Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for May 21, 2004

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Open Help Requests for All Makes and Models

	Help Request	Answers
	1998 Audi A4 2.8L digital display VIN: WAUED28D1W Customer reports the intermittent loss of the central digital display in the instrument cluster other guages all normal want to do a little homework before I look into this problem Anybody been there?? thanks for your time reading this post Cheers Joe	View
	1989 Buick Electra Park Avenue 3.8L prolonged crank VIN: 1G4CW54C4K car has long crank often,sometimes starts right up the first time than the next time it has prolonged crank and will not start. Customer complains of rough idle / coughs intermittenly and dies intermittenly at idle. Tune up parts are good. Any help would be ...	View
	1994 Buick Park Avenue Ultra 3.8L engine top end VIN: 1G4CU5211R Car came in with blown AC comp seal and noisy supercharger nosecone bearing. Also heard loud clack that appeared to be coming from the supercharger. Clack is intermittent, occurs at idle and just above idle. Clack sounds like a rod snapping and is way too loud...	View
	1995 Buick Skylark Custom 2.3L cooling system VIN: 1G4NV55D5S all work execpt radiator and heater hose was done at another shop. car came in with stopped up radiator due to stop leak. we replaced the radiator and heater hose filled the system and road tested. with the a/c on at highway speed we had about 200 degrees f. w...	View
	1998 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L frt suspension VIN: 1G4CU52116 this park ave ultra makes a thump noise over bumps in frt end,we replaced the sway bar links,drove with the sway bar disconnected noise still there,we tightened all the frt suspension bolts,checked ball joints,inner&outer tie rod ends,lower control arms,checke...	View
	1990 Cadillac Eldorado 4.5L turn signal VIN: 1G6EL1335L The turn signal indicator in the instrument cluster lights in the direction that the turn signals are applied but it only flickers instead of blinking in time with the signals and chime. the signals and chime are working properly. We tried a new module. I am s...	View
	1997 Cadillac Seville STS 4.6L cooling system VIN: 1G6KY5290V Hello Caddy Super Techs. I'm sure you can help. At idle and and in town driving this car runs at normal temprature (205-210 deg f)at water outlet and (135-165) at radiator center. At highway speed 65-70 mph, the temp will rapidly increase into the red. The act...	View
	1988 Chevrolet C1500 Cheyenne 5.7L Cuts out, Stall, BUCKING SURGE VIN: 2GCDC19K7J ON the first test drive I noticed 3 concerns: 1st: BUCKING under light acceleration from slow speed 2nd: CUTS OUT at cruse (like the key was switched off-only for 1 to 3 seconds then comes back to life) 3rd: STALL on decel & at idle in gear. I have checked: M... Trouble codes: 45 (RICH EXHAUST memory has not reset)	View
	1995 Chevrolet Astro CL 4.3L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1GNDM19W2S hello to everyone. this astro came into the shop with the customer complaining of intermittant rough running and stalling. also, the CEL has illuminated a couple of times. I connected the scanner and there are no DTC in computer. I have driven vehicle 58 miles...	View
	1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34 3.4L timing belt VIN: 2G1WX12X65 we are getting premature wear on the outside of the timing belt	View
	1996 Chevrolet C3500 7.4L Misfire Got a ... big block with a lean misfire to say the least. Ill try to make this short as possible, cause Ive spent lots of time on this truck. To start out this is a fleet vehicle that is inside a steel plant and it never goes over 25 to 30 mph. Truck came to s...	View
	1997 Chevrolet K2500 Cheyenne 5.7L Misfire VIN: 1GCGK29RXV Pickup came in with a miss complaint at around 2500rpm. will not miss at idle or when brake torqueing. Customer has replaced plugs, wires cap rotor and o2 sensors. Scanned computer no codes. misfire monitor turned off so can not get misfire info. Data stream s...	View
	2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 6.0L Clock VIN: 1GCGK29UXY Hello all, my customer will have to reset his clock every morning. It will start and come on then shortly later will start blinking 1:00 he then resets it and all is fine. He will leave it sit at work for 9- 10 hours and no problem. Also after we replaced the ...	View
	2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS 5.3L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3GNFK16Z22 This engine misfires on the even # bank only. Misfire counts are extremely high. the odd # bank is fine. The engine idles ok. The misfires happen when throttle is slightly depreseed begining about 1000 rpm. the truck will not run much over 35mph. Injector pres... Trouble codes: P0300	View
	1998 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 3.8L Unknown VIN: 1B4GP54L8W Caravan came in with no A/C, installed Gauges and found about 10PSI in both low and high sides. Recovered and place on deep vacuum of 29 ins of mercury. System held vacuum for 30mins., injected dye and recharged with 3lbs. of 134a. Compressor runs but with no ...	View
	1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.2L oil leak from filter area VIN: 3B7HC12Y1W We have a oil leak comming from behind the oil filter. It gushes oil unless the filter is way overtightened. We have (1)exchanged filters, (2)exchanged the stud & plate from a scrap motor, and (3)installed a new gasket and plate from DC Parts. This started aft...	View
	1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.9L Stall, GUAGE GOES TO EMPTY VIN: 3B7HF13Z4X customer complaint is fuel guage goes to empty & truck dies. will not restart until fuel guage starts working again. have been over powers & grounds-found nothing. removed tank module & inspected-no problems evident. have not been able to recreate symptom at s...	View
	1993 Eagle Vision TSi 3.5L Surge, Misfire VIN: 2E3ED66F1P This is the wifes car, please help!! It started missing several months ago. I completely tuned it up. That made no difference. I noticed that it mainly missed at 1700 rpm's. I went back and replaced all tune up items again. Still no difference. In the mean tim...	View
	1989 Ford F-150 Custom 4.9L Cuts out VIN: 1FTEF14Y2K this truck bucks & jerks very bad under acceleration & cruise & only seems to start after you reach 25 mph & above. it idles great & will accelerate with no problems sitting in shop. it has new plugs,wires,cap,rotor,fuel pump & filters installed by customer. w...	View
	1995 Ford Taurus GL 3.8L Drive-axles VIN: 1FALP52U8S this car has a very pronouced vibration at 120klms. on the highway below that it rides perfect we changed the rims tires cv shafts spindle balanced wheels 3 times replaced rotors with no change in the vibration can anyone explain this is it in the trans?	View
	1996 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L No Start VIN: 2FMDA5142T Van came in on the hook. Customer has slowly given us info as time has gone on. He said the check engine light had been on, He also said some days it would not start so he left it over night and then it would start. Now it wont start at all. The van is floodin...	View
	1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L No Start VIN: 1FMZU32E8W Please bear with this post Ford techs, we need some help. We have a 1998 Explored 4.0l SOHC. Getting no spark or injection pulse even after replacing the crank sensor with a new Motorcraft replacement. This vehicle has come from another shot on the hook after ...	View
	1998 Ford Ranger Splash 3.0L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1FTYR10U8W This vehicle has a high idle problem. While driving, upshifting or downshifting tach. never comes below 2000rpm. Most times when this happens you come to a stop idle never comes below 1300rpm. Has had the PCM re-flashed with newest updates, intake gaskets repl...	View
	2000 GMC Savana 3500 6.5L oil leak VIN: 1GTHG35F5Y Hey GM techs, Hopefully this is an easy on for you. I need help identifying a sensor/sending unit located in the front right top of engine right behind timing cover. 2 GM dealers, Alldata and Mitchell have offered no help with what it is for. Sensor is threade...	View
	1997 Honda CR-V LX 2.0L 2-3 shift VIN: JHLRD1850V I am in need of some Honda CRV transmission consultation before I proceed. This transmission when put into gear would have a slow engagement, with a slight slip before completely in gear, reverse would be the more pronounced. It was worse when driven for more ...	View
	2000 Honda Accord EX 3.0L compressor VIN: 1HGCG1654Y Vehicle originally came in with the complaint that ac blew warm on warm days. after checking the system and noting that it was low on freon and blowing in the mid fifties, i suspected that the older lady just didn't give the system time to cool the cab down an...	View
	1994 Infiniti J30 3.0L 2-3 shift overdrive VIN: JNKAY21D3R hello nissan and infiniti techs, this j30 when hot will short shift from 2-3 and have no overdrive you can rev it up to 3500-4000 and nothing is there if you let off the pedal sometomes it will be ok. when it does what i call a short shift it will fell like it...	View
	1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS 3.2L No Start, MIL Lamp on VIN: 4S2CK58WOX Vechicle came in running fine with a high RMP knock, probably rod or wristpin. Customer requested a new engine which we installed. After installation vehicle tried to start, then went to crank-no-start. PCM set a PO337 DTC. Tested crank sensor it tested with s... Trouble codes: P0337	View
	1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L Cuts out VIN: 1J4GZ58S4V This is a weird one. It cuts out just when turning left. It does not stall all together it just acts like it is going to. I have heard that this could be the fuel pump. But it does not change with fuel level, it always does it. Thanks for your help.	View
	2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L oil pressure VIN: 1J4W48S81C well maint low mile engine has normal oil pressure cold when hot has 5 psi at idle and 14 psi at 2000 rpm. changed oil pump and have same problem. pulled 1 main cap and 1 rod cap and bearings look normal w/correct oil clearance w/ plasticguage. do you think po...	View
	2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sport 4.0L lh rear wheel VIN: 1J4GW38S72 noise from lh rear wheel when hitting seams in road load metallic noise sounds like coming right out of wheel tried chassis ear pulled everything off put it back together and test drive noise seems to be gone a day or two latter its back as noisy as ever i hop...	View
	2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4.0L ABS Pump VIN: 1J4FA59S52 By description, this vehicle sounds as if the ABS is coming alive early under moderate to hard braking and no (perceived) wheel lockup. The pedal becomes firm and pulsates with a loud clicking pulse sound as long as the brake pedal is applied.I have not yet dr...	View
	1999 Land Rover Discovery Series II 4.0L Engine We are now getting coolant in the oil,Might of exsisted before blown head gasket.There isn't any coolant in the combustion chambers ,but loosing alot in the crank case.I'm thinking something like timing cover because of the coolant entering just crank case. If...	View
	1992 Mazda Protege LX 1.8L Electronic VIN: JM1BG2264N Got a problem that has progressively gotten worse.I remember reading an article on either Motors or Chiltons about this but haven't been able to find.When driving this car the "Hold" light comes on and trans goes into the limp mode.Customer used to be able to ...	View
	1985 Mercedes-Benz 300D 3.0L Mechanical VIN: WDBAB33C0F Hello, This vehicle has a long term intermittant problem,basically it seems if the vehicle is parked overnight With the nose down hill the customer starts to drive and in less than a mile the rear brakes lock so that driving without causing damage is not an o...	View
	1995 Mercedes-Benz E300 3.0L compressor VIN: WDBEB31E4S have checked all sensors through push button controller & they are good.tested compressor cut off relay per alldata tree and it checks out ok.the a/c blows cold @ 40 degrees w/relay bypassed.when i plug in relay w/system switched on the compressor will operate...	View
	1998 Mercury Grand Marquis LS 4.6L actuator VIN: 2MEFM75W8W retrived code 024. blend door actuator f ailure. blowing hot air . question is regarding replacement, Mitchell on demand shows, instrument panel removal, steering column removal, very involved process. need to know if this is the correct procedure. according t...	View
	1999 Other Ford 4900 530 POW 530CID Engine revs and shifting VIN: 1HTSHADTXX Got a call late in the day from Garbage truck driver saying when he got into the truck this morning it would not rev, and the transmission would not shift. After a while he said it started to work. I generally work normal auto and marine, but do work on their ...	View
	1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE 3.3L ac system VIN: 1P4GP44RCV Greetings fellow Techs I have got a problem Ac system here.The car has been in several times with a leak in the system.I have evacuated several times,Dyed the system and leak checked everthing i can see or get to.I can leave the car sit for hours and the vacuu...	View
	1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.1L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G2NE52MOT this grand am has an idle problem. it idles at 950-1000 rpm and revs to 3500 on initial press of the accel. desired idle is 675. if i unplug the maf the car will not rev but still idles high with no iac counts. checked for vaccuum leaks but did not find any. p... Trouble codes: 507 (idle control problem), 140 (o2 sens low activity)	View
	1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 3.8L blend door actuators VIN: 1G2WR5213X When vehicle is first started there is continual noise from either the blend doors or temperature valves cycling. It eventually shuts off after 10 minutes or so but then occasionally starts back up. I noticed that I can sometimes get it to stop by playing arou...	View
	1987 Porsche 911 3.3L alarm integration VIN: WPOJB0938H I have a Turbo that will not start. I have no fuel pump(s) operation. I am in need of an alarm system diagram as it relates to the fuel pump op as I believe an alarm fault is causing the fuel pumps to not be activated from the relays. The fuse/relay panel cove...	View
	1994 Saturn SL1 1.9L reverse VIN: 1G8ZH5596R This vehicle will not engage reverse when warm. Engages slowly when cold. Sets code 22. Checked shift solenoid #2 resistance, ok. I can actuate solenoid and hear it clicking. I replaced the valve body and checked the nut under the end cover. All looked ok when...	View
	1996 Suzuki Sidekick JX Sport 1.8L No Start VIN: J53TD21V5T can a cam sensor cause a no start on 1.8 snap-on sanner didnt cover suzuki in generic mode i got p0340 cam sensor dtc no rpms ecm will set codes if i unplug sensors i can clear the cam dtc and it will retrun on cracking the motor the cam sensor has 5v and a go... Trouble codes: P0340	View
	1986 Toyota 4Runner SR5 2.4L No Start VIN: JT4RN62D2G Hello, I a 1986 4Runner 22RE with automatic trans, won't start, will run if you spray carb cleaner in the air inlet hose. This auto had lots of codes when I started the repair but after I reset them they don't return. Here are the things I have tried. I have p...	View
	1996 Toyota Tercel DX 1.5L MIL Lamp on Hi mil light on code po401 egr valve ok,i have vacuum from egr amplifire,egr opens with the throutle opening,changed egr amplifire just in case.i cleaed the codes after driving several miles mil light come back on,i can't understand what is going on egr system... Trouble codes: P0401	View
	1979 Volkswagen Beetle 1.6L oil leakage from crank pulley VIN: 1592029862 We found #3 cylinder had only 60 psi and #4 only had 90 psi. We removed the heads with the jugs to a machine shop. The shop said the guides were shot. The cost for new jugs ad pistons was so low we replaced them all. We replaced the push rod tube seals, rear c...	View
	1996 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3VWWA81H6T Hi Group This car runs fine but has MIL for P1476-Leak detection pump malfunction. I have checked the basics and don't see any obvious problems, gas cap appears OK, no broken vacuum lines, purge valve checks OK. I found a tech bulletin that mentions this car ... Trouble codes: P1476 (EVAP Emission control LDP ciircut malfunction/ Insufficient Vacuum)	View
	1998 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L Compressor Clutch VIN: 3VWRF81H7W Thanks in advance to all that reply. This VW has an interesting little problem with the A/C compressor clutch operation. On cold start the clutch will engage but will automatically disengage after 15-60 seconds (varies depending on how long it sits between sta...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3VWRC29M7Y Hello all, Sorry, long post. I have this VW with a PO455 code stored in memory (large leak). I am not too familiar with this system and only have a snap on scan tool to use (will only work in generic OBD II mode on VW). I was able to hook up the smoke machin... Trouble codes: P0455	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1992 Acura Integra LS 1.8L 2-3 shift VIN: JH4DA9452N Well, this one left without being fixed. We replaced the vacuum modulator w/valve assy (old one was sticking)but that made no difference. Told customer that it is an internal transmission valve body problem and that trans would have to be rebuilt or replaced. ...	3
	2000 BMW 528i 2.8L traction control VIN: WBADM6343Y well another one is done. thanks to all whom replied specialy eric. Eric [...] from Ca hit it on the nail. after installing the new angle sensor it HAS to recoded and caliberated with the ECU. Otherwise; Well code 104. Vehicle is running great now. Thank y...	4
	1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue 3.8L front crank seal VIN: 1G4CW6936F about an hour after i posted the request the local gm dealer called and said they had located th oe part i was looking for and got it to me next day. there is a replacement seal from the after market that is suppose to fit in place of the orginal rope. i did...	11
	1988 Cadillac DeVille 4.5L master /accum. combo VIN: 1G6CD515XJ accumulator was replaced before tech help was posted. I have found the cause of the no pressure problem the mechanical part of the pump was no good. after replacing it and bleeding system brakes work good but each time you hit the pedal the red brake light com...	2
	1991 Cadillac DeVille 4.9L window motor VIN: 1G6CD53B1M Thanks for all the help. The type of regulator that uses the tape does not use the hazardous spring according to replies. After we quit worrying about that and drilled out the rivets the whole job went pretty easily. One thing though, probably every one in the...	7
	2000 Chevrolet Astro 4.3L No Start VIN: 1GNDM19W1Y First I would like to thank everyone that responded to our request. However, this ended up being one of those problems normal diagnosis would not find. We had two major problems occurring at the same time. First we would loose all spark intermittently. This le...	7
	2001 Chevrolet Express 3500 5.7L high idle VIN: 1GCHG39R01 thanks to all that replied.final fix was to replace tps,found an glitch in sensor when under hood temps.were high(engine cover in place).vehicle has dedicated wiring from pcm and shares no circuits.	7
	1991 Eagle Premier ES Limited 3.0L brake,tail,headlights VIN: 2E3CB66U1M did not have any luck with this problem. customer junked car!	3
	2000 Ford Windstar SEL 3.8L power sliding door VIN: 1FALP7633E Thank you all for the help you have given on this van. I have not had a chance to work on this van customer has not yet brought back to the shop. As soon as it is brought back in I will let you all know what fixed this problem.	5
	2000 Ford E-150 Econoline 4.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FMRE11W8Y van still not fixed ,customer needed to go on vacation, have not heard back yet wether van is still acting up or not, thanks for all the input. Ron Trouble codes: P0125.	6
	2001 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Starter VIN: 1FTSW31F01 Hi Folks, I'd like to thank all whom came to my rescue, and a Special thanks to Mike for taking the time out to call and feel my pain first hand. Most of the replies were of water intrusion (Eric, John, Robert,) thru a leaky windshield into the wiring harness ...	7
	2000 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L Stall VIN: KMHWF25S9Y purge control valve stuck open replaced valve car works good so far.	6
	1994 Isuzu Trooper LS 3.2L quits warm VIN: JACDH58W1R Hello all again and once again sorry for the late post. Wanted to make sure the vheicle was fixed. Thanks for all the responses. As for the fuel tests, I forgot to post them. Pressure and volume were within specs. Battery voltage droped but not enough to affec...	12
	1979 Lincoln Versailles 5.0L Poor Idle Quality, Stall, CAT GLOWS VIN: 9W84F65642 Hi guys, thanx for the help so far. replaced carb with another reman V V carb still made cat glow. TOMCO rep. had me unplug the canister vent from the carb. when I did the cat. quit glowing. checked canister and circuit and found the purge solenoid is always c...	9
	1990 Mazda 626 2.2L trans VIN: 1YYVGD22BX Hey there guys, sorry for the long wait, but the car just left.. we took the trans out and installed a junkyard unit. The car has 170k miles on it and its the only way we could get the job... anyway, we put the used unit in and when we opened it up to put ...	8
	1998 Mazda Millenia 2.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: JM1TA2212W Thanks for the help guys. We removed the throttle body and sure enough the passages were just about closed up. Removed the valve cleaned passages out customer has been gone for about a week. Usually the lite would kick back on in about 2 days. Thanks Again... Trouble codes: P0400.	5
	2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 4.3L trunk lock VIN: WDBNG70J5Y The trunk works perfectly! I took the advice of all who responded: unanimously everyone recommended that the fuse in trunk be disengaged to allow the module to reset itself. I did this and the trunk then closed itself as it should with light pressure on the tr...	3
	1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera 3.3L rear brake shoes VIN: 1G3AJ51N3K In the replies, it was suggested to verify proper operation of parking brake cable; age, condition and operation of hoses; verify proper fluid pressure at each wheel cylinder; age and condition of caliper slides; OE brake shoes. When the car came back with the...	11
	1993 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2.3L engine VIN: 1G2NE5439N after check ol preassure with cams and cam housings removed we pulled the oil pan to check the bottm end . bearings didn't look real bad[not into coppper] but crank was somewaht scored put new pick up screen on pump [debris was in pan] put back together as cus...	3
	1997 Saab 900 SE Turbo 2.0L l/f power seat VIN: YS3DF55N4V Thanks to all who responded. You were all correct. It was the memory seat switch. Luckily I was able to take the switch apart and clean the button contacts with a pencil eraser and it works flawlessly. Thanks again	4
	1996 Toyota Tacoma DLX 2.4L No Start VIN: 4TANL42N6T Well guys, we didn't fix this one yet, I appreciate all the suggestions offered, but none where the problem. The customer had to have their vehicle. This problem was monitored for several days, and we could not simulate the condition. I suspect a faulty pcm , ...	8

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