Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Mar 28, 2009

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	Help Request	Answers
	2001 Audi A6 Quattro 2.7L engine VIN: WAUED64B31 coolant dripping under pressure from openings in bottom of bellhousing. originally found a leak at heater hose connection underneath rear of intake manifold that was dripping on top of bellhousing but after fixing this i still have bellhousing drips. I took of...	View
	2003 Audi A4 1.8L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: WAULC68E13 Good day Gents, I need some help from you VW/Audi techs on this one. This car came in with a check engine light and unstable idle. we checked the codes and had a P0171 lean bank 1, p0328 knock sensor circuit high input, p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303,p0304 all mis... Trouble codes: P1297, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304	View
	2000 BMW 323i 2.5L Mechanical VIN: WBAAM3347Y hello I have this BMW I went to replace the head and the rear head bolt pulled the threads out of the block as I was torquing the bolts my question is if anyone has every heli coiled an head bolt before and if it worked out. If anyone has an alternative to thi...	View
	1988 Chevrolet V30 Silverado 7.4L Cuts out VIN: 1GCHV34N8J This vehicle came in with complaint of "fuel tanks not switching" We changed the fuel valve assembly & switch with a OE Chevy part, Condition still present, When it happens we DONT hear the valve switching, (2) New valve assemblies were installed. (thought pos...	View
	1993 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Tahoe 4.3L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1GNCT18W3P i got this blazer and it needed a spider was dumping fuel like crazy the owner drove it for a little while running the way it was. i replaced the spider and it would run better and not use as much gas as it was but still ran rough i did a compression test and ...	View
	2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.3L Surge, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 2GCEC19WX1 All of this is said to have started after fuel filter replacement in Feb. Customer thought he may have gotten a tank of bad fuel, refilled day before brought truck in. Vehicle came in the other day with complaint of bucking/surging while driving down the road...	View
	2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.3L abs sensors VIN: 1GCEC19X65 this truck came in with abs activation at around 9mph. i scanned for codes and found rt front sensor out of range. next i viewed data stream and found rt front sensor dropped at around 9mph. also i noticed all sensors read 3mph while sitting still this i could...	View
	1997 Dodge Dakota 3.9L No Start VIN: 1B7GL23X7V installed junkyard motor from 96, knocked rubber u shaped grommet around crank sensor into trans housing trying to install crank sensor went ahead and installed sensor anyway, drove for two weeks, crank sensor broke, repaired crank sensor dorve for 1 mile cran...	View
	2003 Dodge Caravan SE 2.4L No Start, Hesitation, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1D4GP25B93 Alright guys and gals this darn van is driving me crazy , the problem is intermittent. The van will sometimes not start and sometimes when driving it ( either hot or cold ) it want to buck and act like it wants to die. It's popping the code PO344 - showing bot... Trouble codes: P0344	View
	2003 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L engine VIN: 3D7LA38603 I have a 5.9 cummins diesel in my shop with what appears to be a "rod knock" on # 3 cylinder.I checked oil level and pressure and it is within spec.I performed a cylinder kill test and when #3 injector isnt firing , the knocking noise goes away. When all of th...	View
	2004 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 4.7L Inner Tie Rod VIN: 1D7HU18N84 This is a strange one even for me. We have a 4WD Ram 1500 PU in here which failed a safety inspection for an inner tie rod with play. The actual problem I am having is finding a replacement part. Dealer says they do not make this inner tie rod and the only a...	View
	1994 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L 4x4 VIN: 1FMDU34X2R Customer called this AM. We are in a blizzard. Went to his home as he said he was stuck in driveway. Snow is packed. I tried to drive vehicle. 4x4 light and 4x4 Low lights come on in dash but 4x4 is not working.With transmission in N, I can push on 4x4 and the...	View
	2002 Ford F-150 XL 4.2L Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1FTRX1722N This vehicle will not accelerate at times,even in the stall unloaded. Then suddenly it will run fine. If you turn off the ignition and restart it, generally it will act up again. When the engine won't accelerate, if you add propane via air filter inlet it will...	View
	2005 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4L hubs VIN: 1FTPX14535 hi techs,this truck has a grinding noise on acceleration i have seen the post about looking at the IWE solenoid and checking the vacuum lines. The question that i have is that when smoke testing the vehicle i found a leak next to the abs module it's a vacuum l...	View
	1995 Honda Civic LX 1.5L Entire system VIN: JHMEG8651S I received the car and the system was completly empty. I have checked the entire system with a UV light. I even removed the evaporator and checked it for leaks. Is there anything common on these things that leak? There is a TSB that says the condensor has corr...	View
	2001 Lincoln Continental 4.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1LNHM97V11 After repairing the knock sensor-see related repair. We rechecked codes and had this p0453-may have been there already. Anyhow the FTP voltage stays at 5.02v. I could unplug harness at tank and stays at 5.02v. even jumpered its at 5.02v. Can i disconnect PCM a... Trouble codes: P0453	View
	2003 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor 1.8L Poor Idle Quality VIN: WDBRN40J03 runs very rough missing on all 4 cyls did not check cam timing yet have checked the advance mechanisms alls ok except did not check position sensor Trouble codes: P0010, 20540	View
	1991 Nissan 300ZX 2+2 3.0L engine noise VIN: JN1RZ26H8M Engine has loud knocking noise at idle and acceleration. Used electronic stephascope to try to fine noise, but it is traveling all over. Loudest seems to be at where block and transmission bolt together and at rear cylinders on valve cover. I a trooper make si...	View
	2002 Nissan Altima 2.5L shifting VIN: 1N4AL11D42 Thanks in advance for any help. I just installed a used engine & replaced the heater core on this car. After the repairs I road tested the car & all seemed fine until stopping at a light & when I started off the trans will not shift. I found out that if I put ...	View
	2004 Nissan Quest SL 3.5L engine VIN: 5N1BV28U34 this is a 2 ouestion post. customer states noise started about a month ago. changed oil & filter(oe)with no change. on cold start rattling noise, loudest in area of variable cam timing covers on both banks. noise on front bank goes away witihn 2 minutes of col...	View
	2001 Oldsmobile Alero GX 2.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G3NK52T81 Hello to all, hope all is during these tough times. Anyway I have a 2001 Olds Alero 2.4 liter with a p0440 code. The code does not set right away but it is consistant. I have checked The purge flow valve and the vent valve, both are operating fine. I have chec... Trouble codes: P0440	View
	1968 Volkswagen dune buggy 1.6CID Mechanical VIN: 13C6785437 Does any one know the trick to dissassemble a VW beetle transmission. I got the tail cover off, but i can,t get the intermediate cover to seperate from the main case	View
	2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L Excessive Emissions VIN: 3VWFT71K26 Hello everyone and thanks for the help. I have this 2006 turbo diesel VW in from another shop and has yet to be fixed. This vehicle has the vegetable oil bio diesel system installed on it, but the customer has not ran it on oil for several months. Some hints o...	View
	2001 Volvo S80 2.9 2.9L No Start, stalls hot no spark VIN: YV1TS94D11 this car has this problem like clock work, stalls hot no restart, was running engine at 3000rpm to get it hot after crank sensor and engine shut off as if you turned it off. good fuel pressure and has no spark. will restart after it cools. im a merceds tech at...	View
	2004 Volvo S80 2.9 2.9L Low Compression/VVT Setup VIN: YV1TS92D04 Greetings Techs and thank you in advance for your willingness to help. Vehicle came in with blown head gasket. It was obvious so didn't do a compression test before dissassembly. Block is good, head reconditioned, and all appears well. Installed head. Setup ca...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2003 BMW M3 3.2L key remote VIN: WBSBR93433 Unfortunately the customer didn't bring the car back for me to test, but I did try to initialize the keys before and that didn't work, since both keys inop. and one is brand new I think that the problem is in the zke module. If customer decides to fix car I...	6
	2002 Buick Rendezvous CX 3.4L No Compressor engagement VIN: 3G5DA03E72 Thank all of you for your great replies. It seems we had a bad IPC. The ambient temp sensor in front of the condenser core is wired to the IPC. It is my understanding that the IPC reports ambient temp to the ECM and it uses this value as enabling criteria ...	11
	2004 Buick Rendezvous CX 3.4L Starting VIN: 3G5DA03E54 Customer is awaiting funds. I have not fixed this vehicle, but have determined that we need a PCM.The crank relay is turning on when switched to run position. We verified this by testing the circuit to the crank relay and an audible click.When switched to the ...	11
	1996 Chevrolet K3500 Cheyenne 7.4L heater core VIN: 1GCHK39J4T Thanks to everyone, i will call this one fixed for now. i checked for electrolysis before i started and read .2vdc. We replaced the heater core(which was leaking in the core to side/end area_with another alum core.) Removed the ground to heater core. FLushed s...	18
	1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1FALP6249R Thanx to all who replied, the fix was the basic that we failed to check. what makes a engine out of balance and shake? how bout harmonic balancer coming apart. replace balancer and all is well. Trouble codes: 214 (cam sensor).	6
	1998 Ford Contour LX 2.5L No Start VIN: 1FAFP66L7W Thanks for all the help. I shot from the hip and replaced the crank sensor. Its been almost a month and it hasn't not started for them. Jon T	7
	2004 Ford F-350 Super Duty XL 6.0L brakes VIN: 1FTSF31P64 I'm sorry I didn't close this earlier, got caught up in drama of family dog dying. Thanks for all the responses. Lots of great suggestions. I replaced the front brake calipers to fix this vehicle.	22
	2004 Ford Expedition NBX 5.4L Wipers VIN: 1FMFU16L74 Thanks to all that replyed some were saying replace the wiper motor which was the correct fix, but Conrad from Maryland gave a great discription on how to test this system and he was right with the wiper motor being the problem, others mention the GEM module o...	6
	1998 Honda Accord LX 3.0L ps pump VIN: 1HGCG164XW THANKS TO ALL WHO REPLIED. LIKE A DUMMY I WAS REPLACING THE PRESSURE SIDE ORING AND NOT THE SUCTION SIDE. I REPLACED THE SUCTION SIDE AND PROBLEM IS GONE. THANKS, LARRY	14
	2000 Honda Odyssey LX 3.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2HKRL1858Y WELL GENTLEMEN I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SEAL ON THE TANK ITSELF. I DIDN'T GET TO RUN THE EVAP MONITOR HOWEVER I DID GET BLOW OFF WHEN I OPENED THE GAS CAP WHICH I DID'T HAVE BEFORE. ANYWAY SO FAR SO GOOD IF IT RETURNS I WILL INFORM ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE ... Trouble codes: P1456 (leak detected in evaporative control system fuel tank).	9
	2002 Honda Civic EX 1.7L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: 1HGEM22982 The customer has not returned for further testing & inspection. The problem is very intermittent, so he doesn`t want to waste anymore of my time or his money. I thank you all for the replies, especially Tim and Kevin, both from California, I feel you guys wer... Trouble codes: P1298 (eld), P1457 (evap).	6
	2001 Lexus RX300 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: JTJGF10U21 A new OEM MAF sensor fixed this car. Overwhelming technician's concensus was "Replace MAF with OE". A couple suggestions were check wiring to MAF, try tap test on MAF, check for vacuum leak and fuel pump restricted sock. MAF cleaning doesn't seem to help th... Trouble codes: P0171 (Lean Bank 1), P0174 (Lean Bank 2).	14
	1994 Mercedes-Benz S420 4.2L Poor Idle Quality VIN: WDBGA43E2E Finally, this S420 is fixed. Fixed, I mean, the "CHECK ENGINE" did not stay on and it passed CA smog check. Before posting for help, I have covered most of the basics, i.e. oil change, performance baseline, two new cam solenoids, no blown fuse at fuse panels e... Trouble codes: 024 (cam adjuster solenoid), 025 (cam adjuster solenoid).	9
	1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 3.1L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G3WH5ZM55 thanks for all the prompt responses. most responses said clean port between egr and throttle. port was clogged. cleaned port and code han't returned yet. Trouble codes: 77 (egr soleniod 3 error).	11
	2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue GX 3.5L Surge, Stall VIN: 1G3WH52H61 thanks to all who replied! it turned out to be the fuel pressure regulator it was leaking in to the vacuum line when replaced fuel trims went back to normal and gained 10lbs. fuel pressure	3
	1999 Subaru Forester S 2.5L Transmission VIN: JFISF6559X We serviced the transmission, added some "Seafoam" transmission conditioner, replaced the o2 sensor, Subaru sent us the wrong speed sensor,(there are 2 designs ours takes the more expensive one that comes with wire harness and other sensors for $179) so that ...	5
	2000 Subaru Impreza RS 2.5L at oil temp VIN: JF1GC6751Y Thanks a lot guys. I have gotten a new pressure solenoid and the at oil temp went away. The old one was cracked pretty bad.	7
	1987 Toyota Pickup 2.4L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, Poor Fuel Economy well after all that hub-ub i checked nthe fuel cut solenoid . IT WASNT BEING GROUNDED !!!. the fix a comnputer. HA! try and find one I dare you . all in all we found one and it purrs like a dream the customer couldnt be happier ( i couldnt be happier she isnt ...	6
	2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L camshaft timing VIN: WVWPD63B41 removed valve cover and cams for inspection. someone hit the nail right on the head, when they said check the camshaft journals for damage. rear intake camshaft journal damaged causing oil pressure drop to chain tensioner. head will need to be replaced, havent...	11
	2003 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 2.0L 1-2 shift, etc. VIN: 3VWCK21Y43 No codes after clear and test drive,trany has strong jolt and harsh shifting,after consulting with trany guys and searching archive,TSB etc.we decided it has internal damages and recommend complete reman at $5k. waiting for customer approval,thanks and I am cl...	5
	2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4 Motion 2.8L steering gear VIN: WVWTH63B03 I should note that I already had the plastic cover removed. I was able to move the heat shield downward a small amount and that allowed me to reach the banjo bolts with tools and fingers. As you said, not as bad as it initially looks. Now if I can only get at ...	6
	2000 Volvo V40 1.9L Front coil spring mount VIN: YV1VW2551Y All suggestions centered around adapting a Branick spring compressor to grip one of the spring seats in addition to a coil to gain enough distance to effectively relax tension on the shock piston. I have a buddy's old Branick that has plates instead of hooks ...	5

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