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The Dodge Caravan is a minivan that uses 3.8L of oil. If you are having problems starting your Dodge Caravan, you need to check out two issues: the battery and the fuel level. The battery on the Caravan is used to start the engine, however, the engine cannot run without fuel. Checking the battery life and the fuel on your Caravan will determine if replacement parts are needed. You dont have to be an auto mechanic to solve your problem. You can do it yourself.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the Dodge Caravan and locate the battery. This should be on the right side of the motor.

2

Look the battery terminals over for any corrosion. Loosen the battery terminals with a socket wrench and then remove the terminals from the battery.

3

Use a wire brush and soda to remove the corrosion from the battery terminals. Connect the terminals back onto the battery and then try to start the van.

4

Jump start the van with jumper cables and another car battery if needed.

5

Allow the van to run for 15 minutes and then turn the van off. Try to restart the van. If the van doesnt restart then the battery is not holding a charge. Replace the battery.

6

Check the fuel level. Add 1 gallon of gas to your Dodge Caravan and then try to start the van. If the van starts up, replace the gas gauge in the van.

The 300ZX is a sports car that is manufactured by Nissan. If you are having problems starting your 300ZX, you can troubleshoot the issues before you spend money on a mechanic. Typical problems occur with the cars battery and fuel levels. There are certain factors that will determine what you need to do to get your engine running again. These are if the ignition does not turn over, if the engine will not crank, and if the engine does crank.

Instructions

Ignition Wont Turn

1

Check the key that you are using and make sure it is the correct one for your 300ZX.

2

Try starting the 300ZX with a different key. Duplicated keys can fail to turn over the ignition.

3

Turn your 300ZXs steering wheel from side to side while you are starting the ignition. The steering wheel could be locked up.

Engine Will Not Crank

4

Open the 300ZXs hood and check the battery terminal connections. Make sure that you have the negative connection and positive connections on the correct battery terminals.

5

Clean any corrosion off the terminals with baking soda and a wire brush, then reattach the cables to the battery terminals.

6

Charge the battery with a pair of jumper cables and another car battery.

7

Replace the battery if it cannot hold a charge.

8

Check the alternator with an experienced mechanic.

Engine Cranks

9

Check the fuel level in the car.

10

Refill the car with fuel if there is an insufficient level of fuel.

11

Open the hood of the car and check the spark plug for corrosion. Clean off the corrosion with a rag and baking soda.

12

Check the timing belt for cracks or breaks. Replace the timing belt if necessary.

The Chrysler Concorde began production in 1993 and ran until 2004. The Concorde is a four-door sedan that comes with an automatic transmission. If your 1997 Chrysler Concorde isnt starting after the engine gets hot, you might have a problem with your cooling system. You dont have to be a car mechanic to figure out what is wrong with your Concorde. You can figure it out yourself.

Instructions

1

Turn the Concorde off and remove the key from the ignition. Allow the car to sit for about three to four hours so the engine cools. Open the hood to the Concorde to allow the engine to cool quicker.

2

Locate the coolant tank on the left side of the engine. Look on the side of the coolant tank for the fill lines (labeled "coolant"). They will be translucent so you can see how much coolant is inside the tank.

3

Use a funnel to fill the tank with more coolant. You can find coolant at a local department store or at an auto shop. Fill the tank to the fill line with 50/50 coolant.

4

Look underneath your Concorde to look for any coolant leaks, which could be from the water pump. Get a mechanic to look over the water pump and make sure it does not need replacement.

Hot weather can impede your 1984 Honda from starting properly if the coolant has not been monitored properly. Heat can also cause a battery to die out because the car will be running the air conditioning all the time. Your 1984 Honda could also cease to start if you have a clog in your fuel system. All of these can be diagnosed with minimal knowledge of your Accord. You dont have to be a mechanic to get your car running again.

Instructions

1

Put your key into the Accord and turn the ignition. Look to the dashboard to see if the control panel is lighting up. Make a not of the fuel levels and the battery level when your turn the ignition.

2

Fill the car with fuel if your gas gauge shows that the tank is empty.

3

Open the car hood and look at the connections to the battery. Reconnect the terminals if the battery terminals have come loose.

4

Use another car and a set of jumper wires to start the Accord. Connect the jumper wires to the battery according to the "+" and the "-" signs on the wires. Connect the other ends to the battery on the other car.

5

Start the other car and then try to start your Accord. Leave the Accord running and then turn it off after 15 minutes. Try to restart the car. If the Accord does not restart, replace the battery.

6

Turn the ignition and press the gas pedal all the way to the floorboard of the Accord. This will stop the throttle sensor from adding gas to the engine and clear your fuel plugs. Try to start the car with the fuel plugs cleared.

The turbo diesel in your Isuzu Trooper is perred by some drivers because of the fuel economy. If you are having problems with the turbo diesel engine, there are a few things that you can do before you take it in for service. You can check common issues yourself with little hassle.

Instructions

1

Turn the key in your Troopers ignition to engage the instrument panel. Make a note of the fuel gauges level. If you dont have enough gas to start the Trooper, fill the tank up with gas and then try to start the vehicle.

2

Replace the fuel with the proper kind of diesel. Summer diesel can get cloudy in winter months. This can cause the fuel filter to clog.

3

Raise the Trooper with a jack to check the starter. Have a friend turn the ignition and listen for the starter to buzz. The starter is the small black box next to the engine. If the starter buzzes or clicks, you need to have it replaced by a service technician.

4

Look at the bottom of your Trooper for any fuel or liquid leaks. Have any leaks checked by a certified mechanic.

5

Use a voltmeter to test the battery. Check the battery sticker to get the volt rating. Most diesel engines use a 6.5 V battery. Connect the leads from the voltmeter to the battery terminals on the top of the battery. If you dont get the 6.5 V reading, have the battery replaced or jump the car.

The 2003 Chevy Trailblazer is mid-sized SUV. If your Trailblazer will not start, you could be looking at a problem with the battery or the fuel level in your SUV. When the battery charge is too low, the engine will not be able to start. The engine runs on gas so you need a sufficient fuel level to get the motor running. You can troubleshoot the problems with your Trailblazer with little knowledge of the subject before you go see a mechanic.

Instructions

1

Open the hood to your Trailblazer and locate the battery next to the engine.

2

Take a socket wrench and loosen the battery terminals. Look the battery terminals over for any corrosion. Use a wire brush and soda to get rid of the corrosion.

3

Replace the battery terminals on the battery and then try to restart the Trailblazer.

4

Use another car and a pair of jumper cables to "jump" your Trailblazer. Leave the SUV running for 5 minutes to charge the battery before cutting it off.

5

Try to restart the SUV. If the SUV does not restart, replace your battery.

6

Check the fuel level in your Trailblazer. Put gas into the gas tank and try to restart the car. Your car may have a broken fuel gauge. Adding gas will allow the car to start properly.

Catalytic converters are a legally-required part of the exhaust system of every gasoline-burning vehicle in the United States. These systems clean the leftover fuel that comes through the cars exhaust and makes it less damaging to the atmosphere before it is released. When the converter malfunctions, however, it can cause your car to smoke or your check engine light to illuminate. The catalytic converter system in your Mustang GT is near the center of the car, between the engine and the mufflers. The 1996 Mustang GT has dual exhaust pipes which are routed from the muffler to the rear of the car on either side.

Instructions

1

Use a jack to raise the rear of your Mustang off the ground and secure it with jack stands. Do not attempt to repair or remove any part of the exhaust system unless you are certain the car has not been running. This system gets very hot when the engine is fired.

2

Use plastic ties or heavy duty wire to secure the exhaust pipes to the Mustangs frame. Once the catalytic converter is removed, these pipes may fall if not secured.

3

Locate the Mustangs O2 sensors. There will be one in front of the catalytic converter and one behind in Mustangs manufactured after 1995. You should only have to remove the one in front. Use an O2 sensor wrench to loosen the sensor and its connecting pipe, then remove them with your hand.

4

Use a socket set to remove the bolts in the front and rear of the catalytic converter. Sometimes this is difficult to do. If they seem frozen into place, spray a rust-breaking automotive lubricant on the bolts and allow to sit for one hour.

5

Tap the catalytic converter with a hammer, keeping one hand on the unit. If it seems to move easily, pull it out of the muffler pipe and remove it. If it does not move easily, rap it several times with the hammer until you can remove it with your hand.

Bayerische Motoren Werke, the company that makes BMW cars, also manufactures motorcycles. The BMW 1100 LT cycle is similar to a car, in that both vehicles use a battery to power their engines. However, in the case of a motorcycle, motorcycle pros like those at the website Cycle Maintenance recommend extreme diligence when jump-starting the bike if the battery goes dead, because if you do it improperly you can fry the bike and its electrical system.

Instructions

1

Put your cycle close to the front portion of your automobile. Do not allow either your cycle or car to touch. Take out each set of keys and power off both your car and motorcycle.

2

Open your automobile hood and take out your motorcycle seat so your batteries lie in plain sight.

3

Attach your red jumper cable to the terminal with a positive connection on your car battery. Attach your other red cable to the positive portion of your cycle battery.

4

Attach the opposite jumper to the negative terminal of your car. Attach the opposite end of the cable to a metal portion of your cycle, like the rear axle.

5

Start your BMW 1100 LT. However, keep your car turned off, because you may harm the electrical portion of the vehicle if you turn it on. Take off all of the cables in the opposite order from the way you installed them.

The battery in your 8-cylinder Cadillac is dead. A motoring Good Samaritan rolls up and offers you a jump start with his 4-cylinder Japanese import. What are the chances that the 4-cylinder car can start the Cadillac with 8-cylinders?

Background

Jump starting is not about cylinders; it is about power--power expressed in terms of voltage and the amount necessary to crank the engine of a disabled car.

Voltage and Power

A battery stores power as the engine runs and sends a trickle charge to the battery. The power to start a car is delivered by the stored power. If the 4-cylinder car battery is good, it will work.

Safe Jump Start

The jumper cables must be placed correctly for a safe jump start with both car engines off and emergency brakes set. Connect the red/+ cable to the red terminal of the dead battery. Connect the other end of that cable to the red terminal of the good battery. Connect one end of the black/- cable to the good battery. Connect the other end of this cable to a piece of unpainted metal in the engine compartment of the car with the dead battery. Do not connect it to the black battery terminal. Start the car with the good battery and rev the engine. Attempt to start the car with the dead battery. If it starts, remove the cables in the reverse order they were placed.

What Starts the Dead Engine?

Once the jumper cables are correctly in place, the 8-cylinder car is started using the voltage supplied by the engine of the 4-cylinder car. Once the 8-cylinder car is running smoothly and jumper cables are removed drive the car with the dead battery to recharge it. You may want to take it to a place where battery service is offered and have it checked.

During the engine-rebuilding process, its paramount to use lots of assembly lube on things such as the camshaft and lifters. However, one place you dont want oil is between the machined surfaces of the connecting rod and cap. Oil there causes erroneous torque readings of the rod bolt. When the trapped oil burns away, connecting rod bolts loosen up and cause catastrophic failure. Lubrication is still the most crucial issue when starting an engine after rebuilding it. Lubricate the engine by priming it before starting. Also be sure the engine is ready to run for 30 minutes.

Instructions

1

Connect a mechanical oil pressure gauge to the engine, even if its just used in a temporary situation. The mechanical oil pressure gauge can be connected to the tapped threaded hole where the engines electronic sending unit is installed. The mechanical gauge is much more accurate than an electronic sending unit for an electronic gauge or an oil light and should be used when starting a rebuilt engine.

2

Unplug the distributor located on the top side of a V-8 engine or on the side of an inline engine, so the engine will not start while rotating the crankshaft. Loosen but dont remove the number one spark plug from the cylinder.The number one spark plug varies with different manufacturers; consult the engine service manual for the specific engine to locate the number one spark plug. Find the 0-degree line marked on the crankshaft balancer. The balancer is connected to the front of the crankshaft and is behind the engines bottom pulleys. Bump the starter in short bursts by just cranking the engine for a split second. Listen for compression noises near the number one spark plug. After hearing compression leak from the loose spark plug, align the 0-degree line on the crankshaft balancer with the timing tab on the timing chain cover by bumping or rotating the engine in the same direction as the starter turns it.

3

Remove the distributor cap from the distributor. Make a mark on the distributor housing that aligns with the rotor cap pointer. The pointer should be pointed at the number one spark plug tower in the cap. If not, be sure the engine did not pass the compression stroke and the distributor was installed correctly. Make another mark on the distributor base flange housing and a corresponding one on the intake manifold.

4

Loosen and slide the distributor hold-down clamp back. Lift the distributor out of the intake. Shine a flashlight down into the distributor hole. Notice the flat groove in the oil pump shaft. A Chevy engine was used as example here; check your specific engine for oil priming instructions.

5

Remove the valve covers from the engine. Pour a half quart of oil over the lifters just prior to starting the engine.

6

Insert an oil pump priming rod into a 1/2-inch drill motor. Slide the flat blade of the priming tool into the pump rod groove, which is located inside the distributor hole. Rotate the drill motor in a clockwise rotation, start the drill and prime the oil pump. Monitor the oil pressure gauge to be sure that oil pressure is building and reaches at least 30 psi. Prime the engine for 10 minutes. Note if oil also reaches the rocker arms on all cylinders.

7

Reinstall the distributor by aligning the rotor button pointer with the corresponding mark on the housing and realign the other mark on the housing with the intake manifold. With the timing marks aligned, the rotor should be aimed at the number one spark plug tower in the distributor cap on the compression stroke. Tighten the number one spark plug. Reconnect the distributor plug. Reinstall the valve covers.

8

Turn the key on for 20 seconds and then off for 20 seconds. This cycles the fuel pump to send fuel to the engine so there will be sufficient fuel to start the engine without excess cranking. Excess cranking on a newly rebuilt engine can cause damage to the engine. Cycle the key several times to allow fuel into the fuel injection system; then start the engine. If the engine is equipped with a mechanical fuel pump, spray a small burst of starting fluid into the carburetor so the engine does not crank needlessly to pump fuel into the carburetor. Starting fluid will help avoid unnecessary engine cranking.

A 1969 Chevy truck might be having starting problems because of a dead battery or an insufficient level of fuel in the gas tank. The battery is one of the most important components of starting a vehicle. Without the battery, the motor will not get the electrical charge that it needs in order to start. By jump starting the battery, you can get the battery to charge up. Adding fuel to the gas tank could also be a quick fix to your starting issue.

Instructions

1

Check the fuel level in your Chevy truck. Add fuel if you think that you might have a broken gas gauge. Get a mechanic to replace your gas gauge.

2

Open the hood and attach the positive lead from your jumper cable to your battery. Connect the negative lead from your jumper cable to the negative terminal on your battery.

3

Get a friend to attach the positive and negative leads from the jumper cable to their cars battery.

4

Start your friends car and then start your Chevy truck. Leave the truck running for a about 5 minutes to allow the battery to charge.

5

Turn the truck off and then restart the truck. If the truck does not restart, you will need a new battery.

The Mazda 626 is a four-door sedan. If you are having problems getting your Mazda 626 to start, there are a couple of key components to check in the car before you pay to have it checked out. The battery is the main piece of the puzzle when it comes to a car starting. The battery sends an electrical charge to the motor to get the car running. The fuel level can also be something that causes the car to sit without starting.

Instructions

1

Check your 626s fuel level. If you suspect your gas gauge to be broken, add some gas to your car and try to start it up.

2

Pop the hood to your 626 and look over the battery terminals. The battery terminals connect the battery to the motor.

3

Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush and some soda if any corrosion has built up.

4

Jump-start the 626 and let it run for about 5 minutes so the battery can charge.

5

Cut the car off and try to restart the car again.

6

Replace the battery if the car will not restart.

The Mercedes 320 is a four-door sedan. If you are having problems getting your 320 to start, there is probably something wrong with your fuel levels or your battery. The battery for the 320 is located in the trunk of the car. Jump starting your 320 is a good way to give the battery the spark it needs to charge properly. Adding gas to the fuel tank could also be the quick remedy you need.

Instructions

1

Turn the key to your 320 to engage the fuel gauge. Look at the fuel level and determine if you need gas. Add gas as needed and then start the car. If the gas gauge doesnt come on, you probably have a problem with your battery.

2

Pop the trunk and locate the battery on the right side of the trunk. Connect the positive and negative clamps from your jumper wires to the positive and negative terminals on the battery.

3

Connect the other ends of the jumper wires to a running cars battery terminals. Start your 320.

4

Leave the 320 running for a little while so the battery can charge. Turn the car off and then try to restart the car.

5

Replace the battery if the car will not restart.

General Motors makes a variety of automobiles, but they all have two things in common--all of the vehicles must have a good battery and enough fuel to start the motor. If you are having problems starting your GM vehicle, you can troubleshoot the issues with the battery and the level of fuel in the GMs tank. Troubleshooting these issues will save you time and money before you employ a mechanic to look at your GM.

Instructions

1

Check the fuel level in your GM. Make sure you have enough gas to start the car. Add gas if needed and then start your GM.

2

Pop the hood and connect the positive lead from your jump cable to your battery. Connect the negative lead to your negative terminal.

3

Get a friend to attach the positive and negative leads from the jumper cable to their cars battery.

4

Start your friends car. Start your GM. Leave the GM running for a little while to charge the battery.

5

Turn the GM off and then restart the car. If the car does not restart, change your battery.