r/AskAMechanic

2003 Saturn Ion v2.3/3 I think. Fuck ton of miles on it. Old Faithful type.

Recently replaced starter (Summer 2025).

Winter came and I started needing a jump in the morning unless I do 30+ minutes of highway driving the day before, but I only drive short distances most of the time.

Replaced battery (~January) and it started great for 2 weeks then the problem came back. I was also driving a lot at that time.

Recently if I don’t drive for a day, it needs to be connected to an external battery for 5-10 minutes before I can get it started and then only needs its usual jump in mornings, I use a battery pack and it’s worked perfectly well but the issue persists.

Dad is suspecting voltage regulator in the alternator, I was convinced it’s the alternator. Just got the alternator and battery checked and they both were “good” and the screen said “pass”.

It seems to start on its own periodically when we get warm days, but usually it still needs a jump on warm days.

Once it’s started, it runs perfectly fine, I’ve never had it turn off while driving and this has now been going on for months so if something was gonna go, I feel like it would’ve.

I don’t use interior lights or use my car to charge my phone. I don’t have a radio system, I rarely even use my exterior lights since I don’t drive at night.

I’m poor rn so I would prefer to fix it than get a new car… please advise me, mechanical friends. Thank you

2017 Hyundai Elantra

Car had sluggish acceleration and weird idle when coming to a complete stop. Then stopping twice on the way home multiple warning lights appeared and no power at all. When turned off and back on car ran normal again. Took to a shop two days later and no issues detected and car was running fine for them. Any ideas?

I drive a 2019 ford escape with 48k miles and a 1.5L engine. Just took it into the dealer with a check engine light on it and they want me to buy a new engine for it and quoted me more than the car is worth.

They said it’s a blown gasket head and needs a full engine replacement. They also told me it’s just the result of a poorly engineered engine and nothing related to driving or maintenance habits could’ve prevented this.

My question is - Is this normal? Is it possible to just replace the head gasket and would a mechanic be willing to do this?

Misfire Code, but runs fine. Nissan says this particular Sentra was not part of the ones recalled for bad crank/cam position sensors. thoughts?

2003 Saturn Ion v2.3/3 I think. Fuck ton of miles on it. Old Faithful type.

Recently replaced starter (Summer 2025).

Winter came and I started needing a jump in the morning unless I do 30+ minutes of highway driving the day before, but I only drive short distances most of the time.

Replaced battery (~January) and it started great for 2 weeks then the problem came back. I was also driving a lot at that time.

Recently if I don’t drive for a day, it needs to be connected to an external battery for 5-10 minutes before I can get it started and then only needs its usual jump in mornings, I use a battery pack and it’s worked perfectly well but the issue persists.

Dad is suspecting voltage regulator in the alternator, I was convinced it’s the alternator. Just got the alternator and battery checked and they both were “good” and the screen said “pass”.

It seems to start on its own periodically when we get warm days, but usually it still needs a jump on warm days.

Once it’s started, it runs perfectly fine, I’ve never had it turn off while driving and this has now been going on for months so if something was gonna go, I feel like it would’ve.

I don’t use interior lights or use my car to charge my phone. I don’t have a radio system, I rarely even use my exterior lights since I don’t drive at night.

I’m poor rn so I would prefer to fix it than get a new car… please advise me, mechanical friends. Thank you

Drive a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe, just got the fuel pump replaced in February. Initially it smelled like gas which I knew was sometimes not unexpected, but notice everytime I fill the tank the car smells soo strong like gas inside. Today I felt like I actually got dizzy and had to open the windows. I don’t think this is normal but wanted to ask a mechanic? Is this an easy fix I could get a friend to look at or something I need to take it back to the shop for🤦‍♀️

TIA:)

Hello you guys,

I have a 2017 Honda hrv LX. With 120,000 miles automatic. Today when I got in the car i noticed a strange beep noise sounding like it’s coming from the back of my car. It only sounds when it’s on and is very repetitive. Sounding every 10 seconds or so. It’s not a seatbelt alarm as the noise is very faint but I can still hear it.

2018 Mazda 3 was stolen and they took the ADAS camera. We acquired a replacement from a junk yard. Come to find out it needs to be programmed and not just calibrated.

Dealership wants $750 to program it. They wanted just under 2k to replace it. Are there any reasonable shops to have this done at?

Wife’s 2018 Mazda3 was stolen and they took the ADAS camera. We acquired a replacement from a junk yard. Come to find out it needs to be programmed and not just calibrated.

Stealership wants $750 to program it. They wanted just under 2k to replace it. Are there any reasonable shops to have this done at?

Wife’s 2018 Mazda3 was stolen and they took the ADAS camera. We acquired a replacement from a junk yard. Come to find out it needs to be programmed and not just calibrated.

Stealership wants $750 to program it. They wanted just under 2k to replace it. Are there any reasonable shops to have this done at?