently into the housing and turn it counterclockwise until it comes loose.

5

Insert the new bulb into the socket by pressing it in slightly and turning it clockwise until it locks into place. Test the new bulb before moving to the next step.

6

Reinstall the bulb holder assembly and reattach it with the two screws. Tighten the screws using a Phillips screwdriver. Place the wires back in their original location in the hold-down clip. Close the trunk.

In 1997, Ford released an all-new full-sized SUV known as the Expedition. Ford based the initial body design, which lasted through 2002, on the F-series pickup truck. Even the Expeditions headlights and taillights were nearly identical to those on the F-series. Replacing the taillight on the Expedition requires the removal of the taillight assembly. This requires just two hand tools and a short amount of time.

Instructions

1

Open the Expeditions rear hatch and remove the two screws on the top of the taillight lens, using a Phillips screwdriver. Pry the taillight assembly from the rear of the SUV, using a flat-head screwdriver with the blade wrapped in a cloth. The cloth helps prevent damage to the taillight assembly and the Expeditions body.

2

Twist the taillight bulb socket -- the upper socket on the rear of the taillight assembly -- counterclockwise to unlock it. Pull the socket and bulb from the taillight assembly.

3

Pull the failed taillight bulb from the socket, using a slight wiggling motion. Using a clean, lint-free cloth, press a new 3157 bulb into the socket. Touching the bulb with your bare hands may cause premature bulb failure.

4

Insert the socket and bulb into the rear of the taillight assembly and twist the socket clockwise to lock it in place.

5

Set the taillight assembly back on the rear of the Expedition and tighten the screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Close the rear hatch.

You can reset the SRS or airbag light on your Audi using an OBD diagnostic tool. This can be purchased from an auto parts retailer. The OBD diagnostic tool can read the trouble codes from the vehicles On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) computer. Then, after you have repaired the vehicle, you can also reset and clear the light from the instrument panel using this same tool. If you dont wish to purchase one, you can borrow one from most auto parts stores for free. Usually the mechanic who repairs your Audi will reset the light, but not always.

Instructions

1

Park on flat, level ground. Look for the OBD II port near the hood release on the Audi. The OBD II port is also known as the OBD II interface or diagnostic port. Once you locate it, connect it to the OBD tool.

2

Put the key into the ignition and turn the vehicle to the "on" position. Look on the face of the diagnostic tool and wait for the trouble codes to display. Look for the "Delete" button or menu command and press it to delete the codes and reset the SRS light.

3

Unplug the OBD diagnostic tool from the port and turn off the vehicle. Wait one minute.

4

Turn on the engine and examine the instrument panel to make sure the SRS or airbag light has turned off.

You can turn off the check engine light yourself manually on your Mazda. When the light illuminates on the instrument panel, it is telling you that there is a problem with the valves, solenoids or sensors on the Mazda. In any case, its a problem that needs to be looked at immediately by a qualified mechanic. Turning off the light is a very quick and fairly simple process that requires just a couple of basic tools.

Instructions

1

Lift the hood of your vehicle and prop it open. Remove the negative cable from the battery terminal by loosening the nut on the cable with a 10-mm end wrench. (If you have a Miata, the battery is in the trunk.)

2

Wait for five minutes, taking care not to allow the negative battery clamp to touch the positive clamp or the positive side of the battery.

3

Reattach the negative cable to the battery and tighten the nut using the end wrench.

4

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to "On." Look at the instrument panel to make sure the check engine light has turned off.

The appearance of the "Check Engine" light on your 1992 Toyota indicates there is a problem with your vehicles engine, exhaust or fuel systems. The vehicle needs to be inspected by a qualified mechanic before you reset the engine light yourself. After any needed repairs have been completed, resetting the Toyotas On-Board Diagnostics computer will turn off the check engine light. All you need is an OBD scanning tool that reads the trouble codes and erases them from the OBD computer.

Instructions

1

Locate and open the fuse panel cover which is located under the steering column. Use your fingers to open it by pulling down on it from the top.

2

Look for an open port inside the fuse panel that is the same shape and size as the connector end on the OBD scanning tool. Once you have located this, plug the OBD scanning-tool connector into the port.

3

Put the key into the ignition and turn it on, but do not start the engine. This will power on the OBD scanning tool; you dont need to turn the tool on manually.

4

Wait for the display on the OBD scanning tool to read "OK." Press "Clear" on the OBD scanning tool to turn off the check engine light.

5

Unplug the scanning tool from the port and put the fuse panel cover back in place. Turn the vehicle off, wait a minute, then start the engine. Look at the instrument cluster to make sure the check engine light has turned off for good.

When you see the SRS light on your 2002 Honda Accords dashboard, this is an indication that there is a problem with the airbag assembly. Considering this is a very important safety feature of your vehicle, you should have a mechanic look at it at once. Usually a mechanic will reset the light for you. But if the mechanic doesnt reset it, you can do it yourself at home. Or if you ever disconnect your battery, this can cause the SRS light to go on.

Instructions

1

Locate the fuse panel cover under the steering column. Open the cover by pulling down on it from the top.

2

Remove the yellow SRS plug from the fuse box.

3

Straighten the paper clip. Touch the end of the paper clip to each of the SRS terminals. Watch the SRS light on the dashboard until it goes out.

4

Remove the paper clip and put the SRS plug back in place. Close the fuse panel cover.

A Honda CRV comes with an On-Board Diagnostics computer that keeps track of all the mechanical functions of the vehicle. When you see the SRS light flash on your instrument panel, it is alerting you to a malfunction in the Supplemental Restraint System, i.e., the airbag system. You should have it examined and repaired immediately to prevent an accidental airbag deployment.

Instructions

1

Put on safety goggles and cloth work gloves.

2

Find the MES connector under the steering wheel near the fuse box. It is generally green or yellow and has a two-hole holder plug in its place. Remove the plug.

3

Strip the ends of both wires using a knife. Put one end of each of the wires into each of the holes of the MES connector.

4

Cross the other ends of each of the wires together so that they establish contact. This will short out the MES. Take care not to touch the exposed wire with any part of your body.

5

Put the key in the ignition and turn it on, but dont start the engine. Keep the ends of the wire touching while you do this. The SRS light will flash on, and then disappear. Separate the wires immediately. The SRS light should come on again.

6

Repeat Step 3 and the SRS light will blink twice and turn off. Unshort the two wires. This will cause the SRS light to blink twice.

7

Turn off the vehicle, wait a minute and start the engine. The SRS light will illuminate once more, and then go off for good.

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.

The 2001 Malibu cam relatively well-equipped with standard features. The mid-sized sedan came with: air conditioning, keyless entry, power door locks and a passive ignition disabling system. The passive ignition disabling system, known as Passlock, prevented the Malibu from starting without a coded key. When the Passlock system detects a fault in the security system, a "Theft System" light stays lit on the instrument cluster.

Incorrectly Coded Key

The Passlock system on the 2001 Malibu uses a key with a small magnet on it. This magnet passes a sensor inside the ignition tumbler, and the sensor reads the code stored in the magnet. If the codes do not match, due to improper coding or a failing key, the Theft System light stays on and the vehicle will not start.

Failed Ignition Tumbler

Over time, the wires inside the Passlock ignition tumbler can wear out and create a short. If the computer senses a short-to-ground in the wiring of the Passlock system, it triggers a "Security on" code that illuminates the "Theft System" light until you repair the problem.

Failed Instrument Cluster

As your 2001 Malibu ages, water and other debris can cause damage to the circuitry of the instrument cluster. If the instrument cluster shorts out, it is common for the "Theft System" light to illuminate.

Control Module Failure

The 2001 Malibus body control module and powertrain control module work together to determine when the Passlock system is to allow the car to start. When one of these two components fail or are incorrectly programmed, the "Theft System" light illuminates and the Malibu will not start.

The Volvo S80 is a midsize sedan that made its debut in 1998. You can reset the "Check Engine" light on your 2000 Volvo S80 right from home, using an OBD II scan tool. These tools can be purchased at any auto parts store. Make sure to read the codes first and make any necessary repairs before attempting to reset the light. Doing so prematurely may damage the engine or computer. The On-Board Diagnostics II computer receives error codes from the engine and emissions system and the computer, in turn, illuminates the "Check Engine" light on your instrument cluster.

Instructions

1

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "On" position. Dont start the engine.

2

Plug the OBD II scan tool into the diagnostic port on the drivers side dashboard. This can be found under the steering column.

3

Wait for the scan tool to read the codes. Navigate through the menu on the scan tool using the arrow keys. Find a command that says "Delete Codes" or something similar. Select this command.

4

Wait for the scan tool to return to the main menu. Unplug the scan tool from the port and start the vehicle. Check to make sure that the "Check Engine" light has shut off.