This week we'll look at some of the things you can see are wrong with your car. As you drive you can see many things in and around your car and when something is not right, you will often see it. It just doesn't look right or different from how it normally looks.

As with any car problem, the causes can range from a mere inconvenience to major repair. Here are some things to look for when you have a car that doesn't handle or respond properly.

You should note that these are the most likely causes of a particular problem, but not necessarily the cause of the problem you are experiencing. Some of the possible causes listed may not even apply to your vehicle.

Warning Lights And Gauges

• The Engine Quickly Overheats:
  The engine runs fine, but a start to overheat very soon after it's started, within a mile or about five minutes. This has gotten worse over time.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. The engine's coolant level may be too low: Refill cooling system with proper type of coolant for your engine.

  2. The engine's drive belts may be broken or slipping: Replace or tighten belts as required.

  3. The electric cooling fan may not be coming on: Repair cooling fan.

  4. The ignition timing may be set wrong: Check and adjust ignition timing.

  5. There may be a vacuum leak: Check and repair vacuum lines and devices. Replace or repair as required.

  6. The engine may have mechanical problems: Check compression to determine engine condition.

  7. The engine's thermostat may be stuck closed: Replace thermostat.

  8. There may be a leak in the cooling system: Repair cooling system leak.

  9. The engine's head gasket may be leaking: Replace head gasket.

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• The Engine Overheats:
  The engine seems to run fine but gets very hot after it has been driven. This problem normally occurs after driving some distance or while pulling a heavy load.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. The engine's coolant level may be too low: Refill cooling system with proper type of coolant for your engine.

  2. The engine's drive belts may be broken or slipping: Replace or tighten belts as required.

  3. The electric cooling fan may not be coming on: Repair cooling fan.

  4. The ignition timing may be set wrong: Adjust ignition timing.

  5. There may be a vacuum leak: Check and repair vacuum lines and devices. Replace or repair as required.

  6. The engine may have mechanical problems: Check compression to determine engine condition.

  7. You have been pushing the car too hard and making it work too hard: Ease off the load and let it cool off. Determine if the car is overloaded.

  8. There may be a leak in the cooling system: Repair cooling system leak.

  9. The engine's head gasket may be leaking: Replace head gasket.

  10. The radiator may be clogged: Clean or replace radiator.

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• The Car's Gauges Quickly Change Readings:
  Everything is fine, when all of a sudden the gas gauge or other gauges quickly change their readings. Sometimes this problem causes all of the gauges to change at once. Other times the problem only affects one gauge. This type of problem normally happens suddenly.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. There is a loose connection somewhere in the gauge circuit: Check and repair wiring and connectors.

  2. There is corrosion in one of the electrical connectors: Check and repair wiring and connectors.

  3. The sending unit for the gauge is faulty: Replace sending unit.

  4. The gauge is faulty (this is an unlikely cause if all of the gauges are affected). Replace gauge.

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• One Or All Of The Car's Gauges Do Not Work:
  Your gas gauge or other gauge does not work. Sometimes this problem causes all of the gauges not to work, other times the problem only affects one gauge. This type of problem normally happens suddenly.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. There is a loose connection somewhere in the gauge circuit: Check and repair wiring and connectors.

  2. There is corrosion in one of the electrical connectors: Check and repair wiring and connectors.

  3. The sending unit for the gauge is faulty: Replace sending unit.

  4. The gauge is faulty (this is an unlikely cause if all of the gauges are affected). Replace gauge.

  5. The fuse for the gauges is bad: Replace fuse.

  6. The instrument panel voltage regulator is bad: Replace IP voltage regulator.

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• A Warning Light Stays On:
  All warning lamps light when you start the car. After the engine is running, all of these lights go off except one. No matter what you do or how you drive, the light remains on.

  Possible causes:
  

  1. Loose or disconnected electrical connector: Check and repair wiring and connectors.

  2. The sending unit for the warning light is faulty: Replace sending unit.

  3. There is a problem in the system monitored by the warning light: Correct problem in order to put out the lamp.