I am a retired Mechanic and love watching your video's (never too old to learn) I purchased your 'special' relays and they save so much time just the other day I was fixing an A/C issue when the clutch would not engage, plug in the 'special' relay flipped the switch the clutch engaged and knew immediately that was no the problem, charged the A/C now everything is fine. Thank You

"Don't put things in the wrong hole" I can't wait for the follow-up video on Hoovie's SLS. Love your work Wizard!

"We're back at grandma, and yes she's still for sale" Best Quote of 2020.

I’m glad there’s people like you on KZfaq. Thanks for the advice.

As a shade-tree mechanic, I really appreciate the tips and tricks that you share with us... especially on cars that don't have carburetors or breaker point ignition (which I grew up with!). So many "mechanics" nowadays are just "parts changers" who change out suspect parts until they hit upon the problem by chance. You and South Main Auto Repair are not only great diagnosticians, you are also good at explaining to the layman how to find the problem, and how to repair it. Thanks, Wizard... you are appreciated!

I love the baby yoda shirt. Baby yoda while working on a baby yota

We need a Wizard 'Don't put things in the wrong hole' T-shirt.

I would have not used the plastic pliers and test lead to potentially fry the coil like that, I would have just cleared the code, and switched coils #1 and #2 and then seen whether the fault code now comes up on cylinder 2 or whether it stays on cylinder 1. Yes, that means removing more fasteners (1 more lose than with the Wizard's method, and 2 more tight, although most of them don't necessarily need to be tightened for just a short test) and unplug and plug in 2 electrical connections. So it's about 1 minute more work, but you save on buying tools ;)

In the old days at the motorcycle shop, the lowest guy on the totem pole would have to hold the shaft of a screwdriver stuck the spark plug wire. The mechanic would kickstart it and if the guy dropped the screwdriver, you had spark.

Learned some good stuff that will save me money on my truck repairs

Scotty kilmer is incredulous right now about your Toyota diagnosis!!

Wizard couldn't you switch the coil to another bank and see if the problem moves That would also tell you that the coil is bad and you could have the same fix

You're a Great Automotive Repair Instructor. You're instructions are straight forward and easy to follow. A OBD-II Code Reader is a Must Have Tool, Your Load Test Light bulb, Multimeter, optional extra Tester the Power Probe 3 or newer model makes for quick Ground Diagnostic Trouble Shooting. Plastic Pliers & Silcone Test Leads is also Must Have Tools.

Ok Mr. Wizard thank you so much for making my hobby more enjoyable! I bow to you sir. yeah i am buy the plastic pliers right now.

Great advice! I know it was intended to be generic advice, but that generation of OBD-I Ford (EEC-IV) will perform an automated cylinder balance test where it raises the idle up to about 1500rpm, then drops out one injector at a time and looks for corresponding rpm drop. It’s a quick, easy way to see if all 8 injectors are contributing equally

Jaguars from 2004-2009 are notorious for faulty grounds due to the copper wires grounded (earthed) to the aluminum body with aluminum ground studs. Especially the four behind the headlights which are somewhat exposed to the elements. The trunk ones less so, but still should be cleaned. Also, all the studs are very delicate and will break if over tightened. That’s your Jag Tip of The Day.

I need a Car Wizard near me. A mechanic you can trust - what everybody needs. Keep up the good work, Wizard.

Jesus those rims on the 360 are a thing of beauty...

It would be nice if the test relay plug had an LED on the control line to indicate activation line state as well.

funny how the only problem of the toyota was man made because of poor maintenance.

One more tip for finding a bad coil for cars with individual coils: swap the suspect coil with one on another cylinder and see if the code moves with it. Also never assume your new part is going to be good or last very long. Had a new plug wire go bad after only a week or two in an 88 S10. Tripped a code and ran really bad. Thought it was something expensive and at the time I didn't have computer experience. Dealership missed it and tried to sell a bunch of unneeded stuff. I bought a couple of the things (rebuilt computer and throttle body gasket). Didn't need either. Went back to basics with the VOM and found the bad wire that the dealer's scope should have caught.

You should put chapters and links to each tip in the description. Any time someone looks for that issue you'll get a hit and possibly a fan. Love you Wizard.

Great video! Love these! Definitely have taken the "validate the problem" tip to heart before trying to fix something, and these tips definitely help prove what has actually failed.

Q: What do I do now? A: Throw parts at it and hope it goes away!

those relays with the switch can make a great theft deterrent

your channel has come so far. super happy your are making videos!

Don't know if this was already mentioned but consulting a forum or two dedicated to your make and model can be incredibly helpful

The “bonus” tip was my favorite of them all. Bonus points for that epic yoda shirt. 👍

As far as coils go, with a single cylinder misfire I usually use the old swap the coil and see if the misfire jumps trick. Usually won't break out the spark tester unless I'm dealing with actual plug wires. Another thing is if you're not 100% what a reading is supposed to be, or what a good injector sounds like, check them all. Chances are if you've got an odd one out, that's your problem.

I have to say, I appreciate watching the proper way to troubleshoot. I'm a capable backyard mechanic, have always owned older vehicles mostly with issues of some sort and can usually get it taken care of. But these tips are very helpful.

Wizard that power probe is a great tool. It can also blow a circuit if it triggers the wrong circuit if it is used wrong.

A 2005 Rav4 is unusual in your shop, compared to what you usually work on lol

This series is wonderful and I would love to see some more similar videos.

Some excellent tips. Very much a case of a common sense approach to problem solving. Certainly helps if you know what to do, see videos by Car Wizard, and have the basic tools for completing the checks to hand.

You are a good man Wizard, it's awesome that you give these little workshops full of helpful tips!!! I hope that you find a good home for Grandma. 👍 I love the bonus tip!! 😁

Gold. I tell ya this is GOLD!!! Every car I buy I clean all body grounds first. Bad grounds throw weird "other" electrical issues. (Eliminate the negatives!) 20 year old vehicles: Porsche and Mercedes OWNER and daily drivers.

Thanks Merlin 🤯! Your insight and experience helps me on my budget car path. I do my own repairs too...

Super happy to have been shown your channel.... as far as explaining goes..... I don't think you can be beat !

Out of context Wizard: "grandma is for sale"

Swap the fan relay with the a/c compressor relay. If the fan start to work. You have found the problem.

As a new mechanic apprentice I appreciate these videos. Thank you wizard.

With wire leads and a DVM, there is no need for a voltage probe or special relay test switches. 12v and ground can be measured (meter) or applied (battery) anywhere.

Just these tools and more importantly the technician that understands how to use them and foundational knowledge of vehicle componentry. Great sharing of knowledge sir.

I have the same shirt! Such a stylish wizard.

Ground’s definitely can be intermittent gremlin problems. Years ago I worked on a boat trailer that had brake lights slighty glowing through tail lights sometimes. Nothing worked right. Several mechanics had tried to fix it. Took awhile but finally found ground problem-2 piece trailer hitch on boat trailer with master cylinder for braking as weight pushed against pickup when braking. Poor ground which changed weak and stronger depending on hitch movement. Added good flexible ground wire between the 2 piece hitch and WOW. Everything worked fine.

That Bonus tip gave me a big chuckle, thanks for that gift as well as your insights into mechanical items.

Car Wizard, this is one of your best videos for the DIYer. I will be buying the relay switch from your Amazon link. I have to watch this video again and make notes for electrical issues. A lot of DIY mechanics are weak when it comes to diagnosing electrical issues. You just may it much easier. Thank You & Merry 2020 Christmas to You & Your Family and Happy 2021 New Year.

Enjoyed the tips. Thanks for doing them. Nice addition to your channel 👍🏼

Thank you Mr. Wizard, thank you for not taking yourself too seriously, as life always has a way out of a BAD bind.😉😉😉👍

I can not help but like this guy He is a great automotive instructor

Just came here to give you a shout out. So many people would have screwed things up by not owning that mistake with Hoovie's car. You didn't. You owned that shit and made it right. You have my respect

I've owed a few Mercedes and I've always gone thru them electonically. But here the Wizard taught me alot!

I could watch this channel all day. I appreciate any KZfaqr who doesnt yell at the camera.

Thanks to the “Wizard’s” for another great video with useful info for us DIYers. Look forward to the next. Be well.

6:50 LOL "oH It mIGht bE A FuEL inJeCtoR..."

Even Toyotas need some love!

Funny relay story... My fire department had a ladder truck that the headlights would randomly shut off. One night when it happened, the officer, sitting in the front passenger seat, stomped his feet and said some non-YT friendly words, and... the headlights came back on! Magic? nope... relays were under the officer's position floorboards and the headlight relay was loose!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezard :)

Great, Great video Wizard, many, many problems occurs of faulty connections/bad grounds. Excellent video. Thanks.

I could literally binge watch these series

This is definitely one of the top most useful videos on KZfaq.

Great tips :) i made your light bulb tester thingy from an old voltmeter a few yrs ago but learned something new in using it to test grounds Thx for that, i made it to check power easily because was just sitting there going in garbage most likely an it had the leads to probe with so soldered a bulb in an instant tester cost nothing, now i'm going to add a switch to be able to add power to test things to omg your so smart :) humm might need two switchs and two more leads to be able to give something ground and power at the same time humm, o well tinkering is always fun !

Man, that wrong hole thing isn't going away ANY time soon is it?

That Power Probe is on top of the list with scanner, test light, DVOM, and oscilloscope as must have for diagnostics. I didn't really think much of it till I got one. They are as low as $50 if you forego some fancy features like injector testing.

What a great channel! Honesty is the best policy, specially from a good mechanic. You got a new subscriber.

Thank you Mr Wizard! My grandson was able to remove a bolt from underneath the car he was working on. It was my suggestion but your advice! Thank you for your videos! I got the credit for removing the stuck bolt lol

I never knew those rocker switch relays existed. Thanks, Wizard

The 2005 Toyota RAV4 looks too small for my taste, but I am looking forward for the second half on tips six through ten for diagnostic maintenance. Also, please note that the Toyota 2AZ-FE engine, which is the 2.4 L four-cylinder engine from 2002 to 2009 is known for oil sludge, if you do not replace the engine oil on schedule. This engine goes on most Toyota models. Thank you very much.

Going through all these videos picking up 💎s, appreciate it man!! 🙏🏿

I wouldn't have changed that Toyota coil... At most I'd have said to the customer "it may happen that the coil will need a replacement soon, if so call me and we'll do the job in 10 mins here". Testing the injectors: on modern cars you can command them from the OBD. Or you do a simple circuit with 12V battery and a button: when you push the button you close the circuit on the injector and you should hear it to click. I used that way( (in conjunction to a ultrasonic cleaner and some injector cleaner) to clean my motorcycle injectors after I disassembled them from the intake. For ground check, a light pen 3W normally is enough. Another absolutely necessary tool nowadays is a portable oscilloscope. Without that you can't check CAN/LIN buses or any other electronic sensor. I got one for 130$ and it's great. About the wrong holes... We are in modern time, each his own... Oh, you were speaking of mechanical stuff... OK :D By the way, another GREAT diagnostic guy is this from Netherlands (he does video in En). kzfaq.info/love/R73yN7vT7-P541g2qlfRrgvideos

Thank you wizard. I love the tools and great tips👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Another quick tip if you work on french cars, cylinder#1 is on the flywheel side. Make sure you diagnose the right one

last tip is actually the greatest about the wrong hole, sure nothing bad happened to the car. but in everyone else's case its just a lesson to double triple check something before you do it, so you wont damage something insanely expensive or hard to fix, like if you are replacing a water pump etc check to be sure you are doing it wright before you do it

Tech schools and dealerships hate him!

OK you are like the Bob Ross of the mechanical world, soothing voice, happy little wiring, kudos and keep it up ;)

Thanks man. I love ur generosity at giving out knowledges. U’re not like other mechanics. Wish u’re here in Bay Area. Kansas is like so far.

Thanks wizard for another useful learning video !

Don't put things in the wrong hole! One of the best tips from Car Wizard!

Useful, practical, brilliant! More tips please

Wizard is not exaggerating in the slightest about the symptoms of a bad ground. If it is a super weird (especially inconsistent) electrical problem, your first thought should be a bad ground. While it's not always a bad ground, that is often easier to check and fix than other possibilities. Also, Wizard's setup for a load tester is a great idea. Unless you happen to have junk car parts handy, I would make one out of a "generic" (ie old US pickup) light bulb socket off the shelf of the parts store. These already have leads on them. It should have a part number for a bulb on the package, get that lightbulb too. Small bulbs, tip of little finger size, will draw 1 amp or less. Larger, end of thumb size, will be 1.5 -3 amps. Headlights will almost always be 5 amps. Don't use LED bulbs, they hardly use any current at all. Same with a test light, its not LED but it is very small. The newb workers at a parts store might not understand, if so, ask for a manager or "someone more experienced". As long as you try not to sound like a snob, they won't mind.

Great tools. Last tool is awesome. Talk about cutting time down for diagnosing

Love ❤️ the older cars you have in your shop.

That last one is a pro tip for life!

Hey Wizard 🧙‍♀️ When will your boat repair shop be opening up ?? I will be your first customer 👍👍👍

Mercury marine sells something similar to the Autell for their outboard boat engines. I have the Mercury Vessel View attached to the 90 squirrel-power outboard on my 17 foot Bayliner. It has a module that ties into the fuel injection OBD plug and sends a BlueTooth signal to an app on my phone showing the water temp, voltage, gallons per hour, gallons remaining in the tank [based upon usage and you updating the app when you put gas in], oil pressure, and hours. If there is a code that suddenly appears a message comes up on the screen and tells you what is wrong. Since this is a MERCURY engine this system is a good thing to have. Don't even get me started.....

Those relays with the on off swich are great but i have the ones that also have a wire loop on them so u can hook an amp clamp around it do current measurements on thats circut. I love them

I was having a misfire on my 3.4 tacoma. Everything was pointing towards a fuel issue. My neighbor suggested adding 1 ounce of tcw3 2 stroke marine oil per 5 gallons of gas. It fixed the misfire. My guess it was a sticky fuel injector

What a likable fella

This guy is not only an amazing mechanic but an amazing teacher. I suspect he could've been a brain surgeon had he wanted to. So glad he decided to help people on KZfaq! What a fantastic resource. And very entertaining - Hoovie reminds me of Jeff Goldblum - hilarious. THANKS WIZARD! If I lived closer id buy grammaw!

There is also the chance that the boot is not sealed tight to the bottom of the coil, and allows the spark to jump sideways to the lip of the valve cover. Had that issue and noticed upon removing the boot that there was vaporized plastic and charring across the coil's underside plastic seating surface and top of the boot, where the boot sealed to the coil.

Check your plugs. Swap 1&2 coils you'll have your answer.

My autoshop teacher had us stick our fingers in the plug wires for lawn mowers while someone pulled the cord to show us how coils work and test them. First year autoshop assignment was to rebuild a lawn mower engine and get it to run.

Love these general diagnostic episodes you do. Great tips as always; keep these and the multiple question “which issue does this vehicle have” type videos coming. The trickier the more interesting.

Wow these are really good tips! Love ur videos wizard

Thanks for helping this crude mechanic!

"don't put things in the wrong hole"...I wonder if Hoovie knows that?

Very humbling Wizard, good on you mate 👍

Thank you for sharing your knowledge Mr Wizard

Quick tip for wizard tip number 3, you could technically use a multi-meter and a power resistor if you didn't want to make a light contraption like the wizard has. You would set your multi-meter to amps (change the connections accordingly) and connect your power resistor in series with the multi-meter. Then you would jiggle the ground bolt and look for changes in current draw. Same principle applies, but since a power resistor doesn't light up, you have too look for changes in the current draw (thus the multi-meter). Power resistor ratings are in Watts. Using ohms law (google if you want to know the math) you would find that you would need a power resistor of wattage equal to Watts = 144/Ohms, so something like an 8 ohm 100 watt power resistor would work if you wanted to perform a test like the wizard.

This guy is a wizard! Great information!