Why won't my 99 chevy malibu start? [more inside]
posted by nadawi on Sep 27, 2009 - 10 answers

I'm looking for recommendations for a power inverter for use in a car on a road trip. [more inside]
posted by tocts on Aug 13, 2009 - 5 answers

My 2001 Toyota Corolla has spontaneously developed a problem: the front and rear fog lights never turn off, even when the key is out of the ignition. A good mechanic was recommended to me, but he won't be able to see me for several weeks. He warned me to expect to spend $200 minimum. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to try to solve this myself? [more inside]
posted by churl on Jul 24, 2009 - 21 answers

Dead battery--is there a problem with my car? [more inside]
posted by phoenixy on Sep 13, 2008 - 12 answers

2002 Toyota Camry, 64K miles. No previous symptoms. After a long drive, I stopped two minutes, then tried to restart the car. Nothing. Electric systems got a little screwy: windows wouldn't go down, clock and radio stations reset, automatic shifter stuck, as did key (wouldn't come out of ignition). Strange. But then all that stuff started working again (100% ok), but car still wouldn't start. At this point, I'd get a metallic staccato sound, but no turning over. Jump start worked perfectly, car drove home perfectly (note: it was night at this point, and my headlights were on) EXCEPT when I flicked my brights for a sec. Mayhem ensued...car kept running, but laggy/weird, and speedometer went dead and random dashboard lights went on. After a few minutes, all returned to normal. I got home, parked, shut off car, and tried to restart (headlights off, of course). Nothing. Is this alternator? thanks!!!
posted by jimmyjimjim on Sep 4, 2008 - 20 answers

Why won't my car start? [more inside]
posted by torpark on Aug 20, 2008 - 25 answers

When I lock my car with the remote, approx every 1 in 5 times the drivers door doesn't lock. I hear the mechanism activate, but I can see that the little lock handle on the inside of the door only moves halfway. Similar thing happens on unlock. What's going on here and who can fix this - my regular mechanic wasn't able to help. [more inside]
posted by forallmankind on Aug 3, 2008 - 9 answers

I use a PDA (a Nokia N800) to listen to podcasts in my car. It downloads them overnight, which is wonderful. I keep it plugged into a cigarette-adapter charger, which it uses to detect the car being turned on or off (to automatically play or pause, so I don't have to fiddle with it). The problem is that the PDA's battery doesn't like the short charge cycles, and is now mostly dead. I have a plan to fix this, but it's ugly and I wanted to get more opinions... [more inside]
posted by jewzilla on May 20, 2008 - 8 answers

What might cause the running lights of a 1992/3 Subaru Legacy to all be out. I can't seem to locate a blown fuse. [more inside]
posted by SECONDHANDSMOTE on Feb 23, 2008 - 4 answers

Can anyone with classic car restoration experience help me with a strange electrical problem that I'm having with a 1961 Lincoln Continental? [more inside]
posted by Jon-o on Mar 19, 2007 - 7 answers

Car stereo fuse blowing extravaganza! Please help salvage my stereo system. [more inside]
posted by dual_action on Apr 13, 2004 - 5 answers