Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for May 1, 2004

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	Help Request	Answers
	1995 Buick Roadmaster 5.7L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: 1G4BT52POS Cust. complained of a surge at cruise. Car got here w/ a rough idle and what seems to be a miss more on one cylinder than any other. I ohmed all injectors and all are within spec. Fuel pressure and vacuum are good as stated in results above. Replaced fuel pres...	View
	1996 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L No Start VIN: 1G4HP52KIT Hi group, we got a 1996 buick lesabre towed in our shop. when i turn the ignition key on absoulute sielence not cranking. I cleaned resistor pellet... no resault. My snap on scanner shows no codes. Do u guys have any idea how to approach a diagnos. Vat system ...	View
	1990 Cadillac DeVille 4.5L Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G6CD533XL This vehicle came in with the customer complaining of the engine cutting out under load.It actually hardly ran on test drive stalling after missing badly under load. Spark was good on scope but the injector pulse was erratic and then nonexistant. Code 41 lead ... Trouble codes: 41 (No reference pulses to ECM)	View
	1996 Chevrolet C1500 Cheyenne 5.7L No Start, Stall VIN: 2GCEC19RXT Hey guys, I am sure one of you GM techs will have seen this before. My nephew's truck died and no start. Actually will start and run, with long crank time and will idle barely but dies at touch of throttle. Alt light is on (gauge showing no charge) and no data...	View
	1997 Chevrolet Blazer 4.3L cylinder heads VIN: 1GNDT13W9V Hello guys, this is my own vehicle. I removed the lower intake manifold to replace the original leaking factory gaskets.The gaskets were leaking coolant around the coolant ports, very common. To my surprise the area around the rear coolant ports were very corr...	View
	2000 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3L engine VIN: 1GNEK13T6Y this tahoe has a slight vibration at idle or a little above in drive.its just like a hose or line vibration on the body.i have cked everything and narrowed it to either the engine or exhaust.i removed the drive belt and no change.anyone had this problem. thank...	View
	1995 Chrysler Cirrus LX 2.5L tcm This is an intermittent condition where the trans will go into "limp-in" whil driving or slowing to a stop. The same fault - 2/4 solenoid circuit, will return each time. Before I got this project the solenoid pack and TCM had been replaced for this problem. I ...	View
	1997 Chrysler Town & Country LX 3.8L engine VIN: 1C4GP54LIV Customer states it starts then dies 2 to 3 seconds later plus no gauges.Towed-in and starts, runs perfect as soon as it's off the hook. Scan/codes P1695 (no body CCD message) and p1698 (no trans. CCD message). Checked CCD bus (+) v10-brn and CCD bus (-) wht-bl...	View
	1992 Dodge Spirit 2.5L fan/alt/wp/belt VIN: 1BX3XA46K5 Vehicle overheated. Pressure test,found water pump leaking.r+r waterpump,r+r tstat,add new coolant run vehicle up to temperature,operate heater, cooling fan cycled on and off,short road test,every thing seems fine.recheck belt tension,tweak it just a little bi...	View
	1999 Dodge Avenger ES 2.5L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: 4B3AU52N1X i have replaced intake gaskets , checked crank and cam sensors. my fuel adapt is -25 left and right bank. fuel pressure ok.miss seems to be at the rear bank i have switched injectors on both banks. Trouble codes: P0300	View
	2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.2L imtermittent VIN: BR54900000 This is an intermittent slow to start. Sometimes truck has to crank 4 to 5 seconds before it starts. Dealer diagnosis was fuel pressure was bleeding off due to problem with fuel pump module. Truck came to me for install. Installed with Carter pump. Probably OE...	View
	1990 Ford F-150 Custom 4.9L sluggish after replacind timing gears reset timing at 10 deg drove vehical timing retarded so much it shuts off.reset timing does the same thing has had tfi module replaced pole peice and timing diode no affect on cituation	View
	1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 5.4L Cylinder head VIN: 1FTNF21L8X This fleet truck came in with the rear spark plug blown out on the passenger side cylinder head. Obviously we all know that the proper fix is to replace the cylinder head and we all know that this can be very expensive. Is there anyone who has heard of a less ...	View
	1996 Geo Metro LSi 1.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2C1MR5294T Car came in with radio stolen and MIL light on. Radio harness in shambles but repairable. Could not scan data link connector due to no power to OBD II connector. Traced wire and found open behind fuse box. spliced another hot switched lead to OBDII connector a...	View
	1991 Honda Accord EX 2.2L wont shift out of 2nd VIN: IHGCB765XM Hello fellow techs. This honda belongs to the parts managers daughter so any help would be greatly appreciated. The original complaint was that cruising along at 65 the tranny would upshift into 2nd for 1 to 2 seconds and then go back to normal. By the time sh...	View
	1996 Honda Accord LX 2.2L Cuts out, MIL Lamp on, code p1361 VIN: 1HGCD5631T Runs good for first 20 mins. and then sets code, PO1361. Still idles good, but cuts out over 2800 as if it had a rev-limiter. After cool-off, same condition. Followed flow chart from All-data, everything checked good, but still replaced tdc sensor and ecm, pro... Trouble codes: P1361	View
	2000 Honda Accord EX 2.3L Unknown VIN: JHTWE346FJ Hi honda trans pro. I have this tran slipping in reverse and alot of whining noise when in reverse. this car is my niece ,never work on this trans before. Do stall test in drive good by fail in reverse. Help with any technical information,could this be a press...	View
	1998 Hyundai Sonata 2.0L Poor Idle Quality VIN: KMHCF34T7V Car was towed in for a no-start, T-belt had stripped off 5 teeth and damaged crank sensor. Slapped a belt and tensioner and Ck. sensor in it. Car runs Really rough at idle, has low vacuum 8-10. When u rev. it up smoothes out vacuum goes up to about 17-19. Has ...	View
	1992 Land Rover Range Rover 3.9L ABS system VIN: SALHV1240N I have this 1992 Range Rover with following problem: When the car is driven, lets say 40-50 mph, when gently applied brake pedal, you can fill vibration (pumping) at the pedal. It is not assiociated with warped rotors. When brakes are applied harder on gravel,...	View
	1994 Mercedes-Benz S320 SWB 3.2L rear door window How to remove left rear door window panel to gain access to electric motor,Window is down but can't come up.	View
	1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS 2.0L No Start VIN: 4A3AK34Y2S the vehicle will not start up sometimes! sometimes it will not start after hot soak , or even when it is cold.when i first took the vehicle in , it was driven for about an hour then it sat for 45 min.when the customer got back in it to leave his destination it...	View
	1988 Nissan D21 E 3.0L Misfire VIN: JN6ND16S5J THIS THING IS DRIVING ME NUTS! iT HAS 2 PLUGS FOR EACH CYLINDER AND TWO COILS OF COURSE. I have replaced many of the component with used parts off another of his nissan donor vehicles with no good results. The problem is that when you try to rev the engine (in...	View
	1995 Nissan Pathfinder LE 3.0L speedometer & tachometer VIN: JN8HD17Y2S Hey guys, Hopefully someone may be able to help us with this one. The vehicle came in for speedometer inop and tachometer inop. The check engine light was on also. The code is 14 for no VSS signal. On test drive the tach sometimes would fluctuate erratically, ...	View
	1989 Suzuki Swift GLX 1.3L speedo cable VIN: JS2AA35S5K Hi all, I have a swift here that has a strange oil leak. Oil appears to be coming up the speedo cable and leaking out onto the floor. I talked to Suzuki and they sent me a new speedo case, seal and o-ring at the transmission end. But no fix. I am hoping somebo...	View
	1993 Toyota Camry LE 2.2L No Start VIN: JT2SK12E1P Friend Called said car would not start. Drove home from work got out got back an hour later and no start. Went to house found no spark, smelled fuel when cranking but could get no pulse from Injector as per Vantage	View
	1992 Volvo 960 2.9L Excessive Emissions VIN: YV1FX87654 Need a few other brain cells here to get me going the correct way, this car has 150,000 kms on it has new engine block, old 1 was cracked (normal original block light casting) new amm, And a used ecm, new pressure reg. Block has the updated timing belt system....	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1992 Acura Legend L 3.2L Cooling Systems VIN: JH4KA7662N Thanks for all the suggestions on this one. The car has not been back for about 3 weeks. We pretty much eliminated the possibility of a second head or head gasket related failure through all the tests suggested. David from California and Jim from Florida sugge...	7
	2001 Audi A4 1.8L ABS light on VIN: WAUZZZ8DYA Most if the guys all gave me wonderful replies. We sent the new module to VW they replied saying that the module they sold us was defective so they sent a new one ,haven't tried it yet but I am sure that it would work. Thanks to all of who responded. Jahmal	6
	1998 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1L No Start, Anti-Theft VIN: 1G1ND52M9X Thanks to everyone who responded. The vehicle has been gone a week now with no reoccurance of the no start. It looks like we have a fix here. you all nailed the problem. The passlock sensor was indeed the problem. After removal of the instrument cluster the ...	24
	2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L Fuel Gauge VIN: 2GCEK19TOY Hello All Thank you all for all the Great Response, it was the Fuel sending unit and as most of you suggest, at that mileage it was best to change the fuel pump card as a unit, and the sender come with it, may save a come back later i have talk it over with ...	12
	1992 Chrysler Imperial 3.8L Anti theft VIN: 1C3XV56LXN I was finally able to check out some of the responses I got on fixing this car. About 90% of the replies I got said to check the alarm switch on the back of the door key cylinder, that tells V.A.T to cancel alarm. You guys were right on the mark I removed door...	11
	1996 Ford F-350 Special 7.3L Brake Pedal Thanks a bunch for the replies guys, over half suggested front caliper flex as the culprit and I believe it is, however the customer has denied to fix it for the time being. The other 2 main suggestions were an updated master cyl and the RABS valve. Rabs valve...	26
	1998 Ford Contour GL 2.0L Mechanical VIN: 1FAFP6531W After test driving car for a day with no problems-I concluded MAF must have had debri stuck momentarily.The air filter housing wasn't sealed properly with 2 of the clamps missing and the air filter was very dirty.Replaced air filter and missing hold-down clamp...	6
	1996 GMC W6 FORWRD 7.1L brake lights VIN: J8DH6A121T Thanks to all. I received 3 replies. First one stated to check the bulbs, sounds obvious but never assume. I can't tell you how many times I've seen (and done) something silly like that. Spend 3 hours chasing something before checking fuses, etc.. The second r...	3
	1992 Honda Accord LX 2.2L Clutch VIN: JHMCB7557N The 'FIX' is very simple...IF the bushing is NOT very badly worn-out DO NOT try to locate one, because you can't find one.. unless you are willing to spend mega $$$ fo a new flywheel from the dealer...Thanks again...	10
	2001 Honda Civic LX 1.7L Mechanical VIN: 2HGES16511 Hi group, I had 7 replies. Thank you all for the usefull tips after going through the diagnostic chart we found out internal transmission problems. So we ended up replacing complete transaxel. from the wrecking yard	7
	1994 Jeep Cherokee SE 4.0L front end VIN: 1J4FT28S7R I would like to thank all that replied. Most knew the problem and summed it up as 'death wobble' so I know we are on the same page. The costomer did not return for her appointment and has not returned my calls. I am leaning towards a tire and caster problem bu...	22
	1984 Mercedes-Benz 380SL 3.8L Surge VIN: WDBBA45A4E Thank you to all that responded to my help request. I have a complete uderstanding of fuel control operation now on this Mercedes. When I posted in my help request that the fuel lines didn't have any restrictions I was wrong. When I checked the fuel return lin...	6
	1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 2.8L Hard to turn VIN: WDBA28E4TF Looks like the filter in the resevoir is common for plugging up. I spoke with the customer and he doesn't know whether he will bring it to us or the dealer. So if I do fix this I will add it to the post at a later date.	6
	1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST 2.0L Clutch VIN: 4A3AK54F1V Thanks for all of the replies. As it turn out the clutch had been replaced twice before!! The flywheel had the correct distance from the surface area to the mounting pads, but the flywheel itself was too thin. A new flywheel from Mitsubishi took care of it. Th...	13
	1978 Nissan 620 2.0L starter solenoid I want to thank EVERYONE for thier input on this aggrivating problem. I remember years ago, that i wired a hot trigger from the iggy switch right to the starter solenoid because the stock wiring had intermitant problems. I think that one wire i installed just ...	13
	1996 Nissan Pickup 2.4L monitors readiness VIN: 1N6SD11S4T first of all I would like tho thanks TY from connecticut, jeff from southern CA and luis from central CA, yuor replies help me alot. finaly customer get time to leave the truck here for 2 days for me to work on it, on the way to the shop check engine light cam...	3
	1999 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0L Exterior Lights VIN: 1G3GR62COX Thanks to everyone that replied. All said the same thing, the multifunction switch. 1 said to cut the gray/black wire from switch to module & if it stops, replace the switch. After finding out the switch was $391.00, i cut the wire & the problem went away. I r...	10
	1998 Plymouth Voyager SE 3.0L Hesitation VIN: 2P4GP4539W found bad ground conection to ecm on black tan wire. repaired ground and van has driven several hundred miles with out problem reoccuring.	9
	1992 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.3L Starting VIN: 1G2NW14N2N I found the problem with my 1992 Pontiac Greand Am 3.3 liter and is going great with your help. Lots of power and good gas mileage. thanks to you that responsed to my aid. Almost all that response said that it was the the crank sensor. well, I went to the GM p...	32
	1997 Saab 9000 CS 2.3L right front door VIN: YSC3F68MOV This Saab is fixed, it had a bad right front door switch that would stick on intermittenly. It also had an intermitten power seat switch that would stick on that caused a 1.2 amp drain. With both of these repaired the Alarm would work properly and the battery ...	3
	2001 Saab 9-5 SE 3.0L Not starting on first try VIN: YS3EF48761 Thanks to everyone that replyed, The problem was as most said, the battery wire where it was bolted to the starter was badly carodded. Removed the cable from the starter, diped it in a cup of hot water with baking soda, and it looked like new. I put on a littl...	9
	1990 Toyota Camry DLX 2.0L Left Front Automatic Seat Belt VIN: 4T1SV21E9L First of all,I like to thanks to all Techs for give me such it good advise, I found the problem, it was few broken wires by the driver side door harness, and I also found the most important broken pink&blue wire that give voltage into Door Latch Swicth, to sen...	12
	1999 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4T1BF18B3X Well I got a lot of good suggestions on this one. We went ahead and installed a vacuum kit per Toyota service bulliten, even though by the serial numbers the car was build later, and shouldn't have required it. The car came back two weeks later with same code ... Trouble codes: P0446 (EVAP falt).	5
	1999 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L No Start VIN: 4T1BG22K1X Thank you, all 7 techs who replied. Suggested were Head gasket, new plugs, ECM, Ign Module, poor Engine Ground(for DIS), Cam Sensor and Brian from Wisconsin said 'sit back and look the car over' and pointed to the direction of Compression, Timing belt and plug...	8
	2000 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 4T1BG28K7Y I recieved numerous replies most of which said that the ecm was under warranty untill 80,000 miles, and injectors for 36,000. I did use an injector cleaner additive to the gas tank and told customer to give car a good drive and not to just putt around town. He... Trouble codes: 0300 (random misfire).	13

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