Category: How To

Categories
Automotive Repair Videos DIY Auto Repair How To

How To Solder And Protect Automotive Wiring (Tips And Tricks)

how to solder wires
how to solder wires

How To Solder And Protect Automotive Wiring. In this video, I will be showing you how to repair the wiring in your car or truck. Automotive wiring should be soldered and protected properly in order to withstand all types of weather rain snow and salt.

I will show you how to solder wires together the right way to seal the solder joint with heat shrink is a must and you also need to make sure you do not have a cold solder joint.

I will be using a power probe butane soldering gun. This tool worked the best for me in the automotive application and make it a breeze get that tuff to reach wires repaired, soldered and sealed properly.

A few tips and tricks to use when soldering is to first always make sure you do not have a cold solder joint, make sure you are using the right solder for the job and always make sure you seal your solder joint from all types of weather. Thanks for watching The Flat Rate Mechanic

What I Used in this video:

Power probe butane soldering gun: https://amzn.to/2Rv2OaV

Rosin core solder: https://amzn.to/2PqkMJ2

Shrink Rap: https://amzn.to/38myGEH

Rosin Paste flux: https://amzn.to/38ekg9o

Heat Gun: https://amzn.to/36g8BVL

Helping Hands: https://amzn.to/2P3jJQ3

Torch: https://amzn.to/36eraK7

Subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://goo.gl/j1pCfn
For the most common automotive fixes to the most common car and truck problems. DIY auto repair to help you save money.

Categories
Blog DIY Auto Repair How To

Headlight Restoration DIY Preparation And Protection That Will Last

Headlight Restoration DIY Preparation And Protection That Will Last
Headlight Restoration DIY Preparation And Protection That Will Last

Headlight Restoration DIY Preparation And Protection That Will Last OK Like the title says be talking about Headlight Restoration DIY Preparation And Protection That Will Last

I’m going to bust all the headlight restoration myths in this video and explain what really works to keep your headlights looking like new for years to come if your headlights have become hazy oxidized and starting to yellow this is the video for you.

Due to all the misinformation out there plus all the feedback I have gotten on the headlight restoration video I did over a year ago. I have come to a method everyone can agree with and if you know of better headlight restoration and protection practices be sure to comment below with what works for you.

Products in this video:

**Nano-glass-ceramic coating designed specifically for polycarbonate headlight https://amzn.to/2O3qCR5

Mother’s aluminum polishes https://amzn.to/330ZBSo

Wipe on Headlight protectant https://amzn.to/2s1M3JJ

Headlight polish/ 3m hard plastic cleaner https://amzn.to/32XNPYV

Spray Clear Coat https://amzn.to/2px70v1

Headlight restoration sandpaper kit https://amzn.to/2Kz2wv5

**3m Headlight restoration kit https://amzn.to/2O1iD6N

Clear vinyl protectant https://amzn.to/340ouiA

**Meguiars headlight restoration kit https://amzn.to/37ot107

WD-40 https://amzn.to/2r9UYbm

Toothpaste https://amzn.to/32VvM5O

I will also be referring to it a lot in this video because the preparation method will
be the same and definitely the best way hands down to fix your UV damaged headlights. Were a lot of the controversy comes in is when it comes to how you should protect your freshly restored
plastic headlight

And there are many different ways, all with there advantages and disadvantages as well as the price and time and skill it will take. I will be answering all
questions in this video.

Depending on the condition of your headlights, weather it just is some light fading

or some very bad oxidation and yellowing

Or maybe the factory clear code is starting to chip from the headlight lens.

This will determine how you should go about restoring your headlight.

If the factory protectant layer is still intact I would just recommend a light polish with a 3000 grit sandpaper and a light compound I like to use from 3m

Subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://goo.gl/j1pCfn
For the most common automotive fixes to the most common car and truck problems. DIY auto repair to help you save money.

Categories
Blog How To

Deceptive Car Salesman Tactics To Look Out For

Deceptive Car Salesman Tactics To Look Out For
Deceptive Car Salesman Tactics To Look Out For

Deceptive Car Salesman Tactics. What this video before buying any used car.

Shady car salesman are know for doing many things to try and make a buck. In this video, I will be reviling a few of there secrets that I came across.

Categories
Automotive Repair Videos Blog How To

Common Mistake Every Mechanic Makes

Common Mistake Every Mechanic Makes
Common Mistake Every Mechanic Makes

Common mistake every mechanic makes in their career and something you’re definitely going to want to double-check after you have had new tires installed on your car.

Check tire pricing on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2O8lH1s

Many tires are directional and should only be mounted one way. Also, some tires aren’t directional but still have inner and outer labeling on the sidewall which needs to be followed. If you can read the outside label on the sidewall the tire is on correctly. If your tire read inside then the title needs to be dismounted and remounted.

You can also tell if a tire is a directional a lot of times just by looking at the V shape in the tread. V shape should always be pointed downwards when looking at the front of the tire. If it’s pointing up then your tire is mounted wrong.

There will also be a directional arrow on the sidewall of the tire telling me which direction it should be turning. I have seen just about every mechanic make this mistake at least once so as a customer it is always a good idea to double-check The Mechanics Work once you get your car back in your new tires installed.

Subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://goo.gl/j1pCfn
For the most common automotive fixes to the most common car and truck problems. DIY auto repair to help you save money.

Categories
Automotive Repair Videos Blog DIY Auto Repair Hard Start How To No Start Diagnosis

How To Tell If Your Car Has A Bad Fuel Pump On The Side Of The Road

How To Tell If Your Car Has Bad Fuel Pump
How To Tell If Your Car Has Bad Fuel Pump

In this video, I’ll go over if your car has a bad fuel pump on the side of the road. In many cases, if you’re driving down the road and your car stalls there’s only a number of different things that could be.

Fuel Pumps on Amazon https://amzn.to/2Qej7tK

The most common being a bad fuel pump and in many instances, you can tell if that’s your problem without any tools and may even possibly be able to get you a fuel pump working again.

Watch this video to find out how you can tell if you have a bad fuel pump with no tools.

Fuel pump failure is the number one cause of a car stalling when you are driving.

Try this easy test to see if you can get the fuel pump working again.

How to test a fuel pump with no tools

Subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://goo.gl/j1pCfn
For the most common automotive fixes to the most common car and truck problems. DIY auto repair to help you save money.

Categories
Automotive Repair Videos Diagnostic Tools DIY Auto Repair How To

How To Clear A Check Engine Light With No Scan Tool

How To Clear A Check Engine Light With No Scan Tool

In this video, I’m going to go over how to clear a check engine light without a scan tool. Also a number of reasons why you would not want to clear a check engine light with or without a scan tool.

Mini Code Reader https://amzn.to/2LwQ7Zx

Bluetooth Scan Tool https://amzn.to/302oRLp

Advanced Scan Tool https://amzn.to/2OdosyT

There are many instances that you’re not going to want to clear your check engine light due to two reasons that you may need that information for your repair. In some cases, it’s not a bad idea to clear your check engine light prior to diagnosing just to verify the problem is still there and it was not a fluke like a loose gas cap or something along those lines.

If the check engine light does come back it is then definitely time to make sure you have it repaired. But there are ways to clear the check engine light without a scan tool.

Subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://goo.gl/j1pCfn
For the most common automotive fixes to the most common car and truck problems. DIY auto repair to help you save money.

Categories
Automotive Repair Videos Blog DIY Auto Repair How To

Reduced Engine Power Light (Mystery Solved)

Reduced Engine Power Light
Reduced Engine Power Light

Reduced engine power light. In this video would be going over what the reduced engine power light means and what you should do to fix it, a few things you can try prior to spending any money on new parts or repair and how to relearn the throttle body after you repair the reduced engine power light.

We will also be disassembling electronic throttle body to find out what has failed that may have caused the reduced engine power message to come on – in the 1st place.

Reduced engine power light

If cleaning the throttle body did not fix the reduced engine power light here are the links to parts you may need and some more DIY auto repair videos.

Electronic throttle body: https://amzn.to/2ZBiEkR

Electronic throttle body repair kit: https://amzn.to/2FnkgY1

Subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://goo.gl/j1pCfn
For the most common automotive fixes to the most common car and truck problems. DIY auto repair to help you save money.

Categories
Automotive Repair Videos Blog Check Engine Light DIY Auto Repair How To

Check Fuel Cap Light (P0442 Small EVAP Leak)

Check Fuel Cap Light
Check Fuel Cap Light

Check fuel cap light on in your car or truck? In this video, I go over what you should check first if you have code p0442, p0455, p0456 or a check gas cap light and or a check engine light. Do this easy check before spending any money on repairs.

Pocket scan tool: https://amzn.to/2KszBL6

Blue Drive OBD2 Bluetooth Scan tool: https://amzn.to/2MU1xJE

More videos on EVAP system repair: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa1nGolaBjZnBDvpDYUt-fuROCDykfBLE

Subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://goo.gl/j1pCfn

Categories
Automotive Repair Videos Blog DIY Auto Repair How To

How to Test Any Relay (Relay Testing Hack)

How to Test Any Relay
How to Test Any Relay

How to test any car relay. Relay testing hack you can do in your car. I will show you many different ways to test a car relay with a battery, jumper wires, and a power probe.

Subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://goo.gl/j1pCfn
For the most common automotive fixes to the most common car and truck problems. DIY auto repair to help you save money.

This video goes over how to test a cars relay. We will be testing the relay out of the car with a battery, jumper wires, and a power probe. I will show you how to test a 3 4 and 5 pin relay.

RELAY TESTING STEPS:
PINS:
Control Circuit (shows resistance 50 to 120 ohms)
86 Power In (example: from Ignition Key)
85 Ground

Switch Circuit that controls Accessory Item (ie STARTER MOTOR)
30 Power In HOT
87 Power Out

RELAY TEST 1
Set meter to 200 ohms,
Test for resistance between 85 and 86 (Circuit with COIL)
Acceptable range 50 to 120 Ohms, example 70 ohms is GOOD
BELOW 50 or ABOVE 120 ohms = Relays is BAD

RELAY TEST 2
Listen for a click
Supply 12 volts Power to 86
Ground to pin 85
You will hear 87 to 87a closing CLICK

RELAY TEST 3
Supply power to 86 and Gnd to 85, this circuit ENERGIZED
now check for resistance between pins 30 and 87
Set meter to 2000 OHMS
Look for LITTLE or 0 resistance

RELAY TEST 4 with TEST LIGHT or light bulb
Supply power 12 volts to 86 and Gnd to 85, this circuit ENERGIZED
Supply 12 volts to pin 30
Ground your test light and TOUCH 87 to see light come on.

Categories
Automotive Repair Videos Blog DIY Auto Repair How To

How To Inspect A Used Car Before Buying “Checking Engine & Transmission “

how to inspect a used car before buying
how to inspect a used car before buying


The most important things to check  when buying a used car.

In this video, I’ll be going over how to inspect a used car before buy/purchasing it. The most important things to check like the engine and transmission, inspecting your fluids inspecting the body for rust or damage from an accident.

If you’re purchasing the car or truck for resale, you’re going to want to make sure you get it at a price that will be profitable. Also, it will be very important to make sure a vehicle is going to be registerable and inspectable.


Is the vehicle’s title is good

You’re going to want to make sure the vehicle’s title is good. Making sure the title is not a salvage title. You want to make sure the used car you are buying has no types of leans on the title. Also, make sure the back of the title is filled out properly. If not it could stop you from being able to register the car. Carfax history https://www.carfax.com and Kelley Blue Book value https://www.kbb.com is always a must if you really want to know what you getting into.

Check for OBD2 codes before buying a used car

Also scanning for code and making sure all the obd2 monitors are set is very important. Here are a few options for small affordable scan tools on Amazon.

Scan tool I use for checking cars computer before buying

BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool for iPhone & Android https://amzn.to/2LUvzN3

Mini OBD11 Handheld scanner https://amzn.to/2EkytnX

What you must check before buying a used car!
Used car buying guide Info graph


Major takeaways from this used car buying guide video

  1. Always make sure the title is clean and transferable.
  2. Check Kelly Blue book value of the used car you are buying to make you are getting at a good price point. Even more important if you plan on flipping this car for a profit.
  3. Checking carfax is always a very smart idea. You can check the service history and find out if the used car or truck has been in any accidents along with making sure the milage of the car matches up with its service history so you know for sure the odometer has not been altered.
  4. Checking for rust and body damage is also a very import inspection item due to the possibility of failing a state safety inspection.
  5. Always be sure to get the used car you are looking to buy up to full operating temperature to make sure there are no overheating problems.
  6. A thorough test drive is always a must. Check transmission for good smooth shifting while listening for any noises of any kind.


Important things to check when buying a used car

This is just a list of a few of the more important things to check when buying a used car. Please feel free to comment below with more common problems you may have come across trying to buy a used car.

Subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://goo.gl/j1pCfn
For the most common automotive fixes to the most common car and truck problems. DIY auto repair to help you save money.