My 93 Metro quit on me as I was driving. Came across this vid and decided to check the fuse FOR A 2ND TIME, this time I took it out for a better visual and Thank You Very Much, sir. I knew it was fixed when I heard the fuel pump priming. There was a short in my system that I was able to fix too. Great video.

Very well done, Matt. I agree with those who like to see minimalist equipment used, simulating what we might have at the roadside. A similar situation happened to me hundreds of miles from home, and with my family aboard I quickly asked for help from the mechanic in the shop 50 feet away. It took him over an hour to find a blown fuel pump fuse, and to my surprise he only charged me $20 for his time. I think he was feeling a little sheepish he didn't find it sooner. As you say it's not at the top of the list, and other data like the absent spark can send the investigation down the wrong rabbit hole.

Man, I've watched a lot of your videos because you are knowledgeable and have a quick way of getting to the problems. I have picked up a few short cuts from you and I appreciate the time and effort you put into these. That being said, those geo metros are awesome. Don't knock em til you try em! Geo for life....

I'll never tell another mechanic what to do first, I'm all about learning and it's good to see you're back in the Tube!

A few notes. Avoid probing the female pins in a connector or a fuse block with just a test light or voltmeter probe. It's OK to touch the terminals but don't jam the probe into the pin because that can cause terminal tension issues. As far as when is the right time to check the fuses, the right answer is after you have a sense of direction such as whether you were missing fuel, (pump operation and/or injector pulse) spark or both then you can start to drill down to "why" those were missing. Otherwise any other test choices made would be totally random in nature and could just as easily be wrong or right on any given vehicle.

Welcome back matt.. A long awaited video...12 minutes to watch the vid and 45 minutes to read all the comments. Love the humour Keep up the good work

Finally! Someone with a real brain.

Nice! One of my all time fave KZfaqrs!!! So much better than the mainstream mechanic channels.

I'm glad your back Matt ; keep the videos coming for us 2%ers!!

You're back! Man I missed you!

Great job diagnosing the 3 cylinder Geo Metro. Of course one never knows ahead of time where the problem might lie but only the smart guys who know what they are doing find the problem as fast as you did. So once again, this was great. My 8 cylinder VW Touareg also has been acting up. It has this weird gas-mileage problem and no mechanics have been able to diagnose it because the Touareg behaves good when it is at the shop. The problem with the truck is that during my commutes to work, most of the time it gives me poor gas mileage (15.5 - 16.5mpg average), but sometimes (~15% of the time) gives me very good gas-mileage (18 - 19 mpg average). Usually (but not always) the good gas mileage is accompanied by more power and slightly better sounding engine. At first I thought it probably had something to do with engine-temperature or humidity etc, but after many weeks of observing I have to say that neither engine temperature, nor humidity, or traffic conditions, or AC on/off, have anything to do with it. It seems it simply has to do with what mood the truck is in. When the engine feels powerful, I drive it slightly more aggressively and still end up with the same great gas mileage. Needless to say, I want great gas mileage accompanied by more power, all the time. Have you ever come across such an issue? Where do you think the problem might lie? I have some basic scanners but being a novice, I need guidance as to what I should observe and what I should look for. TIA

Thank you Matt for another awesome video! I love the FASTTEC method. Keep up the great work!

I have just started to DYI on my van and I found your website. I thank you for you taking the time to explain things.

Yes, glad to see another video, you're an inspiration to a hopeless amateur, many thanks and keep them coming.

You are absolutely brilliant. I love your knowledge and the way you interpret it. Give me more.

Love your channel. I have to admit most of your videos are over my head, but trying to learn...thanks man

Just watched the second installment of this repair on the pay channel. Honestly, Matt, you deserve a medal just for getting within fifty feet of that rancid mobile garbage bin. How can anyone not be embarrassed to bring something like that in for repair? It takes all sorts, I guess.

Thank Shrondingers Box.....Hopefully soon I can get this Kia Spectra started so I can get to work.Then I can purchase the premium ch. Thank , you have always been informative and I appreciate you..

I bought the predecessor to this new in 1984. It was the Chevy Sprint by Suzuki. It got 60mpg hwy with a carburetor.

Awesome, came here to diagnose a no start camry. Got a solid clue of where I got to be.. (I remember watching your vids awhile back) definitely knew this guy knows what he's talking about 👌

Just a new sub., who has watched a lot of your diagnostic videos on crank, no start. A lot of it is way above my head, couldn't even catch it with a ball glove. FASSTEC is very helpful. Still working on getting my sons car running. I just don't want to throw random parts at it. Even worse, it's on my sisters sloped driveway, wind is from the north, and snow. Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Good to see you back Matt. Looks like you may be gathering some new material for addressing the "hate mail" again!

very very clear discription for the not starting problem. thank you

You are really my good mentor when its come to diagnosis. Thumbs up man.

Enjoyed video. Nice to see the steps you take for diagnosing the no start condition. I never knew that if the fuel pump doesn't work, the computer shuts of the ignition. Not like the old days. That can get confusing. No fuel equals no ignition. Weird. Thanks for the video. Good to see someone that knows what they are doing working on cars.

Back: Glad to see you again. I always like the overwhelming majority of your videos.

you explain a lot in your videos. they are really helping me. makes me want to add mechanic to my carrier as a part time job. i love troubleshooting.

I hadn't realised you were back to regular postings on the pay channel, I unsubbed when the videos dried up after your promotion. It's really good value, when you consider what you get for your money. Less than the cost of a Pint of Beer over here in the UK. You guys really should give it a watch. And no Matt isn't paying me to say this.

Thanks for the videos! I've watched, learned and applied quite a bit especially with my daughter's 2002 Malibu. At the very least I've saved hundreds in diagnostic fees! I'll check out you other channel; I'm sure it's worth it.

Love you videos. You couldn't be any more correct in your process. I always check the fuses first only because in my profession I always have a volt meter handy and I'm usually on the side of the road and its the only hope of fixing it right away being that I will have extra fuses in the glove box. Randomly checking fuses is just stabbing in the dark.

Tip to identify the coil on the relay, use an ohm meter. The contact set will show either 0 ohm or OL

I am glad you are teaching again. I learn alot from you. Keep up the good work.

Sound diagnostic skills right there. Well done!

Glad to see another new video Matt! Thanks

Good job! I'm learning stuff here, because the usual way I approach problems is with a WAG (Wild Ass Guess), and usually just start replacing shit. Thanks for all this valuable knowledge.

Woot - the cat's back! Good to see you have a new video, Matt. :-)

My car cracks slower than that. Any ideas? 5.7 hemi Chrysler 300c

“Almost looks like a 4cyl, your half way there.” Um.. 3 quarters?

Imy Geo metro was doing the same. Yes it was the fuse he replaced in this video. thanks!

Love the name of this channel. Very clever 🐱🐈

Great job Matt, the FASTEC is a good sistem of diagnostic. Regards from Spain.

This was actually really helpful as a Crank No Start refresher.. Thank You!!

Just feeling the need to pop in and tell people that the basics don't always diagnose every crank, no start issue.... especially with vehicles later than 03 at least. Cat issues became a really big problem in the mid 2000s. Just got my 08 started after pulling an o2 sensor and spraying seafoam into the cat. And then I torched the sensor end of my o2 sensor to burn off the build up....red hot. Car fired up and ran for quite awhile. Will probably have to replace the cat and the o2 sensors shortly, but this was a quick fix until I can get the parts ordered. I had zero codes at all. Once I got it running I had a cat/o2 code that was there months ago and went away. Hope this helps people who have tried everything with no prevail.

I had the crank but no start problem with my 1998 Ford Escort. The problem was a worn ignition key. I used the original key which was seldom used and the car fired up with no problems. After 16 years of using the key made at a hardware store, it was a bit worn on the edges.

love the video..just wish I could see the end result of what's happening to blow that fuse without paying to watch it on your other channel.

I say check the fuses/relays first simply because it’s easiest. Got a coworker that had a bus with wipers stopping intermittently. Stole a motor off another one, changed the switch, check the air in the tires (j/k there), etc. After being down almost a week, turned out it was a bad relay. I hear what you’re saying and you’re right: that fuse blew for a reason and there’s nothing wrong with investigating further. I’m just saying always check the easy stuff first. Just my two cents.

It's always the last thing you check, because then you stop checking! Why would you keep looking once you find the problem? So of course someone will say "you should have checked that first". Thanks really like the videos!

This guy is brilliant... Absolutely brilliant.

Hahaha asshats ..... my favourite saying. I love how methodical you are 👍

The comment I made on your recent video about how following the scientific method doesn't mean you're "wrong" to check the part that isn't bad first seemed to belong a lot better here, lol. Wow. I really need my boss to watch this, but he may just remind me again the other day that I should have checked a fuse first. Sigh. ;)

There's idiots everywhere. Those not having to diagnose, often are the fastest to chime in. Good work buddy, skilled trades are slipping away but, you've got it locked in.

hello matt nice to see you back

good to see you again

what a treat a video from the cat!

I really learned a lot on your videos brother

Anther great video. Narrow that diag down to where in the fuse box first. Always look for obvious visible signs of things. And basic functionality tests.

It's always good to watch your vids. Easy to understand even if English isnt my 1st lang. :)

Ill be towards colorado springs in a month, cant wait. A high of 80 degrees there vs 105 here.

Great tutorial, well done.

thank you for sharing some knowledge with us..

something you might concider is to use a 12v automotive circuitbreaker inplace of a fuse. breakers come in different amp load sizes. its been my experience that blowing fuses until the problem is found is not only likely but can be a frustrating when you have too continue changing onetime use fuses. it seems to work well for me. like your show and your methods approch the challenges well.

I agree, hindsight is always 20/20 in the end. Sometimes fuses just "go" for no reason other than it's their time. I only worry about changing a fuse when it's black on the inside, that means it definitely went open because of a catastrophic failure (short) of some sort. If it is just open and clean looking on the inside I don't sweat it, changing it is all you can do at that point and wait and see if a failure of some sort presents itself more clearly in the future.

I have an O2 sensor diagnostic video I uploaded recently. I show what to do to diagnose without a scan tool (pre-OBDII) and without pulling out the parts shot gun.

Much better video presentation. Stayed on da subject thru da whole subject.👍

thank you for sharing some knowledge with us.

turn the key, and listen to the fuel pump ist the first thing. if you do not hear the pump check the fuse if the fuse is OK check the relay if the relay is OK check the ignition switch , if the ignition switch is OK give 12 volt to the fuel pump. if the pump is runing check the wiring if not replace the pump. German mechanics LLC . Maricopa , Arizona.

Nice to see you again Matt. Scope pattern might reveal something about the fuel pump. I still look forward to your videos although I shifted to working on electric motors.

Miss you man!

that was quick, a pleasure to watch.

good basic diagnosis..Thank you from Indonesia..

Hey boss you really inspire me!

Great video, very helpful thank you

Nice one boss, your videos has turn me to professional.

Ok I will try that... Thank you so much Matt ... your the Best !!! I appreciate your help alot my friend .

very informative and thorough, thank you

👍 Great work....

good job . all ways for your uploads .

Hi Matt look after that Vantage Pro of yours.. The reason I'm telling you this is my Snap On rep sent mine to Sydney (Aus) recently for a repair quote.Rang and told me the quote to fix was 2 grand can you believe!.You take care now and look after it.. i'm buying a Pico.

LMFAO!!!!!!.............now come on Matt, you know before you tried that ol fastec nonsense you are supposed to blast the whole engine bay with brake cleaner and you would have found the problem instantly................good work buddy glad to see you back

The coil on the relay will have a low resistance. Ohm meter. Or put 12 volts to the relay you’ll hear a click when you got the oil

A 9 volt battery test and the multimeter let's you know for sure how the relay works... looking for continuity when you use the 9 volt to make it click.

Right on.... there is no one way to go about it....and if you figure it out that's all that matters.

hey!! maat sir.. how are u. Every time you explain something thank you sir

Very well done man!

I clapped when the car started

Good job.

WOW. I'm pretty sure they sold that car as a Suzuki here. I had no idea anyone ever sold a 3 cylinder engine in the US market. I love my 3 cylinder shit box. Same MPG as a diesel and it costs a lot less to maintain.

That geo needs a turbo...

Great vid man. Ur on point sir!!!!

Hey Matt, thank you for the great video! Why is there 1 Volt even though the fuse broke?

lol those used to be all over salt lake city. i used to get a lot of them with dead cylinders. mostly cuz the owners didnt know what an oil change is. hard for rings to last when the oil has turned to tar in the pan. guy that used to deliver them to us from bone yard used to carry them into the shop fully dressed under one arm

arm chair mechanics or so they prove to be always have the answer i dealt with them many years there is always a method but hind sight is always better these folks dont understand that

You could drive it around and have a go at it. Had a small nissan micra that could only go about 25km/hr. Above that, it stutters and wasn't able to go faster. Ihad put in a spare pump I found in the boot.

GOLD!

I am talking about post-repair and only a recommendation to the customer for maintenance only if the vehicle was not maintained properly. I am heavy into providing preventative maintenance thats it. I was not saying that plugs,filter,etc.. would solve the problem the vehicle is having now.

Pay you to finish watching this vid? No thank you! Have a day pal.

So the next step would be to look a a power distribution diagram and find all the circuits that run off the fuse? The circuits that are exposed to heat and vibration are likely suspects?

Why not check the current through the fuse to see if the current draw is too high. Great video.

Hah, I just had a fuelpump die on me a few weeks ago, and the first thing I did was try to hear the fuelpump, then the fuse, then leave the ignition on and beat on the tank (which apparently kickstarted the fuelpump). Drove it to a shop, switched the ignition off, tried to start it again, same problem. Told them to swap the fuel pump, and voila. Not quite the 2% method, but I'll take it. But I agree on the fuse thing not being the obvious thing to check first, I mainly did it because I didn't have any tools with me (nor am I really that proficient with electric diagnostics etc, but I love watching others do it :P), and it was an easy thing to check. I would've been very suspicious if my car had had a blown fuse though, so will you be providing an update on this car if it happens again, and/or if the actual reason behind the blown fuse is discovered?

Pretty cool stuff, thanks.