Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Apr 29, 2004

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	Help Request	Answers
	1995 Audi S6 2.2L Misfire VIN: WAULA84A7S Slight misfire felt under moderate to heavy acceleration. Doesn't feel like a dead misfire, more like incomplete combustion, irratic. You can just kind of feel the car holding back then let's go and accelerates ok. This has been going on for over a year and it... Trouble codes: 544 (Engine speed sensor but problem present for a year previous to code)	View
	1971 Austin mini 1275CC cam timing this is supposedly a minisport stage 3 engine but that is NOT verified. The customer said that it has been bored out and has an after market camshaft (cust originally thought it was a kent cam now they are unshure) and now has a belt drive on cam customer purc...	View
	1995 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L no pcm data VIN: 1G4HP52L7S Hello IATN members,I have a strange problem,I have no communication with P.C.M.,A.B.S.,AIR BAG modules.I have 5 volt reference on term. 9 of DLC,no square wave when koeo or eng. running,there are no shorts to grnd. no short to voltage,I jumpered data lines at ...	View
	1989 Chevrolet C2500 Cheyenne 5.0L No Start VIN: 1GCFC24H8K this vehicle has a no start condition, will snap on brick scanner, there's no rpm seen at scanner, with all these new parts i need some help with this one before i get too deep into it. i'm a long time jeep tec! any help would be nice thanks john	View
	1994 Chevrolet S10 LS 4.3L Misfire VIN: 1GCCS19W2R This one has been stuck at a shop that I do electrical work for. It was at 2 dealers and 2 shops before these guys got stuck with it. Their original complaint to me with it was horrible backfiring and popping through the exhaust when the EST is connected, but ...	View
	1995 Chevrolet G30 Beauville 5.7L Surge, NO POWER VIN: 1GAFG35K1S Hi every one, the owner brought this bus to me (its has many seats as it carries passengers) with the complaint that it has no power and is surging. I tested the vehicle and confirmed the power loss which felt like serious gas starvation excepting that it does...	View
	1996 Chevrolet Astro 4.3L transfer cas VIN: 1GCDL19W6T We have been working on a '96 AWD astro that slowly rolls when parked on a incline. At first if you left it, it would roll fairly quickly...if you left it in neutral it would go a lot faster...the parking pawl is definately engaged...you can feel and hear it c...	View
	1998 Chevrolet Camaro 3.8L intake/oil press sw ? VIN: 2GIFP22K7W Not a regular. But seems pretty nice. Says she has the car serviced on time. Didn't look like it to me. It has a small motor oil leak dripping close to ( not from ) the drain plug. Must be coming from above but can't see it from top or bottom. Do I need to pul...	View
	1998 Chevrolet Malibu LS 3.1L Electrical portion of starting system. VIN: 1G1NE52M3W Malibu was brought here on the hook. When I first got in it , it tried to start and did a few times but died when I put it in gear, it ran very rough when it did run. We pushed in with the 4-wheeler and it has not started since. I have installed a new tumbler ...	View
	1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L door locks VIN: IGCEK19TOX HI folks,got a 99 Silverado with a door locking problem,RH door will not lock with either switch.If you manually lock the RH door the electric locks will unlock the door,but not lock it.I pulled the door panel and disconnected the 2 wire connector on the door ...	View
	2000 Chevrolet Express 3500 7.4L Mechanical VIN: 1GAHG39J94 I'm pulling my hair of this one, if i have some more left. I need some help with this hydroboost unit, The vehicle first came in with lock-up brakes, and found defective hydroboost unit, replaced with gm unit. Attempt to road test and no power steering assist,...	View
	2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 8.1L Stall VIN: 1GCHK23G22 We have driven this truck probably 100 Miles or more with out a glitch. Cust. says the truck will loose power/stall at highway speed for a few seconds then start running again by it's self. Also will stall when comming to a stop or slow parking lot driving. So...	View
	1991 Ford LTD Crown Victoria 5.8L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 2FACP72G7M My main question here is where can I get a rebuilt VV carb or a replacement for it? I know that years ago, Holley had a replacement setup, but I can't get any response from Holley as to whether they still offer this or not. If not, what are my choices. This is...	View
	1995 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L Misfire VIN: 2FMDA5141S greetings all , vehicle came in with definate misfire and overall poor running condition - had just been serviced at our Nampa id. shop - approx. 20 miles away - customer states that on way to boise vehicle began to run ruff. pulled into lot with heavy missfir...	View
	1996 Ford F-250 XL 7.3L Stall VIN: 1FTHX26F7T hello to all. i have a 96 powerstroke that starts up in the mourning fine but after about 5 minutes it sputters and dies. it will not restart for about 3-5 minutes the startsup and runs fine all day. i've check for memory codes, koeo test, injector buz test, k...	View
	1997 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L 4x4 shifting VIN: 1FMFU18L2V transfercase will not shift into 4x4 high or 4x4 low but will shift into all wheel drive	View
	1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6L steering VIN: 1FALP62W6V Hello techs, This car came in for a pull the left when braking and a pull to the right when driving. I checked fluid to right front caliper, ok. found right front caliper piston sticky, Replaced calipers and hoses, bled system. Tires were shot, installed four ...	View
	1998 Ford Taurus LX 3.0L Starter VIN: 1FAFP52S1W Hello everybody and Thank-you for your help: I have the starter inop because of the PATS system. The theft light blinks about two seconds with key-off. Then, theft light flashes fast with key turned on. I have a snap-on MT2500. I got the codes B1600 with KOEO...	View
	1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL 6.8L low range VIN: NW21S2XEE9 Before I condem a ECM is there a known history of some problem with 4x4 low. I have been told the motor is usually the weak point. I can cause the motor to run by applying 12v to the connector. With the Genisys hooked up the 4x4 low switch will not change stat...	View
	1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2L clutch VIN: JHMCB7560L First of all thanks for any help. We have worked on very few Honda vehicles. This one has a bad clutch. We have removed everything that we can see and the bell housing won't come loose on the drive side of the transmission. The bell housing will move about 1/2...	View
	2000 Honda Accord EX 3.0L Not 3 and 4 gears VIN: 1HGCG2252Y Car came in with a not 3 and 4 shift gear condition, car has not OBD II connector, i've treated to get fail codes by mil flashes shorting two pin blue diagnostic connector but mil, abs light, and air bag light turn on but there aren't any flashes, alldata did ...	View
	1998 Infiniti QX4 3.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: JNRARO5Y9W checked purge soleniod and seemed simple enough, soleniod did not work and was stuck open. Replaced valve and vehicle came back a week later. same problem. Trouble codes: P1444	View
	1973 Jaguar XJ12 5.3L Timing chain tentioner VIN: UD1P51685B We are doing a valve adjustment to this V12 kitty, and can't get the chain tentioner to release far enough to the point of latching in the release position. We have the 2 tools for the job at hand but it can't be pulled up quite far enough to stay in position....	View
	1999 Jaguar XJ8 4.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: SAJHD6036X Long story short - Customer overheated his Jag to point of engine seizure. Came in on hook with no compression and coolant in three cylinders. Purchased new engine from local Jag Dealer. Installed and had misfire on cylinder #3. Traced to no valve clearance on... Trouble codes: P0171 (lean bank one), P0174 (lean bank two)	View
	2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II 4.0L abs, tc, hdc VIN: SALTY1246Y Thanks in advance, I believe this will be short and quick. After reading the techmails, it seems this is dealer all the way, yet I love to bang my head against the wall occasionally. All lights on and suspect a wheel speed sensor problem, after reading previou...	View
	1997 Lincoln Continental Spinmaker Edition 4.6L electronic steering VIN: 1LNLM97V2V any help with tests,and info on this code would be very nice.i began by pulling a code c1898 and 1318 i cleared the codes and ran the on demand test with a volt meter on the green/yellow wire the voltage never droped below 11 volts.the fuses are good,grounds a...	View
	1998 Mazda B3000 SE 3.0L heater VIN: 4F4YR43U3W can not control temp stays hot all the time	View
	1998 Mazda 626 DX 2.0L cooling fan & cond fans inop. intermittent VIN: 1YVGF22C8W air cond system ice cold when fans operating, when fans inop./a-c high pres.release valve blows off...	View
	2000 Mazda Protege DX 1.6L No Start VIN: JM1BJ2222Y This car was towed in with a no start condition. It has fuel pressure and injector pulse but no spark. I checked all the fuses,wiring,coils,senors(cam,crank etc.)and everything looked good. I used a break-out box to test the computer and wiring, everything was...	View
	1992 Mercedes-Benz 300SD 3.4L compressor operation VIN: WDBGB34E2N When vehicle is first started and a/c is first engaged it comes on for half a second then shuts off. Will not come back on until key is cycled and the same reoccurs.System has plenty of freon.We do not have ability to scan this early of a model.	View
	1999 Mercury Sable LS 3.0L Shifts 1,2,3 VIN: 1MEFM53SXX Sometime it will shift extremely hard without acell. sometimes it shifts normally cold always shifts ok. seems to be after normal temp. problem occures.	View
	1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL 3.0L compressor VIN: JA3BM64J0P Car has automatic temperature control. This car came in for an a\c service. It has been converted to r-134-a. It was low on refrigerant so we charged it. After charging the compressor will no engage. I can jumper past the relay and it will run and the pressure...	View
	1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport LS 3.0L MIL Lamp on, PO400A VIN: JA4LS31H3X EGR solenoid is getting vacuum but not letting it go through at throttle snap. plenty of vacuum at differential pressure switch .my scanner will not show manifold differential pressure reading which should be 20.6 to34.0 kpa.PCM wiring is good. Trouble codes: P0400	View
	1993 Nissan Altima 2.4L Poor Idle Quality, Stall, Misfire VIN: 1N4BU31C6P vehicle idles low, wants to stall, but just doesn't quite get there. when snapping throttle, vehicles wants to stall. seems to have a slight miss, but i cannot pinpoint it. engine smoothes out a little when above 2000rpm, but still, something is just not quite...	View
	1994 Nissan Maxima GXE 3.0L Forward Gear VIN: JN1HJ01F9R When vehicle gets hot has forward delay engagement. Line pressure drops as vehicle gets hot.	View
	1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL 3.3L Rear wheel bearings VIN: 2G3AM51N0K My local parts supply house sells the rear wheel bearings as an assembly? Is there a way to replace these bearings without replacing the whole assembly? The assembly is $279.00 Cnd. per side and this seems too high for my customer on an older car. Thanks for a...	View
	1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL 3.5L Cuts out, Stall, cold/hot start VIN: 1G3WH5Z2H1 This vehicle came in a month ago or so with a code PO385 CKP sensor "B". The sensor was replaced and problem fixed. About a week ago the customer came back with a stalling complaint on a cold or hot soak restart. Re -scanned codes,none found. TB was extremely ...	View
	1999 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0L Exterior Lights VIN: 1G3GR62COX I have a problem with the security lighting system. The exterior lights will blink on & off, with no pattern what-so-ever. Black box under drivers side dash is blinking at the same time. Black box has a purple tag with part # [...] on it. Being a foreign ca...	View
	2000 Other European DB7 Vantage 6.0L Airbag-Light on VIN: SCFAB2239Y I am looking for a way to diagnose the SRS-system on this car. It seems that the SRS-light has it's own flash-code after starting up the car, and when a fault is registered. The warning-light flashes 3 times,and then 2 times, then this squence repeats itself 4...	View
	2000 Other European DB7 Vantage 6.0L Evaporator VIN: SCFAB2239Y I have no idea how to start on this one (well, the dash will have to come out, I guess), and how many hours are usualy involved. What are the tricks to watch out for? Will I need any special tools/resetters(SRS?) for this job? I just want to be prepared before...	View
	1996 Pontiac Bonneville SE 3.8L fuel pump/windows VIN: 1G2HX52K3T This is for all you GM electrical guys! We replaced the fuel pump and suspect there is a module that runs it and the power windows that disconnects under the draw of the window motors. The windows work well when they work but when they short it takes the power...	View
	1973 Porsche 911 2.4L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Misfire VIN: 9113111561 hello all i am not to famaliar with the cis system on an old porsche so any help would be greatly appreciated.the car sits alot and was running fine for a while then it got to about a 1/4 tank and starting missing at idle a little filled car to alittle past ha...	View
	1992 Saturn SL1 1.9L Unknown VIN: 1G8ZH5494N Hello we got this vehicle in while customer was complaining the a/c was not working. Checked out system and found compresser leaking at front seal also it turned very roughly by hand. We recomended replacing compressor and flushing system. After it was done th...	View
	2001 Saturn SC1 1.9L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1G8J527X1Z This vehicle has a high idle periodically. The ECT has been replaced. Has anyone seen this problem before? It won't do it all the time. Thanks in advance.	View
	1991 Subaru Legacy L 2.2L AWD System VIN: JF2BJ63C1M Hi Subaru techs. This car is a rural postal delivery vehicle. customer says steering seems to bind mostly cold, then frees up. What I found was a bind-up in the 4wd system. Found a couple codes set, 24, which is the duty solenoid 'C' which controls the clutch ...	View
	1997 Subaru Legacy L 2.2L awd VIN: JF1BC6736P hi i need help from some of you subaru experts. im woking on this transmission when fuse is intalled to realese the rear wheels it doesnt disengage. also when turning the rear wheels scrub or are graving. had a dtc 32 vss #1 check it ok. the available informat...	View
	1993 Toyota Camry XLE 3.0L drivability VIN: 4T1VK13E8P Hello Techs, I have a Camry with strange problems. The complaint was the vehicle has no power and the O/D light blinks as well as the check engine light staying on. When I test drove the vehicle it seems to go nowhere when you hit the accelerator. It feels li...	View
	2002 Volkswagen Golf GL 2.0L windows,alarm, interior lighting, etc VIN: 9BWGB6IJX2 The windows do not operate except for the driver's door very intermittently. And I have notice when it does work the dome light comes on and then goes off. And when the dome light goes out the window quits. I did find that the can bus wire running to the left ...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1996 BMW 318is 1.9L noise VIN: WBABE8322T well it turns out that checking for a vacumm leak the old fashion way with a can of carb clean does not work,we initially suspected the intake gasket because the noise was tremendous on the #1 intake runner but when we could not pinpoint the source with carb c...	4
	1997 BMW Z3 Roadster 1.9L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 4USCH7328V Sorry for taking soooooo long to close I was waiting to see if customer was going to let me go farther. The customer seems content with vehicle, so we wont be addressing it farther. The replies for this one seemed to be very smart techs.Some replies mentioned ...	11
	1978 Chevrolet K30 Cheyenne 5.7L burned clutches first of all I would like to say thanks to all who replied to this question. We repalced the torque converter and all is well, the vehicle has made 2 rock crawling trips since the torque converter change with no problems, He is going again this weekend and the...	9
	1989 Chevrolet K1500 Cheyenne 5.7L right rear brake VIN: 2GCEK14K9K well thanks to all who replied, but the customer never brought it back, he called to say that he installed new shoes and the problem is fixed, i find that difficult to swallow, when he said he had new shoes to begin with, oh well, win some, lose some, most of ...	28
	1995 Chevrolet C3500 5.7L Cuts out VIN: 1GBJC34K8S Thanks to all who sent replies. We tried a new tps, reman dist, reman ecm checked all grounds & still no change. We did find a vac leak at intake but the customer declined repair.	9
	1997 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2L Right rear sensor input VIN: 3G1JX5442V Firtsly thanks to all who responded, Ron from Idaho; Ed from massachusetts and specilly to Bill from New York who put me on right way, he recommended to me make an harness to replace rr sensor harness and see if problem was wire or BCM, and done, problem is BC...	3
	2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2GCEK19T1Y Hello, We checked for vacuum leaks to no avail. A/F was factory and clean. Problem seems to be electrical. Was only able to duplicate code set once in two days. It happened while the truck was sitting still idling while we were looking at it. No driveability... Trouble codes: P0102 (maf low frequency).	10
	2001 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L power steering VIN: 1GNEK13T31 ok, i screwed up. i had o ring on the pressure fitting on the wrong grove. thanks to everyone who tried to help. sometimes i can't be helped. thanks again.	6
	1991 Ford E-350 Econoline Club Wagon Custom 5.8L engine VIN: 1FTJE34H2M thanks to all that replied. many replies were about the fan clutch but like my post said it was new by the customer. i believe those that said something ( ball of silicone, sand, and or misc. debris) was blocking a passage somewhere. customer declined motor te...	22
	1993 Ford Crown Victoria LX 4.6L hi beam indicator VIN: 2FALP74WXP Thanks for the helpful info on this ford,Ilearned important lessons,most importantly the hi beam circuit running through the DRL,which turned out to be the problem.thanks again.	6
	1996 Ford Taurus GL 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FALP52U9T Thanks to all. Everyone was rt on. Michael from PA and Nick form Ohio where rt on with excellent diagonistic info. Installed new sensor, road test, mil lite gone. thanks again. Customer says thank you also, and isn't that the best thanks we can get. matt Trouble codes: P0402.	17
	1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee SE 4.0L interior VIN: 1J4GZ58SC5 Well this one is a new one on me, the smell was coming from the vent tube from the front diff. I have no idea what was put in the front diff of this vech, but the smell was unbearable. the vent hose for the diff comes up by air box on left fender and the fan w...	9
	1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE 4.2L Rear dome lights VIN: WDBGA42E8N Well guys I got beat on this one. After even more hours checking things you told me to that I hadn't thought of I still am unable to find the source of the problem with this car. Couple of you mentioned the lighting control relay and one said to check the wire...	13
	2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 2.6L esp VIN: WDB2030611 Hi everybody, i like to thank all the people who helped me, i replaced the Lateral Acceleration Sensor located in the rear boot and all is well. Best regards.	6
	1989 Nissan Sentra E 1.6L Mechanical VIN: 1N4GB21S5K Thanks for all the tips-I found out this could be a valve bender--but I had good compression so we repaired it.The oil pan has to come off.Looking down from the top I could see parts off the chain guide laying in the valley.With the crank key at 12 o'clock ,th...	6
	1997 Nissan Pickup XE 2.4L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1N6SP1156V We have released the vehicle as is and the customer has been ok with the amount vibration at idle. thanks to all. Mac	5
	1996 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0L head lamps VIN: 1G3GR62CXT Thanks to everyone with your help. I found that the multifunction switch was the problem. thanks again	18
	2000 Porsche Boxster Roadster 2.7L battery VIN: WPOCB2981Y thanks group for help & replies. soory for my delayed responce. the information i recieved was accurate that the f - fuse block - was inside at passenger footwell on firewall behind the bottom of the evaporator box. - remove positive cable & 2 anchor nuts unde...	5
	2000 Subaru Legacy L 2.5L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: 4S3BH6351Y Thanks for all your replies! Most suggested the O2 sensor, some combined this with an ecm reflash. The first time in the customer opted to just do the routine maintenance we suggested (spark plugs, injector service) and have us clear the code. a couple of week... Trouble codes: P0170 (long term fuel trim).	10
	1998 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0L No Start, Cuts out VIN: 3VWBB61CXW Well it's fixed after many frustrating hours.As it turns out it was the code-16706 engine rpm sensor.It was loseing ground after about 15-mins of running with was the triger for the fuel pump-ecm relay.We would love to thank MR David [...] and all the others ...	8
	2000 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L Hesitation, LACK OF POWER VIN: 3VWRH09M4Y after days of working in this car, i had the opportunity to get a vag and tried to go into adaption mode. the ecm never let me do it. so, replaced computer (ecm) and i could do the job. maybe the small broken gear inside the tvcm made a short inside the ecm. i... Trouble codes: P1580 (throttle actuator malfunction bank1).	5
	1996 Volvo 850 GLT 2.4L Excessive Emissions, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: YV1LS5546T i would like to thank those who replied to this post. we replaced the oxygen sensors in this car with the factory sensors that came with the extended wiring as part of the sensor kits. i drove the car home (20 miles round trip) without a problem. the emmission... Trouble codes: 231 (this is the volvo code for long term fuel trim part load).	5
	1999 Volvo S70 2.4L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: YV1L5SSA7X First, the fix: Replace the cam sensor! I know, I know . . . How can replacing the cam sensor solve three crank sensor codes? Apparently the ecm strategy is to compare the cam and crank sensor signals and timing, then use an algorithm to compare the two, and d... Trouble codes: P0335, P0336, P0339.	3
	2000 Volvo V70 2.4L Running Rich VIN: YV1LZ5609Y MAF sensor fixed it. Fuel pressure was ok at 55-58 lbs. Glad I checked here before trusting specs in Mitchell manual. PO172(system too rich)really means it's too lean and fuel trim has enrichened mixture to it's adaptive limit. Clearing codes reset fuel trims ... Trouble codes: P0172 (System too Rich).	7

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