Dave’s Free Car Repair Advice

Dorothy writes:

Someone threw a rock at my 2006 Nissan 350Z and broke out the tail light. The dealership wants to charge me $300 for the part and $98 for labor! Is there a way I can get a used tail light and have it put on the car? I really need to save some money!

Dorothy, you can usually get replacement parts at an auto junk yard in or around your city. Tail lights are expensive but a junk yard will charge you half the price at most. Just be sure to look real careful at the one they sell you to make sure it is the correct replacement.

Brent asks:

How do you change the fuel pressure regulator on a 1997 Safari? (4.3 Vortec)

Brent, I don’t have that specific motors manual. I would suggest you look at the fuel rail on top of the manifold and look for the regulator which would have a fuel relief line going back to the fuel tank acting as the pressure relief line. If your fuel pressure is low you may have a fuel pump going out or a fuel filter that is becoming clogged up.

Replace the penny test with the quarter test when you check your tire wear:

“Blame it on inflation. For years the de facto standard for determining how much rubber remained on your tires was to use a penny. Depending on how much of Lincoln’s noggin was visible when the coin was placed in the tire’s treads, you knew if it was time for a new set of shoes for your ride.

Now nationwide retailer The Tire Rack says the price of the test has gone up 2500 percent. The Tire Rack claims the so-called Penny Test should be replaced by the Quarter Test if you want to be certain your tires are safe for wet-weather driving.”

“I have a 1990 Cadillac Seville. While driving the instrument cluster and information center went dark and I smelt like smoke fumes. I pulled the information center all bulbs were good, no information no lite -the heater works when I push the buttons. Ernest.”

Ernest, there is a fuse for the instrument panel display. Check there first, although a fuse should not smell like smoke. I would also check underneath the dash for a burnt wire of any type. The heater would be on another fuse most likely and that should work.

Good Luck Ernest and drive safe.

Remember back in the day when gas was less than $.50 a gallon, and you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, all for free, every time? And you didn’t pay for air? And, you got trading stamps to boot?

Subject: Power windows in 2002 Ford Explorer

Noel writes; Hi, All windows failed at once. manual does not list a fuse and I can’t get the right info on line, from my dealer or from Ford in Dearborn. What could it be..can someone tell me the fuse #.

Noel, since it is hard to identify which fuse it is then just check each fuse for one that is blown. Your fuse box cover should have a sticker labeling the circuit to each fuse. I

f you don’t find the one or none are blown then look for another fuse block either under your dash or under the engine compartment.