Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Dec 31, 2008

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	Help Request	Answers
	1996 BMW 318i 1.9L Blower motor VIN: WBABH8323T Good day and Happy New year. This request directed to someone who is familar with removal and replacement of the blower motor. Mitchell suggest cutting off squirrel cages inorder to remove motor. Opening for this blower motor is 4 & 15/16". New motor with squi...	View
	1998 BMW 740iL 4.4L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on, VIN: WBAGJ8326W Car came in with numerous (MIL) code's so we started with all the basic test's.Replaced faulty cam pos sensor,up & downstream O2 sensor's on B2 hardshell connector's wer'e cut off & wire's spliced together improperly!.we repaired wiring correctly,still at this... Trouble codes: P0340 (cam pos sensor A-bank 1 Mmalfunction), P0135 (O2 heat circuit B1 S1), P0150 (O2 sensor malfunction B2 S1), P1585, P0156 (O2 malfunction B2 S2), ASST	View
	1998 BMW 318i 1.9L No Start VIN: WBACC9327W The owner brought this car in saying that on some days it wouldn't start in the morning. If he was able to get the car started, it would be fine for the rest of the day, including after a prolonged cold soak at work. However, some days it refuses to start, and...	View
	2001 BMW 330Ci 3.0L no heat VIN: WBABN53451 The car just quit making heat. The engine runs at normal temp. with no overheating issues. Upper and lower hoses get hot to the touch,the cooling fans cycle, but heater hoses are luke warm at best. We backflushed the system including the heater core, replaced ...	View
	1999 Buick Regal LS 3.8L valve noise VIN: 2G4WB52K6X Vehicle came in with an severe overheating and loss of coolant problem. Found the intake plenum (plastic) to be broken, and engine oil was mixed with coolant/water as well as coolant/water mixed with oil. Removed heads and sent to reputable rebuilder for valve...	View
	2004 Cadillac SRX 4.6L Stall VIN: 1GYDE63A44 hello techs intermittant stall that only happens when trans selector is put into park . reduced engine power warning comes on monitor , all driveability + scanner seems correct drives normal engine runs strong.	View
	1995 Chevrolet Blazer 4.3L No Start, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GNDT13WOS truck came in with start&stall found codes p0107 p1107 did flow chart from Mitchell & identifix came up with bad vcm in stalled vcm put outside to wait on map sensor pig tail. went to pull it in start & stall check codes po107 p1107 same thing scan tool reads ... Trouble codes: P0107 (map sensor low voltage), P1107	View
	1998 Chevrolet Venture 3.4L Excessive Emissions, Cuts out VIN: 1GNDU06E5W This van came if for tune up because it failed emission on crusie CO 0.53%, HC 97, NOX 2500. I do not have a gas analyzer and dyno, may be i should i let this one go after the tune-up and maintenance service. However on checking scan data i found it showing ...	View
	1998 Chevrolet K1500 Cheyenne 5.7L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: 2GCEK19R9W Good day people. I have this vehicle that will intermittently cut out while driving down the road. The vehicle will usually restart right away. Sometimes it will almost stall, and the tach will drop to about 300 RPM's. The client will step on the gas and nothi...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Express 3500 6.0L steering box VIN: 1GBJG31U44 Hi this vehicle was brought to me from another shop, vehicle was wrecked over the summer. It was hit on the right front and frame was bent. another shop installed right inner tie rod end and lower control arm. frame was not straightened at that time. this week...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L air bag VIN: 2GCEK19TO4 Have codes for the seat position sensors bo83 and bo84 also code for lost comunication U1096. Is there a problem with a certain ground or connector that can cause these codes? Trying to save some time here, codes reset after about a week. Hard to believe that ...	View
	1996 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L governor duty cycle VIN: 1B7HF13Z5T I have a headscratcher beyond me. This truck has had it all a new trans, controller & VSS. I have double checked the harness twice. Here is what it does, cold start up shifts perfect, but after a couple cycles through the gears it looses all control over gover...	View
	2002 Dodge Caravan SE 3.3L No Start VIN: 1B4GP25342 Hello and Good evening, To start, This van is a stripped down model it has no power door locks or security nothing! It is a fleet vehicle that we see 2 or 3 times a year. It came to us on the hook it turns over but wont start inst cluster is dead. first we pu... Trouble codes: P0351 (Ig Coil 1 Primary Circuit), P0352 (Ig Coil 2 Primary Circuit), P0353 (Ig Coil 3 Primary Circuit)	View
	2003 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.5L cooling system VIN: 2B3HD56M14 i have a 3.5 in my shop that we put head gasket on & it came back the next day overheating , naturley the teck that did the job is on vacation . my qustion is ,if the head gaskets on the wrong side does it cover up the passage from the thirmastat housing about...	View
	2004 Dodge Durango Limited 5.7L no rear heat VIN: 1D8HB58D44 this is a no heat to rear seating area problem.has rear air and heat with controls front rear. the problem is it only gets cold air out of rear vents.the rear fan blows plenty of air but not warm air.front works great.have tried all adjustments front and rear ...	View
	1991 Ford Ranger Custom 3.0L no start VIN: 1FTCR14UXM i'm not crazy about fords any reoccuring problems i should be looking for	View
	1998 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L battery VIN: 2FMDA5144W Battery passes load test after sitting over night. Cust complaint battery goes dead after sitting 1 week. Jump starts with cables to 2nd car fine. 480 MA draw drops to 280MA 2-3 minutes after key off. Drops to 90MA after 45min-1hr. Pulled fuse #35 (Inst cluste...	View
	2005 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L shift engaugement VIN: 1FMZU73K65 vehical dose not want to move when cold forward or reverse	View
	2008 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor 4.6L Tire Pressure Monitor VIN: 2FAHP71V48 Greetings, This patrol car bit a curb and pinched 2 tires and bent 2 rims. We replaced them with OE rims that have sensors installed. I can't find any information on a relearn of sensor position for the TPMS system. We have some reset transmitter tools which c...	View
	1997 GMC Yukon SLE 5.7L No Start VIN: 1GKEC13R6V Vehicle towed in no start. Hooked up scanner, no codes. Tried to start vehicle. started. Unhooked scanner truck died. Hook up scanner truck starts. Checked all fuses under dash and under hood. Tried new ignition switch same results. Checked ground and power ci...	View
	1999 GMC Sonoma SL 2.2L Hesitation VIN: 1GTCS1444X truck came in for a quick stumble or hesitation on acceleration or decel. preformed computer test and no dtc's were found. list's no misfires in data or in mode 6. spark plugs and wires have been replaced. with ac delco parts. used a test module and coil's. ma...	View
	1998 Honda Passport EX 3.2L Ignition VIN: 4S6CM58W4W This vehicle was bought by a customer at an auction in "Not running condition". Engine cranked but did not start. The spark plugs appeared to be fouled and the compression was even but seemed low,about 80 lbs. in all cylinders. We did a cylinder leakage test a...	View
	2004 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: KM8SC73DX4 Found code P0130 for Bank 1 Sensor 1 oxygen sensor. Scoped both sensors, both working. Figured computer is smarter than me and is seeing something I cant or at a different time. So I replaced the rear bank (sensor 1) front oxygen sensor with a Bosch universal,... Trouble codes: P0130 (Bank 1 Sensor 1 malfunction)	View
	2005 Isuzu NPR 5.2L No Start VIN: JALB4B16A5 Recently had injection pump replaced due to severe contamination of corrosion and water and the resulting low fuel pressure would not allow it to start. Fuel pressure is fine now, but a week later comes back with no start. The computer is not powering up the i...	View
	1998 Jeep Wrangler SE 2.5L Heater Core VIN: 1J4FY29P8W Has anyone seen one of these jeeps that you can`t get any heat out of the heater. Water seems to be flowing fine. Customer bought it used and said it has not had any heat since he bought it. He said all that has been done has not made any difference in it. He ...	View
	2005 Jeep Liberty Limited 3.7L rwal module VIN: 1J4GK58KO5 have this 2005 liberty here that my solus pro wont comunicate with rwal module, this is a non abs vehicle, not sure if its a scanner problem or module problem, abs light is on. checked with alldata and everything they have for this year is full abs so i have n...	View
	2003 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.4L Battery VIN: SALMB114X3 Hello all. We could really use some help with this Range Rover. We have an intermittent drain on the battery. We've isolated the starter and alternator and installed battery isolator tool on negative side of the battery. Parasitic draw test was done using batt...	View
	2001 Lexus RX300 3.0L multi display VIN: JTJGF10U81 I have a rx300 with no multi display or climate control. the radio will play but there is no didplay for that eather. This car is from a local car lot and I think they jumped it off wrong but they say no way. The power locks do not work also. I have checked al...	View
	2007 Lincoln Town Car Signature 4.6L Bucking (trans)? VIN: 1LNHM81V77 Customer is owner of livery co. This car has great care and one driver, no abuse. Complaint of bucking like someone shut the key of and on- pause of power. This happens on hiway only. No accel when steps on the pedal. After 1/2 hour of driving, it got worse an...	View
	1991 Mazda Miata 1.6L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall VIN: JM1NA3515L car runs good when cold for about 10 minute after warm up it blogs and no power with lots of white puffy smoke clouds, oil visual leak from compressor side, want to get feedback before i replace the garrett t25	View
	1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 3.2L Misfire VIN: EOWAO44855 Hello every one This car came in with missfire on one side of eng,on cyl number 4,5,a and 6,checked it found bad spark plugs,replaced spark plugs and wires,still miss fire all three cyls,checked fuel injector all ohm as is should(16 ohm)it has injetor pulls,it... Trouble codes: P0304, P0305, P0306, P0300	View
	1999 Mercedes-Benz CL500 5.0L Cuts out VIN: WDBGA70G6X The vehicle was in the shop for a transmission problem. The check engine light was on for transmission codes only. Customer went with a used transmission. Installed the used transmission and now the vehicle starts and dies. It stores a pending code po335. We c... Trouble codes: P0355	View
	2002 Mercury Cougar 2.5L extended crank VIN: 1ZWHT61L92 Morning. I've run into a odd one. This car gets out on the road and runs great. (Customer complains of intermittent extended crank after driving. Let sit for a few hours; usually OK after that.) So far I have only got it to act up once. After about 5 starts, e...	View
	2001 Mitsubishi Diamante LS 3.5L transmission VIN: 6MMAP67P01 This car was towed to us for a transmission problem. The customer stated she was driving on the freeway when the neutral and drive indicator lights flashed then the vehicle acted as if it was in neutral. No drive or reverse. Scanned for codes and no codes pres...	View
	2003 Nissan Pathfinder SE 3.5L heater VIN: JN8DR09Y0W We have used a vacuum style coolant machine and have pressure bled out of the steel line that comes from behind the intake, next to the firewall. The vehicle's temp is below 1/2 on guage and only gets to 180 degrees at idle and while driving tends to go up and...	View
	2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4L hazard flasher VIN: 1G2NW52E72 customer had hazard flasher replaced, it clicks as your driving without turn signals or hazard engaged. all lights work correctly but clicking noise started sometime back. any help would be appreciated. thanks	View
	2002 Pontiac Firebird 3.8L No Start VIN: 2G2FS22K62 I have a fire bird with no fuel pressure .I have checked power goes to connector at rear and jumpered power to pump but still does not run. It looks like rear end has to be removed or lowered to get tank out. Book says this and shows labor time of 4.3 hrs. Has...	View
	1998 Saturn SL1 1.9L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1G8ZH528XW Cleaned induction system.	View
	1996 Subaru Legacy Brighton 2.2L Hesitation, Stall, Misfire VIN: 4S3BK425XT This car came in with a mis-fire code. Checked car, no spark on Cyl # 1 & 2, but good spark of cyl # 3&4, replaced coil same this... this is driving me crazy. Cam/Crank have been replaced before. Please help. Happy NEW YEAR!!!	View
	2003 Toyota Prius 1.5L Stall, MIL Lamp on, lack of acceleration VIN: JT2BK18U63 After replacement of electric steering rack assembly due to customer complaint of "heavy" steering, a drive to the alignment shop rendered a MIL and lack of acceleration. The gas propulsion was not operating, only electric and very difficult to return (1/2 mil... Trouble codes: P3101 (Engine system malfunction HV ECU code), P3191 (Engine does not start Engine code)	View
	2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L fast idle VIN: 3VW8E69M92 Hello, We have a 2002 Jetta 1.8T that idles at redline. The e-throttle is partially open whenever the key is on unless the brake pedal is applied. The car has a code P1639/18047 accelerator position sensor 1/2 implausible signal. We installed a new pedal posi... Trouble codes: P1639 (18047 Accelerator position sensor 1/2 implausible)	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1999 BMW 740iL 4.4L temp gauge car came back in and checked wires and ecm-has no evidence of coolant damage. Don't know why other shop said the harness was bad. if i came across the fix i will repost. thanks jim	11
	1986 Chevrolet K20 Custom 5.7L Cuts out VIN: 1CCGK24M0G Well the truck is fixed. It was a combination between a weak fuel pump and a stuck fuel filter check valve blocking fuel. The filter was recent and it is dummy proof as far as installing it bass ackwards! It was overlooked because of how new it was but ya neve...	31
	1997 Chevrolet K1500 Suburban LS 5.7L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out VIN: 1GNFK16R0V Short story, when checking for crank sensor relearn my tech noticed knock sensor at 5 volts, disconnected knock sensor and timing came back, replaced knock and re set base timing, test drove OK. Trouble codes: P1345.	6
	2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LT 5.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3GNFK16T5Y Great help! this customer wants to wait until after the first of the year. i'm confident we have hit the nail on the head! Thanks again many times over to all who helped. great responce,info Darren @ p.s. tire Trouble codes: P0442.	14
	1998 Dodge B1500 5.2L MIL Lamp on, p302 MISFIRE VIN: 2B6HB11YXW We ran a cylinder leakdown test and found a 40% loss in #2 time to do the head. Thanks for all the help. Trouble codes: P0302 (Misfire Cyl 2).	18
	2007 Dodge Ram 3500 ST 5.9L fuel in oil VIN: 1BUSTED67L The truck was sent to the dealer even though they told him that there is no problems with this engine at all! Thanks for the help! I had a feeling there was more to the picture than what the dealer knew of.	9
	1998 Ford F-150 XL 4.2L Suspension VIN: 2FTZF1827W Thank you for everone who gave assistance, all good advice I didn't need to remove the torsion bars, just the rear crossmember to remove the tranfer case(I couldn't get enough clearance to get it down). I tried some heat & air hammer but in the end to save tim...	8
	2000 Ford F-350 Super Duty XL 6.8L brake pedal feel VIN: 1FDWF36Z3Y Thanks for those who took the time. Turns out to be bad driver info. The driver couldnt let the truck sit still long enough to check out properly. What he was experiencing was coming to a stop, the pedal would get real hard and heard a rattle in the rear end. ...	5
	2004 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL 6.0L cooling system VIN: 1FTSW31P74 the egr cooler was leaking that is why we installed a cooler delete kit . but as of today i have not yet fixed the truck we now havew 3 others doing the same thing at idle there is virtually no flow to the heater core ...	8
	2006 Ford Expedition XLT 5.4L Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on, Lack Of Power VIN: 1FMPU16536 The fix was to replace the convertors. I found that they were plugged although they were tested at another repair shop just prior to coming to our shop. Thanks for all your help everyone. Trouble codes: P0305 (Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected).	13
	1995 GMC Jimmy 4.3L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1GKCT18W85 Thanks for all the replies, but no one got this one. Several said about bad ground problems. I double checked all the grounds and power inputs- all OK. I tried another new PCM to make sure it was not a bad one, and also replaced the PROM- did not help any. The...	9
	1999 GMC Yukon Denali 5.7L brake system VIN: 1GKEC13R4X We did not find any leaks in the system anywhere the master cyl was new. Thanks for all the great replies we replaced the wheel cyls bleed abs system re check for leaks so far so good thanks again.	11
	2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7L Mechanical VIN: IGN852XX74 Ok I still have to put the motor back in and am not looking forward to it but did get to the torqe converter bolts, I did what Mathew,Paul,Guy,and craig said and pulled the pan and loosened the bolts for the rod end caps and she broke loose.Thanks again everyo...	10
	1994 Lexus ES300 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: JT8GK13T1R Thanks to all that replied. Put used ecm in this am. Fixed problem runs out great mil is off I can now pull data from the DLC3. Thanks guys for all your help. Happy new year!! Mike	10
	1995 Mercedes-Benz C220 2.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: WDBHA22E7S verified vacuum to air valve and voltage to smog pump during warmup,found smog pump not working replaced pump, system working Trouble codes: P0411 (secondary air incorrect flow).	3
	2001 Mercedes-Benz C320 3.2L trunk lock VIN: WDBRF64J21 Firstly many thanks for the concise and informative replies I got from three respondents. We eventually got into the truck with the key by a bit of deft manipulation, the barrel was very tight. Having taken look at the connector, our customer had got th...	3
	1988 Nissan Stanza XE 2.0L no power assist VIN: JN1HM05S2J Hello everyone and thanks for the help on this one. I checked the reservoir for filters etc and argued with the rack rebuilder that I felt it was a rack problem. We sent it back to them, they disassembled and insisted that nothing was wrong with it...they pu...	7
	1989 Nissan 240SX SE 2.4L Poor Idle Quality, Surge VIN: JN1HS36P7K This car has not come back to the shop yet but I will post the fix when I get it back. I had three responses. Hai said poss intake leak or injector problem which I have not checked yet. Denis also mentioned vacuum leak or tps which I had checked. Steven said...	4
	1999 Nissan Altima GLE 2.4L window motor drivers side VIN: 1N4DL01D2X Thanks to all who answered,I ordered a new switch. before installation customer called she wrecked the vehicle.If and when I get the car back in the shop I will let you know. Thanks for all the help. Joe [...]	4
	1997 Saturn SL1 1.9L reverse-& 1-2 shift VIN: 1G8ZH5286V We took the advice of two of the replys and changed the trans filter and removed the side cover and tightened the nuts on the input shaft. they were torqued to about 40 ft. lbs and all data said they should be 111, shifts are now firm but not harsh. Thanks...	6
	2003 Saturn Vue 2.2L motor VIN: 5GZCZ43D53 The Saturn vue is fixed. The SDM module was the problem with the air bag light. The tranny was also bad.Because the CVI transmission has a bad track record, Saturn was willing to pay 75% for it was a 2nd owner and out of warrantee. We opted for a new transmis...	3
	1988 Subaru GL 1.8L Stall VIN: JF2AN53B2J WELL HAVE NOT SEEN VEHICLE BACK, WILL MORE THAN LIKELY GET IT LATER THIS NEW YEAR. LOTS OF POSTS TALKED ABOUT CTS WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN CHECK. WHAT I DID LEARN WAS CUST. WAS USING 92 OCTANE FUEL WHICH I COULD SEE CAUSING SOME SORT OF PROBLEM BEING THAT IT TAK...	5
	1993 Subaru Legacy L 2.2L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 4S3BJ6338R The customer didn't want to install a new IAC at this time, he wants to live with it for now!! I'll update more if he ever brings it to get fixed	4
	2000 Subaru Outback 2.5L crankshaft VIN: 4S3BH6656Y Well this vehicle has been evaluated and released. The question was: is there bearing noise in this engine or not. After taking a suggestion of one of my responses and performing a dry start (like doing an oil filter change)it has been determined that there is...	10
	2002 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean 3.0L at oil light VIN: 4S3BH80672 James, you had it!!! Pulled the pan and in mine here was a broken connector on the 2-4 brake duty solenoid. Replaced solenoid, hammered dent out of pan and car runs like a dream!!! I can't believe a car company that makes cars that are so good offroad, doesn't...	6
	2005 Subaru Forester X 2.5L camshaft VIN: JF1SG63675 Thank you to all who responded!This being the first time ive worked on these beasts,I made it seem more difficult than what it was.This thing is out the door and all is well.The belt installation is tight to say the least,but not impossible.Again thanks,and of...	13
	1996 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Hesitation, MIL Lamp on VIN: JT3G10V8T7 THANK YOU , THANKYOU, THANKYOU TO ALL WHO REPLIED SO QUICKLY, SO ITS LIKE THIS... ALL THAT WORK AND DIAGNOSIS VIA VACUUM AND MULTIMETER AND HEADHACHE, I REPLACED THE VSV LIKE SO MANY OF YOU SUGGESTED AND BAM TEST DROVE IT AND THE EGR MONITOR RAN AND PASSED WI... Trouble codes: P0401.	18
	2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS 2.8L Surge VIN: WVWWH63B22 Thanks to all that replyed . The fix was to replace the air intake sensor wire to the ecu , the wire ohmed out ok but replaced it anyways problem gone . Trouble codes: P0112.	4
	2004 Volvo XC70 2.5L Hesitation VIN: YV1SZ59HX4 THE PROBLEM DID TURN OUT TO BE A THROTTLE BODY FLY BY WIRE FAULT- BUT THE CUSTOMER DID NOT WANT TO FIX IT-I DID GET SOME GREAT FEED BACK ON THIS CAR AND PROBLEM-SOME OF YOU THOUGHT THAT IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY TILL 100,000 MILES--THANX FOR HELP BRIAN	5

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