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: Door actuator likely culprit in heat woes
Q: I own a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix with 75,000 miles. The cabin won’t heat up. The engine temperature, after running a while, is normal. I’ve checked both hoses to the heater core and they are hot. I was told that they should not both …Read More
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Letters: Transmission woes frustrate Sonata owner
Q: The transmission in my 2010 Hyundai Sonata shifts roughly when going from first to second gear and from second to third gear. I don’t feel any slippage, just harsh shifts. I’ve had it back to the dealer four times and they have found nothing …Read More
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Letters: Ignition switch could cause car to shut off
Q: I’m having an issue with my 1995 Oldsmobile 88. After driving it for about 20 miles it will completely shut off. I can start it right up without any problems. This will occur around three times during my drive. What could be wrong? Please …Read More
More Columns
Letters: Caravan has morethan one fuse box
Q: The interior lights and power mirror in my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan (120,000 miles) have stopped working. I have checked the fuses and they are good. What do you think the problem could be? — Wendell, Miller Beach, Ind. A: Your vehicle has more …
Letters: Clunking noise has Silverado owner concerned
Q: I have a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. At times, when turning a corner and then accelerating, there’s a bad clunk noise. I took it back to the dealer a couple of times and they said it’s normal driveline lash. I can’t believe a $32,000 vehicle …
Letters: Faulty transmission, computercould cause sluggishness
Q: I have a 1998 Toyota Avalon with 130,000 miles on it. It has been well maintained and the timing belt and water pump were replaced at 90,000. Recently I was driving around 60 mph and I heard a strange noise. I pulled over as …
Letters: Fault codes can pinpoint reason for warning lights
Q: The traction and brake lamps illuminate after driving my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe for a while. I don’t understand because the brakes seem to be working just fine. What do you think could be wrong? — Barbara, email A: Even though the brakes seem …
Letters: Trouble codes may hold key to stalling
Q: I have a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Sometimes after backing out of the driveway and shifting into drive, the engine will hesitate or stall. When the engine stalls and I start it back up, sometimes the transmission will slip for a little bit and …
Letters: Stickers on CDs can damage CD player
Q: I had to replace the radio/CD/cassette player in my 2006 Lexus ES330 because the CDs would not eject. I only use the CD player to listen to audio books from the library. The dealer told me that the narrow paper ring the library puts …
Letters: Prius’ 12-volt battery may need replacing
Q: My 2006 Toyota Prius wouldn’t start when I came back from a recent business trip. It seems that the battery went dead. I tried to start the small battery under the hood and can’t seem to get it started. What could be wrong? — …
Letters: Debris could cause heater trouble in Aspen
Q: The heater in my 2009 Chrysler Aspen makes a noise whenever it’s on. Also, there is no heat coming out from the floor or defroster vents until the engine has been running for several minutes. I would like to know if this is a …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …