All of us here at RockAuto would like to wish you Happy Holidays and a New Year filled with health and happiness! Thank you for being our customer and letting us serve as your auto parts supplier!

Take advantage of current promotions and manufacturer rebates at RockAuto and save even more on our reliably low prices!

Rebates Expiring December 31st:

• ACDelco Spark Plugs
• Autolite Spark Plugs
• AVS Vent Visors and Hood Shields
• Lund Tonneau Covers, Nerf Bars, Bull Bars
• Stampede Sidewind Deflectors and Hood Protectors
• USA Standard Gear Differentials and Drivetrain Parts

Go to the Promotions and Rebates page to see details for these rebates and additional rebates on shocks, struts (Monroe and Rancho), winches, lighting and floor mats (Westin). While shopping, watch for the yellow star and "Rebate/Promotion Available!" link next to the part names to help you save even more on RockAuto’s reliably low prices!

E-Gift:
Need a Christmas gift in a hurry? Email a RockAuto Gift Certificate! E-Gift delivery is immediate and free. Simply choose the Email format and your friends and family will conveniently receive the E-Gift in their inbox.

Cummins Forum (Dodge Diesel Forum) is a great source of information on all generations of Cummins powered trucks from the '89 12 valve, to the fourth generation 6.7 liter engines. There are informative topics related to power production, drivetrain, accessories, interior and everything else needed to get and keep the truck moving.

Registration is FREE, fast and simple. Join the community today!

If you are the administrator or member of a forum and you would like to see your website featured in an upcoming newsletter and receive a discount code to share with your members, contact megant@rockauto.com

Recently I was having trouble starting my 2005 Ford Focus. I pressed down on the clutch and brake pedals, turned the ignition key, but the starter would not crank. Everything else seemed OK, dash lights, radio, etc. I noticed that if I would repeatedly push the clutch pedal, I could get it to eventually start.

So I figured I must have a faulty clutch safety switch. Since it would eventually start, I thought maybe the switch was sticking. I took a look underneath the dash and pressed down on the clutch pedal to see if anything looked wrong with the switch operation. I quickly realized what was wrong.

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter bought new floor mats and was going to throw out her old ones. Instead, I used them in the Focus. I already had an old set of mats, but with a Wisconsin winter on its way, I thought I would just throw her floor mats on top of my old ones for a bit of extra salt and slush protection. The extra thickness was just enough to prevent the switch from fully operating unless I pressed down hard enough to compress the mat. I threw out the older floor mat, leaving just one on the floor. No problem starting now. Thinking back, I started having trouble when I put that second mat down a couple of weeks earlier!

John in Wisconsin

Standard Motor Products Clutch Safety Switch clearly showing the switching mechanism

Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked (at least for a while!). Please email your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and if you would like a RockAuto T-Shirt (please let us know your shirt size) or Hat if we publish your story. See the T-Shirts and Hats under Tools & Universal Parts in the catalog. The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!

What is the trade name "Futuramic" used to describe?

A. Kazoop's dynamically enhanced LIDAR for autonomous vehicles
B. Oldsmobile styling beginning in 1948
C. Tesla solid substrate ceramic batteries

Answer below

For years, I have read trade magazines written by and for professional mechanics. I especially enjoy the articles describing difficult-to-diagnose repairs. Symptoms such as an engine failing to start or stalling leads to methodical, meticulous testing of systems and individual parts. The clues often point to an electrical or computer problem. The problem might be intermittent or connecting an OBD scan tool reveals a slew of confusing diagnostic trouble codes.

The technician will often bring out an oscilloscope and start checking the signals from and between computer modules. As I read the painstaking details, I start to worry if what my granddad told me in the 1970s, "These new cars are too complicated to work on." finally has proved true 40+ years later.

After reading lots of articles, I have stopped worrying. The sophisticated electrical testing may help identify the troublesome system, but the specific broken part is often found using classic troubleshooting techniques that have been around since cars were first invented. Techniques such as jiggling connectors, swapping in new parts, cleaning off corroded ground connections and looking for physical damage.

Yes, that BCM (Body Control Module, in "Electrical" category at RockAuto.com) under that late model GMC truck's seat is high tech, but the layer of corrosion covering it looks a lot like the corrosion that can build up on the battery terminals of a 1960s GMC truck. The IDM (Diesel Fuel Injector Driver Module, found under "Fuel & Air" category at RockAuto.com) behind the fender liner on that newer Ford truck is sophisticated electronics, but fill it with dirty water and there will be problems similar to those experienced when water gets inside a 1968 Ford Bronco's distributor cap. The trade journal articles have also revealed a rat's teeth can gnaw through important wires on a new car just as easily as wires on an antique car.

A professional mechanic may not get much background information on the vehicle in his/her service bay. A DIYer has the advantage of knowing his/her vehicle's history of repairs/maintenance, modifications (new radio recently installed...) and potential sources of damage (major coffee spill under the front seat...). That information can point out where to start the hunt and turn a difficult-to-diagnose repair into a straightforward repair.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

To read more of Tom's articles, click this link and choose from story titles on the Newsletter Archives page.

Our 1981 AMC Spirit DL had been sitting outdoors for years when a friend of mine mentioned he had the car and would consider trading it for some wheels and tires I had for sale.

It had been parked in the same spot and had not been started or moved in four years. We went to look at the AMC and brought some fresh gas and a battery booster pack. Once hooked to the charger, and with some fresh fuel, it fired right up and ran incredibly smooth! We let it run for about 10 minutes, then finalized the deal with my friend! But when I attempted to turn the car off and the ignition cylinder would not budge, we then had to get creative on ways to stop the engine.

We got the car home, and with an ignition cylinder, oil, air and fuel filters and some other tune up parts from RockAuto it was running great (and turning off). I spent about a week detailing the interior of the car and polishing the rust free exterior. The paint cleaned up nicely considering the oxidized, dirty mess it was when we dragged it out of the storage yard. We had a blast for the remaining summer months taking it to car shows and just cruising around town.

I shop at RockAuto for all of my auto parts needs and love the savings and excellent service!

Thank you,
Logan and Cindy in Canada

Share Your Hard Work
Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to give you the opportunity to have your car or truck possibly featured in one (or occasionally more) of our publications such as the monthly newsletter, collector magnets or RockAuto social media. New, old, import, domestic, daily driver, trailer queen, classic, antique, we want to see them all! Please email flamur@rockauto.com with your vehicle's history, interesting details, your favorite images (tips for taking pictures of your car) and what parts from RockAuto you have used.

What is the trade name "Futuramic" used to describe?

A. Kazoop's dynamically enhanced LIDAR for autonomous vehicles
Answer B. Oldsmobile styling beginning in 1948
C. Tesla solid substrate ceramic batteries

Back up to trivia question