Automotive Diagnostics

Mikes Auto Repair is your repair shop for auto diagnostics. Phoenix, AZ can be unforgiving when it comes to extreme heat, and no one wants to spend hours outside trying to repair a vehicle, let alone figuring out what the problem is. Automotive diagnostic tools are the high tech way around ripping apart your vehicle piece by piece and inspecting each one.

When it comes to car diagnostics, many people may say that a computer is doing all the work and the technician just following orders. Though it’s true that the equipment is telling us whats happening, it’s still up to the skill of the technician to determine the underlying cause of the issue and apply experience and intelligent problem solving skills to efficiently solve the problem. Our ASE certified technicians have the equipment, skills and experience to quickly and accurately attack the root of your vehicle problems.

Engine Diagnostics is a carefully designed system consisting of a few important pieces; but the most important thing to be aware of is your ECU

All vehicles manufactured after the mid 90's are equipped with an Electronic Control Unit. Your vehicles ECU is essentially an onboard computer that monitors the performance of an engines fuel injection, RPM's and a multitude of other processes required to keep your car running. The ECU is constantly making small adjustments to the timing of these processes and keeping them in line. In the event of a problem the ECU cannot fix, the ECU will activate your "check engine light" and store a trouble code in its memory for collection by a technician.

Another integral portion of the car diagnosis system is the sensors. Every vehicle is equipped with multiple sensors; these are basically the eyes and ears of the vehicles ECU and will report an issue back to the computer should something be amiss. One thing that we pay attention to is the fact that if one of your sensors goes bad, it can register as a major issue requiring extensive repair; however, in cases like these simply replacing the sensor will deactivate your check engine light and resolve the issue quickly and cheaply.

At Mikes Auto Repair, we take pride in the fact that we can diagnose and resolve even the strangest of vehicle problems with speed, efficiency and at the least cost to you. We understand that your car is used every day to accomplish your needs and respect the fact that you need it back as soon as possible. We have ASE certified Master Technicians standing by to ensure that no issue is overlooked. Furthermore, we will take the time to let you know the root of the issue so that it can be avoided in the future. So if your car is acting strangely or that pesky check engine light has turned on, take your vehicle to the experts at Mikes Auto Repair and relax. We'll make sure that your car is back on the road and serving you loyally in no time.

Our technicians are able to service almost any vehicle on the road. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call us and our friendly, helpful staff will be glad to speak with you.

Starter Repair

Mikes Auto Repair Phoenix is your stop for quality solutions to your Starter Problems. In conjunction with Napa Brand auto parts, we provide only the best repair service and replacement options for your vehicle.

The root of the starter engine is of course the ignition. When you turn your key it allows electricity to flow from the battery to the starter motor and complete the circuit for the first revolution of your engine.

There are two devices which allow the ignition to fire and start the engine, the Starter Engine and the Solenoid. Because automobile manufactures deemed it more efficient, the solenoid is most commonly attached to the starter. These two devices in conjunction provide a jolt of electricity from your battery to make the engine to “turn over”. Furthermore, the starter also draws in a mixture of fuel and air to provide the initial explosion your engine requires in the beginning of its cycle.

If your car tries to start, but can’t quite get the job done, it could possibly be the starter seeing some trouble. There are generally only a few things that can lead to a starter engine misbehaving.

1. Weak Battery: A Weak or undercharged battery cannot provide the starter with enough electricity to turn the engine over. Your car may make a rapid clicking noise, or just never quite get started.
2. Malfunctioning Soleniod: Since the Solenoid and the starter work in conjunction to get the car started. If the solenoid is cracked or broken you cannot get the charge needed to begin running on gasoline.
3. Bad Wiring: In order to take the charge from the battery, basic wiring is required. More than anything else, time and heat can take the worst toll on basic electrical components. A simple process of replacing some wiring can be all that’s required.

There are also a few mechanical issues that can arise with a starter engine that would cause it to fail. The Flywheel, for example is made up of multiple interlocking “teeth” which moves the crankshaft and pistons. Over time the flywheel can degrade and cause the starter to cease functioning. Ultimately, because almost all of these components are inside a metal casing and are not meant to be serviced individually, it is best to replace the starter engine in its entirety. This ensures that your vehicle will start reliably for years to come.

The process of troubleshooting a starter engine and solenoid combo can quickly become a tiresome task. Let us take away the stress of figuring out the problem and provide a quality service for your problem. Our mechanics are expert with discovering the issue and finding the best long term solution. Plus, we offer Free Towing to the shop for service. So if you can’t get your vehicle fired up, give us a ring and we’ll get you back on the road.

Car Air Filter

Mikes Auto Repair is your number one stop for quality Auto Repair. In Phoenix, all drivers deal with an extra-ordinary amount of dust in the air on a regular basis, so it is important to replace the cabin air filter and Engine Intake Filter at the recommended interval. Replacing them earlier can boost engine performance and give you fresh air to breath while driving in the city.

It may come as a surprise to some, but just like any living creature, an engine requires oxygen to continue functioning. As your car pulls in air, it can take with it dust, grime, and even larger objects such as leaves, insects and small pebbles. This would be catastrophic to the performance of your engine.

Some of these filters are specifically designed to fit inside or next to oddly shaped components, giving them a wide array of surprising and unique shapes. In addition to varying shapes and sizes, intake filters use a number of different filtration methods. Here is a short list of Air Intake Filter technologies

1. Paper: The pleated-paper filter is by far the most common choice for automobile manufactures. It incorporates multiple layers of thin, flexible paper like material to stop dust and other objects from reaching the inner workings of your engine. These are easily recognizable, cost effective and quick to replace.
2. Foam: These filters employ open cell foam which is sometimes oil wetted to trap vast amounts of dirt. These filters are popular for vehicles which have a more “off road” application.
3. Cotton Gauze: Gauze filters are the least often used due to their lack of popularity with Automotive Manufacturers. Cotton Gauze applies the same idea as the pleated paper filters only they can be cleaned and re-used.

The Cabin-Air filter is important because it stops the dust, grime and allergens floating in the air from entering your vehicles cabin. This creates a far more comfortable atmosphere in your car.

There are many different designs and styles to your common air filter, some of these vary greatly in effectiveness and longevity. The most widely used is the pleated-paper air filter. This is placed in the air intake of the passenger cabin to catch and filter the air of potentially harmful and otherwise annoying dust, allergens and other airborne particles. The cabin air filter also serves to stop larger objects such as insects, leaves and even small sticks or rocks. Higher grade filters can be made of composite fiber materials and often include a deodorant that will leave your car smelling fresh mile after mile.

In Partnership with NAPA Auto Parts, we have access to the highest quality aftermarket auto parts available. So whether you’re looking for a standard replacement Air Intake Filter or a performance enhancing Intake, we’ve got you covered. Whatever type of filter your car uses, we can get you back up and running in no time with these simple yet effective procedures to boost the performance and comfort of your vehicle.

Car Safety Inspection

Are you preparing to drive out of town for a family vacation or perhaps for business? This is a great opportunity to do a thorough safety check of your vehicle. Safety is our highest priority, and we know that you feel the same way. No one wants to experience car trouble while on a family trip. But to make things go smoothly, an ounce of prevention goes a long way.

Some people wonder if they can rely on their car to take a long trip if it has high mileage. We prove to our customers time and time again that they can rely on their car, if it is well maintained. Thats our job, and we wont let you down.

Our expert technicians perform a thorough, professional safety inspection on nearly every vehicle that passes through our shop. But every driver needs to know the basics, and learn how to spot signs of potential trouble. Here is a list some of the most basic safety checks that you should keep in mind. Keep in mind that to do these checks routinely could save you from headaches and worry about your car even when you are not travelling. These recommendations are easy to perform and can save you in more ways than one.

The first thing you want to do is check all fluid levels. Park your vehicle on level ground and turn your engine off. Start with the engine oil, check brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. Make sure you don’t forget your windshield wiper fluid and engine coolant.

This is a good opportunity to check the condition of your engine hoses too. Check for cracked or brittle rubber, or for leaky connections. For instance, if there was a leak in the engine coolant it would overheat the car, causing potentially severe damage to your engine. This check is best done after your engine has had a chance to cool off, preferably overnight.

Next you want to check the wear on your tires and make sure you have the right tire pressure. This is especially important in Arizona. At Mikes Auto we will be happy to rotate your tires as this will help with their longevity and will definitely help your budget.

The next item to check is the Serpentine Belt. This belt is connected to the drive pulley of the engine. The car will not operate if this belt fails. A simple visual inspection will go a long way to make sure this belt is in good condition.

Check your headlights, turn signals and your horn. Enlist a buddy to check all lights as you turn them on and off. This is not only a safety matter, as broken lights create an excuse for law enforcement to pull you over. Who wants to complicate their family vacation with such an experience.

Lastly check your wiper blades, make sure they are not cracked or dry.

There is no substitute for driving with peace of mind, knowing that your car has been checked out and it is safe and roadworthy. If you feel pressed for time or are unsure about any of these procedures, we at Mikes Automotive would be delighted to perform a professional, comprehensive safety inspection on your vehicle.