Having car trouble can be incredibly frustrating, but it can also be a safety issue if you’re already on the road. Here are some tips that may help keep you and your passengers safe if your car breaks down or you get a flat tire.
1. TURN ON YOUR HAZARD/EMERGENCY LIGHTS
Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers as soon as you sense something’s wrong. Keep them on until help arrives.
2. SLOW DOWN AND PULL OFF THE ROAD
Aim for the right shoulder of the road. Consumer reports recommends that you pull over to a safe, flat location that is as far away from moving traffic as possible.
3. TURN YOUR WHEELS AWAY FROM THE ROAD AND PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE
This could help prevent the car from rolling into traffic.
4. STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE
If you’re on a highway or crowded road, avoid getting out of your vehicle to look at the damage or fix a mechanical problem. If you need to get out of the car, get your vehicle to a safe place and make sure the road around you is completely clear. If you’re stopped on the right-hand side of the road, get out through the passenger-side door.
5. BE VISIBLE
Once you’re safely out of the vehicle, prop up your hood to let other drivers know they should proceed with caution. This will alert other drivers that you’re broken down.
6. SET UP FLARES OR TRIANGLES
Place flares or triangles with reflectors behind your car to alert other drivers to the location where you’ve stopped.
7. CALL FOR HELP
Call or use an app to get a tow truck, mechanic or roadside assistance to come help. your insurance company or other provider who may be able to help. If you’re in an emergency situation or are not sure who to contact, call 911 or the local police for help.
CONSIDER A ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE MEMBERSHIP PLAN
Before you find yourself in a tough situation, you may want to consider getting roadside assistance. Knowing you’ll have help in case of a breakdown, or another unexpected car issue can offer peace of mind. Roadside assistance plans may provide services like:
Towing
Jump starts
Fuel delivery
Lockout services
You may be able to purchase roadside assistance from your car insurance company or from an independent provider.It’s important to be prepared for the unexpected, especially on the road. Hopefully you’ll avoid any bumps in the road, but it’s helpful to know what to do just in case.
” WHY IS MY VEHICLE MAKING NOISES” All Phase Auto Repair diagnoses many issues with our customers vehicles including steering and suspension systems. Often times these noises come back to these systems. Extreme forces exerted on system components can and will cause rapid wear that can cause many unwanted noises before they fail. Wheel bearings, struts, springs, ball joints, steering and suspension linkages and tires are by far the most common noise related problems we find. Today’s vehicle often has prolonged oil and filter changes keeping you away from critical vehicle checkups leading to failures with these systems compounding repair bills and inconvenient breakdowns. All Phase utilizes #FREECOUERTESYINSPECTIONS to help out, this can often pinpoint problem areas before diagnostics are involved. Of course, we can find all those hard-to-find noises most shops can’t for a minimal charge. Call for your appointment today. https://allphaseautorepair.napavision.com/topic/suspension/
No car has ever broken down at the “right time”. Whether you’re sitting in a car that won’t start, or preparing for the future, this list might help you figure out what’s wrong with your car. Take a look at these 6 common reasons why your doesn’t start to see if any of these symptoms match your car’s issue.
Warning:If your car won’t start, avoid turning the key for extended periods of time. In cold weather, letting the engine try to turn over for a while might seem like it will work, but if you try to crank the starter engine for more than 15 seconds, you may damage the starter engine.
If you turn the key and the engine won’t crank:
You most likely have an electrical problem.
Dead Battery
For any number of reasons, your battery might have died. This is the most common reason for a car to die, and therefore the best reason to keep jumper cables in your car. Once you have your car jump-started, the alternator should recharge the battery as long as the car is running.
If this problem happens frequently, you may be able to help the problem by cleaning out any corrosion that has gathered around the battery terminals. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you will need to replace the battery.
Starter Engine Issues
If you can locate the starter under the hood of your car, you can check if it’s the source of the problem. If you don’t hear clicking when you start the engine, the problem may be a dead battery. If you hear clicking, but the engine doesn’t crank, the starter might not be getting enough electricity.
Using your owner’s manual and a voltmeter, you should be able to test functionality.
Broken or Damaged Ignition
Similar to the starter engine, a broken or damaged ignition switch can stop your car from starting. If your headlights can turn on, but your car won’t crank, that means that your battery is charged, but either the starter or ignition is the problem.
If the starter or ignition is the problem, a starter engine can be jumped by using a charged battery.
If the engine cranks, but the car won’t start:
If an engine is cranking, but will not start, you know that your electrical is good. For the car to start running correctly, you need a few ingredients: spark, air, fuel, and compression.
Fuel:
If you suspect that the problem may be fuel related, there are a couple of solutions. If the weather is cold enough, your fuel line may have frozen, and would need to be thawed. Two more common solutions are:
Gas Tank is Empty
Even if your gas tank isn’t showing that the tank is empty, this could still be the issue. A miscalibrated fuel gauge can lead you to run out of gas.
Fuel Filter Needs to be Replaced
Check your owner’s manual to find out how often, or how long ago your fuel filter should have been changed. A clogged fuel filter will stop gas from reaching the engine. If you frequently run your car to empty, your fuel filter could look much worse.
No Spark
If your car will crank, but not start, you may not be getting a spark. A spark is used to ignite the fuel, allowing the car to start. It is possible to check for a spark yourself, but this is likely outside of the skill set of the average driver and should be left to a mechanic.
If you have any difficulties starting your car, H&H Mobil can bring your car into the shop and run a full diagnostic on it to see if any or multiple of these reasons are causing issues with your vehicle.
If one of the above reasons is why your car doesn’t start, contact All Phase Auto Repair to have a professional take a look at your car and help you safely get back on the road as soon as possible.
Here are 5 tips from All Phase Auto Repair for used car buyers:
1. Ask for service records. Most owners who document regular maintenance service take care of their vehicle.
2. Inspect the vehicle thoroughly. Check for uneven tire wear, alignment, suspension issues, strange sounds and funky odors.
3. If everything checks out up to this point, take it to All Phase Auto Repair for a thorough used car inspection. Your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at All Phase Auto Repair can give you a heads up on any pressing issues or emerging problems that will need to be addressed eventually. If the seller won’t let you do this before you buy, move on.
4. Buy a CarFax report. This will show any major accidents and title status concerns including whether it is a salvaged vehicle. You don’t want a car that was underwater for a week after Hurricane Sandy.
5. After you buy, stay on top of regular maintenance (and save the records). All Phase Auto Repair will help keep your car running well and you will enjoy not having a car payment.
As always, give us a call if you have any specific questions.
Summertime is the period where you’re banking on your car AC to keep you comfortable as you weave your way through traffic under the unforgiving sun. When your AC is functioning well you look forward to taking a ride in the car, but if it starts to malfunction, it can be a hellish experience because the temperature of a hot car can quickly hit 140 degrees or more.
The first sign that tells you something is wrong, is when you turn on the AC but all you feel is warm air blowing out of the air vents. What could be the problem?
There are several culprits that could be responsible for your AC problems, and today we’ll explain 5 reasons why your car AC is blowing hot air and how to fix it, so you can troubleshoot the unit by yourself and get it up and running, or to at least have an idea of what the problem is before taking it in for repairs.
The five most common car A/C issues are:
Leaking refrigerant
Electrical issues
Broken condenser
Faulty cooling fans
Bad compressor
Your AC Refrigerant Is Leaking
If your car AC is blowing hot air, it is very likely that the refrigerant in the unit is low. A refrigerant is a special kind of gas (but compressed to liquid) that gives the unit its cooling ability.
What it does is absorb heat from inside your car and radiate or give off the heat outside the vehicle thereby making the interior cooler than the temperature outside.
When the refrigerant circulating in the AC is low or leaking, the unit doesn’t have enough power to perform its cooling function – kind of like when someone has lost too much blood.
The problem in identifying where the leak is due to the nature of the refrigerant.
It is a liquid when inside the unit, but when there’s a fault in the pipeline that it flows through, it escapes as a gas which makes it tough to pinpoint the exact location where it is leaking from.
The most common place where refrigerant can leak from are joints and connection hoses in the unit.
It can leak anywhere in the evaporator, the condenser, the compressor, or in the copper coil.
Like I already mentioned, the liquid refrigerant becomes gas when it leaks, so you won’t see the normal tell-tale puddle of water under the car, you’ll possibly see an oily substance collect around the area that’s leaking.
You or preferably a technician can use a sealant to plug this leak.
I recommend getting a professional air conditioning technician to fix the problem, they’ll inject a dye into the unit to trace and fix all leaks.
Problems With The Electrical System
Your car’s electrical is a jungle of cables, fuses, relays, and switches.
When everything is in sync and working as they should, the electrical system delivers the needed power to run the AC unit, providing you cool air and comfort on demand.
If one of these components in the electrical system fails due to a defect in the system, age, or a power surge. The system is designed to shut power to certain components to prevent further damage or unsafe conditions for the user.
While this setup and protective features help prevent dangerous fires from growing in the electrical system, it also means that something as simple as a blown fuse could cause your AC to stop working.
You’ll need to inspect all the wires entering and exiting the AC to see if any wires are broken or frayed. You should also trace them all the way to the fuse box to see if there’s a broken fuse. If notice any wire that looks melted or burnt, then you’ll need to replace them and possibly change a fuse.
I have to warn you, it’s quite difficult to locate or isolate the cause of an electrical problem without the proper test instruments and the necessary experience to diagnose such problems.
If you’re unable to detect any electrical issue in the system, then it’s time to take your vehicle to the garage for further diagnosis.
The AC Condenser Is Bad
The condenser is the part of the AC unit that’s responsible for radiating or dissipating the heat from the liquid refrigerant coming from the compressor.
When this component works as expected, it allows the liquid refrigerant to cool down a bit so it can return to a gaseous state again as it flows back through the rest of the unit.
On and on, the cycle continues.
When the process fails, that’s when you get punched in the face by a fistful of hot air.
It looks a lot like the engine radiator, only a bit smaller. It is located at the front of the car, between the radiator and the grate.
You’ll spot a pair of cooling fans mounted in front of the condenser to help move the heat away from the unit.
When the ventilation holes on condenser are blocked by the accumulation of dirt and road debris, air won’t flow freely over the copper coil, thereby forcing the component to retain some of the heat and the result is weak cooling or hot air.
If on inspection the condenser doesn’t look blocked or clogged, you should ensure that the copper pipes look okay.
If there’s an area on the pipe that looks compressed, then it might be blocking the free-flow of refrigerant through the unit.
This might result from road projectile smashing into the pipe or an accident that caused a bump in your fender or bumper.
Bad Cooling Fans
Recall that I did mention that the condenser has a pair of cooling fans mounted in front of it. The compressor and the fan(s) work hand-in-hand to get rid of the heat, but if the fan isn’t blowing at the optimum speed needed to get rid of the eat, then the partially cooled refrigerant will leave the condenser bad into the unit.
A visual inspection will tell you if the fan is in good shape and is working properly.
They aren’t the sturdiest component on a vehicle, so consider checking them for cracks that may have formed from impact with road debris.
Other common issues that might cause the fan to operate below-par are fuses and electrical issues. You might have to get a replacement fan in some cases or the help of a professional to address the issue.
The Compressor Has Issues
The compressor is the heart of the AC and its job is to keep the refrigerant moving through the unit at all times.
If it is faulty, the refrigerant cannot move through the system and you will never get anything close to cool air.
Compressors rarely develop issues when you’re using them.
The most common cause of compressor failure is inactivity – try to imagine a component that wants to work all the time or it fails.
An extended period of inactivity tends to shock the component when you finally use it.
This extended period of inactivity perfectly coincides with winter when you don’t need the AC running, but you there’s something you can do to keep it active.
We recommend running AC on full speed for 10-15 minutes every two to three weeks irrespective of the outside temperature.
You could run it in the winter with the fan or air vent block, or maybe leave it on for some time before you lock the car and retire for the night.
Other Possible Issues
Your Compressor Clutch Is Bad
Another issue that might be affecting the performance of the compressor is the compressor clutch. What is a compressor clutch? What does it do?
A car AC compressor clutch is the part of the compressor that connects and disconnects the compressor from the engine’s mechanical power.
Simply put, it connects the compressor to the engine so it can harness the rotational motion that the engine produces to make cooling possible.
Unlike the transmission clutch that can transmit partial power, the AC compressor is either on (full power from the engine) or off (no power from the engine).
Since it cycles between on and off continuously, it is also subject to wear and tear. A slipping AC compressor clutch means there’s an incorrect air gap, shorted clutch coil, or just aging.
The compressor clutch won’t engage if:
The clutch fuse is blown
The clutch relay is faulty
System pressure is too low, which means the refrigerant is leaking.
System pressure is too high, which means there’s a blockage somewhere.
The thermal fuse or flow control valve isn’t working or is blown.
Improper clutch plate air gap
You’ll need the service of a professional car AC technician to figure out which of these is the issue.
A Faulty Expansion Valve
Whenever your car AC continuously switches back and forth between hot and cold, chances are that the expansion valve is faulty.
The job of the expansion valve is to distribute a certain quantity of refrigerant to the evaporator.
In a situation where the valve is clogged, the flow of refrigerant could be obstructed or without restriction.
If the refrigerant is restricted even slightly it can cause the expansion valve to get so cold that frost or ice collects on the exterior of the hardware.
The result? Your car AC blows warm on the inside but cold on the expansion valve.
If you notice a poodle or drops of fluid under the car, then it’s very likely from a bad expansion valve (assuming your radiator isn’t faulty).
This could help your mechanic to diagnose and fix the problem.
What Does This Mean For You?
This list of car AC problems is by no means a comprehensive list of all the different things that could be responsible for your AC blowing hot air.
Most of them are fixable and very rarely will you need to overhaul your vehicle’s air conditioning system.
If you have the skills and experience to fix any of these issues yourself, then you should get the best replacement part you can find (if replacements are necessary) so you don’t have to do it twice.
Your friendly technicians at All Phase Auto Repair can diagnose and repair any problem with your AC system.
All Phase Auto can put your money to work for all your Auto Repair/Maintenance needs. The more you spend the more you save. It all starts with a free courtesy inspection. Call Terri now for the details 410-687-5030.
It’s difficult to ignore strange noises coming from your car — after all, a strange noise could indicate something’s wrong that needs to be fixed. If you hear a squealing or whining noise coming from under the hood of your car, trust your instincts and let us take a look at it at All Phase Auto Repair. On this page, our service team have gathered a list of four things that are most likely to cause these obnoxious noises. Your car has a lot of accessories under the hood that are attached to the engine by a rubber belt — and this belt and the pulleys it loops around can start to squeak or squeal if they become damaged.
1. ALTERNATOR WHINE
The belt-driven alternator found under the hood of most modern cars can wear out over time. Its job is to take power developed by the engine and convert it into usable electricity for your car’s electronics and for recharging the car’s battery. If the bearings inside wear out, the alternator can make a high-pitched whining noise. And if you have any improperly grounded wires, you might actually hear the alternator whine through the stereo. If you’re hearing a persistent, high-pitched whine that also affects the car’s electronics and stereo, you may need the alternator bearings replaced or an entirely new alternator.
2. WORN DRIVE BELT
The alternator is one of several accessories under the hood that are typically belt-driven on your car. These drive belts are built to last for tens of thousands of miles, but their rubber construction means they’ll grow brittle, stretch and crack over time. That means your drive belts may need to be replaced as they wear out and start to make noise. And if you have any oil leaks in the engine, the belts could become glazed with oil, causing them to slip and squeak. Luckily, installing a new belt is a fast and easy process for the pros in our service center at All Phase Auto Repair.
3. WORN PULLEY BEARINGS
If the belt itself isn’t to blame, the squeaking noise you’re dealing with might be due to bad pulleys. Any damage to these parts can cause a loud whining noise, as these parts spin rapidly any time the engine is running.
If the pulley bearings are worn out on any of your accessories, they’ll need to be replaced to get them working quietly again. Some of the accessories under the hood of your car that may be belt-driven include the power-steering pump, water pump, A/C compressor and alternator.
4. BAD BELT TENSIONERS
Older cars needed to have the belt tension manually adjusted periodically, as the belts stretched over time, to keep the right tension on the belt so the accessories run smoothly and quietly. However, today’s modern cars feature automatic belt tensioners. As the belt begins to stretch, the tensioner automatically tightens to compensate. After a long enough time, these tensioners can start to wear out. They can be pushed to their limits by a belt that’s really stretched out, or the bearings inside can wear out and cause noise. If the belt and pulleys are all working as intended, but we still hear a squeaking noise, we recommend checking the tensioners and having them replaced if they’re rattling, squealing or whining.
The most important things you can do for your vehicle is changing vehicle fluids! Oil and filter changes is a given, we do a lot of them which include many benefits such as other fluid checks and top offs. Lets take rear differential fluid for example, many of todays diffs have clutch plates installed that cause the fluid to heat up quicker and in turn degrade more often that require earlier fluid changes. Some manufactures have intervals set early as 18k miles if towing or driving in hotter climates such as our summer heat. AWD vehicles are popular and have small units buried near hot exhaust systems and hold less than a quart of oil which degrade even quicker. ,https://allphaseautorepair.napavision.com/topic/differential-service/ Units are expensive to replace, more frequent fluid changes will prevent that! Keep your vehicle expenses down contact Terri 410-687-5030.
My Car Is Overheating! What Could Be Wrong? What Do I Do?
These are some possible causes if your car is overheating.
Improperly Circulating Coolant
There’s a Leak
A Hose Needs Replacing
Internal Debris in Cooling System
Malfunctioning Thermos Stat
Malfunctioning Cooling Fan
Blocked Air Inlet to Radiator
Damaged Radiator
Engine Cooling System
If your car is overheating, it can be very serious. One sign your car may be overheating is that your air conditioner stops working. You shouldn’t continue to drive if you see the temperature gauge has moved towards the “hot” side. If your engine overheats your car may not immediately explode or anything like that, but driving with an overheating engine can cause serious damage to your vehicle. It’s better to pull over and deal with it right away instead of risking very expensive repairs later.
There are a number of things that can cause your engine to overheat. Some of these are fairly common issues, especially on a hot summer day in the Essex area.
Improperly Circulating Coolant
If the water/antifreeze mixture isn’t circulating correctly, the engine will start to overheat. This mixture keeps your engine cool during the hot months and prevents it from freezing during the cold months. Be sure to check it regularly to avoid this. Even if you don’t have any leaks, over time it can evaporate. You can add about half a cup of water to a low antifreeze tank to cool down your engine and get you to an auto shop.
There’s A Leak
If your water/antifreeze levels are constantly low, there’s a leak in your cooling system somewhere. If you’re experiencing this, make an appointment with us today. We’ll track down the leak and give you an affordable estimate for the repair.
A Hose Needs Replacement
Over time, the hoses that circulate your coolant may become blocked or detached. While it may not be completely blocked up, even a partial blockage can prevent the proper amount of coolant from circulating. Again, this is something we can check for during an inspection here in our shop.
Other Causes
If the levels of water and antifreeze appear normal, there may be a more serious malfunction with your engine. It is possible that there is an internal coolant leak, debris in the coolant passages or a blocked radiator. In this case, it’s best to bring your car to an auto mechanic as soon as possible. We can track down issues that can help prevent more expensive repairs down the road.
What to do if your car overheats
If your engine is overheating, do the following to cool it down:
Turn off the air conditioner. Running the A/C puts a heavy load on your engine.
Turn on the heater. This blows some excess heat from the engine into the car. While it’s not ideal on a hot summer day (which is when most vehicles tend to overheat), it does help cool the engine down.
Put your car in neutral or park and then rev the engine. This makes the fan and the water pump work faster, which pulls more air and more water through your car’s radiator. This increased circulation cools down the engine.
Pull over and open the hood. This releases the heat and lets air circulate through the hot engine. Just be careful when opening the hood—hot steam may come blasting out.
The safest thing to do is pull over at a safe place, turn vehicle off, and call a tow truck to avoid engine damage.
And finally, NEVER attempt to remove the radiator cap while the engine is hot. It can result in serious burns all over your body as the hot coolant sprays forth under tremendous pressure. If you have concerns about any of the things considered in the article,
All Phase Auto Repair is always ready to help. Call right away and we’ll discuss your options. You can also use the Book an Appointment button to schedule with us.
MAKING NOISES” All Phase Auto Repair diagnoses many issues with our customers vehicles including steering and suspension systems. Often times these noises come back to these systems. Extreme forces exerted on system components can and will cause rapid wear that can cause many unwanted noises before they fail. Wheel bearings, struts, springs, ball joints, steering and suspension linkages and tires are by far the most common noise related problems we find. Today’s vehicle often has prolonged oil and filter changes keeping you away from critical vehicle checkups leading to failures with these systems compounding repair bills and inconvenient breakdowns. All Phase utilizes #FREECOUERTESYINSPECTIONS to help out, this can often pinpoint problem areas before diagnostics are involved. Of course, we can find all those hard-to-find noises most shops can’t for a minimal charge. Call for your appointment today. 
