Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Jul 1, 2005

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	Help Request	Answers
	1998 Audi A8 Quattro 4.2L Limp mode VIN: WAUBG34D3W This 1998 Audi A8 Quattro 4.2L V8 will go into limp mode once warm.Code 18243-solenoid 5 N233 short will then be stored.No other ECM codes will be present.We have replaced the valve body wiring harness and were able to artificially activate all solenoids using...	View
	1991 BMW 525i 2.5L battery draw, fuse #20 VIN: WBAHD5310M Vehical has a .85 amp. draw all the time, unless you remove fuse #20. Have inspected all wiring to fuse #20, except the "park heating/ventilation relay box" which I have not been able to locate in vehical, eather by wiring diagram of component location, used b...	View
	1996 BMW 740iL 4.4L cigar lighter VIN: WBAGJ8329T Seems like a minor problem, but how often do you have a lighter outlet go dead? Both the front console and the rear compartment outlet are dead. Pulled the rear out, easy to do. wiring to socket Ok, but no voltage. Customer needs this for cell phone, etc. Befo...	View
	1997 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L spedo VIN: IG4HP52KOV Spedo seems to be reading about twice as fast as you are really going,when you are doing 20 mph its reading 40 mph on the dash. I replaved the vehicle speed sensor,no change. The guages and spedo are not digital.	View
	1997 Cadillac Catera 3.0L lifters VIN: W06VR52R8O vehicle was at another shop they gave up. Appears to have noisy lifter on rt side. They got replaced,at 50.00 each, same noise.Vehicle has 80 psi cold, 40 psi hot. Noise is defently coming from under valve cover sounds like old chrysler 6 cylinder. Have timin...	View
	2001 Cadillac DeVille DTS 4.6L Mode Actuator & Doors VIN: 1G6KF57991 Checked codes and data, data shows command and actual readings are not matched for a/c / defrost mode door and air inlet door. Located faulty a/c / defrost mode door actuator but I am unable to get the new one working properly. I know I am having a hard time b...	View
	1989 Chevrolet Blazer Silverado 5.7L Poor Idle Quality, Stall, Leans out at idle VIN: 1GNEV18K5K The only way to keep the engine idling is to diconnect the timing advance connector or select backup fuel/spark with the mastertech scanner. The engine is leaning out at about 1500 rpm just before it stalls. The timing maks advance normally when the timing is ...	View
	1997 Chevrolet C2500 Cheyenne 6.5L drive line VIN: 1GCGC24F6V Diesel techs, help! We have a truck that is used for going out in the county and picks up stray animals. This truck pulls a goose neck trailer. It jerks when you gain speed and won't upshift from second until you reach about 45 to 50 mph. The transmission has ...	View
	1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 5.7L shifter VIN: 1GNEK13R4X We have several customers with the same problem. The shifter lever on the column is very hard to move. It is happening in all Chevrolet/GMC trucks and SUV's. If anyone has seen this let me know. I have unhooked the cable and the column and the lever moves free...	View
	2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.3L engine VIN: 1GCEC14WOY truck came in with no compression on cyl 1 & 6.Found camshaft worn out -Customer opted for new engine. we installed rebuilt engine and started right up, but still misfire on # 6 and sometimes # 1. Checked dist to cam timing and found to be +34 degrees. pulled ...	View
	1996 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L rear brakes VIN: 3B7KF223C3 rear brakes locking	View
	1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.2L Cuts out, Misfire, BACKFIRE THROUGH INT VIN: 3B7HF13Y7V after a cold soak about 1 minute into test drive, for about 1 minute the vehicle loses power as if shutting off key, then comes back for a second or two popping through intake when it comes back then falls out again. continues this pattern for a short time the...	View
	2005 Dodge Magnum SE 2.7L fluid level VIN: 2D4FV48T35 We drained the trans pan on this vehicle, and now we have to refill it. Their is no dipstick, and I have no techinical data for this car. Can some one tell me how much fluid to put in? And do I need to take it to a dealer to check the level? Typical late frida...	View
	1996 Ford Contour GL 2.0L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FALP653XT I am scratching my head on this one. It came in for a check engine light and idle problem. Noticed hesitation on test drive. After pulling codes and checking data I noticed the MAF wasn't responding properly. Checked MAF and found lots of contaminates on wires... Trouble codes: P0171, P1460 (wot a/c cutoof ckt malf.)	View
	1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Cool Coupe 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3FALP1135W Customer states MIL light comes on. Car runs great with no hesitation and a good idle. Lean code P0171 came back on after changing the MAF sensor. O2 sensor is accurate and responsive. Long term fuel trim goes to 25 at idle and short term trims climbs as well.... Trouble codes: P0171 (system lean bank 1)	View
	2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L Unknown VIN: 1FMZU73E62 this vehicle came into the shop with no a/c. checked the charge and the charge was fine. checked the fuses and relay. all tested good. we are not getting any power to the compressor or pressure switches. placed vehicle on scanner, found wot code. cleared the c...	View
	1992 GMC K1500 Sierra 5.7L Hesitation, Misfire VIN: 1GTEK14K3N this is probably an easy one for you chevy guys this truck stumbles on light acceleration when the egr valve opens if the vacuum is disconnected from the valve it runs great the read out on the scan tool indicates the valve is doing what it is supose to but it...	View
	1995 GMC K2500 Sierra SL 5.7L tps sensor VIN: 1GTFK24K7S Can someone tell me what the tps sensor voltage is suppose to be. I am have tranny problems and I believe this is keeping the pressure too low. Len.	View
	1993 Honda Accord 10th Anniversary 2.2L noise VIN: 1HGCB7697P the car came in with a break in the flex pipe and a leaking muffler.i replaced both pieces with walker exhaust,the leaks are fixed but now under medium acceleration at 25 mph and above i hear this high pitch whistling noise.i replaced the front pipe with anoth...	View
	2001 Honda Civic LX 1.7L compressor VIN: 1HGEM22531 Hello Honda Techs (magicians?) I have this 01 Civic with no a/c compressor engagement. Customer also noted that other things seemed to happen at the same time the air quit working, namely: brake lite on dash lit, no power door lock operation from drivers door ...	View
	2000 Infiniti I30 3.0L Poor Idle Quality, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: JNKCA31A4Y Hello fellow techs, well i've got a tough one here. This is a friend of the family type's car here, It came to me with the complaint of stalling , I cleaned the throttle passages and tested for power and ground at the indicated pins at the IAC motor. i felt ... Trouble codes: P0505	View
	1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L No Start, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1J4GZ58S8V Problem is very intermittent, happening more often as time goes on, better since coil and crank sensor installed. Coil was cracked and arcing, sensor had broken wires, flex harness and will get a reading. Customer diagnosed it himself and had another shop inst... Trouble codes: P0351 (coil)	View
	1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7L Engine VIN: 1J4GW58N4X Hi, A little over a week ago the customer brought the jeep in. She stated that it was overheating. I replaced the thermostat and fan clutch. I bled the cooling system and the temperature was normal. The customer came back because the jeep would overheat with ...	View
	1999 Kia Sportage 2.0L MIL Lamp on, NO POWER VIN: KNDJA7236X please help kia techs this 99 sportage 2.0 twin cam came in with a check engine light on with three different scanners all three say no codes, the complaint is no power, you cant rev this thing over 3000 rpm it never will shift into drive it acts like a plugge...	View
	1990 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 3.0L compressor VIN: WDBFA61E6M not getting power to compressor.if i apply power to compressor it will engage and temp is very cold.	View
	2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 3.2L window VIN: WBD4FU4794 car came in from body shop with right front door shell replaced, all parts transfered to new shell. express up or down is not working. if I try to set stops on window by moving the window down to bottom and push untill the 2nd detent and hold for 15 sec then m...	View
	1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT 3.0L engine VIN: JA3BM54JPY Techs, Customer complains of smoke out of exhaust on warm restart. Smokes after long idle and I rev the engine. Customer says that he does not add much oil. (less than 1 quart in 1000 miles). Spark plugs show oil deposites evenly covering plugs (only 5k on plu...	View
	1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3.8L hi. idle VIN: 1GHDU06L3P I have a ramdom high idle of about 1600 to 1800 rpm's. if you cycle the key off at times it will have a normal idle.I can control the idle with the master tech as long as the idle is normal on startup,it will idle down an up,but if it starts with a high idle i...	View
	1990 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5L Lubrication system hello i am posting this request for another tech at the shop. the vech came in on a hook and spark plugs were removed and we were told that it had already been checked by another shop and they told him it needed a head gasket. Customer just told us to goahead ...	View
	1991 Plymouth Laser RS 2.0L Poor Idle Quality, Surge VIN: 4P3CS44R8M The vehicle has a poor idle only when cold. It jumps from about 750rpms to [...] vigorously. Smoke test was passed-no vacuum problems.	View
	1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4L No Start VIN: 1G2NW12E3X Customer was cruising down the interstate at 90 mph. Backed off the throttle to hit the off ramp. As he touched the brakes and turned the wheel he noticed both were not working. At that point he discovered the engine had shut off. Would crank over, but not sta...	View
	1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6L Door check VIN: WP0CA2998W We have this 993 1998 convertible with a broken door check drivers door body side. We are getting little to no help from any local dealers as far as the procedure to replace this door check on the body side. The door side is straight forward but the body side ...	View
	2005 Scion TC 2.4L Power window VIN: JTKDE17705 Hello gang, I'm requesting this on behalf of a friend of mine. This scion has been beating him to death. Automatic feature on power windows behaves erratically. On 'auto-up' glass goes all the way and then suddenly comes back down a couple of inches. What's c...	View
	1996 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5L Mechanical VIN: 4S3BG6856T I have a Subaru with a strange noise that seems to be coming from the driver's side valve cover. It happens at steady rpm's and at decel. When you accelerate fast it seems to be less. It sounds at about the same rpm as the valve train but I would like to see i...	View
	1996 Suzuki Esteem GL 1.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: JS2GB31S7V having a problem fixing egr system, egr was plugged so we cleaned completely. test drove vehicle and mil came on again. tested solenoids and the one next to the dist. has power and ground at idle and just off idle ground would go away like it supposed to. then... Trouble codes: P0400 (egr flow malfunction)	View
	1996 Suzuki Sidekick JX Sport 1.8L Poor Idle Quality VIN: JS3TD21V9T Vehicle came in with a poor idle complaint and the check engine light on. Found code P0102, mass airflow sensor. Watched the output reading with our scan tool, looks normal, tapping on the sensor, reading goes to "0" and the engine stalls. We are fairly confid...	View
	1995 Volkswagen Golf GL 2.0L Vent temp VIN: 3VWFA31H5S Our customer came in with a gradual loss of cooling, guage pressure readings of 160 over 50 with 120 psi static pressure and 65 degrees...we assumed a weak compressor, we installed reman compressor,drier, oem expansion valve and flushed the a/c system...now do...	View
	1997 Volkswagen Golf GL 2.0L 1st gear VIN: 3VWFA81H1V Hello all, got ourselfs flustered here. Good customer well maintained golf. Let sit for extended period of time. When started driving again anytime came to full stop trans would shift into neutral. Give any amount of throttle and would shift, or slam with heav...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2001 Buick Regal LS 3.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2G4WB55K41 thank you for all your help. I presented the information to the customer and he has decided not to do the repair. i am sure you guys were right on target. thank you again for your help. Trouble codes: P0420.	25
	1995 Chevrolet Blazer 4.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GNDT13W1S Thank you all who responded to my request, I receieved alot of great suggestions. I pulled the upper plenium off just to see if there were any restrictions- none. Pulled the egr valve back off and used scan tool to activate pintle, worked great. Next I took a ... Trouble codes: P0401.	13
	1995 Chevrolet S10 4.3L clutch VIN: IGCDT19Z2S Well I finally got this one fixed. I had many replies on this one. The replies were split between the clutch being bad, master or slave problem, and clutch fork bent. I removed transmission and found clutch worn out, and the clutch fork bent. Replaced clutch, ...	17
	1996 Chevrolet Camaro 3.8L compressor not ingauged VIN: 2G1FP22K3T Got'er cool'in as stated compressor would werk with scan tool had checked and no voltage to clutch all utter parts of the system in werk'in order. It's a simple system no fancy controls I never could find a evaporator temp sensor (ETS). Went to the local Chevy...	6
	1997 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out VIN: 2G1WL52MXV Sorry i meant to get back to this one sooner but we've been busy. I tested the MAF ckt and voltage and it turned out fine, i checked the exhaust and egr systems and realized how lame i am. Craig nailed it w/ the big vacuum leak, I ended up replacing the valve ...	8
	1998 Chevrolet Venture 3.4L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 16NDX03E8W It was the oxygen sensor. Thanks for everyone's input. The upstream sensor was replaced and the roughness cleared up. Have a great day! Trouble codes: 171 (lean bank 1 exhaust).	5
	2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.6L steering effort VIN: 1GCHK23274 HI EVERYONE ! WE GOT IT FIGURED OUT .SOME OF YOU GOT US THINKING ABOUT THOSE TIRES. THEY ARE OVERSIZE AND OFFSET WHICH THREW THE SCRUB RADIUS OUT OF SPEC AND WORN OUT TIRES WITH NO TREAD TO PROVIDE SOME GIVE ONLY MULTIPLIED THE PROBLEM. NEW TIRES GREATLY REDUC...	4
	1997 Chrysler Sebring JXi 2.5L Poor Idle Quality, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3C3EL55H4V I got 9 replies on this one. Most of you said to check all 5 & 8 volt sensors for a short causing the buss to go down. I unplugged all sensors still no communication. One person said to unplug the tcm, tried that but still no dice. Another person said to use t...	9
	1998 Dodge Stratus 2.4L alternator VIN: 1B3EJ46XXW Most replies said to try a battery. We replaced the battery and the amp output with all accessories on dropped from 70 to 40. I thought that was it but after it ran for awhile the bat. light came back on. A reman. PCM was around $400 so we figured maybe the ne...	12
	2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1B4GP44G6Y I would like to thank all of the members that replied to my help request,unfortunately I do not have a fix to post.The customer needed to take the car from the shop,and promised to return the following week to give us more time with it.Two weeks later and they...	10
	2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.9L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3B7HF13Z31 Thank You, I forgot to let you know the compression readings. 125 psi (cranking) 45 psi (running) in #8 cylinder. We decided to decarbon intake system with top engine cleaner. It fixed the miss and noise. I have never heard this type of noise, it sounded deepe... Trouble codes: P0308 (Cylinder misfire).	9
	1997 Ford Taurus LX 3.0L alarm VIN: 1FALP53S4V sorry guys for taking so long.When I wrote post cust had alreADY picked up there car.I recievd 6 replies most believe door switches were prob.I was not able to get car back in cust has been on vacation.when cust returns I will go into gem module & look for las...	6
	1999 Ford Windstar 3.0L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 2SFMZA5147 Lets hope this helps someone in the future, this was not complicated at all just should have kept it simple. My first test was to mark down all codes and pending codes then erase and clear MIL, unplugged the MAF while it was somewhat running with the scanner s... Trouble codes: P1152, 1131 (no definition), 1121 (no definition), 175 (right bank system to rich).	14
	2001 Ford Ranger Edge 4.0L third gear gring VIN: 1FTZR15E61 Thanks to all that responded. The 3-4 shift fork was bent and had to be replaced. thanks again to all the responded.	5
	2001 Jaguar S-Type 4.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: SAJDA01D71 Thanks for all replies. Customer is taking to Dealer for fix. However we did check all connections at AAI valve, and all piping was okay. There were no driveability symptoms except for MIL. Trouble codes: P0065 (air assisted fuel injection aai control range performance).	6
	2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L fuel gauge,windows,door locks,radio VIN: 1J4GZ48SZY Thanks to everyone who replied. Problem was,as many suggested,the bulk connector.According to the owner,everything started after body shop repaired accident damage.Bulk connector was badly damaged(not by accident)and looks like if it would've been removed with...	8
	1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4A3AK44Y9T Thanks to everyone who sent me an Email. Thanks to Ty from Connecticut for giving me the headsup to check crankshaft end play. It should be .004 - .009 no more than .015 it had .045 I rec. that we replace the engine now the light is no big deal and she will li... Trouble codes: 1390 (timing belt skip one tooth).	4
	1996 Nissan Pickup 2.4L No Start, Cuts out, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1N65D11Y5T To recap, wiggle testing wiring near the coolant temp sensor killed the ignition for good. I cut off the factory tie raps and lifted the main harness along valve cover and found where a bolt head had bored thru, taking out a 12 guage black/white stripe ground....	7
	1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais 2.5L Excessive Emissions, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1G3NL54U7K sorry guys i enter the wrong vechicle info iwill start over when i get i little more time thank you again for ypur time Trouble codes: 45 (rich exhaust).	12
	1997 Oldsmobile Achieva S 3.1L anti theft syst. VIN: 1G3NL52M1V Hello all: I received three useful replies which I put into practice. I reset ECM codes and did the ten minute wait time to have system relearn new cylinder lock sensor code. Did not work. My modis scanner does not read the body control module on this vehicle ...	3
	1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE 3.3L Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1P4GP44R8V As usual iatn members were right. The flywheel was cracked. When we finally pulled it out, it had almost cracked all the way through. Thank all of you for the replies. I want to especially thank Earl from Davis Automotive for sending me the fax. It helped to... Trouble codes: P1391.	13
	1998 Pontiac Sunfire SE 2.2L No Start VIN: 1G2JB124XW Thanks for all the replies for my friend. He pulled the valve cover and no 1 plug and checked timming that way. It cheecked out at that time so he went on else where. When nothing paned out he contacted me. Like Roger from Alberta said it is too good to be tru...	14
	2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2.4L No Start VIN: 1G2NF52T8Y Thanks for all of your help. As we suspected, it was the ignition switch. It was nice to get all of your second opinions before spending the customer's money. We thought that this car was too new to have ignittion switch problems, but apparently a number of yo...	11
	2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8L overheating VIN: 1G2WP52K9Y Replaced radiator, Thanks for all the help. After I replace the radiator, I cut it open and the deposits had almost completely filled the cores.	22
	2001 Pontiac Montana 3.4L Rear VIN: 1GMDX03E21 _____________________ ORIGINAL MESSAGE _____________________ Front air works great cools to 38F rear blows 80F. The blend air door is moving rear evaperator is not getting cold. lines at rear are the same temp. I think it is a rear expantion vale but our GM ...	14
	1992 Subaru Legacy L 2.2L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Stall VIN: 4S3BJ6329N First of all I would like to say thank you's to all that took time to respond in my time of need. Like all of you know unless the car can not run at all it is hard to get the customer to let go of it for any time at all. Thus me being so slow to close this hel...	13
	1987 Toyota Corolla DLX 1.6L No Start, Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1NXAE87GOH First of all, thanks for all your help! After I posted my help request the car would not start again. I monitored the injector control side with a vantage and I noticed I was getting injector pulse, but it would not drop all way to ground. I rechecked all the ...	3
	1994 Toyota Camry DX 2.2L Radio securtiy code VIN: 411GK12W0R Thanks for all 6 replies, especially Paul form Cali and Jeff from New Mexico. Went through the process and got it sorted out. Great ifo again from members that posted. Thanks again guys. Sean	6
	2001 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L temperature guage VIN: NZE1210096 hello, I found the temp sensor it was located on the radiator. The guage was the problem it was malfunctioning I changed it everything is ok now Thanks again.	3
	2002 Volvo V70 2.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: YV1SW61N61 Thanks to all who replied to my request. I installed a new MAF, and at idle the readings for the amount air went from 3.14 to 2.90 g/s. The trim number also came back near zero. The customer has not returned with the CEL and in the past it would have already c... Trouble codes: P0171.	6

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