Car troubles. Like taxes and the common cold, car troubles are sometimes simply unavoidable, as any car owner will tell you. New or old, even the most finely tuned machine could experience a hiccup or two. However some of the more mundane problems are easily spotted and fixed. If you know how. This issue, DRIVE list a series of common symptoms, diagnosis and cure that would be handy knowledge for any car owner:

SYMPTOM: Starter turns engine slowly; lights dim or don't work
POSSIBLE DIAGNOSIS: Weak Or Flat Battery.
CURE:Push Start a manual gearbox or use jump leads. However, before using jumps leads to recharge the battery, do check your vehicle handbook first to see if this is possible. Once you have the car started,  get your mechanic to check the battery and charging system.

SYMPTOM: No Sound from the engine. Lights and windscreen wipers are OK!POSSIBLE DIAGNOSIS: faulty ignition switch, wiring, solenoid, or starter motor
CURE:Try jiggling the ignition key whilst turning it. If you can locate the solenoid, check if there are any loose connections. If so, tighten them and try to restart the car again. If this doesn't work, push start the car if you have a manual transmission. For those who use the automatic transmission, the only alternative would be to call for help.

SYMPTOM: Loud clicking noise when ignition key is turned to start position. Starter does not operate but lights and winds-screen wipers work.
POSSIBLE DIAGNOSIS: Starter motor problem, possibly a stuck gear in the starter.
CURE: Try rocking the car back and forth in top gear with the handbrake off to free the gear. If you can locate the starter motor. Sometimes a sharp tap on it with a spanner does the trick.

SYMPTOM: Starter doesn't operate; no sound from the engine lights and windscreen wipers don't work
POSSIBLE DIAGNOSIS: Completely dead battery or faulty battery connections
CURE: Check and clean the battery connector at the terminals, also earth lead from the battery to the car body. Remember, if your battery is completely flat, AAM provides the only 24-hour battery delivery service in the country and we are just a phone call away.

SYMPTOM: Starter motor turns engine strongly, but the engine doesn't start POSSIBLE DIAGNOSIS: This symptoms could mean any of the following – no fuel in the tank; moisture in the ignition system; disconnected or loose wires in the ignition system; or the petrol hose may be broken or disconnected
CURE: Don't just rely on the fuel gauge. When you remove the cap and rock the car, you should be able to hear a sloshing sound if there is any petrol in the tank. Disconnect the spark plug lead one at a time to avoid confusing their positions. Wipe with a dry cloth or paper towel and wipe the top of each spark plug before refitting the lead. Wipe the moisture from the top of the ignition coil. Remove the distributor cap and wipe both the inside and outside of the cap. If possible, spray the whole ignition system with a moisture repellent aerosol such as WD40. Check the leads from the ignition coil to the distributor and from the distributor to the spark plugs. Check all petrol hoses.

SYMPTOM: Starter motor turns engine strongly, strong smell of petrol after repeated attempts at starting
POSSIBLE DIAGNOSIS: The engine is flooded with petrol
CURE:   Wait 15 minutes for the excess petrol to evaporate, then try again without using the manual choke. Depress the accelerator pedal slowly to the floor and keep it there. Don't pump the pedal as you will flood the carburetor again. As any good mechanic will tell you, your ears are your best tool to detect possible problem in your car.

The following are a list of sounds and possible problem that you must be aware of:

SOUND :Backfiring
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Incorrect ignition timing, faulty ignition or leaking valves.

SOUND: Clatter from the engine
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Insufficient engine oil, worn or badly adjusted valves.

SOUND: Whining or chattering from the engine.
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Starter motor problem, possibly with a stuck gear in the starter.

SOUND: Rattle when accelerating
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Faulty ignition switch, wiring, solenoid or starter motor. As a preliminary solution, try switching to a higher grade of petrol.

SOUND: Knocking form the engine which increase with engine speed.
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Worn camshaft or cam followers

SOUND: Screen when steering
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Power steering belt slipping and needs to be checked and adjusted.

SOUND: Moan from the engine when steering
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Power steering fluid level too low and needs to be topped up

SOUND: Roar or rasp under acceleration
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Blown exhaust

SOUND: Squeal or groan when braking
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Worn or detective brake components.

SOUND: Hiss from the engine
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Leak from the coolant or air/vacuum hoses

SOUND: Clicking from the wheels
POSSIBLE PROBLEM: Loose hubcap, stone in the hubcap or a stone lodged in the tyre thread.

Remember, these possible diagnose are guides for the everyday motorist. In every instance, it is recommended that you make an appointment with your mechanic as soon as possible for a professional diagnosis rather than trying to solve the problem yourself.

Article contributed by AAM

 

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