Fix your broken car DIY
 

We often have members stumble into the forum posting a new thread titled "Crank no start", or similar.

The poster then states something like "So I have a 2002 civic... replaced part A, X and Y, still does not start.


This helps no one, we have no idea where to help you because you have not Identified what is causeing your car to act up.

........
STEP 1:

First do your dummy checks

-Have any parts been replaced or modified recently? (If so there's a good chance that's were the issue is)
-If your CEL is on, scan that before you post
-check all your major grounds
-check battery by jumping it (a voltage test will not tell you the CCA)
-make sure your terminals are tight (some battery brands have slightly smaller terminal diameters)
-check all fuses and relays (under hood and under dash)

STEP 2

If the steps above have checked out then you need to identify which element of combustion is missing
...fuel, spark, or air.

Fuel
-test pressure at rail (use a proper fuel pressure test gauge)
-check the ignition pulse at the injectors (use a check light)

Spark
-make sure you have a strong spark at the plugs (it needs to be a white/blue color, not yellow/red)

Air
-make sure there are no clogs from the air box to the throttle body (like a rats nest)

If all elements above test well, check compression.

STEP 3

Once you have identified your main issue, try to research common reasons for that issue; your issue has already been covered here on previous posts.

-use the advanced search on this site to find help
-check youtube for related DIYs
-buy a Hayness repair manual for your vehicle

STEP 4

-Now you can ask us for help if you are stuck

STEP 5

-Drink a beer and enjoy the satisfaction of repairing your dope ride.

Re: Fix your broken car DIY
 

Additional notes:
1) If you are not willing to do your own checks, you are better served by going to a mechanic instead. This is a self help internet forums.
Sadly, we are not telepathic to read your mind to see what is going on, so pics and videos sure help.
We are not telekinetic either, so we can't do the physical work for you either.
Therefore, you will need to do your own investigations and fixes as we direct you.
Or you can pay a flight to your location, hotel and meals paid and we could help you :D (we are not paid, we just do this to help others if we can)

2) Now, if you have been in a mechanic and thought something was fishy, gather as much information about the alleged issue and we are pleased to try to help/direct you to a solution.

3) Tired of searching for a solution, but all you can find is problems, instructions and no results?
Sadly, it depends on the users to come back and thank the forums by giving the results.

Re: Fix your broken car DIY
 

Paid mechanical vacations, I like that! @sdaidoji

Re: Fix your broken car DIY
 

:d
:d