The Autobmobile Mechanical Advice Thread

[Buff]

I need to ask for some advice on my car which is brokened. It is a crappy little thing that use strictly for going between work and home. A '94 Ford Tempo. Today I went home for lunch, as I normally do, but when I went back to work... well, I couldn't. My car would not start.

I turned the key and I heard a weird noise, which only lasted for a fraction of a second and then nothing happened. I get almost no reaction from the car when I turn the key. No clicking, no noises of any type, but I do see some needles on the dashboard move ever so slightly when I turn the key. I took a quick peak under the hood, but I'm the farthest from an expert so I didn't know what I'm looking for. If it is the battery is what I describe normal reaction when I turn the key, or should I get some sort of reaction? I'm hoping it is the battery and not the starter... at least I think so, changing a battery sounds a lot cheaper (and is something I should be able to do).

[Traditional_Ale]

Do you have a multimeter?

How old is the battery?

[GoinAllTheWay]

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=106145

[Knalus]

If your power locks (windows, clock, ect.) no longer work, then it's the battery. Or relay in the electrical system.

That's the best I got.

[goaliegirl]

I would think it would be the battery, the exact same thing happened to my car about 5 years ago and that was the cause.

[Sparks]

Awesome idea for a thread! I've actually got an issue with my '97 VW Golf GL. When driving normally, I get a strange scraping noise out of my left passenger front wheel. It sounds like something scraping as the wheel turns.

Also, the brake pads need to be replaced as it sounds like metal on metal on that side when I hit the brakes. I think the brake pad has started to disintegrate because black metal filings have coloured the inside of the wheel cover.

So - I'm wondering - any ideas about the scraping sound when driving normally? It could be related to the brake problem, which I've left without dealing with. The other question is, can I replace my brake pads myself without bleeding the brake system? If so, I assume I can just loosen the caliper and put new brake pads in? The rotors are a little worn down but are structurally in good shape.

I know it's not usually all that expensive to have the brakes replaced, which I might end up just doing, but I only really want a few more months out of this car.

Thanks for any help in advance.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Can we just save a lot of time and just tell everyone that it's probalby the 4 things most people know about and throw out to anyone who has a car problem.

For the most part any advice will sound something like this:

Sounds to me like it's either the (Insert your favourite):

a) Battery
b) Alternator
c) Starter
d) Fuel Pump

[burn_this_city]

Buff - Its likely your battery.

Sparks - If you've driven with the squealer (metal tab) grinding on your rotors they might need to be replaced. You don't need to bleed the brakes, once you remove the caliper (usually 2 bolts on the back) from the bracket you can use a set of channel locks to force the piston(s) back into the caliper. You'll want to grease the piston contact point on the new pads. Put them into the caliper and bolt it back on. Its a fairly easy job, usually only takes an hour. It might be worthwhile to have the rotors machined by a place like Parts Source to ensure they are still good.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Sparks

So - I'm wondering - any ideas about the scraping sound when driving normally?

I had this issue not too long ago. A brake fluid change fixed it right up.

[Vulcan]

For the battery I first check to see if the headlights are working and strong. If the headlights are poor, it's probably a dead battery. A dead battery can be caused by a few things.
1. It could be your alternator is not charging the battery.
2. It could be that your battery posts are loose or need cleaning.
3.The battery could be worn out.
4. It could be a broken, loose or worn out (alternator) belt.

For the wheel noise it's probably your brakes but it could also be a bearing.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Buff - Its likely your battery.

Sparks - If you've driven with the squealer (metal tab) grinding on your rotors they might need to be replaced. You don't need to bleed the brakes, once you remove the caliper (usually 2 bolts on the back) from the bracket you can use a set of channel locks to force the piston(s) back into the caliper. You'll want to grease the piston contact point on the new pads. Put them into the caliper and bolt it back on. Its a fairly easy job, usually only takes an hour. It might be worthwhile to have the rotors machined by a place like Parts Source to ensure they are still good.

Also, when to remove the calliper, hang it to a suspension part with a wire coat hanger. You don't want it hanging by the brake hose.

When you're done, got to an empty parking lot and drive at around 15 km/h and slam on the brakes. Drive backwards and slam on the brakes. Then, drive forwards slowly and yank the parking brake.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

For the wheel noise it's probably your brakes but it could also be a bearing.

Yep. Drive around 15-20km/h somewhere quiet, with your window open, and tap the brake (so it moves somewhat, and just barely begins to stop), and if you can get the noise to come back/go away, or at least change slightly, it's probably the same thing. If it sounds like metal on metal (a deep grinding) then you've gone beyond the squealer and will need new discs.

[Buff]

It was my battery. My father-in-law came over this morning and cleaned the posts. Then he boosted my car and let it run for about 20 minutes. He turned it off, and when he tried to turn it back on there was no reaction again.