Easy fix was a 'miracle'

Q: Recently, the check engine light turned on in my car. In addition to this, there were instances when the engine was difficult to start and the engine jumped a bit. When a technician tried to diagnose the problem, he did not find any codes stored in the computer.

After the repair shop technician could not find anything wrong. A friend suggested that the engine coolant level might be low and it was very low. I filled the system. Since then the car starts fine, the check engine light is off and for the first time in months the heater is working much better. It is a miracle.

What other problems could a low coolant level cause?

S.U., e-mail A: It is a bit embarrassing that my fellow technician did not check the coolant level. It would only take a second or two to do a quick check.

Since I do not know the make, model, trim level and year of your vehicle I cannot be specific. The obvious result of running an engine with a low coolant level is overheating that can severely damage the engine. It is lucky this did not happen.

Besides oil, engine coolant is a very important fluid. It not only cools the engine but computer sensors send coolant temperature information to computers that control the engine and transmission. When the coolant level is low, the engine and transmission may not perform normally. The engine may not start and the transmission may not shift normally.

Since it was necessaray to add a lot of coolant, keep a close watch on the level. There may be a leak. Check the level when the car is parked for a long time and the engine is cold. You do not want to open the system when it is hot. You could be severely burned.

If the system constantly needs to be topped off, take the car to an experienced technician to have the cooling system examined for leaks. Repair leaks as needed.

Q: I have a 1992 GMC Sierra 2500 with 87,000 miles. I use it to tow a fifth-wheel trailer. While driving, the engine will cut out as though it is not getting enough gas. I replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires and the gas filter but the trouble continues. What else might cause the trouble?

R.M., Hermiston, Ore. A: This could be the result of a failing fuel pressure regulator or fuel pump. To find out, ask a technician to check fuel pressure with the trailer in tow. Sometimes a problem, such as this, only surfaces when an engine is under a heavy load. Of course, if the trouble occurs when the truck is not pulling a trailer, a technician can perform tests in the shop or during a road test. If either part fails tests, replacement is the likely cure.

Q: In a recent column, a reader had a problem with the turn signals in his 2002 Chevrolet Impala. My grandson had trouble with the turn signals in his 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. He took the car to his dealer where a mechanic replaced the turn signal flasher for free. He was told that the replacement was not the result of a recall. Perhaps the reader in the Impala can have his turn signal flasher replaced at the dealer free of charge. Please pass this information on to the Impala owner, if possible.

R.R., Baraboo, Wis. A: You must be referring to T.K., who owns a 2002 Impala with malfunctioning turn signals. In the column you mentioned, I suggested that the turn signal flasher might have a fault. Replacement could be the cure.

The design of the turn signal flasher unit in the 2002 Malibu is different from the flasher in the Impala. Turn signal flasher units in the 2002 Malibu that fail might be covered by a special policy issued by General Motors to replace the unit at no charge.

This special policy does not cover all 2002 Chevrolet Malibus with faulty flasher units, nor does it cover the Chevrolet Impala, so T.K. will have to pay a dealer technician to have the part replaced.

Q: I just had my 1998 Ford F-150 pickup in the shop to have the four-wheel-drive repaired. A mechanic replaced two relays under the hood. While driving home I noticed that the engine was running rough. I immediately returned to the repair shop. A mechanic diagnosed the trouble as a misfire in cylinder number five. Is this a coincidence or did something happen when the relays were installed?

J.B., e-mail A: It would be nice to know what engine is in your vehicle and what was done to correct the trouble so I could provide a better response. Since I do not have all the details, I can tell you that two four-wheel-drive relays are on the right side of the engine compartment, which is the passenger side. Your truck could be equipped with either a 6-cylinder or an 8-cylinder engine.

Cylinder number five is on the left side of the engine compartment with either engine under the hood. Therefore, a technician is not likely to have messed with anything on the left side of the compartment. Since this is the case, it appears that the misfire is a coincidence.

Q: Lately it has become difficult to start my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. I have to crank the engine for several minutes before it starts. Once it starts, it runs fine until the next time it has to be started. What is the trouble?

M.K., e-mail A: A failing fuel pump could cause the condition. Tests will determine if this is true. If the pump has a fault, replacement should cure the condition.

Have this problem fixed soon. Excessive cranking of the engine can damage the starter and engine flywheel. To replace the flywheel, a technician has to remove the transmission. This is expensive and one repair to avoid if the hard starting condition is repaired before any damage occurs.

Phil Arendt is a columnist, consultant and A.S.E.-certified master technician. Readers may send questions to Dr. Gizmo at P.O. Box 548, Cary, Ill., 60013, or his e-mail box drgizmo@drgizmo.ws. Dr. Gizmo