Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Dec 23, 2004

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	Help Request	Answers
	1998 BMW 740i 4.4L horn, radio, dome VIN: WBAGF8325W when starting the car often the radio will not come on. when this happens the horn will not work or the dome light. sometimes when hitting the horn with the headlights on the dome light will come on. also most recently while driving and the rest of this wasn't...	View
	1987 Buick Regal GNX 3.8L Excessive Emissions, No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1G4GJ1179H has a hard start when cold. need to crank several times.when finally starts it surges,bucks and backfires badly. After one to two minutes idles perfectly.During road test after warmed up has excellent power,hauls ass. No MIL on at all. No codes.Checked fuel pr...	View
	1994 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L Misfire VIN: 1G4R52L1RH hello techs/ were having problems with this buick and have exausted all our resourcees hope someone can help. the vehecle seems to misfire under light load 45 to 50 mph . tcc is engauged and in 4th gear .tcc slip is50rpm. witch we feel is ok we have replced se...	View
	1993 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Tahoe 4.3L heater core VIN: 1GNDT13WXP On this blazer I am wondering if any one has had the same problem. The vehicle vent temp. is only reaching 80-90F. Should be 120-150. Heater core was replaced last year. He had an aftermarket one installed. My question is if anyone has had problem with afterma...	View
	1997 Chevrolet K1500 Cheyenne 5.7L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 2GCEK19R4V mil is triggered. code p0300 random cylinder misfire. under misfire data cylinder #5 is most prevalent misfire.off the scale at an idle.other cyliders may show 0-6 misfires.under a load in gear, once 850 rpm is reached misfire is non -existent.compression test... Trouble codes: P0300 (random cylinder misfire)	View
	2000 Chevrolet Impala 3.8L MIL Lamp on, cant fill fuel tank VIN: 2G1WH58Y92 Vehicle came in about 3 weeks ago and said he could not fill up the gas even though the tank was empty. I removed the tank and inspected the filler neck and tank and saw no problem. The vehicle also had a PO440 code. I did find a lot of dirt in the vent soleno... Trouble codes: P0440	View
	2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.8L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: 2GCEC19V7Y Truck idles real rough on cold start up. It will flare on start to 1200 rpm, everything looks good on the scanner then o2s all go to less than 100 mv. Idle gos very rough and cyl 5 and 6 show misfire. If the ect sensor reads over 100 misfires go away and engin... Trouble codes: P0300	View
	2003 Chrysler Sebring LX 2.7L MIL Lamp on where is the ambiant temp sensor for bat temp located thank you in advance for teaching an old dog a new trick Trouble codes: 1492 (battery temp volts high)	View
	1990 Dodge Monaco ES 3.0L Cuts out, poor spark voltage VIN: 2B3C1356U1 This relabled renault, marketed as an Eagle Premier also, Loses spark voltage at 2000 RPM. On the road or in the shop you can hook up a spark tester to any plug wire incl. coil, and see it dim dramaticly at 2000 RPM. Engine ran fine when towed in with bad tran...	View
	1990 Ford Ranger Custom 2.9L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1FTCR10TOL This 90 model ford ranger is stalling when cold 2-3 times as it is warming up.I have cleaned the throttle body and idle speed motor.When it stalls it acts as if you turned the key off.It also acts as if it is too lean.Even when it reaches normal operating temp... Trouble codes: 11 (System pass)	View
	1992 Ford F-150 Custom 5.0L No Start VIN: 1FTDF15N5N Hello everyone and happy holidays, I have this Ford F-150 that will just not start. Customer went out in the morning and it would'nt start. Thought maybe just frozen gas line so had it towed to us. This is not the case. Checked for spark - ok. Fuel pressure a...	View
	1995 Ford F-150 Eddie Bauer 5.0L Stalling on start up VIN: 1FTEX14NXS This vehicle came to me after two other shops tried. Customer complaint is that the vehicle will stall after start up. Possible rough idle before stalling. Not at all times for the rough idle. Stepping on the accelerator and coming back to idle will not clear ...	View
	1998 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Stall VIN: 1FMYU24E6W start fine but stall and runs rough for short time after cold start once started warm up run fine rest of day replace iac valve cleaned mass sensor run smoke test on intake had alitte smoke out of injecter holes and holes in egr valve Trouble codes: P0455, P0174	View
	1999 Ford F-150 4.6L Misfire VIN: B676791149 HI TECH : I GOT THIS PICK -UP IN THE SHOP ,CAME in with these two codes ,i change the egr sensor and the van work find now the van is back again and code p1000 is stored again .does any one have any info on this code or any diagrams or reading material .is th... Trouble codes: P0401 (p1000-), P1000	View
	2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4.6L trans or transfer case VIN: 1FMDU73W92 Customer stated he was driving at 25MPH and the speedo was reading near 100MPH with a grinding or vibrating. It was taken to a repair facility where the technician stated that the vehicle was stuck in 4X4 low. The 4X4 Module and the Shift Motor were replaced. ...	View
	1999 GMC K1500 Suburban SLE 5.7L No Start VIN: 3GKFK16R6X Need some help here, customer is getting frustrated! This truck intermittantly will crank & not start. He disconnects the battery for 10 minutes & then it starts right up. Thought I had it last time with crank sensor a month ago, but it's back again! I'm think...	View
	2000 Honda Prelude 2.2L No Start VIN: JHMBB624XY Customer brought vehicle for no start, customer installed reman. Distributor, new coil, cap & rotor. Vehicle has no inj.pulse, & no ign. fire. I've replaced ckp. Position sensor, w/no change. I've also checked all inputs & outputs, & waveform patterns from the...	View
	2003 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L power door locks VIN: 5RNRL18963 Hey all you Honda guys, I really need some help on this one, what I have is the drivers door lock will not work with keyless entry or inside lock switch, I have no signal at lightgreen/red wire at door lock acuator. I checked for broken wire and that checks ok...	View
	2001 Hyundai Accent GL 1.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: KMHGG45C21 Greetings to all and happy holidays,I got this car several weeks ago in for a check engine light on.Pulled a code for o2 sensor, slow response I installed a new o2 but the code keeps coming back.I checked for vaccum leaks,cleaned the mass air flow but for this... Trouble codes: P0133	View
	1994 Jaguar XJ6 4.0L Day-time running light VIN: SAJHX1748R The bulb failure warning light is on. We replaced the LR inner brake/turn signal bulb and also have a wiring problem with the LR side marker. The strange thing is that both high and low beams work but the LF day-time running headlight does not work. I have b...	View
	1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2L Cuts out, Stall, Misfire VIN: 1J4GZ78Y6R vehicle had been badly overheated, cracked cylinder head and broken piston. We installed new engine. Vehicle runs but misses badly. Cranking is labored, like advanced ignition timing. Under load in shop, engine pings severely. Engine misses, will not idle belo...	View
	2000 Mazda MPV DX 2.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: JM3LW285GY hi,guys. i have been chasing a catilist code and along the way have aqired this intermitant 1345 code it seems to occur mostly when stopping or just taking of .it has an intermitant miss @ idle and on any slight acel on the hwy the o2 voltage sems to go rich a... Trouble codes: 1345 (no sgc signal cam signal)	View
	1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: JA3XD64B9N THE car shifts at high RPM about 4000,and the check engine light flash on and off. Checked codes #14 keeps coming back.Sometimes the car will shift fine no check engine light,but the problem is getting worse. Trouble codes: 14 (tps signal out of range)	View
	1995 Mitsubishi Galant ES 2.4L clutch leak VIN: 1JNM3RTYSD vehicle keeps coming back with a crack in line at slave cylinder.for 3rd time line is cracked under nut at slave cylinder. anybody seen this before. getting line from dealer.	View
	2002 Mitsubishi Montero XLS 3.5L temp. gauge VIN: JA4MW31R62 Temp. gauge shows normal temp. It starts to "creep" up past hot and stays there. Plugs and pins seem tight. Temp gauge and fuel gauge sold as a unit, but there is no problem with the fuel gauge. What is the next step?	View
	1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 3.1L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1G3WR51T1M vehicle will not idle unless you create a vacum leak replaced iac and cleaned throttle by pass passage confirmed egr is not sticking on. car will run if we work the throttle and allow air into intake. o2 sensor reads rich on datastream and car is running rich....	View
	1993 Plymouth Voyager 3.0L No Start VIN: 2D4GP4536T Vehicle was running fine (this is our shop van),the serp. belt broke and worked it way into the lower crank shaft area the van died. The tec working on vehicle noted the timing marks did not line up after pulling timing cover for inspection. The tec. then repl...	View
	1994 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.1L Stall VIN: 1G2NE13M2R this is my dad car. the car stalls out when you apply brakes. ( car can be in gear, or park)i tested the batt found bad .replaced with new one, also replaced alt. ran good for two days did not stall. ran emission test car passed. then problem returned	View
	1986 Toyota Celica GTS 2.0L Left headlamp VIN: JT2ST65C9G When the headlamps are turned on, the left light assembly fails to rise from its parked position. The right assy. opens normally. When shut off, both lights will park in the closed position if they are both plugged in to their respective plugs (for the motor f...	View
	1989 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0L Radiator VIN: JT3VN66W5K Hi Toyota Pros, I've got a long-time customer in with two quarts of oil in his coolant, and we did his head gaskets just six months ago. At this point I have the timing belt covers off and the the lower intake manifold out, but I don't see any external compone...	View
	1994 Toyota Camry LE 3.0L Electronic VIN: 4T1GK12C9R Hello techs I have a 94 Camry with the check engine light on and three codes stored in the vehicles computer: P0753, P0758 shift solenoid CKT and P0773 shift solenoid SL lock up CKT. I used Mitchell’s flow chart and it is the same for all three codes. I have t...	View
	2004 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: JTDBR32E14 HO HO Ho..I am posting for a buddy how works at a Toyota dealer. He has helped me out lots of times. He is working on a 2004 Toyota corolla that will idle up to 1100 RPM in drive and set a P0505 code for a open or shorted iac. It only happens with the lady own... Trouble codes: P0505 (open or shorted iac valve)	View
	1999 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: WVWMA63B9X Hello, I have this passat 1.8 turbo with codes P1237/38/39/40 cyl 1-4 inj circuit open. However when the codes set the customer states there is no change in the way the vehicle is operating. I can only use generic on my scanner for retrieving codes and data sh... Trouble codes: 1237 (cyl 1 inj circuit open), 1238 (cyl 2 inj circuit open), 1239 (cyl 3 inj circuit open), 1240 (cyl 4 inj circuit open)	View
	1993 Volvo 850 GLT 2.4L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1V1LS5506P Have both 324 cmp and 121 maf reoccuring. These codes take a week to set . Thanks for the help Trouble codes: 324 (cmp position sensor), 121 (mass air flow sensor)	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1991 Buick Regal Custom 3.1L coolant level VIN: 2G4WB54T3M Thanks for the information.Over 50 members have responed with the majority leaning towards intake gasket problems.The rest listed head problems. This being a school project I redid the pressure test to find the coolant hose under the throttle body with a small...	50
	1995 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2.3L No Start VIN: 3G1JF12DXS Happy holidays all. I am closing this one guys without a fix.I was unable to find the correct wiring diagram for this mismatch.As mentioned prior; this has a 2 connector ecm.All diagrams for 94 and 95;2.2 or 2.3 mtrs show 3 (Three) connectors at ecm.Special ...	7
	2000 Chevrolet Impala 3.4L Gauge Cluster VIN: 2G1WF52E6Y Okay guys, this is a strange one. The day after I posted my update, I went out to bring the car in and the battery was dead. I jumped it, and guess what? The gauges started working normally. I have battery drain problem now. I charge the battery, and started t...	10
	1996 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 3.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1B4GP54L1T Robert [...] is da man! He said he had a MAP testing good, looking good- but was the problem. Ours looked good, tested good ('way early in diagnosis)but since we looked like a Chrysler agency here this week with 5 vans I robbed a MAP from one of them and went ... Trouble codes: P0300 (Random multiple misfire).	10
	1997 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L Mechanical VIN: 1B7KF26D2V I havn't fixed this vehicle, but I HAVE driven it from Cape Cod MA to Deltaville VA to Asheville NC to Pine Island FL without crashing into anything. Those who replied suggested testing the pressure from the power steering pump (steering is fine), checking f...	4
	1998 Dodge Durango 5.2L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1B4HS28YXW Sorry for the delay customer did'nt need vehicle right away & we got busy! Thanks everybody for all the help as some of you said the customer did have the distributor out & reinstalled it wrong. Timed it & runs great. Some other great suggestions were the bell...	19
	1998 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L noise VIN: 3B7MC36DKW I recieved lots of helpful information on testing the system. Checked valve adjustment,.0010 intake and .0020 exhaust. Valves were out of adjustment, but did not solve noise. Checked all bell housing bolts and flywheel, checked for possible noise from lift pum...	7
	1998 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L Code 71 and 72 VIN: 1B7MF3361W Good evening Gentlemen, I had 11 responses to my help request and I truly appreciate each one taking the time to help. I had 2 Michaels and 2 Chads plus Dean, Gerry, Bob, Tim, Bryan, Dewain, and Joseph. Some said the CAB was bad with these two codes set but ...	14
	2001 Dodge Stratus SE 2.4L radio VIN: 1B3EJ46X71 recieved 8 replies on this radio problem and most leaned toward radio having the magic smoke let out.had dodge dealer check with drbii to no avail and unhooked for an hour , still no sound. replaced with used radio and now this young lady can get back in the c...	7
	1991 Ford Mustang LX 2.3L No Start VIN: 1FACP44M3M Thanks to all who responded, we took the advise we received from all but none of that fixed it. We were able to determine that we had a voltage drop at the ignition coil. We traced it to a bad fusible link making a intermittent connection (someone had pierced ...	16
	1993 Ford Ranger STX 2.3L Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1FTCR10AXP FIxed but not fixed :) ... First of all..Thanks to all who responded to this problem. Most of the replies thought the MAF sensor would be the problem...so did I. Its not the MAF. Tried known good sensor and no change. One or two people suggested something in t...	22
	1993 Ford F-150 XL 4.9L spark plugs VIN: 1FTEF14Y2P Tried all suggestions offered and still no solution,but all injectors are firing at the same time.Appriciate the help everyone has offered .Trying to figure out why all the injectors are firing at the same time.Thanks again Lloyd	27
	1994 Ford Taurus GL 3.0L Forward and Reverse VIN: 1FALP52U5R Hello, This taurus is fixed (again) and I hope I never see the piece of crud again. Several of you gave valuable information. Joe [...] had it exactly right. I put the new sprag in backwards. Turns out that the failsafe gear in the AX4S is actually 3rd, no...	10
	2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L Hesitation, Surge, Stall VIN: 1FMZU77E81 thanks all the fix for this truck was new upper intake plenum gaskets we did not have to go deeper to the intake not a bad job at all. thanks all very much	11
	2002 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L No Start, Misfire, MIL Lamp on, P0357 VIN: 1FMFU18L82 Thanks again to our network of knowlageble members! The problem was found in the wiring harness as it passed behind the intake manifold. The harness was rubbing on the head of the bolt in the corner of the intake manifold at #8 cylinder drivers side fire wal... Trouble codes: P0357 (cylinder 7 circuit fault).	8
	1988 Honda Accord LXi 2.0L High Idle VIN: JHMCA5389J well I removed the instrument cluster and tested the speed sensor & pulsor sensor, found the speed sensor amplifier was bad causing a 5 volt signal to come out of orange wire that goes to the pulsor sensor causing no pulse signal, this in turn gave the ecm a f...	4
	1999 Isuzu NPR 4.8L Reverse VIN: JALC4B140X Thanks to all that replyed, We pulled the unit down for the 2nd time to check for wear or incorrect teflon sealing rings on the center support and overdrive houseing and found everything there good. The clutches were good, The unit airchecked extremly good. Th...	3
	1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 2.6L Cuts out, Stall VIN: JHMCA630KC Thanks for all the help the car will be back next year so i can do some more diagnosing the only thing that i have not checked is the over voltage relay which controls the idle air valve and when you plug it in the car dies so i think i have my problem thanks ...	13
	1994 Mercedes-Benz S350 3.4L tach/ oil pressure gauge VIN: WDBGB34E9R first, thanks for the responses...turns out that the harness from the alternator across to the oil pressure sending unit and starter is falling apart inside its sleeve, causing a feedback and creating the problem...waiting for customer authorization. again, th...	4
	1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 4Matic 3.2L control unit VIN: WDBJF82F7W I found that the vacuum hose that supplies vacuum to the climate control was split in the firewall area. this had also set a p0170 code in the fuel injection. (p0170 fuel trim malfuntion)	3
	2001 Mercedes-Benz C320 3.2L Footwell Actuator VIN: WDBRF64JJ9 Hello all! Thanks for the help. Anton [...] , and StanPry. The fix is simple, just cycle the controls so that all the functions will be used a couple of times. This relearns the actuators. Thanks again , and Merry Christmas :)	4
	1997 Nissan Altima GLE 2.4L Surge, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1N4BU31D1V Well I don't know why I did not think of this befor. After I think about it, it acted just the Hondas I've run into with the same problem. So to all of you who reminded me to check for oil in the distributor I say thank you. This on is fixed. Trouble codes: P0335.	15
	2000 Nissan Maxima GLE 3.0L HVAC & engine VIN: JN1CA31A5Y The problem turned out to be the sun load sensor. We finally found out how to extract HVAC codes form this car. When we did so we had a code for the sensor circuit. No one (dealers) stocked the part as they have not seen any problems with them. As it turns out...	4
	2001 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.8L C.O.P. connectors VIN: 3N1CB51D41 Many thanks to everyone who threw an idea to us. Bill's suggestion to check w/ junkyarddog.com was great (that'll definitely be a good source for future needs). A special thanks to Bobby @ B&J Auto in Virginia. He knew of a 'parts car' in his area and was kind...	5
	2000 Oldsmobile Alero GL 2.4L Steering VIN: 1G3NL52T8Y I only recieved only received three replies and I would like to thank you.From info that I recieved and from what I have been able to diagnoise I am going to have to let it get worse. I don't like throwing parts at a problem. THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE	4
	1985 Other European 3500 3.5L ignition I appreciate all the replies but have been unable to work on vehicle due to personal illness. Vehicle is still in my shop and will be repaired when I am able to return to work.(approx. 1 month) I will post a fix when I have finished. Again, thanks for the resp...	11
	1993 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE 3.3L pump inoperative VIN: 1P4GH54R8P Thanks to every one who replied, it was the 'dual pressure sensor' that was the problem, it turns the pump on for the power assist. It is a simple test to diagnose the switch. Terminals one and two need to have continuity with switch removed from the unit or h...	12
	1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1G2WP52K7W The car died on a road test close enough to the shop so I could coast into the lot.I did not touch anything,even left it in drive with the key still in the run position.Scanner still had no communication.Lifted the pcm out of it's compartment and tapped it,sti...	6
	1996 Saab 9000 CSE Turbo 2.3L No Start VIN: YS3CF68M9T Wow, what a response! I did not want to let the smoke out of a brand new part. BCPR6ES plugs were installed and in good condition, so I replaced cassette and all is well again. Many thanks to all who replied.	24
	1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L speedometer, tach VIN: 1G8ZG5280X The 'fix' on this Saturn was in fact to ignore the cluster problem. The customer was really concerned with the rough AM running problem. I put a new CTS with harness and performed a basic tune-up with new plugs and wires. Two mornings in a row the car has ran ...	4
	1988 Toyota Camry DLX 2.0L No Start VIN: JT2SV21W6J I would like to thank every one for your suggestions. Although all of you guys had good suggestions the problem turned out to be as weird as weird could be. It turned out that the customer was not leveling with me about all the symptoms he was experiencing I h...	25
	1994 Volkswagen Jetta 1.9L Starting VIN: 3VWRP01H3R Thankyou for the replies,I removed the connector from the temp sensor and cycled the key,the glow plug light came on .I replaced the temp senser which is on the coolanthose neck and the glow plug relay/timer which was located above the fuse box inside the car ...	8
	1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX 2.8L extended crank VIN: WVWEF83A2T pulled the pump out then blew back into pressure fitting and would not hold pressure pulled line off of pump blew into pump held pressure looked at line real close found a rub mark on line then blew into line found small pin hole in line were it was rubbed on....	7
	1997 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L Gas in Diesel fuel VIN: 3VWRJO1H7V Thank you all tech, i recommend the owner of the Jetta to not run with the thank below half for a couple of thank. I receive very intéresting et éducative post answer. Merry Christmas!	16
	1994 Volvo 940 2.3L Vaccuum Control VIN: YV1JS8313R I repaired the heater control line. On the yellow vaccuum bellows I plugged it off and test drove the car. The vent works correctly now. The floor and defrost always work together now and will not work seperately but she said that that was fine with her. Her m...	7

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