Buy Now | Log In | ALLDATA Corporate Site | AutoZone.com
Back To Home Page
Log In To Your Subscription
Go To ALLDATA Back Home
Buy A Subscription! Back Home About ALLDATA Information View Sample Vehicles Read Testimonials Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us
Dowload Our Navigation Chart

Sign Up To Receive ALLDATAdiy.com Alerts

Click Here to receive regular product updates, special offers, and automotive news.

2012 Subaru Now Available May 2013: More 2012 Vehicles Added including Fiat!
• View New Vehicles
2012 Subaru Now Available December 2012: More 2012 Vehicles Added including Chevy & GMC!
• View New Vehicles
View All News and Updates:
• Go To News
Tech Tips
  Read All Tech Tips

ALLDATA Tech Articles Are Updated Weekly
• View All Tech Articles

  Dodge Durango: Brake Pulsation Problems In Paul's Durango
• Read Dodge Article
 
Fixing A Smelly Audi Audi Tech Tip: A4 begins to Smell caused by a Faulty Hose Composition
• Read Audi Article
Why Do You Need To Change Your Timing Belt? Why Replace Your Timing Belt
• Read Belt Article
Jim Grant Tech Tips Jim Grant Tech Tips
A collection of helpful articles based on reader submissions
Home >> Featured Tech Articles >> Go Back
   
  Jim Grant's Tech TipsJim Grant's Tech Tips
Below is a collection of Jim Grant's Tech Tips sorted by Vehicle Make. These Tech Tips were answers to questions submitted to Jim by ALLDATAdiy.com users over the course of many years.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us.
 
 

Miscellaneous
Acura
Audi
Buick
Cadillac
Chevy
Chrysler

Dodge/Plymouth
Ford
GMC
Geo
Hyundai
Honda
Isuzu

Jeep
Lexus
Lincoln - Mercury
Mazda
Mercedes
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saturn
Subaru
Toyota
Volkswagen
 
   
  Jim Grant's Tech Tips

‘96 Dodge Caravan, Service Engine Soon Light
Q: The Service Engine Soon Light in my ‘96 Dodge Caravan constantly shows up. I have taken my car to a Dodge dealer who ran a complete diagnostic on the car, and he tells me that the car was misfiring due to having wrong spark plugs. After having the dealer replace the spark plugs the service light turned off for about a week. But it reappeared while waiting for a light. I have taken the car in for tune ups and oil changes and each time the mechanic resets the service light; three days later it shows up again. What could be wrong with my Caravan?......Sam

A: When you have the light turned off, does the technician check the computer to find out why the light came on? Your vehicle has a new generation computer that has some pretty neat features including a darn good history file. When a system failure occurs, the computer takes a snap-shot of the sensor’s values at the time of the failure and records and stores them in a history file. And of course, turns on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) which, in your case, is a Service Engine Soon light. With the correct equipment a technician can connect to the vehicle’s computer diagnostic port and call the history files up for reviewing. It’s a great diagnostic tool for those of us that deal with such problems. If the MIL light is on there’s a reason and the computer has a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) on file to tell you why. Before the MIL light is turned off again you want to know what DTC turned that light on! The MIL light is telling you that an important part of your vehicle’s operating system is malfunctioning! Don’t settle for just having the light turned off. Have the cause identified and repaired.

 
     
Have any Questions About ALLDATAdiy.com? Please Email Us
Buy Now | Log In | About | Sample Vehicles | Testimonials | Join Affiliate Program