Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Jan 4, 2008

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	Help Request	Answers
	2000 BMW ALL 2.5L warrenty hello to all ,i need some advice on this one i have been doing hands on diagnostics in this sutation i am refering to i will specfy BMW.i have also went as far as purchasing my autologic recently i have come to some barrier where when trying to have parts warr...	View
	2001 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G4HP54K41 got the in laws car here again. got a code p1404 egr positon failure. as stated above the egr moves when tested with the scan tool and i removed it an inspected it and found nothing visually worng with it. the problem im seeing i s that at an idle the egr posi... Trouble codes: P1404 (egr position failure)	View
	1995 Cadillac DeVille 4.9L Suspension VIN: 1G6KD52B9S after start up the service ride control on dash light was on pulled codes i039 in it tryed to clear out and its comes right back on never had any struts or front end work please help not very good with cadillac josh [...] shop forman	View
	1996 Chevrolet K1500 Cheyenne 5.7L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 2GCEK19R4T Hi guys, and gals, Just back from vacation in florida, and i have this gem, and two dead chryslers waiting for me...guess this means the boss really does like me, lol. Anyway, this truck was looked at here at our shop while i was still in florida, by theother... Trouble codes: P0141 (ho2b1s2), P0161 (ho2b2s2), P0307 (cylinder 7 misfire), P0441 (evap no flow during purge), P0300 (random misfire), P0306 (cylinder 6 misfire)	View
	1998 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1L brake lights VIN: 2G1WL52MXW The tail light brake lights are a total inop. The third brake light works so this tells me that the switch is ok. I have read alot about the multifunction switch but the turn and running lights are all working correctly yes even the hazards. Any help would be ...	View
	1988 Chrysler New Yorker Landau 3.0L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation VIN: 1C3BU6631J First time with this vehicle, complaint is after long decel from ski hill vehicle floods, bucks and stalls untill he open the throttle to clear it then all is well. Tune-up is recent, no codes,I can see that the egr hs been bypassed so should not effect this c...	View
	1999 Chrysler Town & Country SX 3.8L Trailer wiring VIN: 1C4GT64L7X This van has issue blowing tail lamp fuses, and all the wiring i have check is good, I have been told though that this van has a trailer tow package, and a flat 4 trailer connector is part of that. To my dismay i cant find it...can anyone locate it for me, am ...	View
	1989 Dodge Dakota 3.9L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1B7GL26X3K group i have a problem with a dakota, this truck idles a bit rough, surges down the road,& stalls, have replaced egr for rusted top where vac hose plugs in rusted off, checked sol, replaced pick up coil, cap & rotor, plugs, this truck will run at idle all day,...	View
	2000 Dodge Dakota SLT 4.7L cam, crank sensor VIN: 1B7GG2AN3Y I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota that came in with a code 1391 int. lose of crank cam sensor. Code only sets when cold. We have replace the crank sensor and the code reset. At this point we replaced the cam sensor and the vehciel ran worse. Any ideas?	View
	2000 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L power steering pump VIN: 2B3HD46R3Y After working for 8 solid hours bleeding the power steering pump, I got it to stop foaming the fluid and contain itself in the reservoir, still made noise though. Boss tells me it's a faulty pump, so I replaced it again for NO money. The same problem cropped u...	View
	2003 Dodge Neon SXT 2.0L No Start VIN: 1B3ES46C53 Hello all, I have this car, which did not skip a beat, until now, parked it came back 3 weeks later under snow, and now no start, already replaced cam belt, cam sensor, crank sensor, plugs wire, fuel pumps, just wont kick. This code does show Fuel Injection Pu... Trouble codes: P1285 (unknown)	View
	1966 Ford Mustang 289CID Hesitation VIN: FO7C202252 My '66 Mustang 289-2V has a persistant off-idle stumble after rebuilding the stock Autolite 2100-2V carburetor (twice). The engine is a Ford rebuilt long-block with solid wet and dry compression readings in all eight cylinders, and strong vacuum at idle (18-21...	View
	1994 Ford Ranger STX 2.3L hydrolics VIN: 1FTCR14A7R Hi guys this truck came in with complant of grinding going into first and rev cust wanted clutch replaced I replaced clutch pressure plate and clutch the clutch was not bad still had some disk left so i also replace slave cyl it had a soft pedal when i brought...	View
	2000 Ford Expedition XLT 5.4L Surge, Cuts out VIN: 1FMPU16L9Y this ones got me , runs great above idle no vacume leaks found ,i replaced the iac motor ,still has same problem no codes present has recent tune up ,with ford parts ,and new pcv valve . help greatly appreciated.	View
	2000 Ford Focus SE 2.0L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FAFP34P7Y long term fuel trim values are at 32% at idle.stft at 25%.Code sets at operating temp.engine at idle Trouble codes: P0171 (lean condition)	View
	2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1FTSW31F12 To all the Powerstroke experts. Truck starts and runs OK but on first take off feels like its missing for about 2 seconds. Then while on steady pull, throttle steady about 1/4 intermit. miss, feels like gas engine with bad plug wire. But only a few times then ...	View
	2004 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4L Hesitation, Stall, Misfire VIN: 1FTPW14554 This one was at dealer several times for this complaint. It stalls when coming to idle, and hesitates when asked to accelerate. No codes present, checked for vacuum leaks. Since problem seemed to come after the plugs were replaced, we replaced them again and m...	View
	2005 Ford Expedition Limited 5.4L Cuts out VIN: 1FMFU20545 Attention all you Ford Experts! Customer originally came in about a month and a half ago for routine work and a complaint of occasional stalling on freeway.On first visit codes were P0104: MAF-VAF Circuit intermittent & P0121:TP Circuit TP sensor A circuit ran... Trouble codes: P0121 (TP Sensor A circuit), P2104 (TAC system forced idle), P2111 (Throttle actuator control system stuck open), P2112 (Throttle actuator control system stuck closed.)	View
	1999 Honda CR-V EX 2.0L No Start VIN: JHLRD1864X Cranks, won't start. This car was towed in with a broken timing belt. We replaced timing belt, 4 valves, head gasket, tested all valves for leakage, water pump, distributor cap and rotor, spark plugs, plug wires, ignition coil, front engine oil seals. We crank...	View
	2001 Hyundai Accent GL 1.6L No Start, MIL Lamp on VIN: KMHCG45C71 Car cranked would not start was towed in.Initially cranked and would not start for us.No injestor pulse,no spark.Car started after half hour in shop and runs fine.Pulled following codes from computer system.P0300,P0304,P0562(system voltage low)P0201(cyl#1 inje...	View
	2000 Infiniti G20 2.0L Stall VIN: JNKP11A5YT Got this Infiniti from another shop. The car idles fine for a few minutes and then slowly dies, taking about 5 seconds to die. On the road it runs fine. I tried to adjust the cable and it tries to die and then recovers for about 30 seconds and then tries to di...	View
	2001 Lexus RX300 3.0L cruise control VIN: JTJHF1OU91 this ones a hair puller. when we got this lexus when you drive the vehicle in cruise for 20 miles it will just kick out. you can the hit resume and it will go back to working. it will work for about 5 miles and then it will kick out and the cruise light will f...	View
	2001 Lexus RX300 3.0L heater VIN: JTJHF10U21 found all vent controll actuators are working .all blend doors are operaing in the heater case ---.temp of the inlet and outlet side are equal.	View
	1991 Mercedes-Benz 300E 4Matic 3.0L 4 matic light VIN: WDBED30E1M Good evening Mercedes techs,This car was brought to me today with a non related problem.On a road test I noticed the 4 matic light on.I called the customer to see if the light was on and he said no that it wasn't on.I try to scan this with my ast retriever but...	View
	2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 3.2L Misfire VIN: 4JGAB54E8Y Please help, this thing is kicking us hard. This is our second post on this car addressing a seperate but related issue. The first concerned plugged exhaust. Now we have a persistant missfire on #3 that varies in intensity only at low RPM/low load conditions. ... Trouble codes: P0300 (Random Misfire), P0303 (Cyl. 3 Misfire)	View
	2000 Mitsubishi Mirage DE 1.8L alternator VIN: JA3AY260ZY I was working on this Mitsubishi Mirage, we changed the alternator. This is not a typical car my shop works on, so after changing 3 alternators we looked into the car wiring, therefore coming to the conclusion that the ECM was bad. After changing the ECM the c...	View
	2002 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0L Stall VIN: 1G3GS64C92 custmer complain of stalling vehicle came in with 10 codes cleared and only 3 back .stalls intermittly Trouble codes: P0335 (ckp sensor a circuit problem), P0385 (ckp sensor b circuit problem), P1599 (cc power managment mode or engine stall)	View
	1991 Pontiac Firebird 3.1L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G2FS23T7M Help!!! This firebird initially came in for an oil leak. I replaced the distributor o-ring and fixed the leak. Approximately 45 days later it came back with the MIL illuminated and a hard code 42 (est ckt open/grounded) and a lack of power complaint. Following... Trouble codes: 42 (EST ckt. open or grounded)	View
	1996 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.1L pass rear door VIN: 1G2WJ52M7T passenger rear door won't open, have removed panel and checked rods, handle operate rods & can feel rod pushing down on latch but still stuck, have jiggled, pryed, & kicked from inside, no budge. anyone got ideas for opening short of doing body damage? thanks	View
	1992 Saab 900 S 2.1L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: YS3AK36E0N Hello iatn, Hoping someone can shed some light on this one. This 900 came in for failed inspection due toemissions. the co was at 194.01 ppm and the hc was at 4.04. We first scanned the computer for codes. seeing as all codes were air fuel related and the trac... Trouble codes: 12223 (air fuel mixture lean), 12112 (incorrect air fuel ratio at idle), 12111 (incorrect air fuel ratio driving), 12241 (air fuel mixture fault)	View
	1995 Subaru Impreza L 2.2L No Start, MIL Lamp on VIN: JF1GC235XS hello techs this subaru,i thought was a no brainer.does not start cold 30 and lower.scaned for codes cts and o2.replaced cts car still no start.spark and fuel good.double check sensor-ok.found tech bull.for injectors-are upgraded.cts controls fans also,they ar...	View
	2005 Suzuki Forenza S 2.0L Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: KL5JD56Z75 The owner disconnected the battery and charged it up at home, once he installed the battery in to the car, it did not what to start. It cranked but did not fire. Once in the shop we noticed that the car would fire with ¼ to full throttle but did not sustain id... Trouble codes: P2610 (ecm/pcm internal engine off timer performance)	View
	1986 Toyota 4Runner SR5 2.4L dash VIN: JT3RN64W5G I know this is not exactly the forum for this but I cannot find info anywhere else. Need to replace the lower dash section on this 4runner due to vandalism. Have the vehicle from body shop, they say their labor guide gives 2 hours to replace, we have 6 in it a...	View
	1997 Volkswagen Golf GL 2.0L no spark VIN: R4W1030869 this car was brought in for a stalling issue when it rains. i had found a cracked coil and replaced it with a complete tune-up. i still have no spark and had checked voltage to the coil.	View
	1998 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0L engine VIN: 3VWBB61C6W the vehicle came to us for an emissions test and failed NOx. we found that the vehicle was overheating. the dealer told us they have had issues with the water pumps. we changed the water pump and sure enough half of the plastic fins were missing. once the repa...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 2.0L battery lite flickers VIN: 3VWCA21C3Y car came in for not charging. tested with vat 65 and found only charging 22amps and no volts. we replaced alternator from bumper to bumper and now vehicle charges 60 amps and 14.3 volts but battery lite comes on at idle and goes off when brought off idle.were ...	View
	2001 Volkswagen Passat GLX 2.8L Engine VIN: WVWRH63B31 Hello Volkswagon Techs, I am having problems with this Passat. The passengers side valve cover will not seal. I have had problems with the hydrolic tensioners leaking before, so the Quality tune down the way sent me this vehicle after the could not get the ga...	View
	1999 Volvo V70 GLT 2.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: YV1LW56D8X car came in a month and a half ago with multiple codes replaced cat and cam shaft sensor erased code car ran fine for 3 weeks car returned with code for cam sensor no signal we replaced camsensor again with sensor from ddealer erased codes car left ran fine fo... Trouble codes: ECM64, ECM64	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1994 BMW 325is 2.5L Cluster VIN: WBABF332XR Thanks for all your input. Unfortunately, the problem was still present after we sent the dash out for repairs (very intermittently). The customer wanted the car back for the holidays, so we were not able to further investigate.	9
	1994 BMW 530i 3.0L Hesitation VIN: WBAHE2315R Secondary throttle cable was frayed causing secondary throttle plate to close restricting intake air. The throttle plate is used to control acceleration in the event of loss of traction. It just recently snowed here and I guess the tires spun on the customer c...	7
	2002 BMW Z8 5.0L No Start VIN: WBAEJ13472 Water in the fuel could be ingested through the tank vent (which has to allow air in, to take the place of the fuel used) in the right rear fenderwell, behind the right rear tire; if the car was submerged enough. Also since there is water in the oil and wet ai...	4
	2000 Buick Regal LS 3.8L all VIN: 2G4WB52K5Y Thanks to all that replied:It was the ignition switch,checked voltage at the fuse block low voltage 4.7 volts.Thanks to Brett from Kansas for the quick replay,but all were on the right track. Sometimes it's easy to go down the wrong road.(Customer want's car y...	11
	2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.3L timing cover VIN: 1GCEC14W0Y thanks for your input guys, it turned out the oil pan was warped at the front, got new one and every thing is good now	12
	2000 Chevrolet S10 4.3L Cuts out VIN: 1GCCT19W9Y I TRIED EVERYTHING YOU GUYS THOUGHT IT WOULD BE AND IT ENDED UP BEING THE CRANK SENSOR. IT WOULD DROP OUT SLIGHTLY AT 3000-3100 AND THEN RUN FINE. THANKS TO ALL WHO REPLIED	8
	2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4.2L starter VIN: 1GNDT13S72 Well,this one turned out to be pretty difficult.I'll start by letting everyone know that the code B2961 code will not affect the starter circuit.The way I was able to diag. this problem was by hooking up my tech 2,and doing a power mode mismatch test.If anyone...	13
	2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT 2.4L headlights,interior lights VIN: 3C8FY78G73 PERFORMED ALL VOLTAGE DROP TESTS IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE BATTERY WHICH WAS BRAND NEW BUT WAS AN OFF BRAND NOT SURE OF WHY BUT EVERY TIME A LOAD WAS INTRODUCED THE PCM WOULD FULL FIELD THE GENERATOR CIRCUIT FOR A FEW SECONDS BATTERY TESTED GOOD BUT REPLAC...	4
	1998 Dodge Dakota 3.9L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1B7GL22X6W I got it fixed, thanks for all the good suggestions and information. After reading some of the responses I went and looked at the timing chain play and it was okay and only had 9 degrees of movement on the crankshaft after backing off the crank until the distr... Trouble codes: P1391.	5
	2003 Dodge Neon SXT 2.0L No Start, Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1B3ES56C73 Thank you for your help. We did find coolant in all of the cyls. Thank you David. We took a coolant test strip and got some of the "fluid" on the strip and compared it to what was in the radiator. It was a exact match. We did perform "block test" when it ... Trouble codes: P0300 (Random misfire), P0302 (2 misfire).	3
	1995 Ford Contour GL 2.0L Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FALP6531S after getting the vehicle scanned. i decovered the maf was signaling to low. replace it vehicle runs fine.keep your fingers crossed. thanks guys	13
	2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L Engine VIN: 1FMZU74E22 The customer is not ready to do the repairs at this time. Thanks to all that responded. I feel very confident with the diagnoses that each of you agreed upon. My outdated book did not outline a REAR timing set. Thanks again and best wishes for the new year.	6
	2002 Jaguar X-Type 2.5L Gear Radio Error VIN: SAJEA53D82 hi ,Tahnks For All You Guys For Replying to my post a lot of you were right.the problem in this trans were the K2 Piston that goes into the drum for the K2-K3 clutch were crack causing leak.This Could Of Been Vertify as a pinpoint if a presure test was done Ag...	5
	1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1J4FF68SXX Well, after a few weeks time, the problem has yet to re-appear. The customer hasn't had any further problems. I appreciate all the responses, and will follow up with them if the vehicle should act up agian.Thanks for the help and I will update this if it shoul... Trouble codes: P0205, P0305.	7
	2004 Kia Sedona LX 3.5L bubbling in overflow VIN: KNDUPQ3174 Well Techs,we turned out this KIA to the customer with the diclaimer that "if the problem returns, it's going to need head gaskets." The vehicle has been out for 14 days and we have not heard anything. It was important to tell the customer what could happen so...	7
	1999 Lexus RX300 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: JT6GF10UXX Well it appears that this is done, I apologize for it taking me this long to close this ticket. It had a N.E.W. air/ fuel sensor from the dealer. The acronym was correct Never Ever Worked. The factory sensor was bad. This coupled with using the "Red Brick" ... Trouble codes: P0125.	12
	2003 Lexus ES300 3.0L Engine VIN: JTHBF30G93 Contacted dealer for sludge campaign. Dealer will cover vehicle under sludge campaign and remedy the problem as needed.	13
	1997 Mazda 626 DX 2.0L Mechanical VIN: 1YVGE22C3V I have to close this without a fix. I appreciate the responses I got. The problem occurs for such a brief period and cannot be duplicated on the lift so I have very little data to work with. I thought my friend Dean [...] was on to something with a cracked...	5
	2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 3.2L BAS, ETS, ABS, BRAKE Lights VIN: 4JGAB54E8Y Well im going to call this one fixed. We put Stabilant 22 on the harness connectors going into the ABS Control unit. This seems to have fixed the problem. Most replies were about the brake light switch, which was not the issue. I had several replies abou...	11
	2005 Mini Cooper 1.6L 1-2 shift VIN: WMWRE335XR The vehicle was repaired at the dealership. was under warranty and had a tsb for the problem.	6
	1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2.0L limp mode VIN: 4A3AK44YXS The TCM was the culprit and that is what fixed the limp in condition, it was determined after I compared data readings using the scan tool (Snap-on Modis) in the trans section with the engine section,in other words the tps reading was active in the engine sect...	3
	1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.1L ignition switch VIN: 1G2NW52M9T As many of you said, bad shift solenoid. Thanks for the advice.	23
	1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.1L slip VIN: 1G2NW52M9T Thanks for the input guys. John from Ohio was right, the trans. was burned up inside. Bad coincidence but these things happen. Thanks again to anyone who took the time to throw some ideas at me.	5
	2001 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.4L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1G2NF52E81 Thanks for all the help most replies where for the BCM or the coolant sensor. The problem was a bad coolant sensor or pigtail. If I wiggled the connector on the coolant sensor the temp would drop. I replaced the sensor and pigtail car is running great.	6
	2000 Subaru Forester L 2.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: JF1SF6358Y Thanks to all you subaru guru's out there, contacted Subaru and there is a reprogram for this code. Sent customer to dealer to have reflashed. Thanks again Dean Trouble codes: P1445 (air assist solenoid malfunction).	4
	1993 Toyota Tercel 1.5L heater We now have heat in this vehicle no matter what the speed. We had tryed T/stats from 2 differnet aftermarket suppliers and finished off by ordering and installing a Toyota stat. That fixed the problem. Thanks to those who took the time to help out.	7
	1996 Toyota Land Cruiser 4.5L wipers, hvac, turn signals VIN: JT3HJ85J3T AFTER SOME TESTING, NOTICED THAT WHEN REAR DEFROST SWITCH WAS PRESSED, THE SHIFT POSITION LIGHT WOULD DIM AND BRIGHTEN. UNPLUGGED REAR DEFROST GRID AND LIGHTS GOT REALLY DIM, BUT ALL THE COMPONENTS WERE STILL BARELY WORKING. UNPLUGGED REAR WIPER, WHICH ALL DAT...	4
	1998 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire VIN: 4T1BG22K2W HI ALL THIS ONE IS FIXED. THE PROBLEM WAS I FOUND THE RADIO AMP POWER WIRE PATCHED INTO THE 12 VOLT WIRE FOR THE FUEL PUMP WHICH CAUSED A LOW FLOW PROBLEM BUT NOT A PRESSURE PROBLEM. IGUESS THE VOLTAGE DRAW WAS A PROBLEM. THESE MAN MADE PROBLEMS CAN DRIVE YOU ...	14
	2000 Toyota Corolla VE 1.8L Poor Fuel Economy, pinging VIN: 1NXBR12E2Y Two responses confirmed that if the reluctor wheel on the crankshaft were installed backwards the ignition timing would be 40 degrees advanced. The interesting part is that the ECM sees the timing as being correct (16 degrees advanced). One response said to ...	3
	2000 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4T1BG22K2Y Thanks to all that replied expecially Brian from New York and Earl from Illinois, for forcing me to second guess my findings on the timing belt. turns out {at no less than 50k}the timing marks line up but there was an unusual amount of deflection on the long s... Trouble codes: P0340.	6
	1999 Volkswagen Passat GLS 2.8L Blower Motor VIN: WVWMD63BXX Hi Everyone, I was 95% sure that the switch was the problem, and several of you confirmed it. I found out that the switch control for manual Type is only $61.00 OE. We got one and all is back alive. The Automatic one is close to $500.00. when the blower is ino...	6
	2000 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L starter VIN: 3VWSF29M4Y thank you all!!! sorry this fix took so long to post!!! this was a three part fix.first the starter was to slow rpm wise.two glow plug wires were rubbed making contact on the intake. third the timming on the injector pump was out of wack. so we replaced the g...	10

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