Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Apr 9, 2004

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	Help Request	Answers
	1994 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L alarm remote VIN: 1G4CW52L0R I have recently purchased this vehicle and the remote was cracked by the key ring. I purchased a new remote and cannot find the step by step information to program the remote. My dealer told me their information didn't go back that far. Any help would be appr...	View
	1985 Cadillac Eldorado 4.1L Hesitation, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1G6EL5780F checked codes, found 2 52, 53. found coil that customer installed missing center pin for ground which burned up coil, replace coil, found broken coolant temp sensor, replaced. cleared codes, car runs perfect for exactly 45 minutes and then under load will hesi... Trouble codes: 52 (long term ECM memory reset), 53 (ecm lost dist signal)	View
	1996 Cadillac DeVille 4.6L power antenna VIN: 1G6KD52Y6T found antenna mast broken (common problem)also had base by motor rusted out customer said tried universal antenna no extension r&r asm with a/c delco factory replacement still no extension performed gm giagnosis was recomened to replace relay. Antenna came wit...	View
	1989 Chevrolet C1500 Cheyenne 4.3L Misfire VIN: 1GCDC14Z3J Hey all you chevy nuts. I have this truck that runs excellent most of the time.this truck will go two days of flawless bliss then we give it to customer and it comes back within a day with missfire again. i have traced this missfire to the right side injector....	View
	1997 Chevrolet Express 1500 4.3L engine boggs VIN: 1GCFG15W5V the problem i am having is that this van will just intermittently bogg down.just for a min. then runs fine. there is no pattern does not matter if it is hot or cold.i can drive 12 miles not have a ploblem one day. then drive the same 12 miles someother day it ...	View
	1999 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7L Oil Press. Gauge VIN: 1G1YY22G0X Oil pressure gauge has needle at the bottom & never comes up; pressure stays down; have a good reading at scan tool using a Snap-on red brick & also an OTC Determinator ( Pathfinder). Both indicate good readings but nothing good at the instrument cluster & Mit...	View
	2000 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1L sdm VIN: 1G1ND52JLY This vehicle has been brought to me with the airbags deployed. I am trying to determine roughly when the airbags deployed relative to ignition cycles. My Snap-On scanner reads "warning lamp cycles-125". Since the warning lamp is illuminated when the deployment...	View
	2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 6.0L Axle seals VIN: 1GCHC29U31 Hi there fellow technicians, we have an ongoing problem with a P/U that keeps blowing out the rear axle seals. Leak is worse at the R/R. Vehicle came to us when the customer was seeing fluid on the ground at the R/R. We inspected and found the R/R axle seal le...	View
	1998 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: 387KF22Z9W Cyl 8 injector is dumping fuel into the cyl. New injector did not change. Check for spark everything is good ign.wise. Suspect computer, no access to a used computer for testing. What could cause the injector to stick open? Trouble codes: P0208, P0308, P0202, P0206, P0300	View
	1999 Ford Escort ZX2 Hot Coupe 2.0L No Start, Cuts out VIN: 3FAKP1131X hello ford techs. car came as a cranks wont start found had no fuel pressure and no comunication to scan tool diagnosed bad pcm. installed new pcm from ford car started and ran fine. customer picked up car ran fine for a month then it died while driving. towed...	View
	2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4.6L Differential axle seals VIN: 1FMZU73W12 Good day fellow Ford lovers!! Thanks for any info. in advance!! We have a 2002 Explorer A4WD (automatic 4 wheel drive) with a "traction loc" here that has had "both" rear differential/axle seals replaced a 31,000 miles.. Now,, at 48,000 (beyond Ford "Dealer" ...	View
	1998 GMC Jimmy Envoy 4.3L Battery VIN: 1GKDT13W9W Intermitant battery drain. If you drive the truck everyday the battery is fine. If you let it set for 48hr it's dead. I found a short to the driver's electic seat, removed the fuse, but the problem is still there. The battery and alternator test good. Don't fi...	View
	2000 Honda Accord EX 2.3L rear suspension VIN: IHSOWK3450 This car has a weird clunk or creak. Almost sounds like the exhaust pipe hitting something but it isn't. Only seems to make it at very low speeds and very tough in the bay but will do it evertime backing it out of the shop at the doorway bump. Would sure like ...	View
	1999 Infiniti I30 3.0L evaporator? VIN: JNKCA21A9X We replaced the compresor and reciever dryer and flushed system due to compressor failure. Car nows cools to 60f only at center dash outlet. Is there a load sensor on this car that will increase cooling as temp goes up? It is 70f in the shop? Our 134A machine ...	View
	1996 Jaguar XJ6 4.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: SAJHX1743T car came in this moring with mil lite on. used gds510 jaguar scanner and it wont go past the system ready test. alldata has a flow chart that tell me to drive the car for 7.5 miles at differant speeds for differant times up to 23 minutes. i just talk to a serv...	View
	1994 Jeep Cherokee SE 4.0L Camshaft VIN: 1J4FT28S7R Camshaft has "walked" forward in the block, - to the point of breaking the middle out of the timing cover. At the time of overhaul, new timing chain, gears, cam button & spring as well as the cover were replaced. Now it is back in here with a hole in the timin...	View
	1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L dtc po753 VIN: 1J4GZ58S7W Where should I go from here? In advance, thankyou.	View
	2002 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.6L ABS Light TC Light VIN: SALPM16402 The abs and traction control lights stay on when car is started. When driving down the road they will go out but when you step on the brakes the lights will come back on and stay on. This problem all started after the brake job. Any advise would help. 818-988-...	View
	1989 Lincoln Mark VII LSC 5.0L dash lights VIN: 1LNBM93E2K Dash and cluster lights work only with door jam switch, once key is turned on, they become inop. Replaced h/lamp and dimmer, same problem. I understand there are wires in the trunk related to our issue. Ford techs help with this one,Thanks Jim	View
	1997 Mazda 626 LX 2.5L Cuts out VIN: 1YVGL22D6V We installed a "japanese take-out" engine and have got it down to a dead spot or stall if you will when you start to accelerate off idle once you get past the dead spot she accelerates fine and has a lot of power (this engine is supposed to have 40 more hp tha... Trouble codes: 1195 (EGR boost sensor)	View
	1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Kompressor 2.3L Exterior Lights VIN: WDBKK47F2W New client and first time we have seen this car. The owner stated that the headlight switch was defective, “causing the lights to come on and then the battery dies. This makes the alarm sound." We checked the car and noted that the headlight switch functions a...	View
	1991 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.5L Surge, high idle VIN: JA3CU26A5M This car has a surging idle. If I groung the timing connector the surging stops, but it idles at about 1200. MAF at .80. At idle it should be .50. That indicates too much air causing high idle, but I can't find where it is coming from.	View
	1995 Mitsubishi Montero SR 3.5L No Start VIN: JA4MR51M1S Hello group,First off I want to thank you for taken the time to open this request.I have a vehicle in our shop that has been nothing short of a nightmare for us.The motor was using large amounts of oil and was told the only solution was an engine change.How ha...	View
	1995 Mitsubishi Montero SR 3.5L engine VIN: JA4MR51M4S this truck was brought in after another shop replaced head gaskets,heads were not surfaced or check as far as customer or receipt shows.car ran fine up until overheating and head gasket replaced.check engine light is off, no codes, pulled front off and checked...	View
	2000 Nissan Maxima GLE 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: JN1CA31A2Y Hello- This is a problem child to the nth degree. This maxima came in for a check engine light late last year. O2 heater went bad and we replaced the sensor. Customer drove car for awhile 10mos. no problems. Customer returned with light on and new code 171. R... Trouble codes: P0171	View
	1990 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 3.8L timing chain VIN: 1G3HY54C9L GM techs HELP!, This vehicle came in with a code for cam sensor. I pulled the sensor out and yes the magnet was missing from the cam gear. I have pulled the timng chain set out and now have a problem. The tensioner/damper that came off the vehicle does not in...	View
	1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager Expresso 3.3L Misfire VIN: 1P4GP44G9W This has a history of popping thru exhaust as the customer put it,has been approx 1 1/2 months since it acted up.When testing found #5 & #1 spark plug wires very high resistance,so replaced wires test drove,1 time felt a stumble,could not get to act up again.i...	View
	1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 3.6L Noise VIN: WBOCB2960M This vehicle has two noises, one is a gurgling sound like water is running under the floor mats, It appears to be the oil circulating thru the pipes, Is this normal? I have never heard it on other 911s before. also the convertible top rattles on the locator pi...	View
	1995 Saab 9000 CS 2.3L trans cooler VIN: YS3CD68U2S This car is back again for the same problem that it originally came in for about 6000 miles ago---mixing of trans fluids and coolant. It appeared to be a failure of the transmission cooler inside the radiator so we replaced the radiator with a dealer unit (mad...	View
	2000 Subaru Forester L 2.5L transmission VIN: JF1SF635OY customer has had this problem for several months. vvehicle will not at times, it will not go into forward gears.shifter moves into gear, but transmission will not engage. vehicle also has had transmission taken completely apart, and no mechanical malfunction c...	View
	1994 Volkswagen Passat 1.8L Poor Fuel Economy VIN: WVWZZZ317N hill tech members, this car have been with me for a few days now i have tested all the nessary earas but sitll not inprovement in the car performance, that is not pulling and fuel consumption is little bit high and sound of the engine is look like laking power...	View
	1999 Volkswagen Beetle GL 1.8L abs hydraulic pump VIN: 3VWDD21CXX this car has been to many other shops and has had very poor workmenship done.	View
	1993 Volvo 940 T 2.3L fuel guage VIN: YV1JW8702P Hey volvo techs and beyond...I'm struggling with this 940 turbo wagon. It originally came in with an intermit. fuel guage. I tested at inst. cluster and good signal from sender. I replaced guage and it worked fine. Came back with same problem a couple weeks la...	View
	1994 Volvo 850 Turbo 2.3L No Start VIN: YV1LS5718R Hallo and welcome to my world ! ... No, you wouldn't like it ! My ex has ... Well, that's not what I'm here for. This confounded Volvo will not start. I put in a Bosch reman' starter AND a PRND switch for intermitent no start, that is, no crank. Whenever it d... Trouble codes: P0120 (Throttle switch. Snap-On Scanner. Generic OBD11)	View
	2001 Volvo V70 X/C 2.4L Surge VIN: YV1SZ58D81 I suspect possible maf. Did all background research including calling my tech line. No vacuum leaks, all hoses are secure.	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1994 Audi 90 S 2.8L No Start, MIL Lamp on VIN: WAUBJ88CXR vehicle started when we got it here.Put a lab scope on the cam and crank sensor's and looked good.Vehicle never stalled or didn't start here so we could not pinpoint the problem.most responses said to look at the cam sensor. Trouble codes: 00515 (hall sensor g-40).	5
	1988 BMW 750iL 5.0L Check engine lite VIN: WBAGC83L27 Well I got a hold of a ETM manual for that 1988 750il BMW and for that year up to 8/88 only the 735i and il only have a check engine lite not the 750. Thanks	1
	1990 BMW 735i 3.5L temp control VIN: WBAGB4314L This beauty is now diagnosed, I did not want to wait for the owner to decide if he wants to spend the money to repair it before I posted my fix. Seth [...], the actuator motor for the passenger side blend door had broken out...	6
	1995 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1G4HP52L2S Sorry for the long close, but wanted to make sure vehicle was fixed. Some replys suggested crank sensor and that was my thought. Since I stock one and their fairly easy to put in,I gave that a try.But it wasn't the problem. Removed it and installed pcm. It's f... Trouble codes: 1629 (passkey fuel enable circut), 1361 (ic control circut not togglling).	11
	1991 Chevrolet Camaro RS 3.1L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1G1FP23T7M recieved a few suggesting leaking egr, had looked at previously but was rechecking everything when i noticed that the egr openings and the ports going to the manifold did not line up. Previous engine installer installed the egr backwards!!! yes it can be done....	10
	1995 Chevrolet Blazer 4.3L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1GNCS13W4S thanks all for the replys. The after market egr gasket seemed to fix the problem. Trouble codes: 32 (EGR Error), 45 (Rich Exhaust).	9
	1997 Chevrolet Venture LS 3.4L readiness monitors VIN: 1GNDX03E8V ok, ok, i'll give the van back. that was what the majority of you said. we followed the obd II test drive instructions straight off of the iatn and i mean step by step...ect at cold start up at 48 degrees, iat at 50 degrees. we removed the o2 heater fuse the n...	9
	1998 Chrysler Sebring LX 2.5L No Start Thanks to all. I highly appreciate your advice. The problem was fixed by the swith of the distributor.	7
	1995 Dodge Stratus ES 2.5L Transmission operation VIN: 1B3EJ56H8S This vehicle finally failed completely, one day when driving it, it went into limp in mode and would not come out, and it finally had a hard failure. We ended up finding a broken wire that goes from the TCM to the solenoid assembly. The wire that was the low/r...	10
	1995 Dodge Intrepid 3.3L converter VIN: 2C3HH46T0S Well I fianally fixed this thing after three days. It turned out to be a power problem. When I first checked out the feeds to the tcm everything checked out ok. Also this is why I had an intermittent fault at first. The main power wire to the tcm has a splice ...	8
	1996 Dodge Avenger ES 2.5L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall VIN: 4B3AU52N2T internal leak at egr soleniod caused problem. exaust gas was seeping into intake causing low idle and high iat temp.	15
	1965 Ford Mustang 289CID 2-3 shift VIN: 5F08C6E853 Several good replies. One was to replace the modulator valve, which helped 1-2 shift, but not 2-3 shift. Problem has been getting worse as I drive, even to the point of slipping between 2nd & 3rd. I don't do tranny work myself, so I contacted the tranny shop w...	19
	1985 Ford Thunderbird 3.8L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1FABP463XG Thank you all for the advice. I went through what new info I recieved. According to my meter readings on just about every sensor, they were all fine. I put in a new ECM and the car was fixed. Thank you all for your help. It is good to stick together... John	10
	1989 Ford F-150 Custom 4.9L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 230217F14K I shall post this a second time. Don't you hate it when you type a nice piece and it doesn't take the submission? On to the fix: After listening to directions from fuel injectors to a magnetized distributor shaft(which did get replaced but didn't change anythi...	10
	1995 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L Mechanical VIN: 2FMDA5141S Hi Everyone. The owner decided to get rid of the van and not have me repair it. Thanks to all of you who sent me information. I learned that there is an OASIS on this engine. OASIS #00m09, There are updated gaskets, bolts, head castings and new torque procedur...	20
	1996 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 2FMDA5148T after trying many helpful hints-we came to the conclusion that the ecm was next thing to try-owner declined repair-will post repair if owner changes his mind	17
	1997 Ford Aspire 1.3L Excessive Emissions VIN: KNJLT05HXV Thanks for the replys guys. What we found was that the car had to be driven. Really didn't find why but after driving the car the egr system became active. We also changed the catalytic converter which seem to be a big help. Thanks again for all the replys.	3
	1998 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L abs VIN: 2FMDA5147W many suggested a bad speed sensor, took lab scope reading on each sensor and compared. right rear wasnt as active as rest on scope .while i had assistant spin wheel at steady rate and watching the scope pattern i lightly tapped on the mounting screw of the spe...	7
	1999 Ford F53 chasis 6.8L Misfire VIN: 3FCNF53S8X I recieved 4 replys on this vehicle. Some suggested change all coils etc. One tiped me off that there was a tool that could be used to isolate the ignition coils that were failing. I found a Calterm automotive products 66331 ignition firing indicator for $40.0... Trouble codes: P0300.	5
	1999 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 2FMZA5142X Thanks again for all the replies.Threw the bosch plugs in the brown bag file and replaced with autolights.This fixed the problem.On may way to the store for two for sale signs.Thanks again. Trouble codes: P0171 (Lean bank 1), P0174 (Lean bank 2).	30
	2000 Ford F-150 Lightning 5.4L head VIN: 2FTZF0731Y thanks for all the replies. Half said replace the head and half said their repair attempts were successfull. we informed our customer of his options and now the ball is in his court. Doug	23
	2000 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L No Start VIN: 2FMZA5143Y Thank you to all who replied. We did receive a bad ECU (PCM) the first time so we ordered another one and finally got communication with our scan tool. We then sent it to another local Ford Dealership who had to program the PCM so it could finally turn over. S...	4
	2000 Ford Focus ZX3 2.0L Excessive Emissions, Hesitation, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 3FAFP3137Y installed reman maf from ford pids started looking better right away test drove than check engine light came on with misfire cly 3 checked wire,plug,coil all good. found #2 plug wire bad, replaced car is ready to rally now. cannot understand why a bad maf sens...	5
	1996 GMC K2500 Suburban 6.5L No Start, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1GKGK26F7T Thanks for all the replies. This is a Salvation Army vehicle so it took a long time to get through all the red tape. Anyway, they have had it for two weeks now with no problems. We replaced the injector pump and module and all seems to be good. Thanks again to...	8
	1987 Honda Accord DX 2.0L mounts VIN: 1HGCA562XH Thanks to you who replied, After all of the mounts being replaced, and all of the other things checked, the customer decided to live with the little vibration that was there. It was a whole lot better than when they first brought it in, but it wasn't [...]...	6
	1988 Honda Accord LXi 2.0L High NOx VIN: JHMCA5548J Thanks guys for the wonderful information. Many of you guys said catalytic converter is most likely dead, and thatâ€™s what it was. So this one is fixed. Some of you guys said to decarb with motorvac, common problem with vacuum advance system, oxygen sensor, e...	14
	1990 Jeep Comanche Pioneer 4.0L Misfire VIN: 1J7FT36L8L I owe a big thanks to Tom [...]. Apperently some aftermarket timing sets are slightly different than OE, and the affected valve timing causes the misfire. I had to cut the tangs off the distributor and advance it so at TDC the rotor was ap...	17
	1994 Mercedes-Benz E320 3.2L Front of the Engine VIN: WDBEA32E6R First of all I like to express my sincere appreciation to every one who took their time to help a fellow Tech crying for help. I'm not sure if I could call this a fix but here it goes. Almost every body told me to recheck the preset on the T-chain Tensioner, b...	10
	1994 Mercury Villager GS 3.0L all shifts late VIN: 4N111EF2G1 this should have been an obvious fix bi\ut it took awhile to confirm, the problem was the at control unit. the owner got one from a junkyard. problem solved	None
	2001 Mercury Sable LS Premium 3.0L Alarm VIN: 1MEHM55S51 Thanks to all who replied. We have fixed this one!!! The FORD dealer was out of the question for this customer. We were able to take it to another shop in town who is a former Ford tech he had the abilty to scan the last 8 alarm sets, we found it to be the dri...	4
	1990 Nissan 300ZX 2+2 3.0L Valve timing control solinoid VIN: JN1RZ26A5L Thanks to those of you that took the time to read and respond to this basic problem. The solinoids are now leak free. The 5 replies we received were all on the same line - use Ultra Grey or Subaru sealant and follow the manufacturer directions. One mentioned...	5
	1999 Nissan Frontier XE 2.4L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1N6DD21S3X Well thanks for the info all of you.It seems there are just plugs to remove,no need to remove manifold for any reason.no hidden secrets revieled for this vehicle.Cleaned passages and all is well,thanks again guys... Trouble codes: 0304 (cyl misfire).	4
	1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL 3.8L abs VIN: 1G3WS52K8X I recieved 1 reply to my help request. Thank you. Im sorry to say the fix for this was to send it down the road.	1
	1999 Oldsmobile Bravada 4.3L automatic a/c heater system. VIN: 1GHDT13W4X we found a screw that holds the heater core box was tightend to far,and was binding on the heater door. it wouldn't allow the door to open and close normally. we backed the screw out and the door operates normally. then clear the module by holding the battery ...	2
	1967 Other European TIGER 289CID engine VIN: B382002665 engine and trans come out thru the top all together-after removing radiator,rear trans mount-not to bad of a job-thanks for all replies-deke	9
	1995 Plymouth Voyager 2.5L Hesitation VIN: 2P4GH25KXS Have not heard from customer ,have to close this one as not being fixed. Did get several replies , timing marks were o.k. and the vehicle does not have an egr valve.I apologize for the lack of info,didn't have vehicle at the time to get the actual #'s. Need to...	10
	1992 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.3L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1G2NE54NXN Received alot of helpful replies but none did fix the problem. Such as clean fuel injectors, IAC, etc. Most was already done but still intermittently stalls after engine is driven 35 min. or more. Trouble codes: 27 (2nd gear intermittent code.), 28 (3rd gear intermittent code.).	12
	1997 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: WPOCA2991V Cleaned MAF, codes went away, passed Emission test (OBD II). I have not heard back from client. No news is good news? Trouble codes: P1126 (O2 Sensor adaptation range 1 enrichment limit cyl 4-6), P1124 (O2 Sensor adaptation range 1 enrichment limit cyl 1-3), P1123 (Fuel/Air mixture is so rich that the control is up to the lean limit).	3
	1997 Saturn SC2 1.9L delay reverse VIN: 1G8ZH1274V thanks to all, replace the valve body shifts ok reck. trans pressure road test ok mike	8
	2000 Toyota Corolla VE 1.8L MIL Lamp on, VIN: 2T1BR12EXY The consensus is right. MAF was trather dirty. Cleaned it and sent it on its way. I called customer after not hearing back for 3 weeks and the code has stayed away. Air/fuel sensors were reccomended if reappears. Thanks for you help and We all should be so gla... Trouble codes: 171 (lean bank 1).	8

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