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Feel, Hear, See, Smell: Feel Part 2

by Vincent Ciulla
for About.com

Things you can feel are wrong with your car.

  • Ignition key won't turn:
    You put the key in the ignition and go to start the car but the key doesn't turn. You jiggle the key back and forth and sometimes it will turn and the car will start.

    Possible causes:
    1. The steering wheel lock is applying pressure and not allowing the key to turn: Turn the steering wheel back and forth.

    2. Steering wheel lock broken or needs adjustment: Repair or adjust.

    3. Key is worn out. Get the key number and have a new key made. Don't get a copy of the old key, it won't work.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  • Very Little Air Coming From The Air Ducts:
    When you turn on the air conditioner or heater there is very little air coming out of the vents. It takes a very long time to heat or cool the car due to the low airflow.

    Possible causes:
    1. The blower fan is not working: Repair blower motor electrical circuit or replace blower motor.

    2. There is some dirt or something blocking an air duct: Remove obstruction from ductwork or air inlet.

    3. Ice has formed on the evaporator: Turn off air conditioner and allow ice to melt. Do not leave in Re-circulate mode for more than 15 minutes.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  • Very Little Cool Air Is Coming From The Air Conditioner:
    There is very little cool air coming from the air conditioner. The air conditioner has been running for a while and still no cool air.

    Possible causes:
    1. The air conditioning system needs to be recharged: Have A/C system checked for leaks and recharged.

    2. There is moisture inside the air conditioning system: Evacuate and recharge the A/C system.

    3. There is a leak in the air conditioner system: Repair A/C leak evacuate and recharge.

    4. The air conditioning compressor is bad: Replace A/C compressor.

    5. The controls for the air conditioning compressor are bad: Repair A/C controls.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  • Very Little Warm Air Is Coming From The Heater:
    There is little or no warm air coming from the heater. The car has been running long enough to reach proper operating temperature but still no heat from the heater. This may or may not get worse over time.

    Possible causes:
    1. The water control valve is not working properly: Repair water control valve controls or replace valve.

    2. One of the heater hoses is pinched, twisted, or damaged: Repair or replace heater hoses.

    3. The heater core is blocked with dirt: Remove heater core obstructions.

    4. There is a leak in the engine's cooling system: Pressure test cooling system and repair leaks. Refill with proper type and amount of coolant.

   Copyright © 2000 - 2003 Vincent T. Ciulla All Rights Reserved

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