Having a light on your vehicle’s dashboard turn on can catch your attention and even be a bit distracting. Multiple dashboard lights, however, might cause some concern. The tire pressure light, check engine light, oil pressure warning light, and anti-lock braking system (ABS) light are some of the symbols you may see. Different meanings are typically associated with each of them, and more than one problem could be behind the alert. But did you know that multiple dashboard lights can stem from one issue? Multiple dashboard lights, one problem On specific vehicles, a problem might result in a co ..read more

Warmer weather is on its way, and before we know it we will have the A/C system on full blast. During this transition – where it isn’t too hot or too cold – we recommend confirming that your car’s air conditioning system is working. If you notice that it isn’t blowing cold air or no air is coming through the vents, have the problem checked out by an auto repair shop. Air conditioning condenser Common a/c issues There are numerous causes behind car AC problems. Among them are several common ones. You may have a malfunctioning expansion valve or a blocked condenser that needs to be changed. A ..read more

Check engine lights are unique in that they aren’t rooted in one cause. They can indicate a number of problems.  But what happens if the check engine light keeps coming back on? If you have a repeat check engine light, you should have it looked at by an auto repair shop or automotive professional. The driver of a Chevrolet Cruze brought their car to Steve’s Auto Repair to have the problem addressed. Figuring out the cause of a repeat check engine light The check engine light was off when our technician started working on the Chevy Cruze. However, he found a stored code of P0017, which ind ..read more

Shifting problems can sometimes occur among vehicles with automatic transmissions. This was the reason why a four-door F-150 pickup truck came into our shop the other week. The technician who was working on it checked the basics and found that the transmission fluid was low by about three quarts.  He also looked into Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and common problems with these trucks. Through this process, we learned that the seal at the transfer case can go bad, causing the transmission fluid to go into the transfer case.  Searching for the transmission fluid We put the vehicl ..read more

The case of a mysterious starting problem has been closed. Like many repairs, the issue required some digging. Our Woodbridge mechanics recently worked on a Buick Lacrosse that refused to start. At first, the issue was occurring intermittently. Our customer would turn the key and it may not have “caught” to start the vehicle.  Eventually, it reached the point that every time the driver would turn the key they could hear the starter trying to engage. However, it just sounded like it was spinning and nothing was happening. So, they had the vehicle towed to Steve’s Auto Repair. What was caus ..read more

One of our technicians tracked down a grinding noise on a Toyota Sienna this week. At first, the driver noticed the sound while they were braking. By the time the vehicle reached Steve’s Auto Repair and Tire, it was heard even when the brakes weren’t applied. Rough spot on brake rotor As he took the Toyota on a test drive, the technician heard a growling noise. When it was placed on a lift, he noticed that the tire was loose. The rotor was grinding inside the caliper, and he found a rough spot where it was rubbing. During a previous visit, we had replaced a wheel bearing. This time, we decid ..read more

Usually, we’re able to determine the cause behind an engine problem. But a Volvo Cross Country is leaving us scratching our heads. The customer noticed the red oil light come on as she was driving and pulled into a local parts store. The employees checked the oil level and said it was full. Upon hearing this, the customer drove down to our Woodbridge auto repair shop.  By the time she reached Freedom High School and Northern Virginia Community College on Neabsco Mills Road, the engine shut off. Remaining calm during what can be a very stressful situation, she switched it into neutral and ..read more

Common electrical problems on vehicles today can range from something as simple as a fuse being blown to a computer or charging system problem.  Some possible issues include: The alternator going bad A fuse that has blown Problems with the throttle body Corrosion buildup on the battery terminal A bad car battery Below is a more detailed explanation about each problem. Common electrical problems Bad alternator Having a malfunctioning or bad alternator is one possible culprit behind electrical problems. Alternators take on the electrical load of the vehicle. On a nice, sunny day, there ma ..read more

If you’ve noticed that cold air isn’t blowing through the vents when you turn on your car’s ac, it may be a sign of an ac leak. A Honda Accord not blowing cold air was one problem we addressed earlier this week. Our Woodbridge mechanics solved the issue by replacing the air conditioning condenser. You can read about how to maintain the condenser in this article we shared. This particular car is using refrigerant 1234yf. Air conditioning condenser problems With the way certain vehicles are being manufactured, the metal for the condenser is thinner than it used to be. Depending on the type of me ..read more

Chilly temperatures are lingering in Northern Virginia. However, AC repair has already begun for the year at Steve’s Auto Repair. Last week, one of our technicians performed A/C diagnostics on a small bus body that’s used by a local Boys & Girls Club. Our Woodbridge mechanics are able to do AC repair on Chevrolet vans and GMC vans. These particular types of vans – so the 1500, 2500 and 3500 series of Chevrolet vans and GMC vans – basically use all of the same air conditioning components.  A/C diagnostics: Blockage in the compressor On the Boys & Girls Club vehicle, the A/C compres ..read more