Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Jan 2, 2004

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	Help Request	Answers
	1996 Audi A4 2.8L Control head VIN: WAUDA88DXT Original Climate control panel was not functioning correctly. Replaced climate panel, coded with correct code #(00062) and now it flashes for 2 minutes and then works fine. Car has Zexel compressor. no codes stored. basic settings block 01 is supposed to calib...	View
	1998 BMW 540i 4.4L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: WBADE632XW Hello BMW Techs Also it has the following codes #68 misfire cylinder #6, #70 misfire cylinder #8, this car has a lack of power under load,going uphill, the codes that were set indicates,that the left side catalytic converter is malfunctioning, but my concern i... Trouble codes: 45 (catalytic converter damaged bank 2), 54 (misfire detection 5), 62 (misfire detection to exhaust), 67 (misfire 7), 75 (damaged catalytic converter), 147 (electric thermostat control)	View
	2000 BMW 740iL 4.4L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: WBAGH8341Y I obviosley need to test the knock sensor, but I cant locate them. The alldata gives a poor picture. Can you give wire locations Trouble codes: 213 (Knock sensor circuit 4), 26 (fuel trim out at partial load)	View
	1997 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L data bus VIN: 1G4CW52K5V Hello gm techs,I have a Park Avenue, I am ready to set on fire! This car came in with a no start condition, and remote keyless entry inoperative. It has no power accsesoriess working, windows, door locks ect. As soon as I pluged the Mastertech into the dlc, al...	View
	1990 Cadillac Eldorado 4.5L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: I6GEL1330L Greeting --- the car begin missing 5 day ago, it started at a stop sign. it act like an ignition miss. Chagned the plugs, plug wires,dist cap rotor and pickup coil but the miss will not go away. No codes and the scan data look fine. No scope to use. Can someon...	View
	1990 Chevrolet Camaro RS 5.0L spark VIN: 1G1FP23F8M I cant get spark to the plugs...checked for voltage on primary coil 12 on the plus ..12 on the neg. ground seems to be through tac. 2 prong wire to dist pick up is 7.4 volts.car has resister between key resister bypassing the key syatem. this appears to be cor...	View
	1995 Chevrolet Lumina LS 3.1L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 2G1WN52M8S This car exibits a rough idle intermittently. When happening it feels like a vacuum leak, but the Short Term fuel trim (as viewed on Tech2) is around 60 which is subtracting fuel if I am correct. So I would perceive the engine as running too rich. Once you are...	View
	1995 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 2.2L instrument cluster VIN: 1G1JF5246S Need some help this is a wierd one. Car came in to the shop because car dies out and Check engine light on. Car nerver died out. The code is code 27 Quad driver module fault. Alos after the car gets to operating temp the dash lights will come on by themselves....	View
	1995 Chevrolet Beretta Z26 3.1L heater VIN: 1G1LW15M5S this one came in with little to no heat at anytime, found the heater core 90% plugged. now I have excellent heat running down the road, but it cools off at idle, soon as the car accelerates heat returns like nothing ever happened, is there a restrictor in this...	View
	1997 Chevrolet Venture LS 3.4L tcc VIN: 1GNDX03E6V this mini van came in with what it looked like a overheated torque converter. oil leaking out from the front converter seal(melted). I overhualed the trans ,re torque converter , transgo Jn shift kit,rebuilt planetery(overheated). put the trans in the car ,I n...	View
	1999 Chevrolet Express 3500 5.7L brakes VIN: 1GBJG31R8X vehicle has been in several shops before ours with constant pull to the right when braking. other shop(s) replaced calipers, hoses, and even hydro-boost(?) i do not have any brake pressure gauges and may not get much further without one. i was hoping someone e...	View
	2000 Chevrolet Prizm 1.8L engine VIN: 1Y1SK5285Y Thanks in advance and I apologize for not having more information. I have a customer who is a delivery driver and this is his delivery vehicle. He has a noise coming from behind the front cover on the engine that is more like a rattle. We have not spent alot a...	View
	1997 Chrysler Cirrus LX 2.5L No Start VIN: C3EJHVN606 we had this car come in the shop about 3 months ago with no start, no crank signal, after futher testing it was found that the or/wt wire #44 that supplies 8v to the crank sensor was not there(no voltage). checked for voltage comeing out of the pcm-no voltage....	View
	1984 Dodge Aries 2.2L no power VIN: 1B3BD26C8E This old car is actually a very low milage car which was driven by an old lady her relative now wants it to run good what it does is the car will lose power and actually at times will barley go 30 mph I removed the timing cover to check the belt is ok,accelera...	View
	1995 Dodge Ram 2500 8.0L No Start VIN: 1B7KF26WXS Hello all & Happy New Year, This Ram came in on the hook as a crank, no-start. I find no ASD relay signal, no MIL, hence no spark or fuel. Checked for power and ground at PCM, have battery power, ignition power and two grounds. According to Mitchell that shou...	View
	1996 Dodge Avenger ES 2.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4B38U52NXT codes p0171 and p0174 return after car driven for short time car runs good but the 02 sensors were lazy so we replaced both upstrem 02 s sensors seem to be switching fine now but codes still set no vacuum leaks found and mechanical condition of engine seems f... Trouble codes: P0171, P0174	View
	1986 Fiat X 1/9 1.5L Poor Idle Quality, hard start VIN: 2BBBS00A2G Happy holidays all. Ive got one i've been fighting for a while now. this little fiat has an intermittent hard start/Long crank. Usually in the morning but once ina while during the daytime. The customer said the plugs and wires helped but it went back to the s...	View
	1995 Ford Taurus GL 3.0L EEC fuse VIN: 1FALP52U45 This vehicle was towed in about two weeks ago with no start. The fuel pump was replaced and it left here with 37 psi. It then returned New Year's Eve and had no fuel pressure and no start. The tank was dropped and pump was re-checked. It checked out fine. Now ...	View
	1995 Ford E-350 Econoline 7.3L Stall VIN: 1FDKE30FSH This vehicle originally came in with a blown trnsmission,after the vehicle was returned to the owner I recieved a call that it was running poorly & stalling. I went & towed itr back to the shop,After scanning for codes,none found. I roadtested the vehicle seve...	View
	1996 Ford F-150 Eddie Bauer 5.8L 1-2 shift VIN: 1FTEF14H4T Its got a harsh 1-2 light and med. throttle.Heavy throttle its a lazy shift with a light slam at the end. Owners says that sometimes it will shift lazy all the time .Serviced trans. fluid looked good no chunks or peices in it .Being a Chrysler trans tech I nee...	View
	1996 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L Turn signals VIN: 1FMDU34X5T I have an 96 Ford Explorer that after it sits for a while you turn on the headlamps, and the turn signal lights in the dash light up dim and will not work. Also at the same time the high beam light indicator lights up even though the high beams are not on. Whe...	View
	1996 Ford Aerostar XLT 4.0L temp gauge VIN: 1FMDA41X9T This Aerostar has rear heat also. Problem is fluctuation of engine temp,goes up and down as you drive from about 160* to 210*.Heat output is poor from front and cold out of rear. We replaced the thermostat again and flushed the cooling system.Owner put some st...	View
	1999 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L Power Steering Pump VIN: 1FAFP53U3X Hello all, I have a Taurus I'm have some difficulty diagnosing. The vehicle originally came in several weeks ago for "no power assist". At this time I was not the tech that looked at the vehicle, however I gathered as much information from him as possible. App...	View
	2000 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 5.4L Hesitation, Poor Fuel Economy, lacks power VIN: 1FTNX21L0Y Hello all, This truck runs well under normal driving, but customer complains of poor fuel economy and a hesitation during gear changes- sometimes. The fuel economy may vary as it seems. The barometric hertz is 147. This is the second time I've worked on the t...	View
	2001 Honda CR-V LX 2.0L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: JHLRD18401 We have this vehicle with fairly low miles on it. In the morning, this vehicle will misfire and sometimes stall. It never happens after he drives it to our shop. (We have not kept it overnight yet). I was wondering if some of the Honda tech's are seeing a patt... Trouble codes: P0304 (Misfire 4 Cyl)	View
	1994 Isuzu NPR 5.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4KLB41A4RJ can anyone give me code descriptions for these codes. alldata no help . i dont have heavy duty isuzu book. Trouble codes: 44, 68, 75	View
	1997 Jeep Cherokee SE 4.0L Hesitation, Misfire Fellow technicians, This vehicle came to us about a month ago from a local garage with two problems. First, it will only engage up to 2nd gear, problem found to be a two pin connector on the side of the gearbox, replaced and all is ok. 2nd problem is intermit...	View
	1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.0L in over-drive only VIN: 1J4GW68S4X Customer complained about vibration and check engine light was on. After replacing spark plugs - check engine light stays out until vibration shows at 70-75 mph. This vibration when it occurs will flash the check engine light on & off and the po306 code will r...	View
	1999 Mazda 626 ES 2.0L Surge, bucking VIN: 1YVGF22C2X Symtom: Cold and warm engine (worse cold) vehicle bucks under light acceleration and cruising between idle and 1500 rpm,above that it runs fine,idles fine.Sometimes sets P0302. Has new ignition coil, spark plugs,wires,mass airflow sensor,injector cleaning. Swa... Trouble codes: P0302, P0303	View
	1987 Mercedes-Benz 300SDL 3.0L engine VIN: WDBCB25D7G Hello all, This is my Benz. I changed the oil into a clean drain and 3 steel ball bearings approx.5mm in diameter rolled out of the pan with the oil. Does anyone have any ideas as to where these might come from inside the engine, as it is running normally and ...	View
	1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 2.3L Wipers VIN: WDBDA28DXP The windshield wiper and washer run constantly while the car is running. They work normally when is accessory position. When the lights turn on the headlight wiper and washer are also running constantly. The car also came in with the warning light staying on w...	View
	1999 Mercury Mountaineer 5.0L No Start VIN: 4M2ZU55P7X Vehicle cranks, but doesnt start intermittantly. This condition is related to the anti theft system, but possibly is caused by the pcm and or power to the pcm. After the vehicle sits for several hours the anti theft light will blink rapidy and the the vehicle ...	View
	2000 Saab 9-3 SE 2.0L Smell VIN: YS3DF58K1Y Hi there Techs, We seem to have an unsolveable problem. This 2000 9-3 has an odor coming from the vents when stopping and idling. The smell is like pungent exhaust or a chemical burning smell, or something like that. We wouldn't notice it, but the customer is...	View
	2000 Saturn LS1 2.2L tcc VIN: 1G8JU52F7Y Need some help From Saturn or Transmission Techs. This car has been to 2 trans shops both say problem is outside trans. We opened circuit to TCC solenoid and car operates fine. When connected the TCC shows 99% after driving a short while. We can touch brake pe...	View
	1996 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3VWRA81H4T This car has a problem in the VSS circuit that is very intermittent. It sets the MIL and causes the speedo to act irratic for a moment or two. You can also see the speed signal drop out on the scanner when this happens. The problem is this is very intermittent... Trouble codes: 16885 (VSS-vehicle speed sensor)	View
	1999 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L Cruise control VIN: WVWMA63BXX Wondering if anyone has had a similar problem with the cruise on this vehicle. It originally came in with a cruise intermittantly inoperative. Tested the vaccum pump and the switches and replaced the cruise module. Now the customer complaint is that over a per...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1983 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce 2.0L VVT intake cam VIN: ZARBA54180 Thanx to Stephen,Scott,Alan and especially Chris [...] for faxing some info I could not get hold of...All agreed that red loctite is the way to asemble this item..let set 6 hours before use.Alan sugested using regular type cam and timing to marks on front ca...	4
	1997 BMW 528i 2.8L Indicates Overheating VIN: WBADD6325V Sorry it took so long to close on this one. We had many replies mostly air bleed vents plugged up or headgaskets. We had replaced the temp sender also, but that was not the problem. What we finally did was blow out the vent hose with the air bleed open and the...	17
	1968 Cadillac Eldorado 472CID rotors Thank you very much for your replies. The rotors were in size, and also managed to find out some more useful info on this particular model as well. Wishing you all a Happy and prosperous New Year.	15
	1995 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1L No Start VIN: 2G1WL52M35 THanks to all that responded to my help request. I am happy to report that the problem was the ignition cylinder, as most of you stated. The wires are flimsy, and one of them was completely broken. So I'm speculating that all this time where it was ramdomly no... Trouble codes: 46 (Pass Key II Error).	17
	2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7L clutch VIN: 2G1FP22GX2 well i thought it was a hydrualic problem but i was wrong...it was a defective pressure plate that came in the clutch kit...dont ever use auto specialtity clutch kit for this application	11
	1999 Chevrolet Venture 3.4L Stall VIN: 1GNDX03E3X Simple Fix. Thanks to Tom [...] , It was the Rear O/2 sensor , it was reading lean all the time ,but all the reading I had Done Told me that it was just cat efficiency, but to come fine out that is not true . I unhooked O2 and test drove fine. Replaced and ev...	5
	2001 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2L remote starter VIN: 3G1JC54421 I received 4 replies to my post. Thanks to everyone who took the time. Bob [...]. provided me with the 1-800# I needed[228 5190] However when I called, I got an ...	4
	1988 Chrysler Fifth Avenue 5.2L Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1C3BF66P3J customer decided to take advice and replace lean burn computor.so far all is well.thanks for all 7 replies.	7
	1995 Chrysler Cirrus LX 2.5L road and steering noise VIN: 1C3EJS6H7S Thanks to all who replied. First off i should have thought this out more, but I didn't. What ended up being the fix was broken cradle mount bolts left unrepaired at the time of trans replacement. Again I thank everyone who responded.	18
	1988 Dodge W150 5.2L No Start VIN: 1B7HW14Y6J Thank you for all your help. The pick up plate was the culprit. We replaced the pick up plate and the problem did not return. Thank you.	12
	1995 Dodge Intrepid 3.3L long crank VIN: 1B3HD46T8S WELL! This bugger is finally fixed! Got a lot of help from a lot of folks...let me elaborate. Some said I needed to replace the temp sensor, even though it checked OK on the scanner. I did so: no fix. I installed a new fuel pump, because I had the intake manif...	21
	1996 Dodge Neon 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1P3ES62YXT hi guys, car is still here! ive tested compression - good, egr system - good cam timing - good , missfire problem is not so prominent anymore but i still have a problem with a lean fuel system although while test driving i notice that my short and long term fu... Trouble codes: P0300.	22
	1993 Ford F-150 XL 5.0L Poor Idle Quality hey to all that sent help! i'm sorry about the delay, the truck is still here at my shop and the customer wants me to fix it, but i always close for 2 weeks for the holidays so i won't get back at it until the 5th of january. i promise to keep you informed abo...	61
	1994 Ford E-350 Econoline Club Wagon XLT 5.8L Hesitation, Surge, Misfire VIN: 1FBJS31H0R after testing all injectors and checking for vacuum leaks and other temp sensor , tps , and map and tried a used and a reman ecm i sent this van to the ford shop where they replaced the ecm and that fixed the problem . i thank everyone for their help seems the...	6
	1994 Ford Taurus LX 3.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FALP5848R Computer was the problem on this car installed the new unit and check engine light went off and mass air flow voltage was correct thanks for all the help fellow members Trouble codes: 159 (Mass Air Flow code sensor signal higher or lower than expected).	5
	1997 Ford F-250 7.3L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTHX26F5T 8 replies total. Several suggested oil level and pressure,one suggested gas in diesel. Another suggestion was to perform an injector buzz test. This led the tech to a injector not working correctly. Don from California and Joe from New York hit the nail on t... Trouble codes: P1111 (System Pass).	9
	1999 Ford Windstar SE 3.8L heater VIN: 2FMZA5249X thanks for all your good replies, it turns out that the #5 cyl. had a combustion leak, causing air bubbles. It stumped me cause there was no overheating, and no coolant loss, it must have been a small leak that only would allow compression to leak into coolant...	7
	1989 GMC C2500 Sierra 5.7L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on Most replies pointed to the oxygen sensor. Others said to check the lifter adjustments and the timing chain marks. The lifters were rechecked and they seemed to be set correctly. Engine vacuum and compression were within specs, so for the time being I was will...	10
	1996 GMC Sonoma SLE 2.2L 2-3 shift VIN: 1GTCS1947T Afternoon Gentlemen, Got some responce from Jerry (both) Chuck, Leo and Stephan.Good tip on disconnecting the trans 20 pin connector and the pressure should default to 200 psi, unfortunately it would not default to this and I removed the pan. Amp tested the PC...	6
	2001 Lexus LS430 4.3L vsc VIN: JTHBN30F31 Thank you very much gentlemen for all your replies, the code was for the left rear wheelspeed sensor possibly have debris on sensor tip. We checked and cleaned all sensors but code was still there, we disconnected the harness at the traction Ecu and measured a...	6
	1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 3.2L unkown VIN: 4JGAB54EXX Thanks to all 13 people who have replied. Yes, the cooling fan in the module box,was makeing the noise. Happy New Year! Uli	13
	2000 Mercedes-Benz E430 4.3L srs light on VIN: WDBJF70GXY Thanks to all that replied,iatn is a godsent! After reprograming the radio & windows the false code was gone & SRS light went out. Thanks Again!	7
	1985 Toyota MR2 GT 1.6L power window motor and regulator access I want to thank Michael, David, Rick and Dennis for your input. Michael, I did as you suggested by obtaining a Factory Shop Manual from the Library and made copies of the front door components which showed the layout of the window regulator and related parts. ...	4
	2000 Toyota Corolla VE 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1NXBR12E1Y Hello, I believe this one is fixed. The responces were overwhelming, Most of all said to clean and or replace MAF sensor. The one question I had was answered this car does not have a MAP sensor so testing this isnot possible. I removed MAF sensor and cleaned T... Trouble codes: P0171 (osb1 lean).	18
	1998 Volvo V70 GLT 2.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: YV1LW5673W it turns out that the ground circuit to the p.a.i.r system(pluse air pump)was not operating...the ground from the ecm B38 to the ground 85 on the little yellow relay, under the hood next to the air filter cannister...so no output via the ecm to the air pump re... Trouble codes: 448 (pulsed secondary air inj system flow fault), 446 (valve leakage), 442 (flow fault).	10
	1998 Volvo S70 2.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: YV1LS5588W after pressurizing the evap system...there was a leak on top of the fuel tank...on the triangle looking hose assemby that goes from the tank pressure sensor(map sensor) to the fuel tank ...replaced it and the system passes the self test on the scan tool...than... Trouble codes: 612 (po442 tank system small leak intermitten).	3
	2001 Volvo V70 2.4T 2.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: YV1SW58D91 We found the gas tank was leaking by way of smoke testing it. Thank you to all who gave descriptions and suggestions. Other signs are slight moisture coming from the top of the tank(left side near rear wheel). This has been the third gas tank leak we have had.... Trouble codes: P0442 (Small leak detected/ecm code 430D no description).	9

(Also Available: All, Asian, Chrysler, European, Ford, GM.)