StepByStep Index

Testing an Ignition Coil on the Car
If you're getting no spark at your spark plugs, you might have a bad ignition coil. The ignition coil sends the spark to the distributor, which then sends the sparks out to the spark plugs. A bad coil means no spark, so testing your ignition coil is an important step in troubleshooting an no-start or a no-spark issue.

How To Test Your Car's Cigarette Lighter or Accessory Socket
Your cell phone won't charge. Your GPS won't power up. You can't fire up that weekend stogey. What's going on? Is your phone charger on the fritz? A quick test of your car's cigarette lighter or 12V accessory socket can rule out the power source as the culprit. Check it out.

How To Test a Circuit Using a Test Light
A circuit tester is an important troubleshooting tool when you are trying to diagnose an electrical problem. You need to know what wire does what and which wires are active before you start. You can also use a test light to check for good ground or ground faults

How To Check Your Coolant Mixture Percentage
Keeping a proper coolant mixture is vital to your car's health. Antifreeze should be close to 50 percent mixture. You can test your coolant mixture easily with an inexpensive coolant mixture tester that can be bought at any auto parts store.

Bench Testing Your Ignition Coil
Your ignition coil can be the culprit in many automotive troubleshooting situations. You will need to test your coil to see if its bad. On-car testing can evaluate, but for a definitive idea of whether you have a bad coil, you need to perform a coil resistance test. This type of coil testing can tell you if your coil is on the way to being bad even before it is obvious.

Troubleshooting Brake Problems
It can be hard to diagnose a brake problem, but troubleshooting your brakes doesn't have to be impossible. Whether it's low brake pressure or a pedal that's hard to press, this brake troubleshooting guide can help you figure out what's wrong with your brakes.