Repair 7

If the headlights on your Pontiac Grand Am are malfunctioning, they should be fixed immediately. Malfunctioning headlights reduce road visibility and make it difficult for other drivers to see your vehicle on the road in darkened conditions. Troubleshooting the headlights on your Grand Am is a simple process that involves checking the wiring, checking the bulb, and checking the fuse of your headlights.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the Grand Am. Remove the keys from the ignition.

2

Lift up on the two retaining clips securing the headlamp assembly.

3

Pull the headlamp assembly out of the mounting bracket. This will reveal the electrical connector. Lightly tug on the electrical connector. If it comes out, plug it into the rear of the headlamp assembly. Make sure it is secure by lightly tugging it again. If the headlights are still malfunctioning, there may be an issue with the bulb. Disconnect the electrical connector and completely remove the headlamp assembly out of the vehicle.

4

Rotate the bulb assembly retainer counterclockwise and pull it out.

5

Unclip the bulb assembly from the wiring harness. Remove the old bulb and place the new bulb into the assembly.

6

Reattach the wiring harness to the bulb assembly. Place the bulb assembly back into the headlamp assembly and rotate it clockwise to lock it into place. Reattach the electrical connector.

7

Place the headlamp assembly back into the mount bracket. Press down on the two retaining clips to lock the headlamp assembly into place. Repeat on the other side headlamp if necessary. If the headlights are still not turning on, then there may be an issue with the headlamp fuses.

8

Open the underhood fuse block on the drivers side of the vehicle. Simply lift the cover on the fuse block to access the fuses. Underneath the cover is a fuse puller tool and several replacement fuses.

9

Locate the fuses numbered "50" and "51." "50" is the right-hand headlamp fuse and "51" is the left-hand headlamp fuse. Check to see if the fuses are broken. A fuse is broken if the metal inside the fuse is no longer in one piece. If either fuse is broken, use the provided fuse puller tool to remove the fuse. Replace it with an identical 15 amp fuse.

10

Place the cover back onto the fuse block. Close the hood.

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.

Sportsters come equipped with rear directional signals installed to the rearmost hole of the rear fender trim. The disconnectible turn signals leads branch off the rear wiring harness inside the rear fender. Sportster turn signals are usually relocated or reinstalled to accommodate saddlebag mounts. Sometimes the turn signals are changed for purely aesthetic reasons. Signals can be shaped like Maltese Crosses, skulls, spades and other outlaw icons. In some jurisdictions it is legal to run only "whisker" turn signals which are integral to the license plate frame. The wiring is approximately the same for all these installations. The Harley rear turn signal relocation kit installs with moderate ease.

Instructions

1

Raise the Sportster on a motorcycle jack high enough for the rear wheel to hang down. Set a flashlight or shop light under the rear fender so you can see what youre doing.

2

Unbolt the seat mounting bolt just behind the seat with an Allen wrench. Pull the seat up, back and off.

3

Loosen and remove the black battery cable from the negative battery post with an open end wrench.

4

Pry the small plug from the tail light access hole on the rear fender interior with a small screwdriver.

5

Pull the turn signal wiring harness inside the rear fender from the tail light housing. Unhook the signal wiring from the clips inside the rear fender.

6

Pull the two turn signal connections apart into male and female halves. Mark the socket halves with tape for future erence. Pull the turn signal wires from the two turn signal connections.

7

Loosen the screws on the rear of the fender trim on both sides of the Sportster with an Allen wrench. Remove the turn signals and the old mounting brackets from both sides of the bike.

8

Cut a piece of the shrink wrap tubing included with the turn signal relocation kit in half with a pair of shears. Slide the tubing over the exposed turn signal wires up to the signals for both sides of the Sportster. Shrink the tubing with a heat gun.

9

Push the turn signal lamps and wires on both sides of the fender completely through the small holes on both ends of the new taillight mounting bracket. Push the wires through the open holes in the rear fender trim.

10

Install the new turn signal brackets into the open holes on both sides of the fender by hand. Tighten the fender trim screws by hand.

11

Ensure the wires from both turns signals are inside the rear fender. Tighten the fender trim screws with an Allen wrench.

12

Connect the turn signal wires to the signal connections inside both sides of the fender. Arrange the turn signals so they face back and tighten the hex nut and washer on both signals with an open end wrench.

13

Connect the turn signal wires to the female half of both turn signal connectors on both sides of the fender by hand. Plug the female and male halves of the turn signal connectors back together by hand.

14

Push the loose wires and the gray tail lamp connector back into the tail lamp housing inside the fender. Replace the plug into the tail light access hole in the rear fender.

15

Route the turn signal wires along the inside edges of the fender and secure with cable ties.

Turning a brake rotor is a process in which a machinist smoothes the surfaces of the rotor that is contacted by the brake pads. Consumers should understand when a brake rotor can and cannot be turned, as well as the advantages of turning the rotors.

When Rotors Cant Be Turned

Brake rotors should only be turned when the rotor can be smoothed but stay within manufacturers specifications. Most brake rotors will have the minimum thickness measurement stamped into the rotor. The information is also available in service manuals. Rotors with deep cracks should be replaced and not turned.

When Rotors Need Turning

Rotors do not need to be turned on a regular basis, but only when the rotor is showing signs of damage. Brake pads that were not replaced in a timely manner may cut deep grooves into the surface of a rotor. The rotor may also wear unevenly, resulting in a wavy surface. Brake rotors may also corrode, leaving the surface rough. All of these problems can be corrected by turning a rotor.

Advantages of Turned Rotors

The primary reason to turn rotors is to save money, as turning a rotor is less expensive than replacing it. Properly turned rotors will have a smooth surface that will improve braking distance, reduce brake noise and vibration, and increase brake pad life.

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.

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.

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.