Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Apr 11, 2009

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	Help Request	Answers
	1991 BMW 850i 5.0L Steering VIN: 000CB73660 Hi there, this BMW came with a no start condition which was repaired and a serious leak in the steering system , the steering box, pump and a hose were repaired, although the system is working fine it makes a loud growl joined by a slight vibration in the stee...	View
	1997 BMW 528i 2.8L Electric VIN: WAB126BHTY This 1997 was involved in an accident right quarter pannel and right front, notice a couple broken wire to the right side of the appron little brown upper box with seven wire which grounded to the body, fuse #50 7.5 amp in the trunck keep blowing and vehicle i...	View
	2002 BMW 325i 2.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: WBAEV334X2 Vehicle came in with fault code P0128 for coolant thermostat(coolant temperature below coolant thermostat regulating temperature). Checked the actual value of all the coolant temp sensors, all withing spec. Coolant flush was done last year. No drivability issu... Trouble codes: P1028 (coolant thermostatcoolant temperature below thermostat regulating temperature)	View
	1972 Chevrolet corvette 5.7L louver door VIN: 1Z37K2S507 Thanks in advance for the help! Fellow techs: I have beat myself up on this one, adjusting wiper blades and the like. It seems as though there ought to be a delay on the vacuum getting to the door to close, instead vacuum is applied directly as the wiper switc...	View
	1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34 3.4L distributor plug VIN: 2G1WX12X5T Looking for a fix or replacement plug for the distributor plug to replace the original plug without removing the rear head.	View
	2001 Chevrolet Blazer LS 4.3L Front Differential VIN: 1GNDT13W21 Vehicle came in with broken mounting ear on front differental. Removal was easy-with no mounting ear, but for some reason my tech cannot find a way to re-install. We have the entire tie rod/relay rod assembly removed from vehicle, but cannot figure a way to ge...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L blower motor VIN: 2GCEK19T64 This truck has the typical auto temp control, and the blower motor is staying on even after turning the truck off & removing the key...will run the battery completely dead. I can cycle key on-off several times to make it finally go off, but under most circumst...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L Unknown VIN: 2GCEK19T64 When we start this 4x4 truck the push button 4x4 switch just picks whatever mode it wants to be in, sometimes 4 low, 4 high, 2 high, etc...most times I can shift it to my choice & go, some times not...after reading other posts, I replaced the pushbutton switch...	View
	2005 Chevrolet Cobalt LS 2.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G1AL52F75 Have no menu on this one for crankshaft relearn procedure? Genysis or Tech2 will not perform this test on this model for some reason. Is there a drive procedure that will allow the crank to relearn? I have read that 3 successful ignition cycles is suppost to a... Trouble codes: P0315	View
	2006 Chevrolet Express 2500 4.8L IC Lighting/DRL VIN: 1GAGG25V56 Good morning and thanks for stopping by. This Navy fleet unit was turned in for INOP DRL's and no dash backlighting. Upon closer inspection/verification, I found the headlight switch assembly to have been broken (looks like the dash panel dimmer swith was push...	View
	1996 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 3.3L ride quality VIN: 1B4GP54R1T Thanks in advance for the help. I have a 1996 caravan with a shake between 40 and 45 mph. The condition subsides when the throttle is lifted, above 50mph and below 40mph. It is most noticable at a light throttle about 42mph. I have checked tie rod ends, rack, ...	View
	1996 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L steering VIN: 3B7MF33C8T A good friend and customer came in with a complaint of vibration when brakes are applied and asked if we could check the front end . This dually has semi truck tires (19.5")and he was getting new tires before we did the work and planning a trip We found 1) Dri...	View
	1997 Dodge Dakota 2.5L No Start, Stall VIN: 1B7FL26PXV HI Y'ALL!!! Ok here it is, 97 Dakota pickup,2.5 4cyl will stall and may or may not restart. After no start does set code p0351 ign coil primary circuit. When no start, has crank and cam sensor counts and rpm signal 150-175 on scanner. If I backprobe coil- with... Trouble codes: P0351 (Ignition primary circuit)	View
	2003 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L Blower motor VIN: 3D7MA486X3 A/C blower motor is inoperative. Problem started as an interminit no opertive but would not act up when in shop. Now it will no run at any time. Check for 12 volt to blower speed switch are neg. also at resister block. Checked fuse and relays all check good. C...	View
	2005 Dodge Neon SXT 2.0L No Start VIN: 1B3ES56C55 Dodge techs: Was referred to this shop through another client. Client states that the vehicle would only 'chatter' the start relay, and starter when cranking, and then stopped cranking altogether. No communication with any module. Rebooted computer by shorting...	View
	1992 Ford E-250 Econoline 5.8L Hesitation, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1FTFE24H6N I work on Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep, so this 92'Ford (my dad's)is "foreign" to me... I have no access to a scanner or oscilloscope. The symptoms I have now are as follows: When I start van when it's cold, it idles smooth and the way I believe it should run. I'll p...	View
	2003 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT 6.0L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: 1FTWW33P63 customer brought me his truck to replace fuel injectors because dealer told him that is what was causing his engine running rough & surging (primarily when engine is cold).we replaced all 8 fuel injectors with reman units(alliant).customer brought back truck w... Trouble codes: P0261, P0264, P0267, P0270, P0273, P0276	View
	2008 Ford mustang 4.0L No Start VIN: 1ZVHT80N88 radiator had a massive hole put in it at highway speed by a conrete block on the road. broke the side radiator cooling tank. lost all coolant in probably a minute or two,. owner kept driving it. towed in. battery went dead from sitting. so no codes present. cu...	View
	1998 Jaguar XK8 4.0L Excessive Emissions VIN: SAJGX5240W This Jag is in pristine condition and it has low mileage, when the car has been running for a while (half an hour or so) the cabin gets a fuel odor. my first suspects were the fuel tank, the overfill drain hoses, the fuel/vapor separator (a round black plastic...	View
	2000 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.6L air suspension VIN: SALPV164YA vehicle came in with eas fault on dash and the front of vehicle all the way down to the ground. after inspection i found holes in front airbags. my question is thought before i put 2k worth of airbags on the front how can i check the system to see if it is ope...	View
	1997 Lincoln Mark VIII 4.6L Starter circuit VIN: 1LNLM91V4V I'm having a hard time duplicating the problem. I starts properly most of the time. When I checked at the starter relay socket it tested GOOD with the key switch in the START position. That lead me so suspect the starter motor considering the mileage. When I j...	View
	2001 Mercury Cougar 2.5L forward gears VIN: 1ZWFT61L81 This Cougar has no forward speeds, but reverse is fine. i have 4 parts to this question. #1 is it repairable in the car? #2, How do I remove the tranny ( remove sub frame, or drop entire engine/tranny ass,,and remove tranny), and is it possible to do in a gara...	View
	1999 Nissan Sentra XE 1.6L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3N1AB41DOX This car has been to 2 DIFF SHOPS. The client brought it to me because after daily use of about 30mins, the car begins to misfire and lose power. Hot Idle is perfect. But on acceleration is when it begins to missfire and lose power. All those parts were change... Trouble codes: P0300	View
	1990 Pontiac Trans Sport 3.1L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GMCU06D8L Vehical came in with a slight knock but performance was good. Replaced engine and trans from a doner vehical. Retained original harness and throttle body. SES light flashes all the time-flashes fast when first started then when it goes to closed loop flashes s...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0L 3-4 shift VIN: 3VWSA29M3Y We got this 2000 Jetta 2.0, takes off and shifts great in every gear except 3-4. It flares then goes into 4th. After its in 4th, it drives great(no slipping)the flare seems to be a little longer when hot, the converter is functioning fine also. The computer h...	View
	2002 Volvo S80 T6 2.9L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Cuts out, Stall VIN: YV1TS91D92 To all Techs, The engine tends to stall easily due to a very lean air/fuel mixture. Fuel trim at idle exceed +25%. By injecting propane into intake,idle smooths out and fuel trim would drop all the way down toward 0%. However, cruise speed fuel trim is quite ...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1995 BMW 525i 2.5L No Start VIN: WBAHD6323S After extensive diagnostic pinout and back probe testing.traced cause to a defective crank sensor - hall effect, Found and known good wave pattern from aldata.teasted sensor spinning over and it was flatlined.Replaced sensor and all is fine now. NOTE if cran...	14
	2000 BMW 540i 4.4L MIL Lamp on, VIN: WBADN6341Y Well after a few hours of fooling with this thing.I tried unhooking the battery touch the cables together for 30 seconds with no result.I used 2 different scan tools to no avail.I finally unplugged the DME and retried scanning and now i can communicate with ev...	7
	2003 BMW X5 4.4i 4.4L steering vibration when hot VIN: 5UXFB33523 Thanks for the excellent feedback. Most replied suggesting that a caliper was hanging up or that the trust rod bushings were worn (foward or front contol arms) also hydraulic were worn. Some suggested a belt seperation that occurs warm. In the end it was a sti...	8
	1995 Buick Riviera 3.8L Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire VIN: 1G4GD22165 sorry it took me so long to reply guys, but the customer just came back yesterday. anyway, most of you agreed that it was probably a wiring connection at the bulkhead connector or the crank sensor harness. after carefully taking both of these apart i didnt see... Trouble codes: P1361 (ignition control malfunction), P1670 (quad driver4 malfunction).	19
	1995 Buick Roadmaster 5.7L cooling fans VIN: 1G4BN52P2S thank you every body, as the saying goes assume makes an ass u and me, I made an asumption that since they had changed everything else they would have checked or changed the rad cap. Kiss method rite. ryan [...] hit it rite on the head rad cap but every...	17
	1991 Chevrolet Corsica LT 3.1L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G1LT53T3M got this thing done and gone I checked the wires to the sensor for power and had the reference voltage then ohmed the wires to the computer and all looked good tryed a 3rd sensor still the same. so while running I (grasping at straws) staredt wiggleing the wir... Trouble codes: 15 (temp sensor open).	10
	1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 5.7L Differential VIN: 2G1FP22PXV This one is fixed. First off I would like to Thank everyone who offered help to me on this one. I did double check the u-joints and they felt tight and smooth throughout the motion so I ruled them out. What I did do to make sure I was on the right path was ...	18
	2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4L Ignition Switch VIN: 3C4FY48B84 As per most of the responses, the only way to replace this "inexpensive" (sounds better than cheap) part, is to replace the entire column for over $1000. Some recommended an automotive recycling yard. Others recommended only a new column, as Chrysler has sup...	9
	2005 Chrysler Town & Country Limited 3.8L Misfire VIN: 2C4GP64L05 This T&C is FIXED! Thank you all, great stuff! Replaced #3 Injector. NOTE: #3 injector was leaking intermittently. While we had the injector rail off we cranked engine over, #3 injector continued to leak 3 times out of 5. Initially fuel pressure and press... Trouble codes: P0303 (p0300-), P0300 (testing and results).	17
	1999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire, exhaust smoke VIN: 2B3HD46R8X Well, unfortunately, I've come to the end of the line on this car. The customer is out of time and money and can't spend any more at this time. I believe I have a PCM at fault here, but the process of elimination is expensive and not great for our reputation...	15
	2001 Dodge Durango SLT 4.7L Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1B4HS28N11 I FOUND POWER STEERING FLUID IN WIREING HARNESS. I DICONNECTED HARNNESS FROM COMPUTER AND ALL THE SENSOR CONNECTED ANS LET IT DRAIN FOR 3 DAYS I CLEANED ALL ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS WITH ELECTRIC CONTACT CLEANER AND REPLACE BOTH OXYGEN SENSORD AND POWER STEERING ... Trouble codes: P0171.	4
	1993 Ford Taurus SHO 3.2L Hesitation, overheating catalyst VIN: 1FALP54P5P Hello Friendly of IATN, thanks for its answers. The problem was the ignition module, to after market, again was replaced by one of dealer. The motor I am perfect. Greetings Juan	4
	2000 Jaguar Vanden Plas 4.0L Reprogram ECU VIN: SAJDA24C8Y HALLO. AND THANKS EVERYONE WHO TOOK TIME TO REPLY. AFTER I WAS FINISHED WITH REPROGRAMING ,I OPEN THE TRUNK TO FIND LABEL NO LUCK . LABEL IS GONE. SO I WAS PREATY SAD . NEXT DAY WE HAVE JAGUAR XK8 CABRIO , NEEDS REPROGRAMING , SO DID SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN ...	5
	1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L ignition switch VIN: 1J4GZ58SXS Thanks to everyone that replied. Took drivers door lock out and had new key made. Every thing works find now. Thanks	4
	1998 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.6L eas VIN: SALPV1440W This is kind of a fix. Since there is no Land Rover dealership on Kauai to reprogram a new body module, the customer decided to replace the EAS with springs and shocks, which will be completed next week. Thanks to those who replied, your input helped the custo...	2
	1999 Mazda 626 LX 2.5L No Start VIN: 1YVGF2205X Thanks for the replies but they were not needed. Due to my head not being attached I missed voltage dropping a wire.Credit goes to my service manager who was working with me to fix this and double checked me. Problem was a broken wire to the fuel pump relay.I ... Trouble codes: P1409.	4
	2004 Mazda Tribute ES 3.0L fuel gauge, temp, tach, speedo VIN: 4F2CZ961X4 Fix was chasiss ground, multi wire when harness was pulled on had voltage drop to body. inpsected problem in crimp, repaired.	3
	1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D 3.0L Cruise Control VIN: WDBAB33A4D Problem was the cruise control amplifier (the control box). Got a used box on eBay for 60 bucks, put it in and cruise works flawlessly. I did try lubing the throttle linkage as a few techs suggested. It didn't help my problem but it is good maintenance anyway...	15
	2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R 2.5L no power VIN: 3N1AB51D52 Sorry took so long... I had replaced the computer and towed it to the Dealer to have it reprogramed. I had checked the APP sensors with my dvm. The power supply for sensor #1 was good with 5 volts but the power supply for sensor #2 was only 1.21 volts. It was ... Trouble codes: P2138 (wrong app sensor rationality signal), P0300 (random cylinder misfire), P0420 (cat efficiency low bank 1).	6
	2006 Saturn Ion-3 2.2L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G8AW15F46 I took the advice offered and switched the #4 injector with one from another cylinder.After doing this the miss went away and the scanner showed no misfires on any cylinders.There must have been a slight vacuum leak around the injector or possibly some debris... Trouble codes: P0300.	7
	1995 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L No Start VIN: 3VWRC81HSM Thank you for all the replies A lot of great information on all the advices. We try replace coil, another distributor, realign timing belt still not help out. Adjust distributor seems [...] be get better, so we let customer pick up vehicle. He just call me three... Trouble codes: 00515 (camshaft sensor short [...] ground).	10
	2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8L pistons, rod bearings & bolts VIN: 3VWSE69M55 Hello Group, Thanks to all that replied. From the information I gathered the piston, connecting rod damage rate of these engines when the timing belt breaks is close to 20%. Most of the time guys are just knocking off the burrs left on the crowns and repairing...	10
	2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: WVWEK73C46 thanks to all who replied (except andrew , who doubles as my golf partner) 4 were dead on target but a special thanks to adam from colorado for the test procedure to verify as at this shop we dont shoot anything without being able to prove it out. we plugged t... Trouble codes: P0171.	7
	1999 Volvo S80 2.9 2.9L shift solnoid VIN: YV1TS97D5X valve body was bad had a stuck plunger. got a good used unit and replaced! thank for everybody's help	3

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