Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Oct 8, 2010

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	Help Request	Answers
	2002 Acura RSX 2.0L Heater air Mix door VIN: JH4DC54862 hello we have this Acura rsx here. customer complains about no heat. the customer replaced the air mix door motor and did a coolant flush trying to solve this issue.. the motors moves without binding. when the knob is turned all the way to max heat it seems li...	View
	2005 Audi A6 Quattro 3.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: WAUDT74F25 Hi Fellows, Car came in because of this above 2 DTCs. 1.Check fuel pressure and found the one at outlet from rail back to tank is low than normal(specs. 6bar). Pressure at rail OK specs. 25bar. But when hook up mechanical pressure tester at rail outlet. It fi... Trouble codes: P2543 (Low fuel pressure sensor circuit intermittent), P2006 (Intake manifold runner control Bank 1 stuck closed)	View
	2007 Audi Q7 4.2L rear backup camera VIN: WA1AV74L27 customer had factory backup camera installed but they couldnt get the mmi display to work with camera and said they woulndt code it or cant. Coding process that came with the camera is very unclear. Car has no parking aid. Any help would be great	View
	2006 BMW X5 4.4i 4.4L headlights VIN: 5UXFB53556 The headlights are both intermittently not working. It has the duel xenon bulb system. The left bulb stops working more often, so I have been focusing on it. The module is getting power and ground. When it is working the red, green and yellow wires have +350,...	View
	1998 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G4CW52K4W Thanks in advance guys, I'm an import guy, GM's are new to me. It was towed in, no start. Codes P0172 Bank 1 rich and P0300 Random misfire. The front bank was fuel fouled. After drying off and adding oil it started. Now has a misfire on #3 all the time and int... Trouble codes: P0172, P0300	View
	2004 Buick Park Avenue Ultra 3.8L 2-1 coast down shift VIN: 1G4CU54164 The 2-1 coast down shift is brutal in the morning, seems to get better when tranny temp is above 160f. Scan with Tech 2 no codes all sensors within specs. In the last 3 mph of coast down the EPC amperage drops to .12 and pressure increases to 190-210 psi and 2...	View
	1992 Cadillac DeVille 4.9L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall, Misfire, MIL Lamp on Hope one of you upstanding Technicians out there can help me out with this turd. Customer request tune up.Plugs and wires not original (car quest) have been replaced before. they're not new by any means, however i sprayed with H2O and no difference while runni... Trouble codes: 47 (BCM-ECM Data Problem)	View
	1998 Chevrolet Astro 4.3L Mechanical VIN: 1GBDM19W6W hi evry one, my problem is that hot the engine starts making a timing knocking noise or ( pinging)only under ligh loud and havy loud when is cold it does not, has good fuel pressure, fuel trims under loud and light loud are at zero, knock sensor nwas replace, ...	View
	2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.6L fuel gauge VIN: 1GCHK232X5 The fuel gauge works sometimes, before the sending unit was put in gauge never worked. Now the gauge will work only sometimes, and only with key cycles.	View
	2005 Chevrolet Express 2500 4.8L oil pressure VIN: 1GCGG25V65 Hello, I am hoping someone who works on a lot of GM trucks might read this. Maybe a fleet or GM heavy line tech. This van has a 4.8 and I have seen a few 5.3s with the same issue. This is a one owner van that has had oil changes done on time since new and does...	View
	2008 Chevrolet Express 1500 4.3L Vent VIN: 1GCFG15X78 Driver for dry cleaners has complained about shift issues. Fluid leaking from vent tube hose attached to cross-member. Added 1 quart of transmission fluid. No TSB, just one that keeps popping up for a 4T65E FWD transmission for leak from vent tube. I couldn't...	View
	1986 Dodge Aries 2.5L High idle VIN: 1B3BD46KXG Very high idle,no vacuum leaks,oil consumption do.and,low compression in two cylinders,retarding timing 5 degrees will lower idle but still high,any solutions	View
	2002 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L engine VIN: 3B7MF33C12 Hi, folks. This is a very good customer. This Cummins has an engine oil leak from the power steering pump drive area. The frustrating thing is, it's only bad enough to make a mess noted on every oil service. I wash it down, drive 20 miles...no leak showing. Re...	View
	2004 Dodge Sprinter 2500 2.7L Ecm VIN: WD2PD744X4 Truck came in originally on a hook, driver shut off and had nothing when key was turned to the crank position. Found ECM relay in center position of fuse block on colum inop. Put a new relay in and it fired right up. Same thing happened again a few days late...	View
	2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L oil light VIN: 1D4GP24R15 Hello All, I have a 05 grand caravan here that the oil light will come on when started and stay on. This is random but did happen to mme this morning. Check ground at oil switch and I do loose it when van is running. Mitchel says wire goes to computer but sca...	View
	1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo 2.3L Electrical VIN: 1FABP64T6J Help!!! ford techs. I have this thunderbird turbo coupe that has 1/2 amp draw. I have pulled every fuse+circuit breaker from the fuse box,un hooked the ignition switch and alternator. There is a green colored fusable link at the starter solenoid that when i ta...	View
	1997 Ford F Super Duty 7.3L Stall VIN: 1FTJW36F9V I'll try to not confuse you more then we already are but, this truck came in last week running on six cylinders, my technician found the wire harness melted at the drivers valve cover gasket at the rear of the cover. We replaced the connector, the valve cover ... Trouble codes: P1280 (Intergrated control panel circuit low range)	View
	1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L abs VIN: 1FMZU34E4W Replaced rear pads and rotors. Can bleed back brakes. No fluid movement at all on fronts. Real spungy pedal. Benn bleeding for hours. Snap on scanner can not activate abs bleed. At a loss. How can I gett this system b led. Any help would be appriciated. Thanks...	View
	2003 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT 6.0L no communication VIN: 1FTSW31P23 I don't think the communication issue is related to the running complaint, but need to see what is going on to properly diagnose. We suspect a bad injector due to black smoke and that engine hydro-locked at one point. Oil is slightly overfull but engine has no...	View
	2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL 6.0L No Start VIN: 1FTNX21P53 Hi,need some advice I have a no start my first question is when the manual says the ipc pressure needs to be at least 500psi is that steady, the reason I am asking is when I am cranking truck over my icp is going from 124 psi to 465 and sometimes it will jump ...	View
	2004 Ford Excursion Limited 6.0L Hesitation VIN: 1FMSU43P04 Engine lacks power when cold mainly - struggles to hit 2500rpm, runs much better when warmed up, but still hesitates on accel especially above 2000 rpm. Runs just like it is starving for fuel. Monitored several inputs - ficm voltage is 47.8 on accel. Fuel pres... Trouble codes: P0401	View
	2005 Ford Escape XLT 3.0L No Start VIN: 1FMYU03185 hi guys i have this ford escape came from a next shop .the truck would not start . they put a new ecm in so they want us to program . so we program no start no codes .no spark .has injector . so we said it need a next ecm . same problem . check crank .cam .dat...	View
	2007 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL 6.0L No Start VIN: 1FTSX21P97 Well this one has me stumped. We changed the oil and filter, drove it out of shop parked it and that was the last time it ran. it would crank and run with no throttle response and die. now it just cranks, fires up and dies. I hooked up the mastertech to it and... Trouble codes: P0231, P0261, P0264, P0267, P0270, P0273	View
	2003 GMC Yukon Denali 6.0L traction control VIN: 1GKEK63U73 please help. replaced rf wheel speed sensor and it ground off face of sensor, compared new sensor to old (original one) and the new sensor is longer. replaced the LH front sensor also but it was the same as the new sensor. the shorter (original) sensor for the...	View
	2003 GMC Sierra 3500 6.6L Shift VIN: 1GTJK331X3 Truck has 4th gear only, pressures electrical connectors ok	View
	1991 Honda Prelude Si 2.1L cooling fan VIN: JHMBA4234M The customer brought this honda with a overheating problem. I did confirm the issue and the car did get hot and with the thermogun I got about 225-230 degrees with no cooling fan operation what so ever. However, when I shut the car off the fans did come on for...	View
	2000 Honda Passport EX 3.2L Excessive Emissions VIN: 4S6CK58W7Y Runs great in open loop, once it goes into closed loop it starts loading up on one bank,then it jumps back to open loop and runs fine. tested 02s and looked good, checked temp and air sensors, looked good. Change to Denso plugs and runs better but still runs b... Trouble codes: P0151 (p0154-), P0154 (testing and results)	View
	2002 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L abs VIN: SAJEA53C42 I have a code C1175 - L/R wheel speed sensor circuit failure code. Replaced L/R speed sensor and still have abs light with same code. Did a resistance test to compare L/R to R/R from module connector and resistance readings are the same for L/R and R/R. I assu...	View
	1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.0L No Start VIN: 1J4GZ58S3R no start .spark present fuel pulse fuel press all ok comp slightly low 90-110 . replaced ckp sensor as per cust ,replaced cmp sensor no square wave pattern. still no square wave ,but spark &inj pulse present.spark is present at same time comp hits. any help on...	View
	2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.0L Starter VIN: 1J46W48SXY Vehicle is a no crank. Can jumper at relay and will start fine. Also will start if I probe yellow wire with test light to ground, in ignition switch harness, key in on position. Terminal 86 at starter relay is hot at all times and should be hot only in start p...	View
	2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7L heater core VIN: 1J4GW48N61 Customer just purchased this Grand Cherokee.They are complaining of a noise from passenger side of dash.The noise is coolant rushing through the heater core.If you pinch off a heater hose it goes away.It does not have a heater control valve.We put a restictor ...	View
	1993 Lexus LS400 4.0L Cuts out VIN: J78UF11E3P Hello we have a Lexus here that cuts out at 4000 rpm in any gear other than that it drives fine its like its hitting a rev limiter but it should not do that while driving I dont think the problem didnt seem to occur until the customer had the ecu rebuilt. any ...	View
	1992 Mercedes-Benz 300SD 3.4L Excessive Emissions VIN: WDBGB34E9N Running on #2 Diesel,vegetable oil system not enabled, gray smoke upon start and for about 5 minutes at idle or running. Complaint occured somewhat suddenly. Thought it was fuel but car is losing oil with no obvious leaks. Customer is asking for compression te...	View
	2002 Mercedes-Benz S430 4.3L EGS module VIN: WDB2200632 This is a W220, S280 which was not listed. This car came in with transmission in limb home mode. Customer informed that this happened after the replacement of a flat battery. Short test found no communication with ME-SFI module and EGS control module, Fault c...	View
	2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 3.5L headlights VIN: WDBWK56F97 Hi Friends I have this SLK that is refusing to be fixed, the problem comes and goes so often I'm having trouble getting an accurate diagnosis. The headlights and side marker lights both come and go for no apparent reason. When my headlights-low beams- don't w...	View
	2007 Nissan Sentra S 2.0L CVT transmission VIN: 3N1AB61E87 I have seen this car for a few years, and the problem is present only in winter, the transmission doesn't shift when is below 50 degrees, the vehicle needs to warm up to normal temperature to be able to drive normally. If you take it in cold, it will stay at 3...	View
	1998 Porsche Boxster 2.5L Surge VIN: WP0CA2989W One week after the previous repairs listed below, the car came back with a CEL, & idling warm at 1600 rpms. The engine will begin to surge once warmed up, dropping down to 800 rpm & then immediately return to 1600 rpm. I retrieved the codes listed below from ... Trouble codes: P0102 (MAF below lower limit), P0506 (IAC engine speed too low), P0197 (Oil temperature sensor short to gnd.)	View
	2000 Saab 9-5 SE 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: YS3ED55E8Y Customer states ABS, traction control, engine and park lights all come on. We tested alternator (new within 2 years and 13.8V 91A) and for fault codes (none). Has happened several times in last few weeks and lights will go out after driving or if you shut it ...	View
	1999 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5L transaxle VIN: 4S3BG6855X thanks in advance this car came in with customer saying that reverse had went a couple weeks prier and now car barely drives at all. I started car to put in shop it went 15 to 20 feet and locked up. now when you put in any gear it dies like its locked up in ge...	View
	1994 Toyota Pickup 2.4L Poor Idle Quality VIN: JT4RNVN13G We have this Toyota pickup that customer complained that it was dieing when coming to stop signs at times, we checked it out and the throttle plate was sticking you could pull back on the throttle plate and the idle would dye but if you didn't it would idle hi...	View
	1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 4.5L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: JT3HJ85J0V Thanx for any help on this one drives fine then has like an itermittent "hick up " like the egr is sticking so I am looking at the egr it has a vacume hose that comes from the egr modulator to the egr valve on the egr valve line it has another vacume line tha...	View
	2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L after run water pump VIN: WVWSE61J02 Hi group.02 vw 1.8T battery drain auxilary water pump(electric)will stay on at all times.thanks in advance,vehicle came from other shop for battery drain,found after run pump will stay on till battery dies.any ideas where to look for the controls(relays or mod...	View
	2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L Dash VIN: 3VWSP69M83 Hi, and thanks for looking. This is my wifes car, so I'm under some pressure. ;) I replaced the green o-ring in the turbo plumbing right off the engine, mounted with one 10mm nut Took it for a test drive and I can hear air in the cockpit under boost. Of cour...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2005 Audi A4 Quattro Cabriolet 3.0L Radio VIN: WAUDT48H35 Two replies that the bend of the cable at the trunk hinge is a problem, one that the unit in the trunk can fail. The antenna cable can be bought seperately from the dealer and overlayed on the wiring harness as a diagnostic or as a repair. On the back burner...	4
	1998 Buick Regal GS 3.8L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 2G4WF5211W Thanks for all who replied. Most of you were correct. It was the crank sensor. The car finally got to a point where it would not restart after it stalled and thats when I was able to get my Verus hooked up and found no rpm signal. Thanks again.	30
	1997 Cadillac Seville SLS 4.6L rack & pinion VIN: 1G6KS52Y5V well this is fixed and down the road. got 15 replies all agreed to change the rack and inspect steering shaft u-joints. i had check the u-joints prior to posting but forgot to mention in post. changed the rack bled system and aligned car drives and steers as i...	15
	2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT 6.0L yaw /accellerometer sensor VIN: 3GYEK63N12 Thanks to all, it was a short to ground, the yaw sensor rate wire, the BRN/WHT wire. Ran new wire rather than taking the whole dash out.	2
	1993 Chevrolet Lumina APV 3.8L Computer VIN: 1GNDU06L3R We had not checked the 2nd fuse box, found blown fuse, replaced and intergraters started working. Hired hand is blind!!! HaHa Thank you so much for your help.	5
	2003 Chevrolet Impala 3.4L front end VIN: 2G1WF52E53 Several people suggested it was a bad starter drive hitting the flywheel. That was the problem. Starter drive was sliding over into the flywheel when the vehicle turned right. Thanks to all.	20
	2003 Chevrolet Impala 3.4L engine VIN: 2G1WF52E83 Thanks everyone for the help. We finally got a good bcm and took to the dealer and reprogrammed. Cranks fine now.	13
	2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS 5.3L output shaft seals VIN: 3GNFK16Z03 The output shafts had minor corrosion at the sealing points, on both sides (pass side worse) and the bearing on the driver was just a little loose. I don't know if that was the trouble or not. My technician did not put any sealer around the outside of the se...	6
	2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.0L abs VIN: 1GCHC23114 Thanks so much guys, The truck is fixed, it took both wheel bearings. Luckily these came with sensors. A little pricey but worth it in the long run. We tried to change just one bearing at a time and it got a little better but not quite right. We also didn't ...	23
	2006 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3L No Start, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GNEC13Z56 After much testing of all the circuit I could test I found the ABS module had a short in it, Unhooked the ABS and I ordered and replace the PCM and programmed it, After all testing it was doing good and then we hooked the ABS module back up and after 3 days al... Trouble codes: P0606.	6
	2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 5.7L speed sensors VIN: 1D7HU18DX3 after trying to program a new keyfob, which we could not get to program. we went back to the arcives and found that the bcm is the instrument cluster on 00-05 modle rams, so we got a used one from the salvage yard, which was plug and play. this seems to have t...	5
	2004 Dodge Neon SE 2.0L Instrument Cluster VIN: 133ES26C54 I FOUND A PIN TO THE BUS LINE PUSHED OUT MAKING INTERMITTANT CONTACT BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ALSO FOUND A MISFIRE THAT COINSDED WITH THE CODE BEING SET.HAD A BAD IGNITION COIL BREAKING DOWN.NOT SURE WHICH FIXED IT. BUT, ALL IS WELL AND CUSTOMER IS HAPPY...	4
	2005 Dodge Durango Limited 5.7L cruise control VIN: 1D4HB58D15 thankyou for all the replies this had me going crazy nothing was making sense. after all test and nothing convincing, i rubbed the battery cables together to reset all the modules, and now the cruise is working fine. Its a mystery.	4
	1972 Fiat 500 .5L rear wheel bearing preload? VIN: XXX6071910 Thanks for the help. Dave from AZ, and Ken from CA were right. The spec. is tighten the nut such that the rotational torque does not exceed .36 ft-lbs. Al from CO gets the award for the most amusing answer with: "some common sense might work. Like some good ...	6
	1994 Ford Mustang 3.8L No Start, no communications VIN: 1FALP4046R NO FIX - OWNER IS LOOKING FOR USED ECM. I WILL REOPEN AND REPORT RESULTS AT SUCH TIME THIS HAPPENS. ALL FUSES, POWER, AND GROUND ASSOCIATED WITH THE ECM SEEM TO BE OK.	12
	2002 Ford Taurus SE 2-Valve 3.0L Mechanical VIN: 1FAFP53U52 I have not fixed this car but it has been fixed. I read the replies and prepared an estimate for the customer of what seemed like the three most likely outcomes, all of which required transaxle removal. The customer checked a couple tranny shops for a rebuil...	6
	2003 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2HKRL18603 First off, you guys that said replace the fuel cap were right. Replaced fuel cap and ran evap leak test through scanner and the test passed. I was looking for info on how the system function so I understand what the computer expects to see. Thanks Rusty for t... Trouble codes: P1456 (EVAP Control System Leakage).	7
	2004 Honda Pilot LX 3.5L 2nd to third shift VIN: 2HKYF185X4 Vehicle went to the dealer as I did not have a "known good pcm" in my toolbox. They installed a PCM. It has been fine for several weeks now. Customer had to pay for the repair. And yes we did charge diag time for our part. I have been cautious lately with tran...	9
	2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: KMHDN56DX6 hello everyone-as everyone answered the same as we thought. i think when the repair was made in 2008 with salvage parts as the car has no abs sensors on the other 3 wheels they thought no abs( the car was wrecked in rf). i think the wires were tucked inside th... Trouble codes: P0501.	8
	2003 Infiniti FX35 3.5L Abs VIN: JNRAS08W23 Thanks to all for ideas, esp Mike, Rodney, and Larong. It acts like there is no wheel speed signal to the ABS module from the front wheels, from looking at the CAN line route I think there is an open in the harness between the dash harness and the ABS module. ...	3
	1999 Jaguar XK8 4.0L all systems VIN: SAJGX2040X Most of my emails from members doubted that a complete shut down of the electrical system was possible. I tend to agree. The customer is a fella that drinks more than he should at times and It's more likely he got confused if the motor died while driving. The ...	14
	1999 Jaguar XJ8 4.0L right tail light VIN: SAJHD1041X Thanks to all that helped, we installed and new BCM and it corrected the problem. We disconnected the antitheft module as some had mentioned and still had the same light on and the wire to bulb that was on was wired directly to the BCM. So we replaced the BCM ...	10
	1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L 4 Wheel Drive VIN: IJ4GZ5852V HAD 2 DIFF. SIZE TIRES MATCHED ALL 4 UP PUT DRIVESHAFT BACK IN AND EVERY THING IS WORKING JUST FINE THANKS FOR THE HELP	7
	1999 Lexus ES300 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: JT8BF28G6X the power supply wire from the 20 amp fuse (underhood) to the AFRS heater relay was open. I repaired the power supply to the relay and now the voltage on both AFRS fluctuates between 4.9 and 2.6 volts when graphed on the vetronix. Trouble codes: P1155 (p1153-), P1153 (p1135-), P1135 (p0125-), P0125 (p0120-), P0120 (p0300-), P0300.	3
	2002 Mercedes-Benz C320 3.2L rear lights Thank you to those who offered help. We installed new module and all lights started working.Everything else seemed to be functioning normally but we took it to the dealer anyway to have it coded.Also, I compared new module with the one in the car.The new one h...	6
	2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 3.7L a/c compressor VIN: 4JGAB57EX4 Thank you Jose from Florida,I told the other shop that there was not a signal coming from the climate control switch and that the vehicle would have to go to the dealer.I did not know if it would need a reprogram after replacing.The dealer installed the new cl...	2
	2006 Mercedes-Benz R500 5.0L Starting VIN: 4JGCB75E66 im not sure what the people before me did to cause this problem but we have found out form a benz specialist in the area that the fuse box had to be reprogrammed. once they did that for me the light went away and the car ran fine. thank you all for your repli...	8
	2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 5.5L Mechanical VIN: WDDNG71X57 Thank you for everyone who responded. After further research, decided that valve covers have to be removed to inspect chain and sprockets( they are known to have issues on this engines), unfortunately the customer didn't want to proceed.	5
	2003 Oldsmobile Alero GL 2.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G3NK52F93 I have used the test procedures and ideas that everyone was nice enough to send me. Unfortunately I have not completely pinpointed the problem. All the testing and repairs that I have performed have helped, but I believe there is still a hidden problem in this...	8
	1997 Subaru Impreza Outback 2.2L Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire, MIL Lamp on, Miss= hvy-off idle. VIN: JF1GF4856V Hey guys, problem was fixed w/the simplest of things--a set of plugs & wires! The plugs & wires were already new from the last shop, however we all know the difference in new part quality! The 1st thing I repl was wires; the idle miss instantly was gone! It s... Trouble codes: P0301 (Cyl1 miss. random depending on test drive), P0302 (Cyl2 miss), P0303 (Cyl 3 miss), P0304 (Cyl4 miss), P1100 (Ign low volts once aftr 5th road test only.).	10
	2001 Volvo V70 2.4T 2.4L abs VIN: YV1SW58D01 Replaced ABS module with reman unit from BBM reman Awesome service!! and really cheap too!!. Less than $150.00 repaired, shipped both ways. Road tested and light never came back on. Time will tell but after 100 km's...	9

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