Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for May 12, 2006

Join Now

Prev	Professional Automotive Repair Technical Discussions for May 12, 2006 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
	1999 Audi A4 1.8L transmission VIN: WAUCB28D8X Hello everyone, Last week I bought an AUDI A4 1.8T Quattro. The transmission was supposedly good but there was a small ATF leak coming from the transmission pipes so I changed them and I also changed the transmission fluid (ATF from the dealer). Since, the tr...	View
	1997 BMW 528i 2.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: WBADD6325V Afternoon fellow techs. Ive got this nightmare BMW that keeps throwing a check engine light. Light will come on for awhile(couple of days)and then go out. The code im getting is 212-vanos mechanical fault. We've already replaced the updated piston inside the v...	View
	1998 Cadillac DeVille 4.6L gauges VIN: 1G6KD54Y8W I don't know this car as he bought it from the Caddy dealer and usually took it there. Hard to believe but the guy that owned the dealership took the money and skipped town. The problem has is the guages on the dash go crazy telling him he is getting 30 mpg th...	View
	1994 Chevrolet Caprice Classic 5.7L Cuts out customer brought this retired police car in requesting plugs and wires,( did not do yet ) it has bosch plus 4 plugs in it, ( and been in there awhile )on light accel the car falls flat on it's face ( about 1200 to 1500 rpm's feels like fuel is shutting down ) ...	View
	1995 Chevrolet Corsica 3.1L No Start, Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1G1LD55M4S This Corsica came from the machine shop for a no start. The customer drove to the grocery store and when he went to leave it didn't start. got it home somehow and then the parts throwing began. Finally he decided it needed head gaskets and took it up to the ma...	View
	1997 Chevrolet C1500 4.3L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Cuts out, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCEC14W0V hey maybe someone can help me out, i recently had a customer tow in his truck. he had told me it just quit running. he replace ign coil, ign coil control module and vcm and nothing helped. i started off by checking the spark plugs, they were extremely fouled, ... Trouble codes: 1351 (ic circuit high voltage)	View
	2000 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G1ND52J2Y hi everybody need some advice with this one , in addition to the codes mentioned, this car also had codes 1189 oil pressure switch short or open, 1404 egr position error, 1585 inhibit circuit cc lamp control circuit, car has a total of 9 codes, 02 heater circu... Trouble codes: 135 (02 heater sensor 1), 141 (02 heater sensor 2), 443 (evap purge control), 443 (evap purge control), 463 (fuel level sensor low), 719 (tcc brake sw signal low)	View
	2004 Chevrolet Express 1500 4.3L No Start VIN: 1GCFG15X94 Vehicle was towed in. It quit running down the road according to the driver "just like you turned the key off". We checked codes, found none, all data appears normal, voltage good, fuel pres. good, comp. good, fire weak, sometimes nonexistent. We replaced coil...	View
	2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L 4Lo VIN: 1GCEK19B25 Hello This truck has push button 4x4 and has had this problem from day one. When you shift into 4LO yo can't get it out with out messing with it for awhile goes in and out of 4HI and Auto just perfectly I've talked to GM tech service we have re shimmed the fir...	View
	1996 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 3.8L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1B4GP54L5T This one has got me pulling at my hair, this grand caravan pops and missis under load, and when accellerating. Last week he came in saying it misses when accelerating on the highway, it was extremely noisy so we pulled off the valve covers and found the rocker...	View
	2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.2L Mechanical VIN: 3B7HC12Y8Y This all started as a low oil pressure when hot. Help my uncle put oil pump in about a month ago. Was ok for about a day. Lost oil pressure again and took out a lifter. Let uncle use shop while I went on vacation. He replace oil pump again, oil pump pick up tu...	View
	2002 Dodge Durango SLT 5.9L Unknown VIN: 1B4HS48Z52 Please read completely as much has been done to this vehicle already. Customer had the front brakes replaced and rotors machined at the tire store and he states ever since the brakes won't stop right. Test drove to confirm - brake performance seems normal at 4...	View
	2002 Dodge Caravan Sport 3.3L starter VIN: 1B4GP25R52 We have tis 02 caravan that has an ocasional no crank . it comes and goes at will. i had it happen once,but before i could test anything it started to crank and won,t happen again.no codes and no alarm system .it has a chiped key for antitheft. but alldata say...	View
	2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500 2.7L pwr locks and remote transmitter op VIN: WD2YD74283 Hi folks, please read the "test and result data" section below before replying. I have an 03 Freightliner Sprinter(which I had to post as a Dodge) that has a prob w/ the central locking system. The 2 red lights on the master switch will illuminate/ flash when ...	View
	1990 Ford Bronco II Eddie Bauer 2.9L crank bearings VIN: 1FMCU12T3L hello all hope your all doing fine. this is a new one, have not seen this in all 28 years i've been wrenchin. crank and block all with in spec, i doubted my micros and took it to my machinist all checked good and he has never seen anything like it. i have seen...	View
	1997 Ford F-150 Lariat 4.6L radio, door chime VIN: 1FTDX08W2V A 97 f-150 was towed into our shop on a wednesday with a no start condition due to battery discharge. Customer complains of radio stays on and door chime continues to chime with key off. Obviously runs battery down over night. Customer also states that worse w...	View
	1997 Ford Escort LX 2.0L idle @ turning VIN: 1FALP13PAV This vehical has a symtom of wanting to die when turnig to the right, after a stop. Does not do it to the left. Is there a pressure switch that could be a problem? On a different note, this is the same that had a bad motor. It now has a new/used motor in it an...	View
	2001 Ford Focus ZX3 2.0L No Start, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3FAFP31301 i have 1233 code set in the computer no start condition i have power to the fuel pump driver module and all grounds except the one green and black wire that acording to alldata is coming from the PCM it flashes a ground signal there instead of ignition power w... Trouble codes: 1233 (fuel pump driver lost communication)	View
	2001 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L front brakes VIN: 1FTWW33F21 Vehicle under normal braking pressure stops properly and straight. When brakes are placed under moderate to heavy pressure vehicle pulls/steers to the left. Reviewed TSB's and checked vehicle alignment. Alignment ok.	View
	2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L Rear Ac VIN: 1FMZU73E12 Good Morning everyone. This Explorer makes a clicking noise when the rear a/c is on. Like a relay cycling on and off. It is not the blower motor. The blower works fine and the noise is still present, when the motor is unplugged. The noise sounds like it is co...	View
	2002 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FAHP53U82 Hello, This car has a very intermittent long crank time with no spark, when engine is hot. I tested the crank sensor when the problem was occurring,and I had a good signal. Also the cam sensor signal was good. There is aTSB for a re-flash with these two codes,... Trouble codes: P0301 (Misfire 1), P0316 (Misfire At Startup)	View
	1997 GMC Jimmy SL 4.3L 4wd VIN: 1GKDT13W8V Hi guys, I got this 1997 GMC Jimmy 4WD, The problem with 4wd is not engaging, when i push the either botton 4LO or 4HI I dont hear anything cliking by the transfere case, I hear the module clicks once & the light comes flashes & then goes off but dont engage,a...	View
	1994 Infiniti Q45 A 4.5L Speedometer VIN: JNKNG01D5R Speedometer not working.	View
	2000 Jaguar S-Type 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: SAJDA01C1Y alright. car came in for mil on. no running problems. codes p1383 and p1388. i don't think it is the cam solenoids, just can't see both solenoids failing at the same time. went through flow chart from on demand. checked for power to solenoid, continuity to com... Trouble codes: P1383, P1388	View
	1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L Misfire VIN: 1J4GZ58S8W Thanks to all in advance. This Cherokee came in with a p0303 and running real bad. I have checked fuel pressure, fuel injector spray, compression, spark, and for vacuum leaks. No problems found. It runs the same even with the plug wires removed from cylinders ... Trouble codes: P0303 (Missfire cylinder 3)	View
	2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7L drivetrain VIN: 1J4GW58N4Y vehicle came in with a popping or bumping noise @ hiway speeds(50-75 mph) w/accelerating. noise-slower rythmic speed that increases as vehicle speeds increase. does not do it in town-does not do it on the hoist supported under axles. does not change moving veh...	View
	2000 Jeep Cherokee SE 4.0L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall, LONG CRANKING extended cranking eractic fuel control to inj	View
	2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L No Start, Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1J4GW48S33 this time vehicle was towed in as a no start, but started right up check engine light poped on with code po505 again, this vehicle seems like it has two problems bad crank sensor or bad driver circuit in the ecm for stepper motor controll, thank you to all who... Trouble codes: P0505	View
	1995 Land Rover Discovery 3.9L No Start VIN: LANDROVER1 This sweet 1995 Land Rover Discovery with barely 200K on the clock was towed in last monday. Its got that dead nasty nascar style 3.9 v-8 that just breathes fire - if it ran. The owner had installed a new cap, rotor, wires, plugs, and a dist. pickup. He gave m...	View
	2001 Lexus LS430 4.3L auto wipers VIN: JTHBN30F71 This vehicle had a stone hit the windshield. It was replaced by a local glass guy. Did a beautiful job. The customer is complaining of the auto wipers, (rain sensing), not working. Dealer has told them it's because it's not a factory windshield. I looked at th...	View
	1999 Lincoln Navigator 5.4L TP input VIN: 5LMPU28A7X I am fighting a 99 Navigator 5.4 w/AWD at the present time. My initial codes were P0500 and C1107 accompanied by a broken range fork in the case. Both codes are VSS related with the test for the C1107 being the hall sensors. After talking with the customer, th...	View
	2000 Mazda 626 LX 2.5L No Start, Stall VIN: 1YVGF22DOY Hello all and thanks in advance. I have a 626 that is not idling when cold. If you dont give it gas it will stall. It will run fine once it reaches 95-100 degrees, and runs perfect when warmedup. I havent had much time with this one, and dont have a wiring dia... Trouble codes: P1100	View
	2001 Mazda MPV DX 2.5L Hesitation, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: JM3LW28Y61 van came in with a random cyl missfire code. tune up done 20,000 miles ago. removed wires and checked for spark at all cylinders, all look good. removed plugs and found no signs of tracing. replaced wires thinking they were braking down. did not help. replaced... Trouble codes: P0300	View
	1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SL 3.8L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall VIN: WDBBA45A5B Hi Benz techs,This system very new to me i never worked on one of these but custermer bought car in florda and now here with stalling like the fuel is boiling in fuel distributer.I had good fuel pres. but no power and running rough and before long would stall,...	View
	1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2.0L No Start VIN: 4A3AK44Y3V This car was towed in and will not start. It has no spark or fuel injector pulse, except only sometimes when testing for spark it will spark one time at the beginning of the test or when turning the key off. After checking all power and ground, I suggested to ...	View
	1999 Mitsubishi Galant ES 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4A3AA46L2X hello everyone , i have this galant that im pulling my hair out with . the vehicle came in with a po 400 egr system low flow detected . found low vacuum to egr valve . read several iatn replies for carbon in upper plenum and egr solenoids . removed upper plenu... Trouble codes: P00, 400 (egr system low flow detected)	View
	2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport LS 3.0L four wheel drive indicator light VIN: JA4MT31H2Y i am at my wits end with this one. the problem is the 4wd indicator light is blinking when it is in 2wd. the abs light also comes on and off. this has been a two week project so far. when the vehicle first came in the 4wd light was blinking all the time regard...	View
	1992 Nissan Sentra SE 1.6L No Start VIN: 3N1PB21S3P Hey Gang! This honey was towed in as a no start. The problem occured some time after a "friend" sprayed the secondary ignition down with WD40 while lubing the hood latch.The customer reports the car has been getting progressively worse. Initial inpection sho...	View
	1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE 3.3L lifters VIN: 2P4GP44R5T A small bolt dropped into the engine and damaged a valve. we sent the heads out and had 5 valves replaced due to wear or damage. when we started the engine, we had a tappet type tick. I went in and cleaned the lifters, and thet seem to be good.When i bring the...	View
	1998 Plymouth Breeze 2.0L No Start VIN: 1P3EJ46C7W vehicle was towed to shop as a no start no spark or injector pulse,found good cam and crank signals going in to ecu,checked the signals at the ecu connector.i then checked coil driver signal and injector driver signal and found that the wave forms on both sign...	View
	2001 Plymouth Neon High Line 2.0L No Start VIN: 1P3AS46C31 I have a 2001 Plymouth Neon. It has an intermittent no start. When it is cranking,and not starting, the ASD relay is turning off and looks like a signal with a 80% duty cycle. PCM is causing the relay to do this. When failing, the following have digital signal...	View
	2001 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G2NF52E81 good day all. this vehicle came in with the ses, abs and trac lights on. performed scan test. no codes present or in history. car runs great. inspected ecm harness for intermittant connection but all looks good. if any one has had or heard of this problem any ...	View
	2002 Pontiac Grand Am SE1 2.2L No Start VIN: 1G2NF52F32 Hey folks, This car came to me on multiple occasions a couple of months ago with a no start problem. engine cranked fine but would not run. After a ride on the tow truck, it would start in the parking lot and repeatedly start. The customer would take the car a...	View
	2000 Porsche Boxster Roadster 3.2L obc VIN: WP0CB2985Y Dear Porsche Friends, on the Boxsters and 996 with On-Board-Computer we have not found a way how to change the outside temp display from Fahrenheit to Celsius. We have the PST2 and we know and can code the A/C from F to C. However with the ouside display we ...	View
	2002 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L Engine VIN: 2T1BR12E22 This one has me puzzled. Anyone ever hear of this particular combination of problems on a similar vehicle? 1. Poor gas mileage: (EPA says 32 city, 41 Highway) This car is averaging 30.78 MPG on the highway. 2. Very heavy oil consumption: (1 quart every 235 m...	View
	1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0L temperature VIN: 3VWSA29M8X Help. We need to replace the A/C Air Temperature Sensor part #[...] and CANNOT determine exactly where this puppy is located. Can anyone help tell us exactly where its located and what is involved in replacing this animal?? Thanks in advance.	View
	1990 Volvo 740 2.3L No Start VIN: YV1FA8855L This car has hard starting hot and cold. Fuel pressure is 38 koeo. Spark is strong and consistant. Compression is 190 to 210 for all 4 cylinders. Cranking injector on time is 9.6 ms cold. The coolant sensor is nearly impoosible to get to. The throttle has to b...	View
	1997 Volvo 850 GLT 2.4L lubrication VIN: YV1LS5648V trying to find any info on oil jet piston cooling system tried alldata and internet with no luck volvo dealer no help either cooling valve #[...] what does it do? thanks future classics	View
	1999 Volvo S70 2.4L rear brakes VIN: YV1LS55A7X air in rear brakes described below	View
	2000 Volvo S40 1.9L turbo VIN: YV1VS2551T Hey guys, Need some help. This car came in very low on power & smoking blue smoke like a freight train. Initial evaluation determined that the turbo had shaft broken in two. We replaced with a rebuilt turbo. Customer pickup up the vehicle & drove for approxima...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1987 Audi 5000 CS 2.2L idle too high VIN: WAUHD044XH Thanks everyone for the help. I checked the throttle microswitch again and again. Also rechecked leaks with the smoke machine pressurized and found none. Installed a new idle air valve and no change at all. Idle was still too high. The idle controller waqs als...	13
	1999 Audi A8 4.2L Torq.converter/gear incorect ratio VIN: WABG34D7XN Thank you everybody for help! It was a brake switch!I check wiring to switch and to ecu it was good,get new swith inst.,and customer didnt come back!!! Thankyou again!!!	3
	1996 Buick Skylark Custom 3.1L No Start, Stall VIN: 1G4NJ52M3T Hi all. The vehicle is fixed. After replacing the lock cyl & performing a relearn as 7 replies recommended, we had a situation where the theft lite stayed on all the time while driving. The car still would start & stall at times & after numerous start attempts... Trouble codes: P1573 (ebtcm/pcm serial data ckt), 1629 (theft deterrant system cranking signal malfunction).	17
	2001 Cadillac DeVille 4.6L Rear Aux HVAC VIN: 1G6KD54Y42 Sorry for not answering sooner, great help from everyone, however the weather turned colder here and the customer never has shown back up. I appreciate the help.	3
	1993 Chevrolet K1500 Suburban Silverado 5.7L wipers VIN: 1GNFK16K2P thanks guys for all your help it was a bad ground, so I added a groung wire from the wiper motor to the firewall.	23
	2000 Chevrolet Impala LS 3.8L No Start, Cuts out, Stall, security lite on VIN: 2G1WH55K5Y Hi all. Not much to report here other than 9 out of 11 replies said replace the ign lock cyl. 2 votes for ignition switch. I replaced the ign lock cyl & did the relearn & all is well now. Thanks to all who replied.	11
	2001 Chevrolet Express 3500 5.7L rotors & pads VIN: 1GBHG31R51 Thanks for your responses, we had 21 replies. Several respones suggested that the customer may be driving with on foot on brake & one foot on gas. We did not think this was the problem because they got alot better mileage on brakes before we worked on it origi...	21
	1997 Dodge B3500 5.2L p1398 VIN: 2B6KB31Z7V Found TSB that sait that a weak battery can cause this coad. Changed battery and cleaned all connections. Also flashed pcm. Thanks guys for the help!	3
	1987 Ford Mustang LX 5.0L Oil Pump VIN: 1FABP40E1H Thanks to the 26 of you that took the time to respond to this problem. First things first. The original pump must have picked up some debris after we performed the top end work. It was really confusing as the pump was moving freely after we removed it. All we ...	30
	1997 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L ride control VIN: 1FMFU18L8V Thank you so much to those who replied.We gave the customer the option wether or not to persue the wiring problem he had or to go with conventional springs and shocks. With the milage on the vehicle customer decided to have us do away with the air ride system....	7
	2001 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L Transfercase VIN: 1FMFU18L61 Well I got 2 possible causes, 1 bad oem part, 2 the gem module fried (had water in it last year) the new one we installed (since we changed sensor first). But then when new gem was installed got a B2106 which Doug [...] said happened to him when he installed...	2
	2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL 7.3L Stall VIN: 1FORDDIESE replace cam sensor have't had a problem and now he's driving a chevy thanks zach	12
	2001 Ford Taurus SE 4-Valve 3.0L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FAHP56S51 Replaced plugs and wires with motorcraft parts as suggested. Still the same problem. Replaced coil with motorcraft replacement still same problem. Found that #6 injector driver shutting off when automatic climate controll cycles compresser off. As soon as comp... Trouble codes: P0306.	16
	2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Door Locks VIN: 1FTWW33F72 Well this one is gone and fixed. Sorry it took so long, but customer had to have it while we ordered parts and just got it back a few days ago. I checked the suggested places, but there was no water intrusion on this one and no aftermarket equipment of any kin...	8
	2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Stall VIN: 1FTSX31F22 we replaced the cam sensor as most replies suggested and spoke with customer yesterday and all is 100%. just before the repair the engine was cutting out 2-3 times per day and still with no warning,hot/cold/slow/fast driving, no check engine light and still no...	24
	2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L Governor VIN: 1J4GW48S6Y We got this vehicle back in the shop today and replaced the governor pressure sensor and solenoid.All 4 replies we got suggested that this was the problem.We have no explanation as to why the fuel level had anything to do with how this Jeep shifted other than ...	5
	1999 Land Rover Range Rover SE 4.0L Steering Hose VIN: SALPA1242X Looks (and more importantly sounds) like its a fix! Replaced the hi pressure hose from pump to the steering gear box. Filled up the power steering system with BG power steering synthetic fluid and test drove it. No more 'call of the wild' moaning and customer ...	3
	1989 Mazda 929 3.0L No Start VIN: JMIHC2213K we found out that the coolant temp. sensor was not working... It wasnt giving enough fuel on cold start ups... It would only start up when it was warmed up... thanks to all that helped out on the Mazda... Mike	7
	1999 Mercury Villager 3.3L Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: 4M2XV14T2Y thanks for the help I installed an intake manifold and that corrected the problem Trouble codes: P0325, P0440.	1
	2003 Mitsubishi Galant DE 2.4L heater VIN: 4A3AA4G33E yes this car is fixed.i replaced the water shut motor for the water valve,it is located on the upper right side of the heater box.jeffrey,eric,louie and anthony gave me ideas what to look for.michael was right on but the reply came a little bit too late after ...	7
	2000 Saturn SL2 1.9L Surge, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1G8ZK527OY Thanks everybody for your ideas, went back and rechecked coils/ egr system/checked engine vacuum/performed backpressure test on cat/converters/found rear converter plugged 11 pounds of back pressure/replace cat/converter cleared system/car runs perfect!	5
	1999 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L pings VIN: 4T1BG22KXX can't believe the spectrum of responses to this ty to patrick from ohio.i've scheduled to get car back and concentrate on egr passages & transducer,it seems to have good flow but possibly not enough volume.no we don't use any bosch plugs.timiming belt was done...	19
	1999 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0L Drive-axles VIN: 4T1BF18B5X This Avalon is fixed finally by replacing the right long axle again with a new aftermarket unit. Thanks to everyone one of you.Charles.	27
	2001 Toyota Camry LE 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4T1BF22K01 Thanks for all of the replies gentlemen. I would like to thank Rick, Scott, Michael [...]. They all pointed me in the direction of the egr temp sensor. I checked the ohm reading when cold and it showed bad right away. I ordered a new p... Trouble codes: P0401, P0402.	6
	2001 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L Stall VIN: 2T1BR12E71 Replaced M.A.F. and car runs fine now. When watching injector drive time it went from 2.1 ms to 1.3 on acceleration than up to 7 and 8 . After replacing M.A.F. it did not drop down to 1.3. Thanks for the help everyone.	13
	1998 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0L No Start VIN: 3VWSB81H6W Thanks for the replies.The fix was as many stated a bad coil.I normaly won't through parts at a car. I guess spark wasn't strong enough. The maf readings went back to normal once car started. Alex [...] mentioned the maf is like that with koeo.Talk about possibl...	10

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