letterstosiegel
Ira Siegel
Ira Siegel is an automotive correspondent for Sun-Times Media. An assistant professor of automotive technology at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Ill., Siegel has been an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician for more than 25 years. Siegel has worked professionally as an automotive technician …Read More
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Letters: Heat could cause Jeep to stall
Q: I have been having problems with my 1998 Jeep Wrangler (six-cylinder). At first it would run only for five minutes. Then it wouldn’t start back up until it sat for five to 10 minutes. I have fixed multiple parts including the spark plugs, spark …Read More
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Letters: Scan Mercury for stored codes
Q: Our 2001 Mercury runs great, but lately it has developed an intermittent starting problem. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s hot or cold. I thought maybe the engine was getting flooded with fuel so I sniffed the tailpipe. There was no smell at …Read More
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Letters: Will shutting off engine to coast damage starter?
Q: Most of my driving is in the city. I have started turning off my engine when I see a red stop light. I glide to the light and turn my engine on when the light turns green. Usually, the engine is off for 20 …Read More
More Columns
Letters: Accent’s ‘racing’ engine concerns owner
Q: My 2011 Hyundai Accent is a driving and traffic hazard. The problem is that the engine will jump from an idling phase and begin revving up to a very high rpm. It happens intermittently. I brought it to the dealer last month. They said …
Letters: Carbon buildup could slow car startup
Q: I’m a pretty good backyard mechanic but my 1994 Buick LeSabre (124,000 miles) has me stumped. It runs perfectly during the warm temperature months (April-September); however, once the temperature drops below 40 degrees, this car is difficult to start. When starting it on cold …
Letters: Call Toyota about oil-thirsty RAV4
Q: My 2009 Toyota RAV4 burns about one quart of oil every 700 to 800 miles. I believe this is excessive oil consumption. I have approached Toyota on this matter and it claims that this is still within the company guidelines. Can you please comment …
Letters: Clearing codes no guarantee for passing emissions test
Q: I read that there’s a way to pass the emission test without fixing the car when the check engine light is on. The article said that you can have the codes read and then disconnect the battery for five minutes. Then you reconnect the …
Letters: Van’s bad vibrations stump dealers
Q: Help! Around 70,000 miles, our 2001 full-size Dodge 2500 van developed a noticeable vibration that only occurs between 48 and 52 mph. It’s there under power and coasting. Three separate dealers have checked it from top to bottom. The U-joints have been replaced and …
Letters: Faulty ignition coil could cause start-up problems
Q: I own a 1988 Dodge Aries. It starts and runs good as long as it’s not raining. If it’s raining, it won’t start. I’ve replaced the distributor cap, distributor rotor, spark plugs and spark plug wires. What else could it be? – Dan, Chicago …
Letters: Do both catalytic converters need to be replaced?
Q: I was told that my 2002 Ford Focus needs a new catalytic converter because the engine doesn’t have much power and the fuel economy is bad. I’m also being told that this car has two catalytic converters, one up close to the engine and …
Letters: Check connections before buying security bypass kit
Q: I own a 2004 Buick Rainier CXL, which I absolutely love, but I have been having an intermittent problem with it starting during the past couple of months. When turning the key in the ignition, the security light flashes, the accessories and idiot lights …
Letters: ‘Grabby’ brakes indicate contanimation
Q: My 2003 Chevrolet S-10 has a problem with the brakes only when they are cold. During the first few applications of the brakes, the vehicle makes a screeching noise from the tires and comes to a stop quickly like the brakes are locking up. …
Letters: Drive belt holds key to front-end noise
Q: I own a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 with the four-cylinder engine. The problem is that there’s a cricketlike noise coming from the front end. The belt and belt tensioner have been replaced but the noise is still there. I’m wondering if it could be a …
Letters: Intermittent stalling has Grand Prix owner worried
Q: I own a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix (56,000 miles). I don’t drive the car as much as I used to, and I’ve been experiencing an intermittent problem that has become frustrating to me. Once in a while during initial startup the engine will stall. …
Letters: Trouble codes offer clue to illuminated engine light
Q: I own a 1998 Mercury Sable with only 63,000 miles. I purchased it from my mother-in-law, who rarely drove it. I’ve had a lot of work done to it but the check engine light is on. I took it in for service and the …
Letters: PCM could be cause of Rendezvous woes
Q: My wife’s 2004 Buick Rendezvous has a couple of problems. First, the fuel gauge is acting up. As the vehicle is driven and the fuel gauge approaches the halfway point, the gauge will suddenly drop to empty, even though the tank is not empty. …
Letters: There are many choices for ‘grandkid hauler’
Q: My wife is looking for a vehicle that would hold five grandkids for local trips once a week. All of the choices are expensive SUVs or vans. I have been asking her to consider one of my all-time favorites, like a good used Mercury …
Letters: Replacing Rogue cabin air filter could be tough
Q: Having two newer cars in our family, I have noticed when taking the cars to be serviced at the dealer that they seem to be pushing to replace cabin air filters. My wife has a 2008 Nissan Rogue with only 15,000 miles. The dealer …
Letters: Car needs permanent fix for spider infestation
Q: The check engine light came on in my 2003 Chevrolet Impala and I took it in for service to a local mechanic. I was charged $170 and it did not fix the problem. The emissions testing facility did not pass my car and gave …
Letters: Clicking sound could be worn CV joint
Q: My 1995 Toyota Corolla (160,000 miles) makes a repetitive clicking sound when driving slowly with the steering wheel turned sharply to the right. The noise goes away if I stop moving or straighten the steering wheel. Also, I don’t hear the noise when making …
Letters: ‘Wandering’ jeep has dad worried
Q: My 1992 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 wanders side to side at highway speeds and is difficult to keep in its lane. The problem improved slightly after the shocks were replaced and the tires were balanced, however, I’m still afraid of letting my son use it …
Letters: Repair shop can’t find AC leak
Q: I’ve had the air conditioning system in my Mercedes-Benz serviced and it doesn’t last for the entire summer. Last time it was inspected, a dye was added and the repair shop could not find a leak. What could be the cause of this? Can …
Letters: It’s easy to replace turn signal switch
Q: How difficult is it to replace the turn signal switch in my 2000 Dodge Neon? Someone once helped me change the turn signal switch in my old 1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and we had to first remove the steering wheel and a spring-loaded lock …