Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Oct 7, 2005

Join Now

Prev	Professional Automotive Repair Technical Discussions for October 7, 2005 International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN) - Members Only	Next
(Also Available: All, Asian, Chrysler, European, Ford, GM.)
Vehicle Owners: If you are seeking an automotive repair professional to service your vehicle, visit the iATN Repair Shop Finder.

Open Help Requests for All Makes and Models

	Help Request	Answers
	1988 BMW M6 3.5L evap pres regulator VIN: WBAEE1415J I was only able to read low side at suction valve. Pressure seems to high at 60-80 psi.Is this valve adjustable or does it function like other STV,POA,EPR valves. Should I just replace it.Compressor engages and line to compressor gets cool. Charge level checke...	View
	1998 Buick Regal LS 3.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2G4WB52K0W this regal came in for routine maintaince. replaced plugs, wires, battery, ect. fired it up and ran great. customer picked it up and was back in less than 5 minutes. check engine light on. pulled codes 1361 and 1362. scanner said manufacturer ignition control ... Trouble codes: 1361 (1362 -), 1362	View
	1989 Cadillac DeVille 4.5L Body Control Module VIN: 1G6CD515K4 Folks, This very low mileage, well maintained Sedan Deville came to us with no display in the fuel center or climate control center. My tech diagnosed a bad BCM. We replaced the BCM with a reman unit from the factory. Plugged it in and smoke poured out. Obvio...	View
	1994 Chevrolet Astro CL 4.3L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1GNEL19W4R I know that there are all kinds of problems with these cmfi units, but what is bothering me is the low vacuum at idle. Is this causing a incorrect reading for the map sensor. I have seen the egr vakves act up but this one is showing 0% position and it idles re...	View
	1998 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7L left front abs sensor and and ebtcm module VIN: 1G1YY32G9W I HOOKED UP MY SCAN TOOL AND FOUND A CODE FOR A LEFT FRONT ABS SENSOR WAS OUT OF RANGE SO I REPLACED IT and cleared the code.went on a road test and light came back on rescand the car and got the same code with another code ebtcm,internal malfunction i went ba...	View
	1998 Chevrolet S10 2.2L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCCS1447W Customer was driving on freeway [65 mph] and the check engine light came on, engine started mising and caughing and lost power but still ran, customer pulled off freeway and shut engine off. After a short time he restared the engine and it ran good, check engi... Trouble codes: P0200 (Injector circuit fault), P0302 (Misfire 2)	View
	2000 Chevrolet Impala 3.8L interior noise VIN: 2G1WF55K3Y Greetings Techs, Customer noticed an intermittent noise coming from the under dash area on the driver's side. The one time we heard the noise, it sounded like a faint fan motor running at the base of the steering column. With a stethescope, we were able to con...	View
	2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4.2L front of engine VIN: 1GNDS13SO3 The vehicle has been in a couple of times for a ticking noise from the front of the engine.The noise is only there for less than a minute when it does actually occur.The best I can tell it is most noticeable at the water pump area with a stethoscope.The noise ...	View
	2001 Chrysler Town & Country LX 3.3L No Start VIN: 2C8GP44G71 This van has me at wits end. Have tested cam, crank, Power and Grounds, but still no spark to plugs, I do have injector pulse. Have tested at PCM with scope no coil control signal from PCM Voltage does go through coil to PCM but no grounding from PCM. Tried re...	View
	1992 Dodge B250 3.9L No Start VIN: 2B7HB21X22 Looking for dodge guru, This van came in as a no start- no spark problem. plugged in scan tool to look for rpm signal and got a no communication error. I then cleaned the terminals of the data connector and tried again. This time the scanner worked. went to ch...	View
	2002 Dodge Neon SE 2.0L steering VIN: 1B3ES46C52 Hello fellow techs! I got this Neon in here. The steering is way to easy when you turn to the right. When you turn to the left it is normal. It is very smooth either way you turn left or right. When you put the car on the lift it still has the same problem (no...	View
	1992 Ford E-350 Econoline Club Wagon Custom 5.8L Trak-Lock clutches VIN: 1FBJS31H9N This is a commercial 15 passenger van from a motor fleet. 2 months ago this van was put into a ditch by an employee who took it partying and got drunk. The van returned without much visible damage, but needed aligned, etc. Has driven fine ever since. This van...	View
	1994 Ford F-250 XL 7.5L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1FTHX26G8R At an idle, the oxygen sensor is flatlined at .20mv with a fuel trim reading of +30%. Vehicle is in open loop when idling, if I open throttle for a brief second, it will reach closed loop for about 10 seconds. During that time the oxygen starts to switch norma...	View
	2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L rear main seal VIN: 1FTSW31F32 rear main seal really looked like it was leaking, had oil too high for pan and really clean everywhere else i could see. i put a new seal in and it immediately leaked a pretty good stream. following directions i did not prelube but it did seem to slip on a lit...	View
	1987 GMC R1500 High Sierra 4.3L No Start, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1GTCR14ZXH Truck was towed in from another shop will start but wont stay running, it will run in back up spark and fuel, I noticed all the new parts hanging from this thing so I checked the ecm grounds all good, checked power to ecm all good, unplugged timing connector s...	View
	2001 GMC Savana 2500 4.3L No Start VIN: 1GTFG25W11 intermittent crank, no start. fuel and spark ok. using tech 2 scanner only code which returns is u1016 when i go into passlock system. all powers and ground checked good. does this mean the passlock module is defective?	View
	1991 Honda Accord SE 2.2L master cylinder VIN: JHMCB7686M Replaced Booster and Master cylinder due to leaking. Car came back with brakes locked up. Replaced booster and gave back to customer. Now its back when you disconnect vaccuum from booster brakes free up. When you plug the vacuum back in the brakes (all wheels)...	View
	1995 Honda Accord EX 2.2L cabin heating VIN: AEH4598700 hi, this accord 92 won't warm up heater air. I changed radiator, thermostat, water valve, coolant and still blows lukewarm air. Engine temp is perfect and car runs great. Any tips on the heater core clogging? The hoses in and output are warm. Any help would be...	View
	2000 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L power slding door latch VIN: 2HKRL1864Y Hello Honda techs, we have this van here that has the same problem with both rear power sliding doors. The doors will both close but will pop back out 3/8" or so at the rear after the full latch was to have taken place. Can't really find any definite info on w...	View
	1999 Isuzu Rodeo S 2.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4S2CK58D0X thank you for your help in advance. put this vehicle on the genesys, here are the readings from the diagnostic tool. pintle position is 36, desired egr position is 70.7 under load, egr duty cycle is 2, egr feedback is 1.27v, and egr normalized is 3.61%. we hav... Trouble codes: 0401 (egr flow insufficient)	View
	1997 Jaguar XK8 4.0L System Flush VIN: 5AJGX2749V I have a customer who also owns this XK8.He wants to know if we can flush the cooling system.Well, OK , there is likely a set procedure to bleed air out, maybe a couple of other items, how difficult can it be? Then he told me his selling dealership quoted him ...	View
	1995 Lincoln Continental Diamond Anniversary 4.6L oil in cylinders 1 and 5 VIN: 1LNLM97V4S hey guys this vehicle came in with 2 misfire codes po301 and po305. on start up i get a large amount of smoke from exhaust (smells like oil then clears up) i found oil in those 2 cylinders. top of pistons shinny clean and standing oil in the cylinders. compres...	View
	2000 Lincoln LS 3.9L front suspension VIN: 1LNHM87A9Y This car came in with a thumping noise coming from both front wheels when you hit a bump in the road. It had a small amount of play in the LF lower balljoint so I replaced it & replaced both stabilizer links. Still I had no improvement in the noise. I started ...	View
	1999 Mazda Protege DX 1.6L Hesitation, Surge, Misfire VIN: JM1BJ2222X hi. this is jon i need some help on this one.installed belts and bumped crank sensor out of range car would not start no rpm signal. i reset air gap and car runs but customer said it hesistates now.i replaced the crank sensor but i noticed the signal plate has...	View
	2003 Mazda 6 i 2.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1YVFP80C23 Cleared code, month later came in. Had same code. Checked for leakes again. Cleared code, 2 days later light came on again.Is there a tech. bulletin on this? any help appreciated. Thanks Trouble codes: P0442	View
	2004 Mazda RX-8 1.3L a/c cooling problem VIN: JM1FE17N04 at idle w/outside temp 87 the vent temp is 53 with fan in # 2 speed on recerulate, at 2200 rpm setting the same, vent temp 45. low pressure is 24, hi pressure is 215. when the rad fan is not running because of eng temp, and the engine at 2200 rpm as soon as th...	View
	1988 Mercedes-Benz 300CE 3.0L Hesitation VIN: WDBEA50D2J Thanks for reading this. This car hesitates under medium to heavy throttle when cold and hot. At higher rpms there is no hesitation. If I push the sensor plate down while snapping the throttle it reacts like it should. All the parts I replaced tested bad, the ...	View
	1999 Mercury Cougar 2.0L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1ZWFT6039X i have personaly driven this car for 75 miles acted up one time what it does is it starts bucking then falls dead. let sit just long enough to start checking for fuel pressure and injecter pulse and the darn thing will start. now the problem is when the event ...	View
	1993 Nissan Altima 2.4L Altenator VIN: 1N4BU31S8P Dear Nissan Techs, This Altima has done in four alternators. They were all from Auto Zone. The three batteries are also from Auto Zone. The car passes all charging system tests except the one that I was taught in a charging system class many years ago. If you ...	View
	1995 Nissan Pathfinder LE 3.0L noise VIN: 1G3AJ85M2T rumbling rubbing noise taking off in 1st gear, can also duplicate under load in certain rpms, can't duplicate on lift seems worse going right, I can't hear any bearing noise in trans, engine does sound a little noiser than I've heard before, had thought maybe ...	View
	1993 Plymouth Voyager 3.0L compressor VIN: 2P4GH2536P Need advise on AC system concern. The vehicle has been worked on previously for same concern. Now its up to me to fix it and I'm stumped.The compressor cycle time is too quick. Sometimes the pressures are 175/30 and the compressor cylces off. We replaced the e...	View
	1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8L wet carpet VIN: 1G2WP52K8V This car belongs to a friend in stcroix US Virgin Islands. He complains of a waterleak which he seems to think is coming in through the passenger door. It only happenes after a heavy rain.He said that he has tried to find it by wetting it with a garden hose bu...	View
	1998 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2.4L ABS light and traction control VIN: 1G2NE12T5W Car came in with an intermitent ABS light coming on. When the ABS light comes on the ETS off light comes on also. Theses are amber lights no red brake light comes on. There were no codes in the ABS system. I found that the ABS computer would not ground the bra...	View
	2000 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.1L ignition key VIN: 1G2WJ52J2J new to us -key stuck in ingition -replaced cylinder- worked fine for 2 days -then back- 1st.wire is okay between fuse to ign swth-12 volts at btsi fuse when the key is at on position - new column solonoid and ign sw.if you manually push the solonoid the key wi...	View
	2001 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G2NV52EX1 Hi all, Need a little help with this Grand Am GT. First concern was for a no start a few weeks ago. Diagnosed as a bad fuel pump. Fuel pump was replaced and ran excellent. Customer took vehicle and returned a week later with Check engine light on and flashing... Trouble codes: P0300 (random misfire)	View
	1996 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5L Head Gaskets VIN: 4S3BG6851T Hi Techs, This Subaru came to me first as an overheat problem, it belonged to a used car dealer near here. It had water running out of the water pump as fast as it was poured in. We changed the pump and timing belt, found the original problem, a leaking hose, ...	View
	1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5L All wheel drive unit VIN: 4S3BG6855W Hi gang this Subaru is binding on turns with no trans codes. all tires are the same size and pressure. i have read many posts on what to check. we originally did a trans and transfer clutch AWD unit rebuilt and new dealer AWD solenoid to cure this binding. Pro...	View
	1995 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0L rear power window VIN: JT3VN29V3S The rear window will go up, but not down, from either switch. I checked all the micro-switches and all operated properly. I switched the motor wires and it went down but not up. I could hear the module clicking, but the window did not move. I also checked the ...	View
	2000 Toyota RAV4 2.0L over drive VIN: JTEHH20V51 I have a rav4 that sets a code p1730 .I have not found this code listed,I called dealer he didnt find it either. If you clear codes trans shifts fine till drive then clunkes mil light comes on but trans does shift and od operates.the next start no Over drive b...	View
	1995 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L No Start, NO SPARK/INJ. PULSE VIN: 3VWRB81H5S car cranks normally , but has no spark or injector pulse. checked output of dist. hall effect seems ok , checked crank sensor 600 ohms - ok ,output during crank is 2.8 volts at ecm . checked pwr. & grnd. at ecm seem to be ok, pin 23 has batt. voltage until cra... Trouble codes: 00513 (engine speed sensor - g28 no signal)	View
	1993 Volvo 850 GLT 2.4L starter motor VIN: YV1LS5500P car has had 3 starters go bad in two weeks. The first two were aftermarket remanufactured so with doubt we installe an original volvo starter from the dealer. After 3 days it came back with a dead starter again. Removed starter and opened it up and it looks li...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1994 BMW 318i 1.8L abs VIN: WBACA6327R Thank you. I got several replies suggesting the ABS valve assembly is the problem. I kept pin testing at the ABS ECU and found the RF inlet valve to have 23 megaohms of resistance, compared to 4-6 ohms for the other valves. Of course, after I put all this effo...	6
	1999 BMW 328i 2.8L 5th gear VIN: WBAAM5331X Thanks again. I replaced the trans speed sensor, but coninuted to limp-in 4th to 5th gear. 5th gear is just smoked. Erik from tx had the best suggestion. Change the whole unit, and we did. Fix OK. The fluid was just horrid at 100k. Thanks Jim	3
	2000 BMW 740i 4.4L evaporator VIN: WBAGG8348Y Turned out that my supplier had shipped me an expansion valve of an earlier 740i, which they had superceded to a Mercedes part # 140-830-04-84. We replaced the expansion valve a second time this time part # 64-11-8-371-459 and the cooling comes down to 41'F. T...	7
	1996 Chevrolet C1500 5.7L timing VIN: 1GCEC14R0T Thanks for all the replies. Sorry for the delay but the customer could not return till this week. After all the tips I recieved, I feel like a fool. The knock sensor was the problem, seeing 'knock' all the time. New sensor all is well. A dumb oversight on my p...	13
	1997 Chevrolet S10 LS 4.3L speedo and transmission shifting VIN: 1GCDT19X2V Thanks to all the techs that hit this one right on the head. The pcm was infact bad. After checking the PRNDL, the ignition switch and making sure had 12v on pin E (pink wire) at the trans. I had a PCM flashed and took a shot. Thanks to all for your help.	11
	2001 Chevrolet S10 4.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: IGCCS19W21 yes thaanks to all the tsb for the air pump relocation and replacement fixed this one the owner has his emissions slip and off to get this tag thanks again...Chris Trouble codes: P0410.	12
	1988 Dodge Dynasty 3.0L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1B3BU4631J loyd hit this one on the head it was the egr valve sticking open why i didnt look at it before i dont know stupidity i guess but next time i will look at that before i ask for help on [...] so simple thanks for all the replies great job techs	10
	1994 Dodge Intrepid 3.5L 1-2 shift VIN: 2B3HD4684H The Solenoid pressure swith assembly was the culprit I replaced the assembly disassebly the valve body making sure the L/R valve moved freely in the bore.Reassembly the valve body, performed Quick learn procedure. Thanks to Weley [...]...	12
	1996 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3B7HF13YIT This beast left four days ago with no mil and no pending codes so i guess it is safe to say it is fixed. I really didn't understand at first what the PCM was looking for. The PCM continuously monitors the CMP and CKP signals and looks for them to be in sync an... Trouble codes: P1391 (intermittent Cmp or Ckp).	11
	2000 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L No Start VIN: 3B7KF23651 Thanks to all you diesel guys, I took your suggestions and replaced the injection pump and the lift pump even though the lift pump was just replaced last year. You can never be too sure. The pickup started and ran great, the owner said better than it had felt ... Trouble codes: P1688 (internal pump problem).	9
	1993 Ford Taurus GL 3.0L Hesitation, Stall VIN: 1FACP57U5P After trying all that was suggested and retesting everything I replaced the distributor once more . Fixing the problem	11
	1996 Ford E-250 Econoline 4.9L Hesitation, Stall VIN: 1FTFE24Y7T Thanks for your help all! Some of you missed that I had already replace the MAF in the previous repairs and a CAT can't be plugged if it runs well with the MAF unplugged. I did, as one of you suggested, pull out the 'Vantage' and check the voltages and output ... Trouble codes: P1100 (maf intermittent), P0102 (maf voltage below limit).	12
	1996 Ford Contour GL 2.0L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall VIN: 1FALP6531T Thanks to all who offered help, a lot of useful information was received. The fix on this was to adjust the min air rate. once i did this the IAC % went down to about 27% idling in gear warmed up and the stumble disappeared. It seems nothing on this car is eas...	17
	2000 Ford Expedition XLT 5.4L battery goes dead VIN: 1FMPU16L2Y This vehicle had only a dead/ dying battery. I relearned .030 amp is 30 milliamps. Some respondents were unawares of my testing for AMPS of draw with a VOLTMETER---so here it goes: I got a pack of 1 ohm 5 watt resistors from RadioHut. Bigger wattage is fine, l...	18
	2000 Ford Focus SE 2.0L Hesitation, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FAFP34P6Y Well after I got a scaner that would read (most in our shop only read abs) I seen that the o2s11 had 1666Mv and the o2s12 was reading between 120 and 800 so we unpluged the upstream o2 and the voltage went from 1666 to zero so we replaced it and did a 3 part I... Trouble codes: P1132 (Lack of Ho2s11 switch Ind rich).	14
	2001 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Starting VIN: 1FTWX32F91 the customer declined any further repairs...i found low oil level in the oil resivior, changed the oil, the resivior was now empty and never filled up again...i know i have an oil problem now and i wanted to pull the oil pump and inspect for damage, still had ...	9
	2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.0L drivers blend door VIN: 1J4GW58SO1 This is where the name Good friday , comes from. I got this thing fixed , thanks to all who replied bruce suggested I had door issues and knew about the updated doors, says he has a tech that can do this job in 3 hours, thats pretty good, I doubt I could do an...	7
	1965 Lincoln Continental 430CID Engine VIN: 5Y82N41500 I want to thank everyone that responded on this one. The customer contacted me recently and said that since we had reset the ignition timing, that the engine had been running at normal temperature. Thanks again to all the members of the IATN community.	39
	1997 Lincoln Town Car 4.6L ride control VIN: 1LNLM81W4V Thanks to all that responded.The fix was to replace ras/evo module and fuse.	3
	2000 Mercedes-Benz E320 4Matic 3.2L Suspension VIN: WDBJF82J7Y The summary of replies is that you need the special tool to compress and remove these springs. Also found that the book time for the operation is very light, should be closer to 2-3 hours per side to carry out properly. Thanks for the many replies, we simply...	8
	1994 Nissan Maxima GXE 3.0L i-2 shift/lockup torque coinverter VIN: JN1HJ01FXR Thanks everyone for your support. I had a couple of you recommend shift solinoids. While I listed them in related repairs, I neglected to write that info in with the rest of my checks. Thanks for the confirmation anyway. I had another agree that it sounded lik...	5
	1995 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0L water pump VIN: 1G3GR62C3S i added a 2 ft pipe to my 3 ft 3/4' rachet while helper pride in on socket with bar to hold socket on good then pushed very hard clockwise & it finally popped loose. at first i thought i had broken the socket or housing but didn't. i guess i was being to genti...	13
	2002 Oldsmobile Bravada 4.2L transfer case VIN: 1GHDT13S02 Replaced transfer case with Jasper unit. Thanks for all of the replies.	8
	2000 Other GM COMMODORE VT .0L dash lamps VIN: VT8KV35614 hi all i thank you for your help and replies justin in oz was on the right track i had already tried cleaning connections at abs plug and looking for corrosion ,i traced the faults by disconnecting ecus to find out which one was bringing down the comms the fau...	8
	1996 Pontiac Bonneville SE 3.8L abs VIN: 1G2HX52K2T hi guys, thanks for all the responses. this vehicle finally decided to cooperate with me. the light started to come on more often. the light started to come on without the vehicle moving. cleared light, started car, left it running while i went inside to do a ...	14
	2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8L 1-2 shift and 2-3shift VIN: 1G2WP52K5Y Bingo,the white cookie monster,under the battery positive side connecter,looks new,and the owner is a mechanic.Said he cleaned the connecter before installing the new battery.Took to 2 transmission shops in town,and both stated needs rebuild.On test drive ,it ...	4
	1997 Porsche Boxster 2.5L Horn VIN: WPOCA2983V Many thanks to all 10 who sent help. The fix is in = I replaced the retaining frame & the clock spring as it was broken. Was told to have battery disconnected for awhile & not turn ign. key on or codes will be set in ABS. A reply said the new retaining frame w...	10
	2001 Saturn SL1 1.9L Hesitation, MIL Lamp on, power loss VIN: 1G8ZH52881 First I want to Thank everyone that responded!!! Many of the replies recommended checking the coolant temp, long term fuel trim, MAP, & many other really good suggestions. In the end I graphed the MAP sensor & found under just the right engine load, it would f... Trouble codes: P0172 (System rich).	10
	1994 Subaru Legacy LS 2.2L abs module VIN: 4S4BJ65C8R Hello everyone thanks to all who responded and to iatn members ,i found the problem with this Subaru was the wheel bearings.	5
	1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo 2.0L Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: JT2SW22N8P Other than the items tested below, the only other suggestion was a PCM. Customer has taken the vehicle and will return when symptoms are more frequent. Thanks for your time and help.	7
	1996 Volkswagen Passat TDI 1.9L no communication VIN: WVWGG83A9T Thank you for all of your replies. It was determined this vehicle was not manufactured to OBDII specifications. Customer returned for second emission test. Representative of State Dept of Motor Vehicles was present. According to customer, the representative re...	9
	2000 Volkswagen Beetle GLX 1.8L immobilizer VIN: 3VWDD21CXY Thanks for allowing me to vent my frustration and thanks to all who responded, this was indeed a learning experience. I dont want anyone to misunderstand, I dont have a problem with the dealer parts person or any dealer personnel, I've been buying parts from h...	23
	1995 Volvo 960 2.9L MIL Lamp on VIN: YV1KS9617S some of my replies said a clogged egr system can give this 112 code. others said clean connections at ecu, we did and someone before us also did that, but 112 code still persisted. unfourtanetly ive been unable to contact the owner to perform egr cleaning.will... Trouble codes: 112 (replace ecu).	6
	2002 Volvo S40 1.9L all gauges Hi Gents, The vehicle fixed it self. It will not duplicate the problem. No complaints fron the customer, so i assume it is a program problem. The dash simply came back to life onits own. Thank you for all your replies.	4

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