Posted on 8/8/2024
At One Stop Automotive we can help you get to the bottom of things and can get the mass airflow sensor working the way it is supposed to work. What is a Mass Airflow Sensor? The mass airflow sensor is located near the air filter and is an important part of the fuel injection system. It is designed to measure the volume of air flowing into the engine intake. This is very important because it regulates the air/fuel ratio mix for the engine. Signs of Failing Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF) 1. Check Engine Light (CEL/MIL): The check engine light is the first indicator of component failures. The warning light on the dashboard will illuminate to alert you of vehicle system issues. In this case you would usually get a code for a failing MAF. The issue may be caused by the sensor itself failing, bad wiring due to rodent damage or a few other things. When you have a Check Engine Light It is important to take the vehicle to One Stop Automotive for a diagnosis so this issue can be resol ... read more
Posted on 4/18/2024
Why Is My Car Overheating If your car is overheating and there are no obvious leaks, the oil level is okay, and the cooling system is properly filled, there can be several potential reasons for this issue. Here are some of the most common issues: A Malfunctioning Thermostat: A malfunctioning thermostat can prevent the proper flow of coolant through the engine, leading to overheating. If stuck in the closed position, it obstructs the circulation of coolant. Engine/Radiator Cooling Fan Problems: The radiator cooling fan helps remove excess heat from the engine. If the fan is not working correctly or fails to turn on when needed, it can result in overheating. It is important to check for proper operation of the fans(s) and any associated components. Radiator Blockage: An obstructed radiator will hold back the flow of coolant, causing the engine to overheat. Whether caused by debris or internal buildup, f ... read more
Posted on 2/27/2024
One of the most overlooked items on a vehicle is the cabin air filter. Cabin air filters are installed in your vehicles HVAC system and are designed to filter dirt, pollen and other disgusting things out of the air that you and your passengers breath inside the vehicle. They should be inspected at every oil change and changed every 12,000 miles or once a year. If neglected the filter becomes filled with debris and restricts the airflow, and less airflow means the cabin cannot be heated or cooled efficiently. A clogged filter also creates back pressure for the blower motor, making it work harder and contributing to possible premature failure. Most people think these filters are checked at every service when the vehicle is in the shop, but the truth is, many of these cabin filters are hard to access so shops with poorly trained employees may miss or skip this step. If you have asthma or other respiratory problems, it is imperative that these filters be changed ... read more
Posted on 10/26/2023
Arguably a vehicle’s most important safety system is its brakes. Specific components, including brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums and brake fluid are maintenance items that need regular replacement. A pulsation or shaking during braking can be a strong indication that the brake rotors are warped from excessive heat caused by extended or hard braking. It is important to change brake fluid every 20,000 miles or 2 years. As brake fluid ages, it begins to corrode parts such as brake lines, calipers, caliper pistons, and wheel cylinders. It can cause the ABS light to come on and will ultimately lead to reduced braking performance. It is not uncommon for the braking system hardware to move, become dislodged or even break. In Very basic terms the hardware is what holds the brake pads or shoes in place. This is very common on vehicles with drum brakes, but still happens on disc brakes. Modern braking systems are more complicated than the old ones, they include sensors, compu ... read more
Posted on 10/16/2023
Your vehicle's cooling system serves a few very important functions. It maintains the engines optimal operating temperature which is where it works most efficiently, and removes any excess heat from the engine when its under a load or outside temperatures are high. While your vehicle is in use, the coolant exits from the bottom of the radiator after it's cooled, where its then drawn into the water pump, to cycle it back through the engine where it absorbs the heat and travels back to the top of the radiator where the cycle continues. A vehicles cooling system is basically made up of the engine, radiator, the water pump, cooling fan(s), circulatory hoses, and a thermostat and coolant temperature sensor. During the engine combustion process (intake,compression,power,exhaust) the fuel energy is converted into heat, which is transferred throughout the cylinder head and block to the coolant, and cycled through the cooling system via the water pump. The hose carr ... read more