One of the worst decisions you can make is to buy a Used GEM Module.

It may save you a few dollars at first, but the damage can cost you a lot more in the end. Installing  the wrong GEM module can short  out portions of your fuse box.

I have seen this time  and time again where one of my customers buys a used GEM from a junk yard, only to find out too late, it was the wrong Gem and now they have to buy a New GEM, and Fuse box to fix the issue.  Unless you are absolutely sure the guy at the junk yard is a full blown GEM module expert, avoid buying used if at all possible.

If you thinking your GEM may be bad Your best bet would be to check for any corrosion on the GEM, Fuse box and wiring connectors in order to rule out water damage. If there is any corrosion,  replace your windshield before buying a new GEM and Fuse Box to avoid future water damage. You should replace your fuse box and GEM module, but be sure to get the right ones, you can call me at 281-416-4071 and I will guide you on the right ones.

This is for anyone out there reading this. I cant emphasize this enough. GEM MODULES ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE!

Not using the correct module will do serious damage to your vehicle, and cost you a lot more in the end. It might look the same (they all do) and it may plug in the same, but the circuit board on the inside is set up differently, causing different voltage to be sent to different components. Getting a used module from a salvage yard is not a good idea, as the salvage yards do not have a clue which GEM goes to which truck with which options.

I can usually get you a Brand new Genuine Ford GEM module for a lot less than the dealer is selling and it will be the right one.

Call me

James 281-416-4071

Are your Honda Civic Sun Visors Sagging, Falling, Sagging or splitting?

2006-2008 Civic Models had defective sun visors, that split right at the seam where the support rod lies iner the plastic. The Plastic splits right in the area shown below.

Watch a Civic Sun Visor Problem Video Here

This is a very common problem in these years. There is only one right way to fix this problem and that is to replace the visor.

Fortunately replacement is extremely easy, and not too expensive.

    DARK ATLAS GRAY

     IVORY

     LIGHT GRAY

How to Cure Nissan Altima /Sentra 2.5 Code P0355 Cam/Crank Position Sensors includes Rough Idle and Stalling

Do you have error code P0335? Is your car running rough dying at stoplights? You most likely need the New design Genuine Nissan Heat shielded Crank and Cam position sensors. This is a very common problem on 2000-2006 Sentra and Altima with the 2.5 Liter Engine.  The car can die without warning when idling, or if you are one of the lucky ones, you will experience really rough idle as a warning they are about to go out.

The instructions below will help you to install the sensors, you will need to replace both as they work together, and not replacing both will ensure more problems down the road. Nissan has updated the sensors to be much more heat resistant. We recommend the Genuine Nissan Sensors, as the sensors auto parts stores such as Auto Zone, and Advance Auto Parts are selling are not heat resistant and fail quickly.

Get your brand new sensor kit here

2002-2006 Altima Sentra 2.5 Magnet Sensor Camshaft Crankshaft Position Kit

Installation Instructions and tips:

1- ***Do not use magnets or place the new sensor(s) close to magnetic materials.***

2- Disconnect the negative battery terminal (it may also help you clearing the codes).

3- Un-clip the Air Filter box, disconnect the Intake clamp at the Electronic Throttle Control Actuator, also disconnect the Mass Air Flow Sensor grey electrical connector, and with care remove & handle the Intake (since MAF Sensor is there!). The PVC Hose should come out easily without using a tool, simply remove the whole Intake.

4- Disconnect the green connector at the Electric Throttle Control Actuator, and move it safe close to the hoses by the firewall.

5- You can use one of those gloves which protect almost your whole arm.

6- Use a mirror which you can sit near the location of the sensor, it saves time for first timers.

7- Carefully use a flat headed screwdriver to push-in and unlock the green Crankshaft Sensor connector

8- It may be easier to un-bolt/screw the plate holding the wire using a 12mm socket, this way you have another access route.

9- Un-bolt/screw the sensor with a 10mm socket, is supposed to be only one bolt/screw. Use your favorite combination: extension, ratchets, what works for you.

10- If the sensor is hard to remove, move the sensor internal thread location at twelve o’clock, and use a flat 9/16 wrench circular head to remove it easily. Better if you have one with twin heads to use with a screwdriver.

11- When inserting the Crankshaft wire connector, make sure it locks as intended, otherwise slide back its white head.

***Reminders, handle the new sensor(s) with care, again isn’t recommended placing the sensor(s) close to magnetic materials. Also the Crankshaft sensor is the one with a white mark.***

First go here to get your Genuine Hyundai Updated Visors, that will not fall or droop.

The Original Problem

Do you have a 2006,2007,or 2008 Hyundai Sonata? Is the visor falling down and obstructing your vision?

The original sun visors installed in these cars had a major problem. The visor will not stay up and it constantly falls while driving or running over a bump. Its not just your car, every Hyundai Sonata manufactured in these years has the same problem. The support rod loses tension over time, and begins to lose grip.

Fortunately there is an easy fix.

Hyundai has come out with a completely re-engineered  Visor that will not fall down, and will not lose tension. The new visor is completely redesigned internally by Hyundai engineers to never fail again. You can get rid of the problem once and for all. The visor is easy to install and has the following features:

• Includes plug and wiring to plug into ceiling for vanity lights
• installs easily with a flat blade and a Phillips screwdriver
• includes mirror with cover
• includes slide-out extender
• matches your interior fabric color exactly.
• Comes sealed in Genuine Hyundai Packaging.

The visors are extremely easy to replace.

Tools Required: Flat blade and Phillips Screw Driver.

1. There is a cover that covers the screw holes on the portion  of the visor where it mounts to the ceiling. Get a flat blade screwdriver, cover the tip in electrical tape so you don’t scratch anything.
2. Using the flat blade. Pop off the cap that covers the screws, the Phillips mounting screws should now be visible.
3. Unscrew both Phillips screws with one hand while holding the visor in the other, so that it does not fall and dangle by the electrical wire.
4. unplug the electrical connector from the ceiling.
5. installation is just the opposite of removal.

It’s so easy to do! We hear from customers every day who get a quote form the dealer for hundreds of dollars to do this job. Don’t let the dealer take you for a ride, get your visors here and do the job yourself and save money!

Be careful!

Hyundai still sells both designs of this visor. They sell the old defective design, and the new improved design. Many companies and dealers are still selling the old design because it is cheaper and they can make more profit. If you get the old design you will just have the same problem again. We only sell the new design visors.

Get your Genuine Hyundai Updated Visors, that will not fall or droop.

Installation Instructions (GM Does not include instructions in the box, so print these out before your purchase).

*** SOME 2012 MODELS MAY REQUIRE DRILLING***

Front Instructions:

1. The front splash guards can be installed by turning the front wheels to access the

rear of the wheel well.

2. Clean the lower rocker plastic panel with the provided alcohol wipes where the double

sided tape on the splash guard makes contact

3. Remove the bottom 2 push pins.  These pins come out by pulling out the center of

the pin and then prying out the outer push pin body.

4. Pull out the fender liner and slide the tinnerman clips over the holes in the lower

plastic rocker panel.

5. Install the splash guard using 2 screws into the tinnerman clips.  Adjust the splash

guard so it is tight against the rocker panel where the double sides tape is located.

Also make sure the plastic tab for the double sided tape is sticking out so you can

pull it off.

6. Using a hand screwdriver, drive the upper screw into the fender liner and thru the

plastic rocker trim panel.  The screw will make its own hole, no need to drill.

7. Again with a hand screwdriver, drive the lower vertical screw thru the plastic rocker

trim panel.

8. Last, pull the plastic tab to expose the double sided tape and press firmly against

the plastic rocker trim panel.

FOR SOME 2012 MODELS THE HOLES WILL NOT LINE UP, YOU MAY HAVE TO DRILL TWO HOLES IF THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW DO NOT WORK FOR YOUR 2012 MODEL.

The rear pair includes a hardware pack with 6 screws and 6 tinnerman clips.

Rear Instructions:

1. You need to remove the rear wheels to install the rear splash guards.

2. Clean the lower rear plastic trim panel with the provided alcohol wipes where the double

sided tape on the splash guard makes contact

2. Remove the bottom 2 push pins.  The lower push pin will receive a screw and the upper

one makes it easier to pull the fender liner away.

3. Pull out the fender liner and slide a tinnerman clip over the bottom push pin hole in the

rear lower plastic trim panel.  For some reason our Terrain already had a clip installed

in this hole on the left rear  but not on the right rear.

4. Install the splash guard using 1 screw into the tinnerman clip.  Adjust the splash

guard so it is tight against the rocker panel where the double sides tape is located.

5. Using a hand screwdriver, drive the a screw in the upper splash guard hole thru the

fender liner and the rear lower plastic trim panel.

6. Remove the 2 mounting screws and put a tinnerman clip on the rear lower plastic

trim panel over the hole you just created.  This may be overkill but it allows the

upper screw to bite into the metal tinnerman clip instead of just into the rear plastic

trim panel.

7. Reinstall the splash guard using the 2 screws into the tinnerman clips.  Adjust the splash

guard so it is tight against the rocker panel where the double sides tape is located. Also

make sure the plastic tab for the double sided tape is sticking out so you can pull it off.

8. Again with a hand screwdriver, drive the lower vertical screw thru the rear plastic

trim panel.

9. Reinstall the push pin into the upper hole by pulling out the center most of the way,

inserting the pin and push the center back in.

10. Last, pull the plastic tab to expose the double sided tape and press firmly against

the rear plastic  trim panel.

You will have some tinnerman clips left over in the rear.  It would have been nice to use

them on the vertical screw but it is located too far into the panel for the clip to reach

the hole.  You should have 2 left over tinnerman clips, I had 3 due to the one rear side

already having one installed.  I’m thinking about using the 2 remaining tinnerman clips on

the upper screw on the front guard, but I need to look and see if there is any way to

slip it over the lip on the lower rocker plastic trim panel.

Total install time was around an hour.

I know this is long and drawn out but hopefully it will help if you have questions about

the install.  Assuming you can jack up the Terrain to remove the rear wheels, it is much

better to install yourself rather than paying dealer labor rates of $75/hour.

The splash guards look great and exactly match the color and texture of the lower

plastic rocker trim panel.

What does a VCT or VVT Solenoid Do?

Buy your brand new Genuine Ford VCT Solenoids here

VCT or Variable Cam Timing solenoid is a device used in modern engines to change camshaft position timing in relevance to engine speed and engine timing allowing the engine to produce more horsepower without adding excessive overlap to the camshaft design.

 
The way the VCT Solenoid works is as follows:

The VCT solenoid works with oil pressure, it receives a signal from the ECM when the camshaft needs to be rotated either in the advanced mode or retarded mode depending on engine load and speed. The VCT solenoid is able to accomplish that by altering the oil flow in the passages that lead to the cam phase(s), there are passages to advance the valve timing (open the valves earlier), and passages that direct the oil to retard the valve timing (open them later)

What is the Purpose of the VVT System?

The purpose of the VCT or Variable Cam Timing system is to allow the engine to move larger volumes of air in and out of the cylinders to generate maximum horsepower.
Vehicles with DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam) engines usually have two VCT solenoids mounted in each cylinder head, one for each camshaft, allowing the Engine Control Computer to activate each VCT timing mechanism in each Camshaft separately.
NOTE: The Cam phase is mounted on the front of the camshaft(s) it is driven by the engine’s timing chain or timing belt depending on the engine’s design.

Buy your brand new Genuine Ford VCT Solenoids here

What to Do If You Experience Problems With Your Ford Focus Ignition | ArticloPedia

If you own a Ford Focus, model years 2000-2006, then you may have heard of or experienced the Ford Focus ignition problems that you see discussed in forums all over the web. This is a well-known, well-documented problem, and it strikes randomly. You may have owned the car three months or three years, but there is a high probability that at some point the ignition will stick and you won’t be able to get the key out, or you won’t be able to turn the key.

With some owners, the key sticks in the ignition, and with others you have to jiggle the ignition to get it to turn. This is a very common problem, and if you own one of these cars you should be aware of it.

Here’s what happens: Inside the ignition, a series of spring-loaded wafers holds a cylinder shaped plug in place. When any of the wafers stick out into one of the grooves in the lock’s outer casing, the plug cylinder can’t be rotated. Using the proper key is what moves the wafers so that the plug can be rotated. In the Ford Focus ignition, the wafers get stuck, and eventually the cylinder gets warped, latching the wafers in place and keeping them from moving, even with the right key. Sometimes this can be fixed, but sometimes the ignition has to be replaced and re-coded to work with the keys and the other car locks.

If you are having difficulty turning the key in the ignition of your Ford Focus, or the ignition “sticks,” or the key is dirty when you remove it, or if you are unable to remove the key, then you are experiencing this problem. There are some models, such as the 2007, that appear to be having this problem, but actually have a different issue. In these cars, the automatic shifter has a tube-shaped piece of plastic trim under the handle that can prevent the shifter from going all the way into “park,” thus holding your key hostage. With these, you can pull up on the tube-shaped plastic and get the shifter to go all the way into “park.” The key should come out at this point.

If you have one of the Ford Focus models with the ignition key problem, and find yourself stuck, you have several options. You can have it towed to your Ford dealer or mechanic and have the ignition replaced. This will cost you around $350 plus the cost of the tow.

Alternatively, you can call a qualified automotive locksmith to replace the tumbler. Because this is such a common problem, good automotive locksmiths are very familiar with this problem. They can come to you with their mobile shop, replace the tumbler, code your existing Ford transponder keys, and get you moving again. This will cost around $125, and a good locksmith will guarantee their work. The aftermarket ignition switches used do not have the problem common to the original Ford ignition switches.

Anyone with a Ford Focus from model years 2000-2006 should be aware of this problem and have a plan of action ready if they should experience a stuck key. Having the number on-hand of a qualified automotive locksmith can be a real help and time-saver if the ignition switch sticks and you can’t use your keys.

Read The Full Article Here:

What to Do If You Experience Problems With Your Ford Focus Ignition | ArticloPedia.

1999-2005 GM transfer case control TCCM module shift S-10 Sonoma Blazer Jimmy

Do you have a 4X4 S-10, Sonoma, Blazer Or Jimmy?? Did your TCCM go out on you?

The circuit boards in the original TCCM  were poorly made, and after a few years of heat and cold, they fail to function any more. There are no repairable parts in a TCCM module; the whole module must be replaced.

Get your new Genuine GM 1999-2005 GM transfer case control TCCM module for S-10 Sonoma Blazer Jimmy TCCM HERE

Replacing your TCCM with a new Updated GM version will:

-turn off the “service 4WD” light”
-Bring back the orange lights on the selector switch
-Restore the functionality of the 4WD

Note : The original part numbers on the modules have all been updated, if you are not getting the part number you are getting the old version, and will have the same problems again.

The old numbers on the modules were: 15748800, 15040103, 12577412 OR 15154323

The TCCM modules go bad quite often, but there are 2 things you need to check first, before spending a lot of money for a new GM module.

If your ATC Fuse is blowing with the old module or the new module please read the following information.

We have seen many harness problems at the pinch weld above the transmission where the harness runs down to the encoder. It is very hard to see in the truck, so you have to disconnect the harness and pull it up from the top to see if it is chaffed and shorting to ground in this area. We have had to rerun the wires from the TCCM to the encoder motor A/B circuits, and from the under hood fuse box, using 14 gauge wire, to correct issues of blowing this fuse and use a 25 amp fuse , instead of the 20 amp. There has to be a short to ground, or binding in the transfer case, to blow the ATC fuse. The the problem is in the transfer case, since it has problems getting it in and out of 4 low), and/or the harness shorted. If you buy a new TCCM and If you still have this issue, the TCCM is not defective.

The next thing to check is the most simple: 

Pull the #8 Fuse under the Hood, and let the truck sit for 30 minutes. Re install the fuse, and try out your 4X4 This resets the module sometimes, and will make it work again. This does not always work, and sometimes only works temporarily.

Don’t buy it from the dealer. The dealer requires you to program the TCCM, you can buy a pre-programmed TCCM here.

NEW OEM 1999-2005 Ford F-250 F-350 Overhead Console Message Center Indicator

 Another Great Tip Brought to you by the folks at www.autopartscheaper.com

So you have a  1999-2005 Ford F-250 or F-350 and your message center when out right? I would assume so since you are reading this. If you called the dealer to get a price, they are wanting to sell you the whole roof console. Don’t go for that line, you can buy just the message center (also called indicator sometimes) all by itself and save a lot of time and trouble.

Buy Your new Genuine Ford Message Center here.

The new message center is an updated Ford Design with higher quality electronics than the original, and is much more reliable. This Genuine Ford part will last you for years to come. They are available for trucks with and without a sunroof. These Fits F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-250.  They are not available for F-150 at this time.