Quick Answer: A “hard starting engine” typically means the engine cranks but takes longer than usual to fire up. This is usually caused by a loss of fuel pressure overnight, failing ignition components, or sensor data errors (like a bad Coolant Temperature Sensor). The Tuesday Morning Troublemaker It was 7:15 AM on a biting cold Tuesday … Read more
Quick Answer: If your car stalls at idle—especially at red lights or when stopped—the most common culprits are a failing idle air control valve (IACV), vacuum leaks, a dirty throttle body, or a malfunctioning mass airflow sensor (MAF). Diagnosis starts with checking for error codes and inspecting hoses and sensors. Many fixes are DIY-friendly and … Read more
It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon in late fall, around 3 p.m., when a silver 2012 Honda Accord pulled into the bay with the check engine light flashing and the owner looking white-knuckled. The customer, a nurse on her way home from a 12-hour shift, said the car had been stalling engine randomly—sometimes at stoplights … Read more
It was a sweltering July afternoon in the shop, the kind of heat that makes the concrete floor radiate up through your boots. A 2008 Toyota Camry rolled in, the owner sweating almost as much as his car. “It’s running like a dog, and the check engine light’s been on for weeks,” he said, tossing … Read more
Quick Answer: Oxygen sensor failure usually shows up as poor fuel economy, rough idle, or a check engine light. Most O2 sensors last 80,000–120,000 miles. Replacement is typically a moderate DIY job costing $80–$250, versus $250–$600 at a shop. That Cold Morning When the Check Engine Light Wouldn’t Quit It was a gray Tuesday morning, … Read more
Last Tuesday afternoon, a silver 2015 Honda Accord rolled into my bay with the check engine light glowing amber on the dash. The customer—a schoolteacher named Maria—told me her car had been “acting weird” for two weeks. “It hesitates when I step on the gas, and sometimes it just surges forward like it has a … Read more
From a master tech who’s replaced 500+ MAF sensors: here’s exactly what fails, how to test it, and whether you can clean it or need a new one. Quick Answer MAF sensor problems typically show up as rough idle, hesitation, or poor fuel economy. Cleaning works 30-40% of the time if the sensor is just … Read more
By Hank Riggs, ASE Certified Master Technician (L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist) 15+ Years Turning Wrenches, Diagnosing Drives, and Solving the Toughest Automotive Mysteries When your car’s engine stumbles, hesitates, or flat-out refuses to pull like it used to, your gut might scream “transmission trouble” or “ignition coil failure.” And sure, those can be culprits. … Read more
It was a busy Tuesday afternoon in the shop, pouring rain outside, when Mrs. Johnson rolled in with her 2012 Honda Accord. She was shaking a bit—told me she’d been merging onto the highway when the car just bogged down. Foot to the floor, RPMs climbing, but barely hitting 50 mph with traffic barreling up … Read more
It was a sweltering July afternoon in the shop, the kind of heat that makes the concrete floor radiate up through your boots. A 2014 Honda Accord rolled in, the owner—let’s call him Carlos—frustrated after three different shops couldn’t figure out why his car bucked like a bronco every time he hit the gas. “It’s … Read more