Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Aug 13, 2004

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	Help Request	Answers
	1999 BMW 528i 2.8L MIL Lamp on, limp mode VIN: WBAD6346XG Car had multiple codes when towed in, transmission codes with the others listed. No movement very overheated trans. I repaired trans. replaced torque converter flushed lines. started in drive moved ahead 50 ft. went to limp mode, 4th gear, eng. lite on, abs on... Trouble codes: 130 (eng. code can signal asc), 217 (eng. code can egs signal), 160 (trans. code can abs/asc signal), 150 (trans. code can bus monitor), 156 (trans. code can time out), 47&51 (abs. codes inletoutlet valve left rear)	View
	2001 BMW 325Ci 2.5L Blower VIN: WBABS33401 Vehicle came in with complaint of erratic blower operation. I verified that it is. With the system on manual high blower I got the following values with the X431 scan tool: Blower Stage 8% PWM Blower Control Voltage 8.03V Blower Control 93% Auto Button Active ...	View
	2001 Cadillac DeVille DHS 4.6L instrument digital dash VIN: 1G6KE57Y41 hi everybody : this is one of my boss's used car,he has been driving it for more than a month and has no problem until 2 days ago the battery went dad and he boosted it and driving til now. Today,his son doing a completed clean-up on this car(car wash and int...	View
	1987 Chevrolet motorhome 454CID cooling system VIN: 1GBKP37W6H This vehicle came in to the shop with a cracked head. Customer wanted engine to be completely overhauled not just replace the head. After overhaul the vehicle temperature starts creeping up if you drive over 55 mph. If you maintain speeds above 60 over a 5-7 m...	View
	1991 Chevrolet Lumina Z34 3.4L Excessive Emissions VIN: 2G1WP11X92 hi everybody : this car failed e-test high Nox 2208 ppm at cruise !! I changed the O2,cat,removed plenum clean the egr passage (it was plug up solid !!),after I clean up the passage and I tested the egr valve my feeding 12 volts to 1 of each 3 terminal of the...	View
	2001 Chevrolet Tracker 2.0L timing chain VIN: 2CNBE13C11 broke upper timing chain and upper chain guide.the first time just over a month ago i replaced all exhaust valves do to the upper chain guide(top on cam caps)being lodged between upper chain and cam gears. could not find any known problem with chain or guides ...	View
	2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 8.1L engine VIN: 1GCHK29G52 On intial startup after sitting over night. Engine starts and is quite. After about 5 seconds of running a valve train noise develops. Sounds like noisy lifters. Starts gradual, gets louder. After about 45 seconds of running the noise slowly fades away. Have a...	View
	1992 Dodge Caravan ES 3.3L Speedometer VIN: 2B4GH55R2N I have a 92 caravan with no speedometer working and no MPH reading on ECM data stream,or miles reading on the Digital trip computer. There is a output speed signal getting to the TCM as I have verified it with a scope and the trans shifts fine. I replaced the ...	View
	1996 Dodge Ram 3500 8.0L no power VIN: 387MF33W8T Truck has no power whatsoever. Fuel pressure is 50psi. Volume is 1 pint in 20 seconds. Dropped exhaust with no change. Scoped ignition system and all cylinders are giving equal power under load. Anyone have any ideas.	View
	1996 Dodge Avenger 2.0L abs codes VIN: 4B3AU526TE Code 53 sets as soon as vehicle is run, have installed 3 used pumps, the one in now can be acctivated and will run. Vehicle will sit and idle and no light comes on. Drive above 5 mph and light comes on. Check and code 53 is set. have done all the pin test and ...	View
	1990 Ford E-150 Econoline Custom 5.0L cruise control VIN: 1FDEE14N0L Cruise is inop. Removed the switch set from the steering wheel and tested per Alldata. All switches test good. However, can't get good ground from steering wheel hub to column. Wiring diagram shows 3 slip rings, one for power in, one for signal to cruise ampli...	View
	1992 Ford Taurus GL 3.8L steering hoses VIN: 1FACP52U4N Car came in with leaks. Power steering hoses leaking. Quote job, and get ok. Bummer. Looks like a real pain. No info in Mitchell. Talk to friend at dealer, say's to drop right(pass)side of cradle to reach hoses. Well, the hoses run together from pump over tran...	View
	1993 Ford Crown Victoria LX 4.6L Oil Leak VIN: 2FACP74W2P Has anyone ever ran across this before? The Bolt on #6 cylinder (exhust manifold)is dripping oil the plugs are dry and no smoke out the tail pipe. #4 and #7 cylinder show sighs of dye on bolts and no other leaks can be found. I have not tore this down yet this...	View
	1994 Ford Escort LX 1.9L Cooling Fan VIN: 1FARP15J2R This 1.9 liter engine climes to 3/4 or better, up to about 7/8 swing on the temp gauge. I have changed the gauge sensor, ECT (both located in a steel hose behing themostat housing), flushed and visually inspected the radiator, cleaned debris from between conde...	View
	1994 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L compressor VIN: 1FMDU34X2R This Ford Explorer came in with a non-functional A/C system due to compressor failure. Replaced compressor, accumulator, orifice tube, receiver/drier and low pressure switch. Also, flushed the condensor, evaporator and hoses of the foreign debris from the faul...	View
	1995 Ford Mustang GT 5.0L Misfire VIN: 1FALP42TXS hey guys, i have a 95 ford mustang with a 5.0 manuel trans.the car acts like its running on 7 cyclenders but i cannot locate the missing cyclender.problem is all the time and in every gear worse at idle. all spark plugs firing and clean all injectors powered...	View
	1996 Ford Mustang GT 4.6L Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1FALP42X9T Hello all, this is my personal car, so i don't really ever have any time to fix it, but this is what happens. It will misfire most of the time, I have never had a check engine light, but then again, it does not have a misfire monitor. I have replaced the wires...	View
	1999 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L Timing/Fuel VIN: 1FAFP53S4X I am not the tech on this one , but trying to get any suggestions before our time is up on this.Vehicle drove in running fine but did have Timing Chain noise , it was sold at 12 hr and all parts , tech installed everything no start, sounded out of time.Yep pul...	View
	1999 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L lack of power VIN: 1FTSX30F8X I've got a 7.3 diesel that on accell will start to "whistle" and lack power as if exhaust restricts temporarily and then will clear up, does this most every time when accelerating,. I don't have much diesel experience, so if someone may be able to guide me as ...	View
	2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FMYU60E41 Need some help on this one. Truck came in the shop with check engine light on, and a low idle. I cleaned the MAF with no change. The LTfuel trim is -18%, but the STfuel trim is +3%. I also have a small backfire through the intake.The cylinder leak down test wa... Trouble codes: P0172, P0175	View
	1997 GMC Safari SLE 4.3L vents VIN: 1GKDM19W2V we have this van that under acceleration will drop vent operation to defrost - have replaced check valve and repaired on broken vacuum line - still happening - have good vacuum supply - vacuum test all line at connector at rear of control head and all hold goo...	View
	1998 GMC Jimmy Envoy 4.3L 2-3 shift VIN: 1GKDT13W6W Hello all! Trying to help a fellow tech on this one. Vehicle winds up going into third gear, causing a mil and a third gear default which it will stay in until the mil is cleared. With a volt meter on the 2-3 command wire out of the VCM, it will apply shift wh...	View
	1993 Honda Civic DX 1.5L No Start VIN: 2HGEJ2242P Honda Pros, I have this little Civic that was towed in with a no start condition. The shift lock out was inop which led me to believe the ECM was bad. Sure enough, opened up the box and found burn spot on board (big burn spot on board!). Sent the ECM out had ...	View
	1994 Hyundai Excel 1.5L pulse generators VIN: KMHVF2256R Hello, This car goes into third gear default after taking off and getting through all the gears once. On snapon scantool the pulse generator numbers drop out one at a time after a few seconds of movment. pulse A seems erratic in neutral but never zeros out til...	View
	1993 Infiniti G20 2.0L inhibitor switch VIN: JNKCP01D5P Car was towed into shop with a no crank condition. Verified no crank condition, checked for power @ starter solenoid, no power, jumped inhibitor relay: car would crank just fine now. Tested inhibitor relay and anti-theft relay #1, both work as they should, fou...	View
	1990 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0L Long crank/start VIN: 1J4FJ87LXL Customer complains of long crank on startup, Verified worse after hot soak, Fuel pressure drops within 2 minutes, pinched off supply line, pressure holds, Cycling key & watching fuel pressure gauge to make sure pressure is there, then crank, fuel pressure stay...	View
	1991 Mazda B2200 2.2L Cuts out, MIL Lamp on VIN: JM2UF1137M Customer stated as vehicle is drive when cold first 2-3 miles feels as though it misses and surges a few times then feels like it is starving for fuel and has no power. Pulls to the side of the road and lets it sit for 2-3 minutes. Starts up and continuesto dr...	View
	1996 Mercedes-Benz S500 5.0L ads VIN: WDBGA51E4T Customer's concern was a bouncey ride. I replaced the rear acuumulator. Now the suspension is good (no bounce), but now I've evidently triggered a DTC. My Modis doesn't communicate with the ADS. I was hoping there was some way to retrieve & clear the DTC's wit...	View
	1996 Nissan Quest GXE 3.0L rear blower inop VIN: 4N2DN11W4T Hi members, Van came in with rear blower not working.Fuses are good. Blower motor is working when you direct ground one of the wire (yello/black stripe).I'm thinking that ground circuit for rear blower is at the front control unit for rear AC . Can someone sh...	View
	1990 Plymouth Laser RS 2.0L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 4P3CS44U0L Have a Plymouth Laser here that won't idle and stalls all time. Had a code 12 for MAF circuit(really expensive!!!), cleared the code and it hasn't returned. Haven't spent much time testing yet and we're not familiar with this type of system, so we did an IATN ... Trouble codes: 12 (mass air flow circuit)	View
	2003 Pontiac Bonneville SE 3.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G2HX52K13 I could realy use some help right about now! Got this GM with MIL on and code P0171 fuel trim system lean. Checked scan data, fuel trims indicating lean condition. Vehicle runs a little rough when in open loop, and smoothes out with propane. Runs ok in closed ... Trouble codes: P0171 (Fuel trim system lean)	View
	1999 Porsche Boxster 2.5L windows and top VIN: NONE AVAIL customer stores vehicle, after replaceing discharged battery, car will start and run, but windows will not operate and convertable top will not close. (not operate).Is their a re-set procedure? Found out that porsche goofed, battery is in trunk. Trunk latch is...	View
	1999 Saab 9-5 SE 2.3L Misfire VIN: YS3EF48E5X this vehicle has an intermittant miss that i would normally associate with bad plug wires but it has a coil over plug system. the only test procedure for the coil pack i can find in our mitchell syatem is to check if they fire. i have checked the injectors wit...	View
	2000 Suzuki Vitara JX 2.0L running VIN: 2S3TD52VXY hello techs have a vitara 2001 m.i.l light did not light up with a no start replaced ecm and fixed it for about 10 miles and came back with same symptons installed another ecm added a ground wire and main relay fuse fixed for 4 months and is returned with same...	View
	1994 Toyota Pickup DLX 2.4L Compressor Clutch VIN: JT4RN93P8R A/C blows cold driving down the road. Come to a stoplight and A/C cycles off and will not cycle back on until you start moving again or you put it in park. When the truck came in someone had adjusted the idle up valve assem to about 1100-1200 RPM to make the A...	View
	1996 Toyota Previa LE 2.4L electric door locks VIN: JT3GK13M7T The driver's door will not open.The key turns left okay but is real hard going right.I pulled the top of the panel off and can force the electric mechanism to move but the door still will not open.Is there anything I can do o open the door to change the mechan...	View
	2000 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4T1BG22K1Y hi gang. got a 2000 toyota camry with a code po442 large leak detected. this is the late system with 3 solenoids which were all removed, vacuum tested, and determined to be working properly. the pressure sensor has 3.33 volts at atmosphere and subsequently ris... Trouble codes: P0442	View
	1998 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0L Transmission into limp in mode VIN: 3VWBB61C4W Hi Techs, This one is driving me crazy, this car came first to my shop about 2 months ago for a transmission going into limp in mode, so I went into diagnostic and found this trouble code 00297 for defective gearbox speed sensor (G38) and at the same time sin...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1993 Cadillac Seville STS 4.6L cooling VIN: 1G6KY5298P Many responses were head problems, some said possible rad plugged, one reply was that water pump may have incorrect impeller, customer declined to spend more diagnostic time on this vehicle and therefore no fix to this problem. Thanks to all who replied.	8
	1998 Chevrolet Tracker 1.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2CNBJ136XW thanks 3 people told me the passage was pluged i cleaned it and that fixed it i cant believe how sensitive the egr system is on this car i would never have thought that little bit would make the diference .once again thanks Trouble codes: P0400.	3
	1991 Chrysler New Yorker Salon 3.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1C3XC66R9M OK you guys will love this and thanx for your responses,,after checking and rechecking everyhing on this car for the last few days and after talking to the customer every day for 8 days(she kept calling to find out when her car would be done and we kept tellin...	5
	1996 Dodge B2500 3.9L Cooling system The customer did not opt to do the water pump due to cost limitations. I think this is probably going to fix it though especially since at least 2 of the responses mentioned that these things have problems with deteriorating impeller fins and a bad water pump ...	14
	1997 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 3.3L evaporator VIN: 1B4GP54R6V Thanks to all who replied, What I did on this van was jacked the front end up as high as I could and let the vehicle run and bleed out the cooling system for about an hour and a half. I think that this worked. I was only able to get the van to act up once for ...	8
	1984 Ford Bronco II 2.8L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1FMBU1456E Well apparantly thanks to your help I had the understanding of the egr solenoids backwards. I thought the vent solenoid was the egr actuating solenoid, hence working backwards. None of my books clarified this. They showed the dark green wire activating the EGR...	3
	1997 Ford Escort LX 2.0L Hesitation, Stall, Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FALP13P4V Well the heater core was leaking on this vehicle. Shawn from cali hit it on the head the gunk got into the connector on drivers side white connector in the console close to fire wall. The 2 o2 wires where right next to a 12v feed and were just nasty. THANKS FO... Trouble codes: P0135.	3
	1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 5.4L #3 cylinder VIN: 1FTNW20L2X Gentleman, thank you so very much for your time and wonderful information. The majority of the responses leaned toward the insert kit. Due to the mileage, cost and possibility that this vehicle might be going to the auction in January we decided to go with the...	26
	1999 Ford Contour LX 2.0L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1FAFP6531X tank you guys for the help the vtc selenoid fix my problem. we replace the timing belt also , tanks again Trouble codes: P1383.	7
	2002 Honda Odyssey LX 3.5L door locks VIN: 2HYKRL1809 hi group well thanks to dan for the very helpful information it helped out great, ran through the information and found that the powers and grounds out of the multiplexing unit were all ok, turns out the door lock actuator was the culprit locking the doors, re...	None
	1996 Land Rover Range Rover SE 4.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: SALPV124XT Yes, IT IS TRANS code 23 causing 'false code' P1775 and the only way it showed is when I used PC based scanner (OBDII-ISO) No other scanners will touch it (Brick\NGS\Tech2 - Generic OBDII mode)??? - It never hit me to even search for TSB's in MOD, which I foun... Trouble codes: P1775 (Unknown - Check MFG Manuals).	10
	2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II 4.0L ace VIN: SALTY1246Y Thanks to whom replied I appreciate the input. I believe this truck to be fixed. Found a aluminum cannister filter in the valve assembly that had been crushed somehow and was very restricted. After replacing the pressure line and the filter the system works ve...	2
	1993 Mercury Grand Marquis LS 4.6L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 2MELM75W8P Thanks to all who took time to reply. All of the rplies were pretty much the same. Most said to check all grounds to make sure that one wasn't disturbed durring previous repairs, a couple of them sid to check for bad diodes in the alternater causing a/c ripple...	5
	1995 Mercury Grand Marquis LS 4.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2MELM75W0S I'm sorry for I have not seen the vehicle since the light came back on. I guess the customer thinks I don't know what I'm doing since the light came back on. I received much information that I will try the next time I see a ford thanks for everything. Trouble codes: P0401.	53
	2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 3.0L Clutch VIN: 4A3AC54H71 After heated discussion with Sach clutch technical rep on what defines a professional auto technician,we tried another clutch assembly. Unfortunately Sachs is the only one available to us in areasonable amount of time and since they are Mitsubishi oem supplier...	2
	2000 Nissan Maxima GLE 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: JN1CA31A3Y Thanks to EVERYBODY who replied! I should have noted that I was getting 22% LTFT on both bank 1 and 2. So I had a problem common to both banks. But even without that info, had some great replies. The problem turned out to be that it needed a Mass Air Flow se... Trouble codes: P0171.	9
	1988 Porsche 928 S4 5.0L Excessive Emissions VIN: WPOJB0922J I have not been contacted back by this customer, A person that knows him told me that he just parked the car and stopped driving it. He also told me that the customer's timing belt light came on (I checked the timing and the belt tention on the car but did'nt ...	9
	1990 Toyota Land Cruiser 4.0L transfer case VIN: JT3FJ62G5L Number one: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have resopnded to my post, especially Antonio Trompiz from Brazil. He took time from his busy day to scan a page from a Toyota Landcruiser manual to email to me! I finally had to subscr...	6
	1992 Toyota Camry SE 3.0L air flow VIN: JT2UK13E4N Thanks for the replies. The closest one was david from Georgia who said to look in the evap core area for blockage.I checked all the blend doors and the amount of freon in the sysytem. all were good.I then went to the salvage yard and looked at a evap core box...	5
	1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0L AT/Temp Light VIN: JT3VN39W2R Hey Guys Thanks for all the replies to this problem, I have changed the fluid type to toyota fluid, DexronII just not avalible in this area that I can find Customer will report back at later date, It has been a coubple of days and have not heard anything bad y...	10
	1994 Toyota Camry 2.2L SRS Light VIN: 4T1SKHE4RU Thank you for your help The fix was to replace the air bag ecu code 22 was for a lamp driver or ecu	4
	1998 Toyota Tacoma DLX 2.4L brake rotor VIN: 4TAVL52N7W Thanks for the replies,I try all your ideas such unbolt master cylinder,adjust rear brake shoes,flushing the system with fresh brake fluid,etc.I didn't see anything wrong,I replace another two rebuilt caliper and new brake pads and machining brake rotors,by th...	12

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