When the automobile was first invented, it was a purely mechanical creation. Fast-forward 130 years: Dozens of computers control everything from wiper blades and power windows to the internal combustion engine and transmission. The two main computers we usually worry about are the engine or powertrain control module (ECM or PCM) and the transmission control module (TCM).

Physically, the ECM and TCM may be located anywhere in the vehicle, such as in the trunk, under the dash, or under the hood. Using dozens of sensors, such as those that measure engine coolant temperature or transmission output shaft speed, the ECM monitors engine and transmission function. Using this data, it can fine-tune actua ... Read more »

At its most basic, a short circuit is a fault in the wiring harness, which shunts electricity between circuits before getting to its destination. A short-circuit should not be confused with an open circuit, in which current does not flow at all. Though the symptoms of a short circuit can be similar to an open circuit, diagnosis is a bit different. There are several ways a short circuit can occur, and it isn’t usually easy to find and repair. To understand how to find a short circuit, though, we need to understand how a properly-functioning circuit works.

How Car Electrical Circuits Usually Work

There are many ways that electricity is carried around the car electrical system, and a short circuit could easily interrupt the proper flow of electricity in any of them. We can ro ... Read more »

The term spark ignition is used to describe the system with which the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is ignited by a spark. The process uses an electrical field induced in a magnet or coil to build many thousands of volts that are collapsed via a timed circuit. The resulting surge of current travels along a wire and terminates at the spark plug inside the combustion chamber.

An electrical spark occurs as the charge tries to jump the precision gap at the tip of the spark plug at exactly the moment a precisely metered mixture of fuel and air — developed through atomization — has been thoroughly compressed in the combustion chamber. The result ... Read more »

It's easy to get frustrated when you get in your car and the engine won't turn over. Don't worry quite yet. If you're at home, there are three things you can test that will tell you what's wrong—and you might have an inexpensive repair on your hands. The most likely problem is a dead or drained battery. If that's good, then your battery cables might be dirty or your starter may be going bad. Rule these things out before you spend any time troubleshooting other possibilities.

Dead Battery

Just because you have a dead battery today doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go out and buy a new one. Many batteries lose their charge or go ... Read more »

Car cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore
Who doesn’t love a spotless, gleaming car? And while we’re all home-based, this is a great time to give the car a good scrub and a new lease of life. If it’s going to be sitting on the driveway, it can at least sparkle!

If you want to do the job properly, then filling a bucket with hot soapy water and wheeling the vacuum cleaner out onto the drive isn’t going to cut it. For particularly dirty cars (or perfectionists!), there are plenty of tips, tricks and products that can get things gleaming on the outside and squeaky clean on the inside. Here are a few of our favourite car cleaning tips.

Pick your moment
Washing a car like a pro can be less of a chore and more of science. ... Read more »

Every motorist worth his or her salt knows that running a car costs a fortune. From insurance and car tax to the sting of rising fuel prices, the per-mile cost of driving in the UK is at an all-time high – and that’s without adding unexpected maintenance fees.

According to the AA’s 2014 Motoring Costs report, the average motorist spends around 2p a mile on servicing and a further 2p on replacement parts. This means, that should you drive an average of 12K miles a year, you’ll be spending around £480 on repairs and maintenance alone.

To help you cut the cost of running a car, we’ve listed 7 car repairs that are easy enough to tackle at home. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should neglect to have your car serviced ... Read more »