BMW X5 Parking Brake Won’t Release – One Dusty Workhorse, One Tough Day
By Northcap – Roadside Rescue Mechanic This job had pressure written all over it. The call came from a local tire shop. A BMW X5 had come in for new …
Electrical
Toyota Land Cruiser No-Start: The Real Culprit Was Hiding Under the Dash
By Northcap – Roadside Rescue Mechanic Got called out late morning to a stranded Toyota Land Cruiser—a tidy one, too. The member was on his way to the dealership to …
Audi E-Tron GT Locked Out While Charging – A Real-World Callout
By Northcap – Roadside Rescue Mechanic He plugged in his Audi E-Tron GT to top up the charge and figured he’d kill two birds with one stone—very efficient. Only problem? …
Mercedes No-Start Mystery: What a Headlamp Taught Me About Battery Drain
By Northcap – Patrol Mechanic & New Owner of Rustyautos.com You get used to weird breakdowns in this job, but this week, I got called out to one of those …
VW ID.4 Charging Flap Stuck? Here’s What Really Happened
By Northcap – Patrol Mechanic & New Owner of Rustyautos.com Got called out this week to something a bit different—a fully electric VW ID.4 with a strange but urgent issue: …
Signs of a Faulty Alternator and How to Fix It
Your car’s alternator serves as more than just a power generator—it’s a crucial component that ensures your vehicle’s electrical system operates smoothly. Let’s keep things simple, there are two types …
Ignition Switch Problems? Common Symptoms to Watch For
The ignition switch is mission critical kit, it’s tasked with initating the engine starting process and taking care of some security checks. Over the years, automotive technology has evolved, resulting …
Bad Coolant Temp Sensor? Here’s How to Spot the Warning Signs!
Your car’s coolant temperature sensor (CTS) plays a vital role in keeping your engine running at the correct temperature. This small but essential component communicates with the engine control unit …
No Crank No Start? Check these first!
Turn the key—nothing. No crank, no start. Just silence. What now? Before you assume the worst, know this: most no-crank issues are caused by something simple. A weak battery, a …
Bad Drive Belt Tensioner Symptoms You Need to Know
A drive belt tensioner keeps your vehicle’s serpentine belt under the right amount of tension to operate vital components like the alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor. When …
How to Tell If Your Accelerator Pedal Sensor Is Failing
Your car’s accelerator pedal sensor translates the pressure you apply to the gas pedal into electronic signals that control the engine’s throttle. It tells your engine how fast you want …
Is Your Purge Valve Failing? Watch for These Warning Signs
A failing purge valve might not seem like a big deal at first, but ignoring the warning signs can lead to poor engine performance, reduced fuel efficiency, and even costly …