Car Troubleshooting Guide

* Troubleshooting Guide Troubleshooting Guide Choose your car’s symptom to learn what could be wrong and how to fix it. Whether it starts with an ominous rattling, the smell of gas or a warning light on your dashboard, unidentified car trouble can make your stomach churn. RepairPal makes it easy to find a trusted mechanic to look under the hood for you. But troubleshooting your ride first is helpful because you’ll know how urgent it is to schedule a repair, what to expect from your mechanic, and how to communicate the issue clearly. ## Troubleshooting quizzes [Engine Light On](/symptoms/check-engine-light) Take a quick quiz to learn what your car's check engine light may be signaling. [Car Won't Start](/symptoms/car-wont-start) Narrow down the cause of a car that won't start by answering a few short questions. Common symptoms You don't need to be a technician to keep track of your car's health - you just need to be vigilant about any unusual changes. When you do notice something, use all the clues you can: where it's happening, when it's happening and all the symptoms involved. [Heater Not Working](/symptoms/car-heater-not-working) [Air Conditioning Not Working](/symptoms/car-ac-not-working) [Car Leaking Oil](/symptoms/car-oil-leaking) [Key Won't Turn](/symptoms/car-key-wont-turn) [Car Engine Overheating](/symptoms/car-engine-overheating-why-it-s-happening-and-how-to-fix-it) [Rough Idle](/symptoms/car-rough-idle) [Car Failing Smog Check](/symptoms/smog-check) [Fluid Leaking From Car](/symptoms/car-fluid-leaks-what-to-do) [Car Defroster Not Working](/symptoms/car-defroster-isnt-working) [My Brakes Are Making Noise](/symptoms/why-are-my-brakes-making-noise) [Windshield Washer Not Working](/symptoms/why-wont-my-windshield-washer-work) [Car Shakes When Braking](/symptoms/what-is-causing-my-brakes-to-vibrate) [Electrical Issues After Battery Change](/symptoms/electrical-issues-after-replacing-the-battery) [Engine Stalling After New Battery](/symptoms/engine-stalling-after-battery-replacement) [Smoke Coming Out of Tailpipe](/symptoms/what-does-the-smoke-from-my-tail-pipe-mean) [Signs of a Vacuum Leak](/symptoms/what-is-a-vacuum-leak) [Car Is Shaking](/symptoms/car-shaking-reasons) [Car Making Strange Noise](/symptoms/hearing-noises-from-car) [Car Pulling to the Left or Right](/symptoms/car-pulling-left-right) [Radio Says It Needs a Code](/symptoms/car-radio-code) [Speedometer Not Working](/symptoms/car-speedometer-not-working) [Car Won't Start in the Cold](/symptoms/car-wont-start-cold-weather) [Car Making a Rattling Noise](/symptoms/car-rattling-noise) [Coolant Leaking](/symptoms/coolant-leaks-what-causes-them-and-what-to-do) [Car Smells Like Gas](/symptoms/car-smells-like-gas) [Car Is Burning Oil](/symptoms/car-burning-oil) [Spongy or Soft Brakes](/symptoms/soft-spongy-brakes-what-to-do) [Brake Lights Not Working](/symptoms/brake-lights-not-working-let-s-put-a-stop-to-that) [Cruise Control Doesn't Work](/symptoms/cruise-control-not-working) [Windshield Wipers Not Working](/symptoms/windshield-wipers-not-working) [Transmission Slipping Out of Gear](/symptoms/transmission-slipping-out-of-gear) [Brake Caliper Sticking](/symptoms/signs-of-stuck-brake-caliper) [Car Door Won't Shut](/symptoms/car-door-wont-close) [Engine Keeps Stalling](/symptoms/why-is-my-car-stalling) [Car Windows Are Stuck](/symptoms/car-window-wont-go-up-or-down) [Power Steering Not Working](/symptoms/power-steering-not-working) [Bad Gas Mileage](/symptoms/9-reasons-youre-getting-bad-gas-mileage) [Car Battery Not Jumping](/symptoms/car-battery-wont-jumpstart) [Slow Leak in Tire](/symptoms/how-to-find-stop-slow-leak-in-tire) [Key Stuck in Ignition](/symptoms/key-wont-come-out-of-ignition) [Car Struggling to Accelerate](/symptoms/car-wont-accelerate) [Battery Problems During the Summer](/symptoms/summer-heat-car-batteries) [Engine Makes Ticking Noise](/symptoms/engine-ticking-noise-causes) [Car Is in Limp Mode](/symptoms/what-is-limp-mode-why-cars-use-it) [Rear Defroster Not Working](/symptoms/rear-defroster-not-working) [Radiator Fan Not Working](/symptoms/radiator-fan-not-working) [Infotainment System or Radio Not Working](/symptoms/infotainment-system-and-radio) [Bluetooth Not Working](/symptoms/bluetooth) [Key Fob Not Working](/symptoms/key-fob-remote-not-working) [Horn Not Working](/symptoms/horn-not-working-210413112311) [Car Smell Like Rotten Eggs](/symptoms/car-smells-like-rotten-eggs) [Car Windows Don't Work](/symptoms/car-windows-wont-go-up-or-down) [Symptoms of Bad Steering Rack Bushings](/symptoms/symptoms-of-bad-or-failing-steering-rack-bushings) [Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Pump](/symptoms/symptoms-of-a-bad-fuel-pump) [Symptoms of a Bad Water Pump](/symptoms/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-water-pump) [Symptoms of a Bad Alternator](/symptoms/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-alternator) [Symptoms of a Bad Heater Core](/symptoms/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-heater-core) See more Car warning lights Dashboard warning lights are a way for your car's internal systems to signal a potential issue before the problem escalates. When these appear, notice what's happening and when it occurs (or if it's constant). You may be able to diagnose the problem on your own, but sometimes a certified technician will be necessary. [Brake Warning Light](/brake-hydraulic-system-red-warning-light) [Coolant Level Warning Light](/low-coolant-level-warning-light) [Engine Temperature Warning Light](/engine-temperature-warning-light) [ABS Light](/symptoms/abs-warning-light) [Traction Control Warning Light](/traction-control-warning-light) [Throttle Control Warning Light](/throttle-control-warning-light) [See all dashboard warning lights](/warning-lights-chart) ## Troubleshooting bad or failing auto parts [Alternator](alternator) [Catalytic Converter](symptoms-of-a-bad-catalytic-converter) [Fuel Pump](fuel-pump) [PCV Valve](pcv-valve-what-it-does-and-symptoms-of-a-bad-one) [Spark Plug](spark-plug) [Starter](signs-your-starter-is-going-bad) [Tie Rod End](tie-rod-end) [Wheel Bearing](wheel-bearing) [EGR Valve](exhaust-gas-recirculation-valve) [Distributor](ignition-distributor) [Throttle Position Sensor](throttle-position-sensor) [Fuel Pressure Regulator](fuel-pressure-regulator) [See more auto part symptoms](/encyclopedia) Find a Certified Shop Find a high quality auto repair shop or dealer near you Get back on the road * [Find auto repair near me](/auto-repair-near-me) * [Ask a question](/questions) * [Free repair estimates](/estimator) * [Car care advice](/advice) Get back on the road * [Find auto repair near me](/auto-repair-near-me) * [Ask a question](/questions) * [Free repair estimates](/estimator) * [Car care advice](/advice) Research a car * [Car overview](/cars) * [Car reliability ratings](/reliability) * [Common problems](/problems) * [Car Maintenance Schedule](/estimator/maintenance-schedule) * [Find recalls](/recalls) * [Car owner reviews](/car_reviews) Research a car * [Car overview](/cars) * [Car reliability ratings](/reliability) * [Common problems](/problems) * [Car Maintenance Schedule](/estimator/maintenance-schedule) * [Find recalls](/recalls) * [Car owner reviews](/car_reviews) More from RepairPal * [Diagnostic OBD-II codes](/obd-ii-code-chart) * [Dashboard warning lights](/warning-lights-chart) More from RepairPal * [Diagnostic OBD-II codes](/obd-ii-code-chart) * [Dashboard warning lights](/warning-lights-chart)