Q: Rattling, loss of power, smells of rotten eggs, dash lights on
Hi. I need some advice on what to do with my car. The dashboard shows warning lights on. There is a very bad smell to it, like rotten eggs. When I drive, it seems to lose power. The car also rattles. What should I check first? Thanks.
Recommended Services
| Check Engine Light is on Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
The first thing to check is the Check Engine Light to see why it is on. The smell of rotten eggs is an indication that the catalyst is bad and the rattle may be that the catalyst is broken up inside. The codes need to be diagnose and repaired before the catalyst is fixed, since it may of gotten damaged by the engine running condition. I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic come to your house or office to inspect the codes for your Check Engine Light, before any repairs are attempted.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Heater not blowing hot air
If you have fluid leaking from under the dash on the passenger side, the heater core is leaking. This part will require replacement in order to get heat to function properly again. Sometimes this can be replaced by removing only...
New battery but not starting
Hello. If your car won't turn over after replacing the parts you have listed, this could mean that the timing belt is broken. For your engine, when the timing belt breaks the motor is not "in time" and can not...
Is there any simple way to diagnose why my AC won't blow cold?
Hello. I will help you with this issue. If the a/c compressor is NOT running (and thus NOT creating suction in the refrigerant piping on the low side) and you apply a gauge to measure system pressure on the low...
My car was in a crash, and now the shifter won't come out of drive
I'm not clear on where the car was damaged or if the damage was repaired, but it is possible that the shift cable was damaged if the car was hit in the right spot. The other possibility is that there...
My car has three lights that came on.
Hi there. If the throttle body light is coming on, then the throttle position sensor is picking up the throttle plate sticking. Clean the throttle plate and open it manually with a large screwdriver to make it free up. Also,...
Transmission slack
This is often a sign of low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car's computer activates a...
I am about to replace engine in my 1998 lincoln nav it had 240 thousand miles i have an engine trying to find a good e to have it
To remove and replace the complete engine, the labor time is in the range of 14 to 18 hours . The variance is due to different requirements in the 4WD version versus the RWD version and there are at least...
My 2013 chevy captiva had the reduced engine power light come on while i was at a stop light.
Hi Daniel. Thanks for contacting us tonight. It's quite possible that these two warning lights - along with the 20 mph performance are caused by the same component - a damaged speed sensor. The reason your car is only going...
I have a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 19k that has been sitting for 6-7 years , what needs to be done to get it running again?
You will need to start by draining all the fuel and put in new fuel and then see if it starts or the pump and filter assembly may be bad.
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Lexus LS
With With a four-generation legacy spanning a quarter of a century, the Lexus LS may not be the riskiest, most cutting-edge vehicle in its class but its devotees don’t mind – the reliability, near perfection of design, and pronounced bent...
How to Get Rid of Bad Smells in Your Car
No one likes riding in a smelly car. Locate the source of the smell, then give your car a thorough clean to keep it smelling fresh.
Understanding the Lincoln Intelligent Oil Life Monitor and Service Indicator Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The Lincoln Intelligent Oil Life Monitor indicates when and what service your car needs.
Browse other content
Estimates
Maintenance