Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Nov 24, 2004

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	Help Request	Answers
	1990 Acura Legend LS 2.7L Stall VIN: JH4KA3271L Problem is veh. will start and immediatly stall after ilde flair. On average happens twice before veh. stays running and will not reoccur untill next morning. tune parts in moderate cond. Throttle body a little dirty, but have seen worse. no related posts foun...	View
	1998 Acura CL 2.3L head or block VIN: 19UYA8148W Fellow Wrenches, This Acura arrived in the shop with customer complaint of oil in the cooling system. This was evidenced to him by oil filling the recovery tank. He reported that he had added about a quart of oil to the engine in 500 miles of driving. We pursu...	View
	1984 Audi 4000 S 1.8L No Start VIN: WAUFA0817E this thing starts for about 4 sec. than stalls you can keep doing that all day but it wont stay running. it has 80 psi when cranking. tested it at cold start inj.it will run if you pull up on the fuel dist.plate. the plate is not sticking,i have clean it. tha...	View
	1999 Audi A4 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: WAUCB28D3X thanks for checking this out. this car came in with the complaint of check engine light on, abs light on and inop radio. we confirmed complaint. we first addressed problem with radio. we checked all fuses and found one blown for cigarette lighter but this did ...	View
	1997 Cadillac DeVille 4.6L MIL Lamp on, abs\ tcs light VIN: 1G6KD54Y2V upon reinstallation of this engine the above mentioned codes arived for no aparent reason. please help. none of the systems affected by the codes seam to be failing. we are at a total loss. thanks in advance. russ Trouble codes: P0138, P0151, B1910, U1016, C1227, C1234	View
	1988 Chevrolet Beretta GT 2.8L Stall VIN: 1G1LV11W1J hello techys...this car has me baffled...i have replaced the control module and the 3 coils. thought i had the problem solved. the car ran 30-40 mins then just quit.. i let it cool down do about 146 degrees according to my scanner and it will start. this time ...	View
	1993 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Tahoe 4.3L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1GNDT13W9P Hey guys, This blazer is driving me up the wall! History goes like this: Came in running stinking rich. Found leaks in the CPI unit. Replaced nut kit and entire cpi unit w/rebulit from Linder tech. Car ran but still not very well. Found the dist. off 1 tooth,...	View
	1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Tahoe 4.3L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1GNDT13WXR This Blazer has me and my colleagues baffled. Truck died while on the highway and was towed to the shop. Engine will start eventually but as soon as you give it gas, it dies right out. The truck barely idles and vacuum is only 3 inHg. Fuel pressure is within s...	View
	1995 Chevrolet K2500 6.5L Clutch VIN: 1GCGK29F0S Truck came in for intermittent hard shifter engagement sometimes had to shut truck off to engage,replace worn pivot ball and clutch fork (never greased)was great for a couple of weeks now it appears to be doing the same thing except when hot,Any one run into a...	View
	1998 Chevrolet S10 LS 4.3L Excessive Emissions VIN: 1GCDT19X4W hi gm tecs, have s10 not making it thru smog, no engine codes, all monitors run, o2 sensors appear to be functioning correctly, long trim trim on bank 2 is negative 13%, bank 1 is close to + or - 1, pulled upper plenium to verify no additional fuel from inject...	View
	1999 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: 1G1JC1245X This vehicle came in with an intermittent runs rough and hard start, most after rain or car wash. Found code for MAP sensor circuit, checked wiring, replaced MAP sensor as could not find anything else. Came back, found a recall for high salt content area's, ge...	View
	1992 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue 3.3L DTC41/L-R solenoid circuit failure VIN: 1C3XV66R7N Recived car for a driveability complaint. Scaned engine no faults stored. Scaned trans found fault 41,12,15 stored went to all data and followed flow charts found no problems with wireing or power. Replaced all three harness with the factory up date kits, repl...	View
	2001 Chrysler Sebring LXi Limited 2.7L Heater VIN: 1C3EL65U31 This car runs fine, has no overheating problem & does not leak. The customer is an elderly person who drives slow & is conserned of the poor heating condition. I believe the water pump is causing the problem but would like a better explanation of why before I ...	View
	2000 Dodge Durango 5.2L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation VIN: 1B4HR28Y5Y customer complained of hard to get running on 35 degree mornings. have to play with gas to get going.. no power after running. i have felt sluggish condition --like stopped up converter or bad fuel pump, prior to prom update after reprogramming, next morning s...	View
	1993 Ford F-150 XL 5.0L speedometer VIN: 1TUCC528R3 the speedometer was erratic and it was stalling. i replaced the speedometer with one i purchased at a scrapyard. i now have a message on the odometer display that reads error 3. what does this mean?	View
	1995 Ford Taurus GL 3.0L ride quality VIN: 1FALP57UOS This fleet vehicle came into our shop for service. The driver complained that there was a vibration, enough to rattle a pop can out of the holder. Test drive confirmed that there is a vibration. The tires were balanced, but at no help. We rotated tires which d...	View
	1996 Ford E-250 Econoline 4.9L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTFE24Y6T Hello all, We have a E250 with CEL illuminated. scanned codes PO171 & PO174. American cars are not my forte and whant to get a heads up on what to look out for and check on this vehical. From these codes I would probably assume this vehical has a vac leak or a... Trouble codes: P0171, P0174	View
	1996 Ford Ranger XL 4.0L 4WD will not engage VIN: 1FTZR15X9W This one came in from other shop. It has had both the GEM and electric shift control modules replaced and the 4WD motr replaced. The 4wd lights on dash flash 5 times every so often with no apperent reason or pattern. I have check all power sorces and it has po...	View
	1996 Ford F-350 Special 7.3L Misfire VIN: 2FDKF37F5T truck lacks power on acceleration on any grade or trying to pass slower vehicles. when warm if you stop to make a turn and start accelerating again it starts to miss fire just as if it had bad plugs or wires.as you speed up it smooths out , and you can work it... Trouble codes: P0476	View
	1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 4.6L Heater Core VIN: 2FTDX08W4V The heater core is leaking again. We've heard of problems with these and followed Ford's TSB and tested for Electrolysis. It tests per Ford's instructions with only milli-volts. Ford says to flush the system if .4V or more is present. We did flush the cooling ...	View
	1997 Ford Crown Victoria LX 4.6L air suspension VIN: 2FALP74W0V Car came in and customer stated he wanted to have the air comp replaced beacause the dealer said it was bad. we replaced it and the system still does not work, the "check air suspension" light is on I cannot scan this system so i do not have any codes to repor...	View
	1998 Ford F-150 XL 4.2L Mechanical VIN: 1FTZF1828W this engine has a loud tapping noise coming from the front end.it is the loudest around the front damper,oil pump area.pulled damper,no sign of problem.pulled front cover to check timing chain guide,tensioner,all fine.doesn't sound like bearing or piston noise...	View
	1998 Ford E-250 Econoline 4.2L Hesitation VIN: 1FTNS2424W van has heavy missfire under load, esp. cold , has lean codes, all systems seem ok, fuel pressure in specs(28psi on decel- 39psi under load) even while acting up on a road test.but if i pinch off fuel re-turn hose van runs fine all the time. are my pressure sp...	View
	1990 GMC G2500 Vandura 5.0L No Start VIN: 2GTEG25H1L help! customer came in with a no start. FUEL PUMP WAS NOT COMING ON. Power was applied to pump, and pump did not turn on. replaced fuel pump and sending unit. vehicle is still not starting. replaced relay, still not starting. applied 12v to test lead at relay...	View
	2003 GMC Yukon SLE 5.3L On Star VIN: 1GKEK13Z43 Hi all, I road tested and confirmed this crackle noise is coming from the On-Star speaker. Has anyone had a similar problem? This is an anoyying noise the customer wants to get rid of. Thanks ahead of timre to those who reply.	View
	1999 Honda Civic EX 1.6L Electronic VIN: JHMEJ6680X vehicle came in with no speedometer and the D4 indicator light flashing & check engine light on...fuse #15 in the interior fuse box is the "alternator & speed sensor" fuse, 7.5A, has a dead short as fuse blows instantly upon replacement...don't have a wiring s...	View
	1994 Lexus ES300 3.0L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on Hi im having problems with this Lexus es300. Check engine light on, tried to get codes but get no communication to scanner. Checked the power, ground, and data line at DLC3 and everything looks good. Also car would start and stall. If I play with the gas I can...	View
	1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL 5.0L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation VIN: WDBFA66E4N Happy Thanksgiving to Y’all, We have ran into a problem on 1992 MB 500 SL. The vehicle started at the 1st crank but has no pep, we got to baby it to get the RPM when cold. When the engine warm up, it has no power, takes a long time to get speed, no idle contr...	View
	1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 6.0L Fuel Guage VIN: WDBGA76E2T I have ordered the tools to remove this instrument cluster and will change some bulbs and look further at the guage and sending unit when they arrive. In the mean time I would like some insight into this fuel guage problem. When the vehicle has a half a tank o...	View
	2001 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.8L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3N1CB51D41 occurs in open loop and closed loop random misfiring at idle intermittently, unplugging individual coils all cylinders change engine running when opening the throttle sometimes rpm increases normally then next time could just bog out at 1500 rpm and if you hol... Trouble codes: P0171 (right fuel system lean)	View
	1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette Premiere 3.4L tcs VIN: 1GHDX03E8X Hi everyone, Looking for some help with a 1999 Oldmobile Silhouette. The TCS light in the dash will not turn on when the switch is depressed. The switch has been replaced with new and after further testing, the ABTCM module has been swapped with new. The lig...	View
	1984 Other European SILVER SPUR 412CID compressor VIN: SCAZN42A8E hi there got this little problem of trying to locate the ac compressor relay i checked all fuses and all are ok when i jump the compressor ac system is good and cold i need to find out where the ac comp relay is located to continue with my trouble shooting i h...	View
	1971 Pontiac Firebird 350CID L/F door Customer came to me after having another bordy shop work on this one. They put on a new door latch, stryker, and both door hinges. This door is still hard to open. It seems like the door is sagging, however moving the stryker aroung makes it no better. By the ...	View
	1989 Pontiac Bonneville SE 3.8L MIL Lamp on, code 41 looking for the GM tech bulletin #91618 I have an intermitten code 41 any help would be appreciated Thanks in advance Trouble codes: 41 (camshaft sensor)	View
	1997 Pontiac Sunfire SE 2.2L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on follow mitchel on demand 5 to the letter and all tests lead me to the computer, so i replaced it with a used one only to discover that i had not located the problem. Trouble codes: P0335, P00, 441 (crank sen cir)	View
	1998 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.8L supercharger VIN: 1G2WP521WF This car belpngs to my airplane mechanic, so I take good care of him! The supercharger belt jerks enough to cause the belt tensioner to jump, we removed the belt, all idler and tensioner pulleys seem ok,noise is gone with supercharger belt removed,(so it is n...	View
	2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.4L antitheft VIN: 1G2NF52E8Y I took the time to check the archives but still wanted to post this one.Since day one this customer has had an int no start.It is a passlock problem for sure[10 min relearn gets it going every time].I just got this car in for the first time and having been the...	View
	1980 Porsche 911 SC 3.0L steering VIN: 91A0130507 I'm hoping the problem with this Porsche 911 is something simple. The customer stated that occasionally on 90 degree turns in either direction the steering in this car would lock as if the key was out of the ignition. He'd literally have to screech to a halt, ...	View
	1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 4.5L Stall VIN: JT3HJ85J5V We blocked off egr valve. Vehicle ran great. Attached valve starts stalling again anytime you come to a stop. Replace egr valve,problem still exists.Please HELP great customer!!	View
	2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L Hesitation, Cuts out, MIL Lamp on VIN: WVWAC63B71 This VW came in has codes po171 (system too lean),po322(ignition/distrubutor engine circ no signal),poo12(camshaft position timing).Clear codes ,codes po322 and poo12 came back.(PO322)check engine speed sensor good with lab scope reading above 2.5 a/c volts.An...	View
	2000 Volvo S70 GLT SE 2.4L No Start VIN: YV1LS56D3Y hello everyone. i have this oo volvo s70 in my shop which has intermitient crank no start. usually it happens after car was runnig or driven for half an our. when it happens there is no injector pulse and fuel pressure builds up slowly. i did found information...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1992 Audi 100 S 2.8L No Start VIN: WAUBJ54A8N Hey Guys, First of all thank you to all that responded to my plea. The problem that we had was no ignition or inj pulz because the ECU did not send out signals to either the ignition final stage or the injectors even though all nessesary inputs to the ECU were...	11
	2001 Buick Century Custom 3.1L subframe/body VIN: 2G4W552J31 This vehicle has yet to return for further diagnosis. Replies to my help reqest suggest that the steering intermediate shaft might need lubrication, or that the lower control arm bushing steel sleeves, that are a press fit into the arm, might be loose. we now ...	4
	1990 Cadillac Fleetwood 4.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G6CB5339L Thank all who replied, I havent yet heard back from this customer, however, what I found (or didnot find) was an answer to the question of the [...] wave coming from the ecm to the bcm, according to Alldata there should be 5v switching at ckt 526, anyhow... Trouble codes: F32 (BCM codeBCM-PCM data problem), E47 (PCM/ECM codeBCM-ECM data problem).	4
	1997 Cadillac DeVille 4.6L Stall VIN: 1G6KD52Y8V Crank sensors was the reply Iput in new sensors pulled the wire harness down and checked it all over loked fine The next day customer came in guess what same thing but after they ate at local pub Battery was dead so Ipulled batt pos cable for alt.and ECM loked... Trouble codes: P1599.	7
	1991 Chevrolet Lumina Euro 3.1L Injector electrical circuit VIN: 2G1WN54TXM This IATN Team is great! Thanks for everyone's feedback. The problem ended being a bad ignition module. Remember I had good spark, but no injector fire. The bad module would not send a rpm reference signal. My scan tool pointed this out when I cranked the engi...	23
	1994 Chevrolet K2500 Cheyenne 5.7L 4th gear VIN: 1GCGK24K4R Many thanks for all the thoughtful replies. Most replies hit it correctly in saying that it was a bad 'B' solenoid. My mistake was thinking that the solenoid was working, and it was,sort of. You have to pressure check it to see if it is leaking slightly, that ...	10
	1994 Chevrolet Lumina Euro 3.1L blower motor VIN: 2G1WN14T8R We replcaed the high and low blower relays plus the resistor and so far so good, thanks for all your help	14
	1999 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2L hard crank VIN: 3G1JC5246X Thank you to everyone who replied, I have had trouble with chrysler ignition switches more than GM, but I had not checked it. So, with a channel of my Vantage on each of the two ignition output circuits there was no voltage lost across the switch. Then it was ...	9
	1998 Chrysler Sebring LXi 2.5L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, MIL Lamp on VIN: 4C3AU52N5W I found the crank pulse to be hash so I replaced the sensor, no change to how it runs but the crank and cam look good now. Did not get a chance to look at the coil output. I did spray the intake for vacuum leaks/no help. At this point the customer turns out to... Trouble codes: P1392 (Intermittent loss of crank/cam signal Hard to get code to set).	3
	1999 Chrysler Intrepid 2.7L instrument panel VIN: 2C3HH46R5X Congrats Iatn, Once again you have enlightened a confused tech. Didn't receive alot of help on this one, but it was good enough to get the job done. Matt from Alabama suggested a bcm problem. Jim from B.C. suggested an igition feed problem. Alex from B.C. was ...	3
	1988 Dodge Dynasty 3.0L high idle in gear VIN: 1B3BU4634J Thanx guys It turned out to be distributor, I pulled distributor out of one of my own vehicles, vehicle ran good, order a rebuilt distributor and delivered vehicle to customer Thank you to All Michael [...] Trouble codes: 54 (High data transfer).	3
	1988 Dodge Dakota 3.9L steering column tube VIN: 1B7GR14X7J thanks to Bob from Wisconsin and Dean [...] for their interest and replies.I have concluded the only difference in columns is tilt or no tilt,2wd or 4wd makes no difference.I had a friend that builds smokers,so I took the column tube over to him and had t...	3
	2001 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L fuel lines VIN: 1B7MC33731 The dodge truck is fixed. Thanks to all who replied,The cause of line failure Was due to missing line brackets. I installed a total of 11 missing pieces. The support brackets isolaters line clamps and bolts. Installed all new fuel lines, I am confident this wi...	3
	2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4 2.4L readiness moniters VIN: 1B3ES66S14 Thanks to all 11 that replied..especially Marshall from Georgia and Gilbert from Massachusetts.You two were extremely helpful.Pretty much all replies pointed to completing a correct drive cycle...regardless of how many miles I had put on it since I bought it.I...	12
	1994 Ford Aspire 1.3L No Start VIN: KNJLT06H9R Well...guess we can't call this one a 'pattern' failure. After chaseing my tail for a few days I found a rodent nest hidden under the battery, under the nest was a loom with ten wires on the way to the diagnostic connector. The mice didn't chew any wires in tw...	3
	1998 Honda Accord EX 3.0L Hesitation, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1HGCG1651W Yes, the problem is the crank sensor socket not been push in properely by previous owner's mechanic.Thanks to you all for prompt and correct responds.Thanks again/ Charles. Trouble codes: P0335.	4
	1991 Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign 4.0L Excessive Emissions, Hesitation, Misfire VIN: SAJHY174XM Thank you very much to the people that took time to reply. When I went to start this car and bring it back into the garage I could not get it started. I checked for spark at the dist. and it was ok, but would only sometimes get a very small spark at the plug. ...	9
	1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.0L Hesitation, Misfire VIN: 1J4GZ78S3T The jeep is fixed, I waited to hear from the customer to make sure. i talked to him yesterday & he said it works fine. almost all the replies said upstream o2 sensor, well you were right. it seems the o2 was not pulling the 5 volt reference low quick enough so...	12
	1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L No Start VIN: 1J4FX58S3W Well again i say thanks to all of your fine people out there in puter land, a Special thanks to BROOK MCCARTY, DENNIS [...], they knew precisely where to look for my problem. i disconected the crank sensor and got my 5 volt signal back, ...	16
	2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II 4.0L 4th gear VIN: SALTY1242Y Hi guys, Thanks to all the Land Rover techs.Almost everyone pointed to the mass air flow sensor.Other tech lines didn't have a clue,and I never associated a 4th gear error with a fuel trim problem.I tested the g/s and it was 4.5.The ltft was 19.5.I found the...	9
	1995 Lincoln Continental Signature 4.6L ABS module VIN: 1LNM97V7SY Sorry for the long wait,customer headed south for the winter before I could get car back in shop.Last time car was in I did have data stream on Solus scanner and found left front wheel speed sensor damaged,replaced part and readings from wheel sensors all the ...	4
	2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 3.2L Hesitation, No Accel VIN: WDBJF6SJ71 Wow, many thanks for the replies, most of you gentlemen hit it right on the head, the MAF was indeed defective! We replaced the unit this morning, reset the adaptations, and carried out a roadtest. The car runs like new and idles like a dream. As most pointe...	14
	1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2.0L Fails state inspecti VIN: 4A3AK24Y9T Thanks for the replies. After trying to diagnose using the Mitsu 1 adapter and using BOTH the obd2 and Mitsu 12 pin connector and still no communication. I checked for power on pin 16, ground on 4/5 and then signal on 7. Power and grounds were good. Signal was...	5
	1997 Nissan Pickup 2.4L oil pressure VIN: 1N6SD11SXV Thank you everyone who replied. Responses included bad oil pump, air leak to intake side, orings left out, regulator or relief valve stuck, oil pump not primed, passages restricted, dented pan, gunk in oil pressure switch. We took the timing cover back off and...	8
	1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Brougham 3.8L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall VIN: 2G3AM5133J thanks to all that replied well i did injector balance test all check with in 1/2 pound each other decided to check spray pattern didn't look good all injectors spay a little streamy order injectors from linder 'injector guro' still same problem at request of ...	8
	1998 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0L No Start VIN: 1G3GR62C3W The problem has to be a block/crankshaft mismatch. To prove the point, we borrowed a 97 Seville STS 4.6L NorthStar (which uses the same module part number)and parked it next to our Aurora. We than ran 4 jumper wires from the Caddy's two crank sensors to our si... Trouble codes: 1350 (Bypass line monitor), 1375 (No CKP sensor 1 or 2).	3
	1991 Subaru Legacy L 2.2L loss of power VIN: 4S3BJ6320M Thanks to all that took their valuable time to reply, I checked all suggestions and learned a few valuable things but stiil found nothing. Well one day I might learn !!! After checking everything electronic 4 different times right down to scoping the processor...	5
	1996 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.2L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 4S3BG4852T Thankyou very much. the vehicle is now fixed. the problem was that another shop had replaced the timing belt and it was off 1 tooth on the crank gear even though the vehicle ran fine for the first 2months according to the customer we determined that as the bel...	12
	2001 Subaru Legacy L 2.5L sterring gear? suspension VIN: 4S3BH63571 Thank you to all replies. At this time, the customer is taking vehicle to dealer for tsb repair, (steering line upgrade). they are very impressed with IATN and the effort we take to service the customer. I am sure i will retain their service needs. (aside from...	10
	1998 Toyota Tacoma DLX 2.4L keeps running w/ off VIN: 4TAVL52N1W There was never a resolution to this problem. The replies sent were greatly appreciated and we checked as much as we could given what the customers were willing to pay for our time (not a big priority to them). Neither vehicle had an alarm system so that possi...	8
	2000 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 4T1BG28KXY Thanks to all who responded. The vehicle started for us after dismounting the coils and moving the wiring around. We figured this had to point toward a wiring or connection issue. The problem was a connection at the 1/4 igniter. I had previously tried wiggling... Trouble codes: P1300 (1 igniter), P0300 (random misfire).	5
	2000 Volvo C70 2.4L Rear glass in conv top VIN: YV1N56D3YJ All is well, we were able to re-adhere the glass w/ clothe border to the top using 3M windo-weld super fast urethane adhesive part# 08609. We supported the glass from inside with an inflatable air mattress until the glue dried. Placing the vehicle in the sun o...	5

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