Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Jan 28, 2006

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	Help Request	Answers
	1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate 2.0L untermittent start VIN: ZARBA5412G car has a intermittent starting problem, cranks fine, but sometimes will take 3 or 4 tries before it starts, other times will fire right up, and then will not start no matter how long it cranks, getting spark, and injector pulses. has good fuel pressure.	View
	1998 Audi A4 2.8L cruise VIN: WAUDD28D8W This is a car I'm looking @ purchasing for my wife. Everything works accept the cruise. I was wondering if there is a common problem with the cruise. This car has 122k miles on it. It does need some upper control arms. Is there anything else I should be concer...	View
	2001 Audi TT Quattro 1.8L electric window VIN: TRUUT28NX1 I have this AUDI TT convertible. Vehicle sit for a while in dealer lot. Now, windows go up and down 1/2 inch or so while engine is running. Supposed to go down 1/2 inch when door is oppened and go up when door is closed. Is there any procedure to relearn the w...	View
	1993 BMW 325i 2.5L valve train VIN: WBACB4312P Car came in after being overheated twice. Tesed positive for blown head gasket. Removed head and found two cracks in the head. Head was sent out and repaired. Shop milled head about .006in. After replacing head, I have alot of valve train noise. It sounds like...	View
	1998 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L charging system VIN: 1G4HP52K4W The battery and the alternator was checked out to be ok. When checking voltage at the battery while it was running when it is cold you have 14.9 volts. The voltage gauge on the dash shows the correct voltage. When looking at ignition voltage with the scan tool...	View
	1998 Cadillac DeVille 4.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G6KD54Y5W Thanks for the help in advance guys. I have tested this car for hours. I will drive it down the road about 300 ft and the vehicle will hiccup and the light will come on and the P0101 code will set. I have taken a movie of the vehicle acting up and the maf sens... Trouble codes: P0101 (maf problem)	View
	1997 Chevrolet Camaro 3.8L abs VIN: 2G1FP22K4V HELP!! What seemed should be a simple repair has become my headache:(. This camaro has a abs light on, scanned and came up with code 1236 low system voltage. Checked and I only had 2.4 volts on the scan tool for system voltage, each time I cycle ignition volta...	View
	2000 Chevrolet Astro 4.3L lifter noise VIN: 1GCDM19W2Y OWNER STATES THAT DEVELOPS LOUD NOISE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER DRIVING FOR 25-30 MILES, AND CONTINUES TILL HE TURNS THE HEAT & BLOWER ON HIGH. WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A COOLANT LEAK, WATER PUMP, HAD NOT OVERHEATED THAT W...	View
	1993 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue 3.8L security VIN: 1C3XV66L9P This car was brought in for a no start complaint. Did the usual checks & found the security set lite was on. I scanned it with our mastertech & it showed the fuel being disabled.I tried locking & unlocking the pass door & etc. I then tried to communicate with ...	View
	1996 Chrysler Concorde LX 3.5L stays in m2 VIN: 2C3HD56F1T Car appearantly went into limp by droping into d2 and staying there(does achieve engine braking) After replacing valve body w/Mopar unit we experianced no change. Tested unit by subtituting mod. w/scanner, car performed properly. Rpl. mod w/one fm. salvage, pr...	View
	2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Dream 2.4L Starting VIN: 3C8FY68B02 did head gasket on this car. battery was out for 2 days. installed head and no crank. hit the unlock button on the key fob and car then cranked over. it will stop in mid crank. car will not start. help needed thanks	View
	2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L noise VIN: 1FMZU73K53 high pitched whistle more pronouced cold sounds like vacuum leak, does happen hot may have to drive 40- 50 miles to get it to occur, sometimes will happen 3 -4 times in in 1 mile seems to be on throttle tip in or cruise not on hard accel. HAVE REPLACED IDLE BY...	View
	1992 GMC K3500 Sierra 5.7L down shifting to 3-1 only on decel VIN: 2GDHK39KXN Hello hoppfully some one can help. My sevice writers truck has issues. This is what i know. If you start off at a dead stop it shifts up through the gears properly even on hard acceleration. Whatching the scanner and I also had a vantage hooked to the two shif...	View
	1995 Honda Accord LX 2.2L Stall VIN: 1HGCD5638S I need some help with a honda thats dies on the highway after about twenty minutes of driving. owner throws car in neutral and starts right back up.may go another twenty minutes and it happens again. this will happen two to three times on his 50 mile commute. ...	View
	2001 Infiniti QX4 3.5L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: JT4RN45TYU Vehicle repeatedly sets these codes cleaned maf sensor and that cured lean codes for now but still intrmittently sets 1320 code customer reports that vehicle runs rough for a few seconds then clers up after a cold start also has reported intrmittent rough runn... Trouble codes: 1320 (misfire detected), 171 (bank one bank two lean)	View
	1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2L No Start VIN: 1J4GZ78Y6P This vehicle was towed to my shop with no start condition. Customer said it had been running rough and stalling, but would restart, finally not starting at all.I put my SnapOn scanner on and found no trouble codes, I have cam signal and RPM signal, but no spar...	View
	1994 Jeep Cherokee Country 4.0L Unknown VIN: 1J4FJ78S8R this is a 4 wheel drive jeep cherokee . there is a noise in the transfer case sounds like the chain is hitting the in side of the case,also when shifted into 4hi.it feels like it jumping out of gear. should i try repl. the chain. thanks mike	View
	1996 Mercedes-Benz SL320 3.2L camshafts? VIN: WDBFA63F3T Hey all- So I don't usually work on MB's, and I think I now know why: this thing is driving me nuts! Car came in just leaking oil from the head gasket. I replaced the gasket; everything seemed to go without a hitch until I started it. I have a loud whine that ...	View
	1997 Mercury Mountaineer 5.0L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 4M2DU52P3V was towed in with intermitant dieing problem.now it wont run at all.will start up and die can not keep it running.if the mass air flow sensor is disconnected it will idle but will not accell.if you moniter the air flow voltage when you hook it up as soon as th...	View
	1995 Nissan Altima GLE 2.4L instrument panel VIN: 1N4BU31D7S ok the fuse is number 25/10amps. this is the meter fuse , feed meters, charging system, trans shifter /interlock ,interior light. we remove the instrument cluster,disconnet all solenids at trans , all door switchs,safety switch,new alternator. I remove all gau...	View
	1996 Nissan Sentra 1.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1N4AB41D1T Hello, I have a 96 sentra in our shop with a P1335 ckp sensor code. We have already replaced the sensor and the ecm. We even ran 2 dedicated wires from the sensor back to the computer to rule out a circuit problem with no luck. Today we pulled off the starter ... Trouble codes: P1335 (Crankshaft position sensor fault)	View
	2000 Nissan Xterra SE 3.3L Engine VIN: 5N1ED28Y5Y Hi all... This Xterra has a loud rapping noise, only at idle up to about 1500RPM. It sounds just like a valve clearance problem, and we narrowed it to the left bank. My preliminary diag was a Hydraulic lifter leaking down at idle, and as oil PSI increased, the...	View
	1998 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.1L Races VIN: 1G2NW12M2W Good Morning Group, Have a dilema with this grand Am. It came in with the complaint that when cruising down the road at high speeds the car would not slow down when they took their foot off the throttle. If she hit the brakes and slowed the car down it would ...	View
	1993 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0L Poor Fuel Economy VIN: JT4RNW34RT We replaced engine with a jasper reman and can set the base ignition timing @ 10 degrees and vehicle has very low power.Yes we checked the cam timing several times and it is right on the money.My question is is it possible to have a malfunction in the ecu that...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Beetle GL 2.0L Engine This one has a really bad oil leak. After three minutes of running, it seems that oil is leaking down from the water pump. The cam seal and crankshaft seal are not leaking. I couldn’t see where exactly the oil was coming down, but I think that it is from the r...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1986 BMW 325 2.7L No Start, ONLY FIRES ON 1 & 6 VIN: WBAAB5406G this was a back to basics fix, with a few rechecks. thanks to everyone who took time to think about it and give suggestions. the O2 sensor was not it...bmw's usually run ok, but rich, with them disconected. the cam timing was ok, it ran on two cylinders, and i...	15
	2000 BMW 323Ci 2.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: WBABM3340Y Hello Techs, Watching o2's on scanner i would see them go inactive.When this happened i checked for codes and found cyl.6 misfire.I checked plugs and found them varnished.I replaced plugs and changed mass air to correct high trim percentage.Road tested ok ,all... Trouble codes: 227 (o2 large deviation bank 1), 228 (o2 large deviation bank2).	6
	2003 Buick Century Custom 3.1L Wont take fuel VIN: 2G4WS52J23 We checked out the vent valve and it was stuck closed.When replaced the car took fuel without a problem.Thanks to those who took time to help. swinny	5
	1994 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7L Power Seat VIN: 1G1YY22P4R Thanks for the help Guys!!! Sorry for late fix, have been fitting a Sinus/Ear Infection and haven't been at the computer for a while. Thanks to Steve [...]. The basic answer is to get a General Purpose Diode, not ...	5
	1996 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1L rear defogger VIN: 2G1WL52M8T Hello all, Well it's fixed! I want thank Sherman from Texas for his parable of the lawnmower. At first I thought he was pulling my chain because he offered no clues on how to fix the car, but his little story got me thinking. Like the genius of Sherman's lit...	5
	1996 Chevrolet S10 4.3L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCCS14XOT Hi finally got this S-10 fixed. I had many replies most of them were for things I had already did or checked. MAF was cleaned, exhaust back pressure was 1/2 psi, compression was 140 psi on all cylinders, fuel pressure was always 60 koer/65 koeo, injectors, plu... Trouble codes: P0300.	25
	2004 Chrysler Town & Country LX 3.3L p/s VIN: 2C4GP44R64 Hi, want to thank all the good folk who sent advice. We replaced the cooler with a finned one and also r&r the p/s return line. After bleeding the system, there still seemed to be a little there. We let the cust. take the vehicle and asked him to drive it for ...	13
	1998 Dodge Avenger 2.0L No Start VIN: 4B3AU42Y7W All gnd and batt. voltage at the ecm were good. We also checked cam, crank, coolant, tps etc.. at the ecm. The problem was under the driver seat, the oxygen sensor feed wire was short to signal wire(12 volt directly into the o2 signal at the ecm). The ecm has ...	10
	2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L rotors VIN: 1D4GP24R95 thanks to everybody that replied. checked the booster/master cylinder, brake pedal assembly. all checked good. ended up putting complete abs assembly on{hydralic and control} drove van 40 miles and brakes fine. customer has been driving for more than a week an...	13
	1996 Ford Aspire 1.3L Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: KNJLT05H6T Replaced EGR Valve With Attatched Position Sensor And Cleaned 3/4 Plugged EGR Passages. Problem Solved. Bob [...] Pa. Thank You Very Much For Your Time And Knowledge Trouble codes: P0470.	5
	1999 Ford Ranger XL 3.0L Hesitation, Surge, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTYR10V2X Thanks to all.. Paul nailed it ! Wrong injectors-- Vehicle has had a replacement long block/ engine swap/. non-Flex fuel. I though it felt like...fuel starvation. btw THE MILEAGE IS 134 k Customer is following the paper trail on this, has decided to pursue t... Trouble codes: P0171, P0174, P1151 (ho2s21 indicates lean).	12
	2000 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 6.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTNX21S3Y Hi Guys Well I fixed the problem.After removing the injector wiring harness I found a yellow wire that was chafed on the back of the intake manifold and it was rubbing on a stud that is located on the back of the right side head. I replacd the injector harness... Trouble codes: P0356, P0357, P0358, P0359.	5
	2002 Ford F-150 King Ranch 5.4L Poor Idle Quality, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1FTRW08642 Hey guys, First of all I would like to thank all that replied. Jeff, Paul, Don, Dan, Brad, GL,Bob, Mark,Diamond,Christopher and Mark. Christopher was on the mark with a leaking battery. Checked the harness under the battery and found multiple open wires. Repai... Trouble codes: P1780 (trans code).	11
	2003 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2FMZA52462 Seems almost all you stated that the problem comes from the intake, I am waiting for her to return the van, but I think this one will be fixed by replacing the intake gaskets. Thanks to all. David [...] Trouble codes: P (Fuel trim Lien).	17
	2001 GMC Sierra 1500 SL 5.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2GTEC19T31 hello again-i had about 5 or 6 replies most of which who said to check the check valve and thats what it turned out to be-thanx for the advise-brian. Trouble codes: P1416 (secondary air injection fault bank 2).	7
	1988 Jaguar Vanden Plas 3.6L information display VIN: SAJKV1644J hello thank you all for your replies this turned out to be a stuck evap purge valve. i could not find this info on nodata or else were so thank you all very much mark	7
	2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.0L climate control VIN: 1J8GW58J82 Most all of my replies to this problem I have posted are all telling me about the broken blend door being a common problem with this vehicle, and that there is an improved updated part to do the repair with. That the dash does have to be removed and that this ...	14
	2000 Land Rover Discovery Series II 4.0L abs module VIN: SALTY1540Y This one is fixed! Thanks to all of those who replied with suggestions. The info was useful, and many thanks to Gordon at Inland Rovers who was able to use an Autologic scanner on the vehicle. It ended up needing front left and right rear wheel sensors. The fr...	8
	2000 Lincoln LS 3.9L a/c -heat VIN: 1LNHM87A7Y we want to thank everybody for the help tips on this car. the fix was the heater control valve, shopkey had no info on its where abouts and labor time, a local ford dealer told us .7 on the time, however raymond from tennessee was right on at 4 hours for this ...	5
	1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320 3.2L codes VIN: 4JGAB54E7X customer decided to take car to the dealer since we did not have a wiring diagram have not heard back as to what the problem was but tryed clearing codes like suggested and more codes came back the second time then i had at first if i find out what the dealer ...	3
	1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT 3.0L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: JA3AM54JOS customer took vehicle with out being fixed . but came across a fix , poss crank gear moved tore keyway causing cam& crank to be out of time just enough to cause problem .have not heard from cust if vehicle is fixed. thanks for all the input from everybody.	7
	1997 Mitsubishi Galant ES 2.4L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: 4A3AJ56G2V thanx to all that replied, problem w ecm replaced and problem resovled thanks again Trouble codes: P0505, P0100.	3
	1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0L No Start, COLD VIN: JT3VN39W3R Much to my dismay, 9 of 10 responses said to check the cold start valve/thermo switch system. The other response referred to grounds at the motor. Maybe I posted wrong or just didnt get my point across thoroughly, but this was a re-post to a help request that ...	11
	2000 Toyota Celica GT 1.8L no circulation VIN: JTDDR32T6Y Regarding the Toyota Celica, we have tried bleeding the air out of the cooling system with great vigor, most of the suggestions posted to this help request were already tried. Thank you to all that replied. However there seems to be something else going on her...	10
	1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup 1.6L No Start, Hesitation, lots of smoke VIN: 1V1KG0171B Thanks to all of you VW experts out there, the majority of the concerns were compression and pump timing that take special tools that i dont have and nether does any other shop in the area. Other ideas were crank bolt loose, timing belt loose, glow plugs and r...	20
	1995 Volkswagen Passat GLX 2.8L No start code 00513 VIN: WVWCE83A6S Many thanks to all who replied. Several of you mention the basics and this is one of those cases where we let the scan tool code get ahead of common sense. Fuel pressure was the problem and we got fooled by the code. Because the fuel pump had failed the car cr...	7
	2000 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3VWCD21C3Y Hi,it turn out too be the belt,the tech working on the car line the marks up wrong re-timed everythings fine now. Thanks Marty Trouble codes: P1340 (Crank/Camshaft sensor out of sequence).	9
	1998 Volvo V70 2.4L fuel leak VIN: YVIL564XW2 The volvo is gone thanks for the replies most people said to remove access plates this awd station wagon don`t have any access plates. I lowered the drive shaft and the rear suspenion front control rods. the tank came down about 6 inchs, I had to lower the exh...	9

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