Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Feb 14, 2004

Join Now

Prev	Professional Automotive Repair Technical Discussions for February 14, 2004 International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN) - Members Only	Next
(Also Available: All, Asian, Chrysler, European, Ford, GM.)
Vehicle Owners: If you are seeking an automotive repair professional to service your vehicle, visit the iATN Repair Shop Finder.

Open Help Requests for All Makes and Models

	Help Request	Answers
	1992 Acura Integra LS 1.8L No Start VIN: JH4DA9451N Got a Good one. car come in a couple weeks ago making all kinds of noise and a check engine light. scan revealed cyl sensor noise. customer left. calls back a few days later car won't start. I get the car in and find it has a locked up distributor. I replace i...	View
	1989 BMW 750iL 5.0L Hesitation, Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: WBAGC8313K Need help on this vehicle,as we do not have any information on the servicing of this 750. We only have information up to the 735's. this car was towed in, becaus it would only get to about 20 mph. We changed the fuel filters, caps and rotors and the plugs. The...	View
	1990 BMW 735iL 3.5L central locking VIN: WBAGC4316L When locking this car, intermittently it will not double lock. This is noted as the factory alarm system DWA does not engage (no flashing red light on dash) and the whole car unlocks when opening the trunk. However we know that the microswitch and general modu...	View
	1996 BMW 328i 2.8L instrument cluster VIN: WBACD3328T I have a 328i with a 167mamp draw coming from the instument cluster. The condition occures after the key has been cycled. I separated the cluster and the draw droped to 35manp. If the cluster is unpluged and than repluged the draw is gone. We tried a junk-yard...	View
	1993 Cadillac Eldorado 4.9L oil pump VIN: 1G6EL12B2P hi all, thanks in advance for all your help. i'm a transmission specialist by day and this car belongs to one of our regulars. you know how it goes. it came in with the lifters clattering to beat the band. we changed the oil 1800 miles earlier and it was fine....	View
	1994 Cadillac DeVille Concours 4.6L Poor Idle Quality, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G6KF52Y0R now coolant temp goes from 172f to 50F real fast,abs data states Lf and Lr wheels going 40mph and the rest of the data is jumbled on our snap on scanner and sometimes just cuts out for lack of communication.unplugged computors on the uart data line one at time... Trouble codes: 137 (loss of abs/tcs data)	View
	1986 Chevrolet Astro 4.3L Unknown VIN: 1GBDM15Z8G Thanks in advance, I am not a trans rebuilder, but I have this 86 astro with a 700r4 that the pump broke. Everything else worked and shifted fine, it belongs to me so I figured, hey I'll just replace the pump. I replaced the pump and housing and transferred al...	View
	1992 Chevrolet Cavalier RS 2.2L Mechanical VIN: HJWE34UI45 brakes were perfect until i replaced fuel line...and of coarse both rear brake lines started leaking so i replace both rear lines ...top up brake fluid...and bleed both nipples at abs unit next to the master...good 5 or 6 pumps clear fluid no more bubbles...th...	View
	1993 Chevrolet Beretta GT 3.1L cooling fan VIN: 1G1LW13T0P car come in with fan running continously when ignition switch is on. someone ran a ground wire off ground wire leading to relay switch causing fan to run. we disconnect ground wire that was spliced into ground to relay and fan quits. we have checked continuity...	View
	1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 5.7L No Start, Hesitation, Stall VIN: 2G1FP22P6V kid took off out of parking lot after work.got on it hard. popped and died. water pump has been leaking. suspect opti spark. dist. have never had the chance to work on this system befor. no codes. coil is working fine but nothing to plgs. no start. no fire. al...	View
	1998 Chevrolet K1500 Cheyenne 5.7L Misfire VIN: 2GCEK19R8W Help Guys! 1998 Checvy Z71 350 brought in missing on cylinders 5 and 7. Performed standard tests and results below. Compression 5-170 7-175 Fuel pressure - 61PSI Injector pressure drop test -OK Swapped - Cap(2),rotor,plugs. Removed plenum and commanded inject... Trouble codes: P0300 (Cylinder Misfire)	View
	1997 Chrysler Sebring LX 2.5L spark and fuel VIN: 4C3AU52N7B no start at times, no spark or injector pulse no codes preformed diag procedures told to monitor cam and crank sensors if one or the other reads no during cranking to condem that part. this vehicle reads yes on both sensors during cranking, suspect falty cam s...	View
	1995 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L Vibration VIN: 1B7HF16Z5S This vehicle vibrates severely with the torque converter appplied. vibrates moderately all other times. We have replaced plugs and wires. scan data indicates long term fuel trims at +10% and short term at -2%. All scan data seems normal and this is the origina...	View
	1998 Dodge Neon R/T 2.0L no start VIN: 3B3ES47C8W Hey Guys, I'm paying for this one, I got in a car for an oil leak, same old thing. neon wiht a head gasket leaking oil right? so I replaced and had head machined and put back all is great but car won't start.. I have good spark, good fuel, good inj. pulse.. co...	View
	1995 Fiat Cinquecento 900CC No Start, Cuts out VIN: ZFA170000. This Fiat starts from cold but once it has been running for 5 to 7 minutes it cuts out. Then whilst it wont start i can see on the scope that it is not operating either the coil packs or the injector properly. After several more minutes it re-starts.Both patte...	View
	1997 Ford E-350 Econoline 7.3L No Start VIN: 1FTJS34FIT used some of the fixed email to trace other items, but no luck. driver said he was driving and suddenly died...? we don't have reading for icp (3 wire) sensor icp has 5v but .2 going to ecm Trouble codes: P1298 (idm fault), P1292 (bank 2 short to ground), P0340 (cam position sensor), P1711 (trans temp)	View
	1994 Geo Tracker 1.6L Hesitation, Over fueling VIN: 2CNBE18U5R Vehicle Cranks,Starts and idles. Won't respond to throttle under load. black smoke from exhaust. adusted throttle position idle switch. Fuel pressure [...] Drops to 37 at idle. (Alldata spec 13 to 20 at idle, 30 to 41 KOEO). Replaced fuel pressure regulato...	View
	1997 GMC K3500 Sierra SL 7.4L line pressure VIN: 1G3K300J97 After an overhaul for converter failure(highly metalized oil-no other hard parts affected)I now have very low line pressure(45 psi)and am unable to command higher pressure with Tech-2.When commanded the PCS is following the commands but not increasing pressure...	View
	2000 GMC Savana 2500 5.7L Stall VIN: 1GTGG25R3Y This van was towed in last night after another tech had replaced the fuel pump twice in the last 2 weeks. Customer complaint is losing power and stalling when hot. Van started and ran for about 2 minutes then lost fuel pressure and stalled. Started up again ri...	View
	1993 Honda Prelude Si 2.3L timing belt alignment VIN: JHMBB2253P How does one install the timing belt on a 2.3L prelude SI? The balance shaft gear has marks on it but I see nothing to line up with. The bolt behind the engine should be a 6mm bolt but it just goes in and does not thread in. Any suggestions will be appreciated...	View
	1995 Jaguar XJ12 6.0L Cooling Systems VIN: SAJMX1346S The car experienced an expansion tank explosion last night as the customer was bringing the car to our shop. According to a previous invoice, there have been appr. 2400 miles since the 1st repair. The tank separates at he seam where the top is bonded to the bo...	View
	1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L park & rev. VIN: 1J4GZ58SXR hi all, thanks in advance for all your help. this one came in with the output shaft support and od piston torn up. we rebuilt the unit and installed it with a new cooler and converter. test drove unit and it worked flawlessly. customer returns 200 mi. later wi...	View
	1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L no start- dead battery VIN: 1J4GW58S0X hello to everyone, my wife jeep at times battery over night goes almost dead this happens once a month but now almost every night, tested battery and charging system- ok ,found draw of 584mamp and down to 28mamp after module shut down- pulled power dist. cente...	View
	1995 Kia Sephia GS 1.8L rad fan VIN: KNAFA1252S To all KIA tech this KIA SEPHIA GS came in with the rad fan not running...with the ac on the condenser fan will run and cool it down...with the ac off the car will get so hot that it will start to purk out the coolant...after checking the wiring we found out t...	View
	1999 Lexus LS400 4.0L Stall VIN: JT8BH28F8X Hi everybody, i have this Lexus LS400 99 model almost brand new only 6800 miles that have a driveability problem and the VSC light comes on everytime after starting the engine for 3secs., the car cannot move after reaching 3000rpm, it will start jerking, i tes... Trouble codes: P0100 (Mass or Volume Airflow circuit malfunction), C1201 (No Description)	View
	2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited 3.5L output speed sensor VIN: JA4MW51R71 vehicle came in in limp mode.after diagnoses code 0720 output speed sensor. engine&trans slight bucking or surging after & before sensor repaired.unplug speed sensor problem disappears but goes into limp mode.when put in to gear engine idles fine until vehicle...	View
	1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue 3.8L Surge VIN: 1G3WH52K2W Customer has been to us several times complaining of what he calls severe idle surge when at stops and in gear. Fuel pressure ok. Wires and plugs were replaced with OE parts. as it originally had a skip. All scanner data normal. No codes or pending codes. We h...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1999 Audi A4 1.8L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: WAUBB28D7X Thanks to everybody who responded. Apparently, to guys familiar with Volkswagons, the problem I had is a regular occurance. All 6 of my responses said to reset the throttle adaptive or adaption. This would require a VAG1551, which I didn't have. One iATN membe... Trouble codes: P1545.	6
	1999 Audi A4 1.8L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: WAUCB28DXX thank you to all who replied one suggestion was the igniter module which i had already changed jay was on the money when i went to the dealer they didn't know what code 1613 was but let me look at ther code chart in their computor and yes jay the donor was fro... Trouble codes: P1613 (i dont know this code).	4
	1990 BMW 750iL 5.0L No Comp. Feed VIN: WBAGC8319L Customer is putting off the a/c repairs untill later. I got some good info from the group. Michael supplied some great info on TSB # B 64 11 92 (3569)regarding replacing the compressor lock control module. The new module eliminates the lock out module due to i...	5
	1994 BMW 325i 2.5L radio wiring VIN: WBABJ5329R Dan from Brazil replied but the fix was not as simple as usuing a tone generator. This vehicle is equipped with a factory amplifier which is located behind the rear seat back on the right side. I traced the tickle wire (white) back to the connector for the rad...	1
	1992 Buick Roadmaster Limited 5.7L 1-2 shift VIN: 1G4BT5379N Customer stated that car was still not upshifting from first (my words, not hers) when in fact she had a LATE upshift. Communication is the key to this fix. Adjusted TV cable just like almost everyone suggested and I had already done. Feels too mushy to me, bu...	10
	1992 Buick Roadmaster 5.7L Hesitation Well, guys I want to say thank you for all the help and the very good info about this vehicle. I think its so great that there is techs out there that offer there help to others in need. I ended up welding in a new cat converter and driving vehicle. The proble...	23
	1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34 3.4L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 2G1WX12X9T I would like to thank everyone who responded to the help request.I have not fixed the car yet the customer has not found time to bring it back in, we are trying to get him to leave it overnite to check the problem cold. The most popular recommendation was to c...	10
	1999 Chevrolet K1500 Suburban 5.7L power steering performance VIN: 3GNFK16R2X This truck was fixed by replacing the sensor at the bottom of the column. Before replacing, I first confirmed the fix by unplugging the sensor on the back of the P/S pump and all problems went away. The pulse was gone, it also corrected a touchy unstable feeli...	20
	1985 Ford Tempo GL 2.3L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire VIN: 1FABP22X2F Hello- this car is gone and runs fine , thanks to all 9 fine responces, i checked the throttle body fuel inlet and outlet for the cone shaped screen like Ron , and Brian said and someone had already taken them out, i pulled the injector and checked both passag... Trouble codes: 68 (I.T.S. closed).	9
	2002 Ford Econoline E350 Super Duty 5.4L lean bank 1 VIN: 1FDZE45M42 Compressed natural gas seems to be more trouble than its worth. We shipped vehicle to a natural fuels specialist. They found 4 injectors flowing much different, and a coil miss firing. these vehs eat ign coils for lunch. Im looking to see other options for coi... Trouble codes: P0171.	6
	1999 GMC Sierra 1500 SL 5.3L abs VIN: 1GTEK19T5X Thanks to all who replied ,most of you were right on the money,I cleaned the surface where the sensors mount,and the problem went away,and my sister in-law was also thrilled.Thanks again for all the replies.	22
	1993 Honda Civic LX 1.5L Warning lamps VIN: 1HGEG8651P Repair suggestions basically came in two areas, one feedback through possibly corroded or damaged wires in the fusebox or under the dash, or disconnecting the alternator. The lamps stayed on one day and i started to disconnect the B+ wire on the alternator. A ...	7
	1990 Lexus LS400 4.0L Excessive Emissions VIN: JT8UF11E2L Special thanks to Quality Plus who must have been there and done that.We were running on one coil, Not because of our error, but coil wire went bad shorting to ground. I suspect age and heat caused it to become brittle. It cracked and shorted when disterbed du...	8
	1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 2.3L Heater VIN: WDBDA28D9P Received [...] replies which mentioned the 'monovalve'. Actually this car doesn't have a monovalve, but does have a vacuum operated water valve similar to most domestic vehicles. While this valve was leaking, it was not the cause of my 'no heat' problem. Other r...	15
	1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 3.2L Compression VIN: WDB2100631 Hi Everybody, sorry for the delay and i like to thank everyone who helped me on this car, Kent [...] gave me a good instructions how to test the compression, so after pouring some ounces of engine oil into the cyl. #5 i tested the compression and got around ...	15
	2001 Mercedes-Benz C320 3.2L key wont turn Ok Here is what I learned. First dont leave the key in the ignition on a mercedes! The eis module seems to be the piece that receives the key in the dash. on e series it is common for the eis module to burn out as well as suck the program out of the key when t...	11
	1990 Pontiac Grand Am LE 2.5L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1G2NE14UOL measured rocker arm travel and found that cam had flat exhaust lobes. running compresion test at 2000 rpm and cylinder preasure went up instead of down showing a exhzust restriction. remove converter no change in driviability and came with conclusion that exha...	20
	1991 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.1L Starting VIN: WE45TY6789 thanks for all responses...took a shot in the dark on this one...had an extra coil pack on my bench...swapped it and 500kms later no problems...purrs like a kitten...thanks again and thanks iatn	6
	1997 Saab 900 SE Turbo 2.0L No Start VIN: Y53DF78N2V HI,and to all that responded thank you very much. of all the replies alot were pointing to crank sensor after i lab scoped it a number of times I finally caught a glitch,and when shut off,wouldn`t restart and no wave form,so i feel pretty good about saying thi...	5
	1990 Subaru Justy GL 1.2L high idle VIN: JF2KD83A7L ok, after I replaced the tps and adjusted to get the correct voltage reading at idle. I found that the idle dropped, but not all the way. It was then I found the cts was bad as well, after replacing the cts, all is now as it should be, this vehicle was afected... Trouble codes: 24 (idle speed control sol.).	4
	1990 Toyota Tercel 1.5L Stall VIN: JT2EL31F5L Well the customer decided not to throw any money at this car,as I suspected the carb would have to be replaced.After monitoting the o2 sensor I could see the computer had control of the carb,it only works off idle,weird.The more I messed with it the more I was...	17
	1993 Toyota Pickup DLX 3.0L fan VIN: JT4VN13D3P I'm not calling this a fix yet because only time will tell. I received 10 replies. Almost all stated the fan must be hitting something caused by motor mounts or crash or something out of alignment. However, this was not the case. The outside of the fan had no ...	10
	1995 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0L Misfire VIN: JT3VN39W0S After going over our vaccume, repairing clogged egr port and bad valve and VSV we were still plagued by thgis pesky misfire. We did omit in our origional repair a thorough valve adjustment with the shims. We have found 2 valves quite far from the optimol adjus...	9
	1987 Volvo 740 GLE 2.3L Accessories VIN: YV1FA8756H hi techs. thank you all,special thanks to raymod [...] and gary klune. while driving the car cold,and tapping on the cluster,the problem went away.we replaced the printed ckt,and no more problems.cust happy and so are we.thanks again to all. joe	7

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