DIY Network

Auto Trade-In Tips: Minor Repairs Before You Trade From "Auto Primer" episode DAPR-105

To get our Trooper ready for trade-in or sale, we repair the broken turn signal and re-attach some loose weather stripping.

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In this episode of DIY's Auto Primer, host Leilani Munter helps viewers get the most from their car on trade-in day.

In this second segment of episode 105, Leilani explains why fixing simple items to improve the appearance of your trade-in pays dividends at the car dealership. She offers tips on minor repairs -- like fixing a broken turn signal -- that may help you get a better deal.

Materials:

Screwdriver
Replacement turn signal
Weather-strip adhesive
Shop rags

Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, disconnect your car's negative battery cable before you start any mechanical or electrical work on the vehicle.

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Figure A

When you drive your old car onto the dealer's lot to look for a new vehicle, you want your old vehicle to look its best. Curb appeal counts for trade-in value, so check over your vehicle for obvious exterior problems that can easily be fixed -- damaged lights or turn signals, loose or damaged molding, paint scratches, loose weather strippig etc.

As an example, Leilani shows how to fix a broken turn signal on our 1991 Izusu Trooper (figure A) and re-attach loose molding.

Replacing a Turn Signal

• Start by pulling the bulbs back out of the housing (figure B). In this case there were two separate bulbs.

• Using a screwdriver, loosen and remove the screws holding the damaged signal-cover pieces. Retain the screws for later use.

• Remove the old bulbs and replace with new ones. Press the bulb firmly into the socket and twist (figure C) to snap into place.

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  

  
  

• Insert the newly installed bulbs into the new housing from the rear of the housing (figure D).

• Position the new housing in place (figure E) and secure with screws.

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  

  
  

Our Trooper had some weather-strip molding that had come loose (figure F). This can easily be fixed using weather-strip adhesive which is available from auto centers. Simply pull the molding up so that it reaches its full span along the edge of the window opening and apply a thin bead of adhesive along the strip. Then, starting from the bottom and working up, press the strip firmly into place (figure G). Roll up the window to hold the molding in place while the adhesive dries.

Figure F

Figure G

RESOURCES :

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Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
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To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
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Auto Detailing: Step-By-Step Procedures for Complete Automobile Detailing
Model: 0801983940
Author: James Joseph
(1998)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Chilton Book Company
Westchester, PA 19380
Phone: 610-738-9280
Fax: 610-738-9354

Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896