0:00 / 0:00
Under The Hood - LIVE Show Automotive Experts Giving You Advice

Under The Hood - LIVE Show Automotive Experts Giving You Advice

Under The Hood show May 18, 2026 55 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

The live “Under The Hood” show bounces between listener questions, shop stories, and industry talk. CarMax ads kick things off, then the hosts discuss NHTSA and auto-recycler “hill days,” plus recall logistics and parts shortages. The technical heart covers transmission fluid that turns black, why drain-and-fill can’t fully flush, and how scanners and sensors (including 5V reference circuits) help diagnose limp mode, stalling, and electrical gremlins. It also gets into TPMS, connector cleaning, and battery corrosion prevention.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

2019 Ford Escape

"I have a 2019 Ford Escape. It has the 1.5-eagle boost on it, and it has 82,000 miles."

A 2019 Ford Escape is a small SUV. Here, the discussion is about changing the transmission fluid and whether the fluid turning dark is normal or a sign of trouble.

Term

trans-drain

"And I do trans-drain. It has the closed system, so you don't have any drain pan, you know, a pan or gasket or anything like that."

A trans-drain means you drain some of the transmission fluid and refill it. It doesn’t necessarily replace all the old fluid at once, so the new fluid can still look dark.

Term

closed system

"It has the closed system, so you don't have any drain pan, you know, a pan or gasket or anything like that."

They’re saying the transmission is set up so you can’t just open a drain pan like on some cars. That changes how the fluid gets drained and replaced during service.

Term

complete flush

"Should I be concerned, or should I maybe take it into a deal and have it a complete flush, you know, the whole system, all of it out?"

A complete flush is when you try to replace transmission fluid throughout the whole system, not just what you can drain. It can make the fluid look cleaner, but it’s a bigger job than a simple drain-and-fill.

Term

change intervals

"It's just how they work, but I think what you're doing is pretty good for, you know, the change intervals."

Change intervals are the recommended schedule for when to change the transmission fluid. The idea is to change it often enough to keep the transmission healthy, even if the fluid darkens.

Term

drain and fill system

"It's drain and fill system on that, but I think you're doing pretty good. You're not going to be able to flush the thing completely the way it's designed."

“Drain and fill” means you drain out some of the old fluid and add new fluid back in. It usually doesn’t replace 100% of the old fluid because some stays in the system.

Term

oil change

"And then when we did buy it, the Carfax had great maintenance history, and I changed oil in this. I know it's obsessive, but every 3,000 miles I changed the oil because it has the turbo."

An oil change replaces engine oil to remove contaminants and replenish additives that protect engine parts. The host is emphasizing a frequent interval (every 3,000 miles) due to the presence of a turbo, which can increase heat and stress on oil.

Term

turbo

"I know it's obsessive, but every 3,000 miles I changed the oil because it has the turbo. Okay, so by my math, you're changing the transmission fluid every 10,000 miles?"

A turbocharger (“turbo”) forces more air into the engine, which increases power but also raises operating temperatures and stresses. That’s why the host ties more frequent oil changes to the turbo’s higher demands on engine oil.

Term

transmission fluid

"Okay, so by my math, you're changing the transmission fluid every 10,000 miles? Absolutely. Yeah."

Transmission fluid lubricates internal transmission components and helps control hydraulic pressure for shifting. Changing it on a schedule can reduce wear, but the “right” interval depends on the transmission design and how the car is used.

Term

Motorcraft Mercon LV

"I think, $24, I think, is for the Motorcraft Mercon LV. So, you know, it's fast, but maybe I'm too excessive with it."

Motorcraft Mercon LV is a special kind of fluid used in some automatic transmissions. It’s made to match a specific Ford requirement, so the transmission can shift correctly. If you use the wrong fluid, the car may shift poorly or wear out faster.

Term

twisted lifter

"I was thinking, could you put this vehicle or any vehicle on the twisted lifter and do a better job of draining it without, which maybe needs some explanation?"

A “twisted lifter” is a special lift setup in a shop. It positions the car so fluids can drain out more completely during service or disposal. It’s basically a tool to make draining easier and cleaner.

Company

Superior Recycling Systems

"we have a lifting system from Superior Recycling Systems that we called it lovingly with the help of a listener that helped me name it."

Superior Recycling Systems is the company that provides the lifting system used in the episode’s high-volume bay. In this context, they’re supplying equipment for draining and handling vehicles destined for recycling or disposal. It’s a vendor mention that helps listeners understand where the gear comes from.

Term

fluid evacuation devices

"Then we have fluid evacuation devices that we can suck out oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, washer fluid, and then the vehicle gets lifted in the air."

Fluid evacuation devices are machines/tools that pull fluids out of a car. In this shop, they use them to remove things like oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. The goal is to drain the car safely before it’s recycled or crushed.

Term

catalytic converter

"They remove the catalytic converter, they pull the oil drain plug, they typically puncture [585.0s] the transmission pan in a corner because it's not going to be sold that way."

A catalytic converter is a part in the exhaust that helps clean up the car’s fumes. Taking it off usually breaks emissions rules and can cause the car to fail inspections.

Term

oil drain plug

"They remove the catalytic converter, they pull the oil drain plug, they typically puncture [585.0s] the transmission pan in a corner because it's not going to be sold that way."

The oil drain plug is the plug at the bottom of the engine’s oil pan. When it’s removed, the old oil can drain out for service.

Part

transmission pan

"They remove the catalytic converter, they pull the oil drain plug, they typically puncture [585.0s] the transmission pan in a corner because it's not going to be sold that way."

The transmission pan is the bottom part of the transmission that holds the fluid. It’s where you’d normally drain the fluid during a proper service.

Term

clutch slippage

"Because if you were truly, if you took an older transmission and you had one that was [643.7s] turned the fluid dark that quick, a typical back, I say older, 70s, 80s, and it was dumping [649.0s] the fluid black that quick, you were probably slipping clutches and you'd be feeling the [653.3s] results of it."

Clutch slippage means the transmission’s clutches aren’t gripping properly. Instead of transferring power cleanly, they slip, which can make the car feel like it’s not accelerating smoothly and can damage the transmission over time.

Term

torque loss

"the sensors on the input, output, drums and everything, they would pick that [667.4s] up. [668.1s] They would be picking that up and saying that this thing's got excessive torque loss or"

Torque loss means the car isn’t transferring power as it should. With a failing transmission, the car can feel weaker, and the computer may notice signs of that power loss.

Car

2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon

"My concern is with a 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon that I purchased last year... Problem has been some intermittent ignition issues."

This is a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, a trail-ready version of the Wrangler. The big problem they’re dealing with is the engine sometimes shutting off unexpectedly and then acting up when they try to restart it on rough trails.

Term

intermittent ignition issues

"Problem has been some intermittent ignition issues. Sometimes it'll just stop for no reason."

“Intermittent ignition” means the car’s spark/starting system works sometimes and then randomly fails. That can cause the engine to stall and restart problems, especially when you’re driving hard or on uneven ground.

Term

misfire

"One time it had a intermittent ignition where everything in your cylinder misfire."

A misfire is when the engine doesn’t burn fuel correctly in one or more cylinders. It can make the engine run rough or shut off, and it usually triggers diagnostic trouble codes.

Term

two wheel drive

"The worst one was when we were driving on a trail and I was in two wheel drive... it got difficult and steep and it shut off and would not start at all."

Two-wheel drive (2WD) means only one axle is powering the wheels, which can reduce traction compared with four-wheel drive on loose or steep terrain. On trails, that can make stalling or loss of momentum more likely if the engine cuts out at the wrong moment.

Part

crankshaft position indicator

"But we have replaced the crankshaft position indicator, cleaned the throttle plate and also had the throttle plate position though..."

The crankshaft position indicator (sensor) tells the engine control unit exactly where the crankshaft is, which is critical for timing spark and fuel injection. If it’s faulty or intermittent, the engine can stall and be difficult or impossible to restart.

Part

throttle plate

"But we have replaced the crankshaft position indicator, cleaned the throttle plate and also had the throttle plate position though..."

The throttle plate controls the airflow into the engine. If it gets dirty or doesn’t move smoothly, the engine can run oddly or stall.

Term

tow ropes

"Well, the good news is, is that on a trail ride... they all have tow ropes."

Tow ropes are used to pull a stuck or disabled vehicle out of trouble. On a trail, they can be the difference between waiting for help and getting moving again.

Term

rebuilt computer

"Yeah, we checked out buying a getting a rebuilt computer. [927.5s] Well, one thing too is that being that old a vehicle, Chrysler no longer supports a lot of the repair parts. [934.6s] So you have to go to the aftermarket and like the crankshaft position indicator was a dormant, which I, I feel is a good brand. [941.9s] Yeah. [942.4s] There is a company in California where we'll rebuild the computer or the motor control and it's about $600 exchange, but even they didn't recommend me doing that."

A rebuilt computer means the car’s electronic control box is repaired and tested, rather than replaced new. You usually turn in your old one and get a repaired unit back.

Term

aftermarket

"So you're good. [886.3s] If they're not, if nobody has a tow rope, then they either don't like you or they just aren't true trail people. [922.9s] Yeah, we checked out buying a getting a rebuilt computer. [927.5s] Well, one thing too is that being that old a vehicle, Chrysler no longer supports a lot of the repair parts. [934.6s] So you have to go to the aftermarket and like the crankshaft position indicator was a dormant, which I, I feel is a good brand."

Aftermarket parts are replacements made by other companies, not the car’s original brand. They’re often used when the original parts are no longer available.

Company

a company in California

"[942.4s] There is a company in California where we'll rebuild the computer or the motor control and it's about $600 exchange, but even they didn't recommend me doing that. [954.6s] She said it just doesn't sound like it's a computer."

They mention a shop in California that repairs and rebuilds the car’s engine computer. It’s the kind of place you might use when new replacement parts aren’t available.

Term

engine computers

"Most cars, the computers don't fail unless something else causes damage. [971.9s] Realistically, the engine computers in most cars will last like forever."

The engine computer is the car’s main brain for the engine. It usually doesn’t fail on its own—problems are more often caused by something else, like a sensor or damaged wiring.

Term

wiring issue

"That's going to be rare. [994.1s] It's going to be more of a wiring issue. [996.9s] Ignition switch, a wire chafed somewhere, a poor solder joint in the factory harness where they put the thing together, but you're going to have to find it."

A wiring issue means there’s a problem with the car’s electrical connections or wires. It can cause weird engine problems, and it often takes time to track down exactly where the fault is.

Term

factory harness

"[996.9s] Ignition switch, a wire chafed somewhere, a poor solder joint in the factory harness where they put the thing together, but you're going to have to find it. [1007.1s] You know, tracking down those kind of things can be difficult."

The factory harness is the car’s original set of wires connecting all the electronics. If a connection inside that wiring is bad, it can cause electrical problems that are tricky to find.

Term

ground wires

"Tech took them out and as soon as he pulled it out, one of the ground wires just came apart. They were like, well, that's no good and that will cause his symptoms."

A ground wire is the car’s electrical “return path” to the body/chassis. If it’s loose or broken, the lights or other electronics can stop working or act weird.

Term

relays

"Now we could spend all day and check every wire and pull the relays out and see if we find something."

A relay is like an electrically controlled switch. If a relay is bad, it can stop power from getting to the lights even if the rest of the wiring looks okay.

Term

check engine light

"But on the other hand, one thing that one thing I didn't mention is that the check engine light does not function in their vehicle."

The check engine light is the car’s way of warning you that something is wrong with the engine or emissions systems. If it doesn’t work, you might miss important warnings.

Term

scan tools

"But the scan tools on those, most of those you can read the VIN out of the computer, then take it out, put a new one in, program it back in with a simple scan tool."

A scan tool is a device that plugs into the car to talk to its computers. It can read codes and sometimes help set up a replaced part so the car recognizes it.

Term

program it back in

"But the scan tools on those, most of those you can read the VIN out of the computer, then take it out, put a new one in, program it back in with a simple scan tool."

This means the new electronic part has to be set up inside the car, not just installed. The car needs to “learn” the replacement so it can communicate with it properly.

Term

hot spare

"I was just wondering if he had a hot spare that he kept on the trail with him because you could go to Cartash part, you know, one of our partners and find a computer."

A “hot spare” is an extra part someone keeps on hand so they can replace a failed component quickly. It’s especially useful when you’re far from help and need the car back running fast.

Brand

Dorman

"If you look up, now of course, Dorman makes a lot of the replacement sensors and the common things that fail on vehicles. But of all sudden you're looking at a, you go to their website and you look up an 04 Wrangler and you see that they have a rear. Well, I'll pick a better one windshield wiper motor."

Dorman is a company that sells replacement car parts. Here they’re being mentioned because they make parts intended to fix common problems.

Term

OE fix

"Dorman makes OE fixes for problems. OE fix means it's having an OE problem. So they're going to repair it and try to make it better."

“OE fix” means the replacement part or repair is designed to solve the same kind of problem the car originally had. It’s meant to be a better fix than simply swapping the old part again.

Concept

salvage yard

"Yes, I did call a local salvage yard, which you're quite familiar with and they don't have them because they're very rare. And he said, if we did have one to be $500."

A salvage yard is where wrecked or unwanted cars get taken apart so parts can be sold. If a part is rare, it usually costs more because fewer cars have it.

Concept

scarcity

"Definitely scarcity on Wrangler salvage overall. We try to buy as many as we can."

Scarcity means there are fewer available parts than buyers want, which typically pushes prices higher. In the context of salvage yards, scarcity often comes from how many vehicles are being parted out and how quickly those parts get bought up.

Concept

market might be

"But I would check on Kardashian part and you can see a range across the country of what these parts sell for and use that as kind of an indication where the market might be."

The “market might be” refers to estimating what buyers will pay based on observed listings and sold prices across different regions. This helps sellers and shoppers avoid overpaying when a single quote (or a brokered part) doesn’t reflect true supply and demand.

Term

TPMS sensors

"These wheels are a direct fit, so your factory caps and TPMS sensors will fit."

TPMS sensors are little gadgets in your tires that watch the air pressure. They help your car warn you if a tire is getting low.

Term

reduced power mode

"then take off. It'll pick into reduced power mode. And if I pull over, shut it off, turn it back on, usually it'll come out of it."

Reduced power mode is when the car intentionally makes less power to protect itself. It usually feels weaker or slower until the problem is cleared.

Term

code

"I've never had a code thrown for it. So I just like some insight on what you think."

In automotive diagnostics, a “code” usually refers to a stored trouble code that identifies the system or sensor involved in a detected fault. The car may store codes even if the driver never sees a warning light.

Term

scanner

"as a first start, I would put a scanner on it and read it and try to see what is...it'll tell me what's putting it into the limp mode as I'm driving it."

A scanner is a tool that plugs into your car to read what the computer has detected. It can help find the problem even if the dashboard light isn’t on.

Term

limp mode

"it'll tell me what's putting it into the limp mode as I'm driving it. Even if it doesn't throw a check engine light, it should say disabled for this."

Limp mode is the “safe” driving mode your car uses when something’s wrong. It limits power so you can still get to where you need to go.

Term

DEF

"leaning something towards the def system ... unless it's been reprogrammed to compensate for that ... removed the def. Go into limp mode."

DEF is a special fluid used on many diesel trucks/cars. It’s injected into the exhaust to help clean up the emissions.

Term

reprogrammed

"unless it's been reprogrammed to take that off ... to compensate for that ... in the programming software"

Reprogrammed means the car’s computer software was changed. Here, it’s about updating how the car responds to DEF/emissions-related changes.

Term

reflashed

"So it might need to be reflashed. And if someone still"

Reflashed means the car’s computer gets an update. The goal is to fix a problem the computer is detecting (or mis-detecting).

Term

tuner

"had the tuner that was used to reflash that, then if it was legal, then they would put it back to stock and then reflashed again with the same tuner if that was possible."

A tuner is a tool that lets you change the car’s computer settings. It can also be used to switch back to the factory settings.

Term

stock tuning

"and it's not moving anywhere and we clear the codes and the exhaust is mangled from a wreck and it still has stock tuning and we start it up,"

Stock tuning is the factory computer setup the car came with. It’s the default way the engine is programmed to run.

Concept

repairable vehicle

"No, because that's about how a vehicle acts if we if we have a repairable vehicle in our shop and it's not moving anywhere and we clear the codes"

A repairable vehicle is one that was wrecked but can be fixed and driven again. Damage from the crash can still cause warning codes or odd behavior until it’s properly repaired.

Concept

protective shutdown

"there's no def on here, something's not right and it'll start shutting down and we got to go clear it all again."

Protective shutdown is when a vehicle’s computer limits or stops operation to prevent damage or to ensure emissions compliance. Many diesel trucks will enter a restricted mode or shut down when critical inputs (like DEF) are missing or when emissions-related components can’t function correctly. The goal is to protect the engine and aftertreatment system from harm.

Car

F-750

"So I'm looking over the shoulder. What are we doing with an F-750? Anything you want."

The Ford F-750 is a heavy-duty work truck used for commercial jobs. People use it for things like construction and towing. In this conversation, it’s connected to the truck warning about DEF and system protection.

Term

gooseneck

"So it's got a gooseneck or fifth wheel plate on the back type of thing."

A gooseneck is a special trailer hitch where the trailer’s front part locks into a hitch on the truck bed. It’s used for heavier trailers because it connects more securely.

Term

fifth wheel plate

"So it's got a gooseneck or fifth wheel plate on the back type of thing."

A fifth wheel plate is the flat mounting area in the truck bed for a fifth-wheel trailer hitch. It’s what lets the truck tow big trailers more securely.

Term

flip forward hood

"It's a beast. It's flip forward hood on a 750, correct?"

A flip-forward hood is a hood that opens by swinging forward. It’s often used on work trucks because it gives mechanics better access to the engine.

Car

Mclaren 650S

"Yeah. I think they start that at the 650s and that's a work truck."

The McLaren 650S is a very fast, high-end sports car made for performance driving. It’s not a pickup or a truck—it's designed for speed and handling. When people mention it as a “starting” model, they mean it’s the entry point within that supercar lineup.

Car

Ford F450

"So it's bigger than like when you see a Super Duty F-450 or 550. This is like the next level."

The Ford F-450 is a heavy-duty pickup truck made for work like towing and carrying heavy loads. It’s larger and stronger than regular trucks. People talk about it in terms of “levels” because different versions can be set up for different kinds of heavy-duty jobs.

Term

brake control recall

"Steve in Indiana has a 2000 RAM brake control recall. Dealers said they couldn't get parts."

A brake control recall is when the maker says there’s a problem with something that helps control the brakes. Owners are supposed to get it fixed, but sometimes dealers can’t get the parts right away.

Concept

factory recall

"Factory recall. If truly a factory recall, the dealer is required to if it's a safety recall, they're required to get a part and replace it."

A factory recall means the car maker admits there’s a problem and tells owners to get it fixed. If it’s a safety issue, the dealer usually has to fix it and provide the parts as part of the recall process.

Term

safety recall

"if it's a safety recall, they're required to get a part and replace it."

A safety recall is a recall for something that could affect how safe the car is to drive. That’s why the fix is treated as urgent and handled through the official recall process.

Term

analog brake control

"Oh gosh, yes. If it's an analog brake control or something like that. Either one could fall into that."

Analog brake control is a way of controlling brakes using older-style electronics that don’t rely on digital computer logic. The exact setup depends on the car, but it’s describing the type of brake-control system involved.

Concept

outside of the factory channel

"They found another vendor that's rebuilding them, making them outside of the factory channel. It's available if you want to get the problem fixed."

This means the part is being obtained from a different supplier than the one the car maker normally uses. It can help when the dealer can’t get the part quickly, but you’d want to confirm it’s the correct fix for the recall issue.

Term

factory one

"Or you can wait for the factory one. That's a thought. Okay, yeah, that makes sense."

They’re talking about using the exact part the car maker intended for that model. It usually fits right and matches the car’s specs better than cheaper alternatives.

Term

manufacturer

"I don't know what the manufacturer would think about that. That's interesting. And some manufacturers at times will go outside of the normal channels."

Here, “manufacturer” means the car company that built the vehicle. They set the rules for what parts are considered acceptable for repairs.

Concept

safety repairs

"They'll go outside of the normal channels to find parts to do safety repairs. And like even during COVID, when we couldn't get parts, remember Mercedes..."

Safety repairs are the kinds of fixes that keep the car safe to drive. If something affects braking, steering, or crash protection, the rules for parts are usually more strict.

Brand

Mercedes

"And like even during COVID, when we couldn't get parts, remember Mercedes in one of those craziest things. Well, there was others that were doing it. But for Mercedes to do it, blew us away."

They’re talking about Mercedes-Benz and how the company handled parts shortages. The takeaway is that Mercedes approved using other parts so repairs could still be done safely.

Term

OEM part

"Even some used parts. Which they should. It's an OEM part. It's just off another car that works."

An OEM part is the “factory-style” part made to match your car. If it’s OEM, it’s the right design for the job, even if it came from a different car.

Term

VIN

"They got the part and then ran his VIN. Sorry, your VIN is not included even though it's the same model number."

VIN is your car’s unique ID number. Shops use it to look up whether your exact car qualifies for a recall fix.

Concept

lawsuit coverage gaps

"It just wasn't in the lawsuit. Which happens a lot. There's the same part used on dozens of cars. It's only recalled on this model vehicle for some reason."

In some cases, which cars get a free fix depends on what was included in legal action. So even if the same part is used in many cars, only some may be covered.

Term

non-hydraulic setup

"Rodney sent me a link to Brembo Breaks with the first non-hydraulic setup on brakes in a road car."

A non-hydraulic brake system is one that doesn’t use brake fluid pressure like most cars do. It uses electronics to control the brakes instead, which can change how the system is designed and tuned.

Brand

Brembo

"Rodney sent me a link to Brembo Breaks with the first non-hydraulic setup on brakes in a road car. Okay. Brembo is let's see, in the early 20s, first production with hydraulic brakes rolled off the Dusenberg assembly line."

Brembo is a company that makes brake parts for cars. They’re known for performance braking, and here they’re talking about a newer type of braking that doesn’t rely on traditional hydraulic fluid.

Term

hydraulic brakes

"Brembo is let's see, in the early 20s, first production with hydraulic brakes rolled off the Dusenberg assembly line."

Hydraulic brakes are the normal kind of car brakes that use brake fluid. When you press the pedal, the fluid pressure helps push the brakes to slow the car down.

Term

electric brakes

"Electric brakes are causing changes in how braking systems are developed."

Electric brakes are brakes that use electronics (and often motors) to help apply the braking force. Because of that, engineers can design the braking control differently than with traditional brake fluid systems.

Brand

Sensify

"Brembo now has Sensify, Brembo's intelligent braking system that does away with hydraulics."

Sensify is a Brembo braking technology. The point is to make braking smarter and to do it without relying on traditional hydraulic brake fluid.

Term

brake system

" [2461.8s] of a brake system [2463.3s] that was self-regenerating, did not [2466.0s] have any wear parts"

Your brake system is what makes the car slow down when you press the pedal. It turns your foot pressure into force at the wheels so the car can stop.

Term

self-regenerating

" [2463.3s] that was self-regenerating, did not [2466.0s] have any wear parts [2467.3s] and did not use hydraulic fluid."

“Self-regenerating” here sounds like a brake design that can renew itself instead of wearing out like normal brakes. Most brakes use pads that slowly wear down over time.

Term

hydraulic fluid

" [2467.3s] and did not use hydraulic fluid. [2469.6s] So his partner killed him to get the money, [2472.0s] you know, of course."

Hydraulic fluid is the liquid that helps your brake pedal push the brakes. It carries the force through the brake lines to the wheels.

Term

master cylinder

" [2504.6s] If you get rid of the [2506.0s] hydraulic fluid, you don't have the master cylinder"

The master cylinder is the part that “creates” the braking pressure when you press the brake pedal. If the system doesn’t use hydraulic fluid, it usually can’t use the normal master-cylinder setup.

Term

regenerative braking

"If you're not driving, in town driving, slow, it'll stop itself just fine. It is weird how quickly you get used to that too."

Regenerative braking is when the electric car slows down and also recharges the battery at the same time. That’s why lifting off the gas can slow the car without using the brake pedal as much.

Term

modulate

"Because it's the first time you drive one pedal, you're like, well, how am I going to be able to modulate that?"

To modulate just means to control something smoothly. Here it’s about using the pedal in a gentle, precise way so the car slows the way you want.

Car

Mach-E

"I was using that most of the way in that Mach-E we had when we were on the trip to Barrett Jackson and it because it was already in that mode."

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is an electric car. The way you drive it can let you slow down mostly by lifting off the gas, which is why the brake pedal can feel less necessary.

Car

2019 Ram 1500

"I got a 2019 Ram 1500 and something going on with my so I think it was last year it started right around when it got started getting really cold outside..."

This is a 2019 Ram 1500 pickup truck. The person talking says it has a problem where the car’s sensors don’t always communicate correctly, and it seems to get worse in cold weather.

Term

sensor communication

"once the temperature dropped about like 32 or colder it started to losing sensor communication but then once it got warmer the sensors came back..."

“Sensor communication” means the car’s sensors are sending information to the computer. If that stops working in the cold, it often comes down to wiring, a connector, or the sensor itself not behaving reliably.

Term

32 or colder

"once the temperature dropped about like 32 or colder it started to losing sensor communication..."

They’re saying the problem shows up when it gets to freezing temperatures. Cold weather can make electrical connections and sensors act up, especially if something is slightly loose or failing.

Term

sensor that's not communicating

"It's not just hanging on to one sensor that's not communicating. Now is that like a module or is that like some sensors that I need to get replaced?"

If a sensor isn’t communicating, the car isn’t getting the signal it expects from that sensor. The problem could be the sensor, the power/voltage it gets, or the wires connecting it.

Term

reference circuit

"Well, it could be either one or even wiring. There's what they call a reference circuit, usually a 5 volt reference circuit and there can be many of them or one depending on what kind of vehicle you have..."

A reference circuit is like a steady “power source” the car gives to sensors. It helps the car read sensor signals correctly because the starting voltage stays consistent.

Term

5-volt reference

"keep a steady 5 volts to this thing and I've seen some as low as 3 volts but if you've got a fault in that circuit little corrosion little open in the circuit you can reduce that voltage quite a bit and it'll throw all the sensors into disarray"

The car often gives sensors a steady 5-volt signal to measure with. If that signal gets weak or interrupted, the sensors can start “reading wrong,” and the engine computer can get confused.

Term

open circuit

"but if you've got a fault in that circuit little corrosion little open in the circuit you can reduce that voltage quite a bit and it'll throw"

An open circuit is like a broken wire—electricity can’t travel through it. With sensor wiring, that can make the sensor signal weak or wrong.

Term

ECU

"reduce that voltage quite a bit and it'll throw all the sensors into disarray now with that said any one of the sensors on this truck that are shorted can short the reference line of that signal"

The ECU is the engine computer. It sends signals to sensors and uses their readings to control things like fuel and timing—so wrong sensor data can trigger warning codes and poor running.

Term

shorted

"any one of the sensors on this truck that are shorted can short the reference line of that signal so if we pull off a map sensor and put on a shorted one every signal that uses that 5 volt signal is going to have a weird signal"

A short is when wires touch or fail in a way that lets electricity flow where it shouldn’t. That can mess up the signals from several sensors at once.

Term

MAP sensor

"so if we pull off a map sensor and put on a shorted one every signal that uses that 5 volt signal is going to have a weird signal"

The MAP sensor measures how much air pressure is in the engine’s intake. The engine computer uses that info to decide how to run the engine, so a bad signal can cause problems.

Term

wireless interface module

"you'd be looking at the wireless interface in the vehicle and that can be interrupted by any sensor in the vehicle"

This is the car’s receiver for the tire sensors. If the receiver has trouble, the car might not get the correct tire sensor information.

Term

data bus

"then you need to go look at other things and see if you got anything in that data bus that's causing issues with that wireless scanner"

Think of the data bus as the car’s internal communication network. If that network is acting up, different modules (including TPMS-related ones) may not talk correctly.

Term

tire sensors

"tire sensors all of that ... if you mix and match sensors you could have a problem ... even if you've got a spare tire ... replace just one at a time and you don't use a factory sensor we have had some issues"

Tire sensors are small devices in/for the tires that tell the car information about the tires. The episode says using the wrong type of sensor (or mixing brands) can make the car think something is wrong.

Term

factory sensor

"even if you've got a spare tire ... replace just one at a time and you don't use a factory sensor we have had some issues"

A factory sensor is the same type of tire sensor the car came with. They’re saying swapping in a non-factory sensor (even just one) can cause problems with the car’s tire monitoring.

Car

Toyota

"we have had some issues on some vehicles Toyota seem to be the worst that have the sensors in them"

Toyota is the brand they say they see tire-sensor problems with more often. The main idea is that sensor issues can be more common on some Toyota setups.

Car

Honda

"some cars like the Hondas they don't even use a sensor"

Honda is mentioned as a brand that may not use tire sensors the same way. The point is that different cars handle tire monitoring differently.

Term

sensors in my tire

"oh I know what's wrong with my car the sensors [2912.7s] they say I don't have a sensor in my tire"

Those “tire sensors” are what tell your car the tire pressure. If the sensor isn’t there (or isn’t working), the car can’t reliably know what the pressure is in that tire.

Term

program them

"so they try to put sensors in [2918.6s] and program them and they say I can't somebody call me"

When you add new tire-pressure sensors, the car has to be taught to recognize them. If that setup step isn’t done, the car may still think something is wrong.

Concept

wandering

"[2954.7s] I call it wandering"

“Wandering” means the car doesn’t go straight and feels like it keeps drifting. That’s usually related to steering/suspension or tires, not the tire-pressure warning system.

Part

coil

"before I'm gonna replace this coil but but that'd be a starting point"

A “coil” is part of the ignition system that helps create the spark your engine needs. If it’s weak or failing, the engine can misfire and run rough.

Term

low voltage circuits

"it's probably gonna take somebody with a another level of understanding of low voltage circuits"

Low-voltage circuits are the car’s wiring that carries small electrical signals to sensors and computers. If that wiring or its connections are damaged, the car can get the wrong information and act weird.

Term

6-speed transmission

"is the 6-speed"

A 6-speed transmission is the gearbox with six forward gears. More gears can help the engine run in a better range, but reliability depends on the specific transmission design.

Term

8-speed transmission

"is the 6-speed or 8-speed transmission better"

An 8-speed transmission has eight forward gears. It can help the engine stay in the right spot for smoothness and efficiency, but long-term reliability depends on the specific unit.

Concept

reliability

"and how reliable can I expect it to be"

Here, “reliability” means how likely the truck is to keep working well for a long time without big breakdowns. The caller is trying to estimate how many miles it can go.

Term

transmissions

"I know that when we were looking for transmissions that would be similar to the 6L 80 that's in the full size truck that could be used at one of the technical schools"

A transmission is what changes gears so the engine can work efficiently. It helps the truck accelerate smoothly and handle different speeds and loads.

Term

6L 80

"we were looking for transmissions that would be similar to the 6L 80 that's in the full size truck"

“6L80” is a specific type of automatic transmission used in some full-size trucks. It’s basically the model name technicians use to make sure they’re working on the right gearbox.

Car

Chevrolet Colorado

"I believe Colorado and Canyon transmissions that they're the same... we haven't seen the problems in the Colorado's and Canyon's because of the fact that there's not as much torque not as much power"

The Chevrolet Colorado is a smaller pickup truck. In this discussion, the hosts say its lighter weight and lower pulling power can mean fewer transmission problems than in bigger full-size trucks.

Car

Chevrolet Canyon

"we haven't seen the problems in the Colorado's and Canyon's because of the fact that there's not as much torque not as much power"

The Chevrolet Canyon is a smaller pickup truck. The hosts say it tends to experience fewer transmission problems because it’s lighter and people don’t use it as hard for towing.

Term

6L90

"if you take and try to buy even a used 6L90 you're spending a couple grand plus a very expensive core"

The 6L90 is a particular automatic transmission used in some GM trucks. The hosts are saying it can be expensive to source used because you may still have to pay for an old “core” part.

Term

core

"if you take and try to buy even a used 6L90 you're spending a couple grand plus a very expensive core"

A “core” is the old part you turn in when you buy a rebuilt replacement. Returning it can lower the price, but if the core is expensive, the total cost goes up.

Term

brake clean

"we've talked about this all the time CRC brake clean when we're talking about CRC ... brake clean which a lot of people will be quick to grab for cleaning anything"

Brake cleaner is a solvent-based spray used to remove brake dust, grease, and grime from brake components. It’s effective on metal surfaces, but it can be risky for sensitive plastics and electrical parts, which is why the hosts steer people toward a dedicated electronic cleaner for electronics.

Brand

CRC QD electronic cleaner

"we're going to be talking about the QD electronic cleaner and the reason why you want to use something like that as opposed to brake clean"

CRC QD electronic cleaner is made for cleaning car electronics. It’s designed to be safer for plastics and to dry quickly so residue doesn’t linger.

Term

plastic safe

"this product number one most importantly is going to be plastic safe it's going to be fast evaporating"

“Plastic safe” means the spray won’t harm the plastic parts around electronics. That’s important because some cleaners can melt or crack plastic.

Term

fast evaporating

"plastic safe it's going to be fast evaporating and also"

Fast evaporating means it dries quickly after you spray it. That helps prevent leftover liquid or residue from causing problems with electrical connections.

Term

electrical components

"and it's not going to harm [3162.2s] any of the electrical components [3164.4s] you're going to be spraying it on especially"

Engine electrical parts need clean, dry connections to work right. If you get the wrong liquid on them, it can cause electrical problems.

Term

oil pressure sensor

"we find out [3175.6s] it's a oil pressure [3177.8s] sensor it's a crankshaft sensor"

The oil pressure sensor tells the car how much oil pressure the engine has. If that sensor is bad, the car may warn you, and you want to fix it so you know the engine is being lubricated correctly.

Term

crankshaft sensor

"it's a oil pressure [3177.8s] sensor it's a crankshaft sensor [3179.7s] we pull that connector off"

The crankshaft sensor helps the car’s computer know how fast the engine is turning and where the crankshaft is. If it fails, the engine can stumble or misfire because timing gets thrown off.

Term

connector

"we pull that connector off [3182.1s] it's dripping with oil [3183.6s] because the sensor went bad [3185.5s] oil's coming through the sensor and it's getting into my [3187.9s] connectors on the [3189.4s] harness"

A connector is the electrical plug where the sensor wiring connects to the car’s wiring. If oil gets inside, it can cause bad electrical contact and make the problem come back.

Term

mass airflow sensors

"are sensitive mass airflow sensors [3259.0s] oxygen sensors"

This sensor tells the engine computer how much air is coming into the engine. If it gets dirty or coated, the computer can get the fuel mixture wrong.

Term

oxygen sensors

"[3259.0s] oxygen sensors [3260.1s] you don't want to get contamination"

An oxygen sensor checks what’s happening in the exhaust. It helps the car’s computer adjust the fuel mixture so the engine burns fuel correctly.

Term

contamination

"you don't want to get contamination [3262.4s] so tell me how the product helps there"

Here, contamination means dirt or residue that gets on parts. It can mess up how sensors read or how electrical connections work.

Term

shorting out

"or shorting out between [3280.9s] terminals it's not [3282.9s] conductive or anything like that"

Shorting out means electricity is accidentally flowing where it shouldn’t. That can cause the electronics to act up or get damaged.

Term

terminals

"anything impeding your connection [3277.3s] or shorting out between [3280.9s] terminals it's not"

Terminals are the metal contact points where electrical connections meet. If they’re dirty or coated, the connection can stop working properly.

Term

conductive

"it's not [3282.9s] conductive or anything like that so [3285.8s] it's going to leave a nice"

Conductive means something can let electricity pass through it. They’re saying the cleaner leaves a surface that won’t accidentally carry current between contacts.

Term

network

"the computer has got to [3294.8s] talk across the network to all this stuff and it can't"

Cars have an electronic communication system that lets computers talk to sensors and modules. If the connections are bad, the computer can’t get the right information.

Term

power steering fluid line leak

"...but if you've had a power steering or a transmission fluid line leak into your connector it could be causing an issue..."

If the power steering fluid leaks, it can get onto electrical connectors. That can mess up the electrical connection and cause sensor/engine computer problems.

Term

ECM

"...it could be causing an issue with communication between the ECM and those sensors and definitely a good cleaning might resolve the issue..."

ECM is the car’s engine computer. It reads sensor signals and uses them to control things like fuel and engine operation.

Term

corrosion

"...you got all the green corrosion off the connector from you know waters gotten in there some oil and stuff..."

Corrosion is rust-like damage on the metal inside a connector. It can stop the electrical signal from getting through reliably.

Term

dielectric grease

"...you either have some people you know prefer dielectric grease which would be like a silicone paste...use it sparingly in the connector..."

Dielectric grease is a silicone-based paste used on electrical connectors to help repel water and reduce corrosion. It’s typically applied sparingly so it doesn’t interfere with the actual metal-to-metal contact points.

Term

multi-purpose lubricant

"or we also offer a multi-purpose lubricant and corrosion inhibitor called 226"

A multi-purpose lubricant is a spray or liquid meant to reduce friction and help with a few different maintenance jobs. Here it’s mentioned as part of keeping battery/electrical connections in good shape.

Term

battery acid

"electronic terminals messed up by battery acid don't you"

Battery acid is the corrosive liquid inside many car batteries. If it gets on or near the terminals, it can eat away at the metal and cause corrosion that affects starting and charging.

Term

foaming cleaner

"which is a foaming cleaner you spray [3409.3s] on the surface it actually comes [3411.3s] out of the can as a yellow color"

A foaming cleaner is a battery-cleaning product designed to cling to the surface while it works. The foam helps keep the chemical in contact with grime and corrosion long enough to dissolve it.

Term

battery terminal protector

"and all you can go back and you can [3436.7s] spray a battery terminal protector [3438.8s] on the surface which will leave a red [3440.8s] coating that helps [3442.6s] to prevent any moisture from getting"

A battery terminal protector is a protective coating you put on after cleaning. It helps keep water and dirt from causing corrosion on the battery connections.

Term

battery terminal cleaner

"no good little spit on it to try and get them to connect again no good little CRC battery terminal cleaner be better yeah I bet"

A battery terminal cleaner is a product that cleans the metal contacts on your car battery. If those contacts get dirty or corroded, the battery may not connect well—cleaning them helps the car start reliably.

Term

electronic parts cleaner

"and one more thing with the electronics cleaner if you're having any problems with your buttons on your radio or even at home ... just how cleaning it out with CRC electronics cleaner will will help that"

This is a special spray that cleans dirty electrical connections. It helps remove gunk that can cause buttons or radios to act up.

Brand

CRC electronics cleaner

"just how cleaning it out with CRC electronics cleaner will will help that I just went through like eight cans of electronic parts cleaner"

CRC is a brand that makes cleaning sprays for electronics. The host is saying this specific cleaner helped fix problems caused by dirty electrical connections.

8 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars