Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Dec 15, 2010

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	Help Request	Answers
	1965 American Motors Ambassador 5.4L booster Here's one for the veteran techs, this Ambassador came in with no power brake assist and very hard pedal. I put 3 different boosters(2 different brands)with new check valves on the car to no avail. It seems to have assist until throttle is lifted, but of cours...	View
	2000 BMW X5 4.4i 4.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: WBAFB3347Y Hi there so i have this code 033,function camshaft control bank 1, so i have replaced the vanos system on b1, aligned the timing components cleaned all the oil passages, test for voltage at the solenoids, voltage is 13.4v on all wire to both solenoids, i have ... Trouble codes: 033 (function camshaft control inlet bank 1)	View
	2000 BMW 323i 2.5L heat VIN: WBAAM334XY Vehicle has no hot air at panel vents when heat is selected, hot air ok when defrost or below panel is selected. When dash panels are selected we have cold air, and sometimes we hear a flapping noise. We suspect some type of blend door actuator problem but hav...	View
	1995 Chevrolet Lumina LS 3.1L vats module VIN: 2G1WL52M0S Hey guys, thanks in advance for any help you can give in advance. One of my techs has a Lumina with VATS anti theft. He has diagnosed a failed VATS module, and is too cheap to buy a replacement. Is there any way to totally bypass the VATS system fuel disable c...	View
	2001 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L Rear of engine VIN: 1GNEC13T51 This car has a major oil leak. At idle there is just a very slight leak but when it drives on the road it becomes a major oil leak. The leak looks to be coming from the passanger side on the rear of the engine. Intake valley is dry. We used a gm tool to put in...	View
	2003 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1L No Start VIN: 1G1NE52J43 Vehicle came in as a no start.Checked fuel pressure and spark,working fine.If I spray carb cleaner into throttle body would run until I stopped carb enrichment.While running scanner showed cam & crank sensor input.I had the tech remove right underpanel and sma...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Impala 3.8L heater fan VIN: 2G1WH52K04 the heater fan speed changes up and down for no reason.it never stops completely.i tried an ign. switch and eliminated the command start to no avail.checked all wiring for hot spots and found none.has no codes.as stated this is not an auto temp. system.anyone ...	View
	2005 Chevrolet Equinox LT 3.4L Goes hot at idle VIN: 2CNOL73F85 This Equinox will run ok until it sits at idle. After a few minutes the temp guage will start to climb to over 3/4 then we notice the heat starts to die down. The upper and lower hoses start to get cooler. When you rev it up to about 2000 rpm the guage drops r...	View
	2007 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT 6.7L Chargind Low At Idle Then Will Charge Normal VIN: 3D7KS28A87 When at idle truck charges at 14.3 then drops to 12.4 and then starts charging again	View
	1996 Ford F-150 XL 5.0L Wont set monitors VIN: 1FTEF15N1T Hi i have a 1996 ford f150 2wheel drive with a 5.0 auto.that came in for a saftey and emmissions test 3 weeks ago it faild for not having any monitors set, all 5 were not set. So now he is back in and has put ruffley 400 miles on the truck and still has no set...	View
	1998 Ford Expedition XLT 5.4L Suspension VIN: 1FMPU18L7W We have this Ford Expedition that the air pump is always cycling on and off every 30 seconds to 1 minute while driving. Sometimes when it's not moving the pump stays off, while other times it will cycle. The right rear suspension was two inches lower. Replaced...	View
	1999 Ford F-150 4.6L cruise VIN: 1FTRF18WXX i hate to ask for help but this one has me stumpped.99 f-150 with a inop cruise.i have replaced pressure switch,tried a servo,switches,brake light switch,pcm.Have checked everything with alldata pin point test,brake lights are good.Need someone out there to ki...	View
	1999 Ford F-150 XLT 5.4L heater VIN: 1FTRX18L0X Truck came in with no heat. We replaced thermostat water pump and flushed system. Check the operation of blend door and found to be operating. We are now getting great heat when it is set on "floor" but only get cold/luke warm air from defrost setting. Both he...	View
	2000 Ford F-150 4.6L Misfire VIN: 1FTRX17W8Y Hello everyone, I have this F150 that will only misfire cold-really cold. Temps have to be 30 degrees or less. If this truck sits overnight, it will run rough for maybe 5 minutes or less. Sometimes it will set a light, most often it won't. Mode 6 shows that al... Trouble codes: P0354, P0356, P0355	View
	2000 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L No Start VIN: 1FMZU73E2Y Vehicle brought in for intermittent no start condition. have determined that when the problem occurs, the fuel pressure drops to 0 and voltage to pump drops to 8.5 volts. If I stop cranking and immediatly cycle the key, fuel pressure returns and works fine. No...	View
	2001 Ford Expedition XLT 5.4L Mechanical VIN: 1FMPU16L11 I have a relatively simple question, hopefully. This came in with no 2nd gear, all other gears fine, trans was regularly serviced and in otherwise great condition. We tore down the 4R100 trans and replaced the intermdiate one-way clutch on the front of the dir...	View
	2002 Ford Explorer Limited 4.0L Starting VIN: 1FMZU73K62 Hey all. Customer had this truck towed to our shop. His wipers would not shut off so he got out under the hood and messed with the various relays in the power fuse block. He says after that the vehicle would not start but I can't trust that information. Anyway...	View
	2003 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L data display VIN: 1FMFU7L53L Hello Ford technicians. I have converted this expedition from air struts to traditional coil springs. I have an air suspension service message on the dash that only comes on after driving it 10 mies or so. It has the compressor and solonoids still installed. I...	View
	2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1FMZU63KX3 Vehicle is driven a few miles and then at idle (mainly when in gear) idle cuts out for a fraction of a second and thenreturns to normal. sharp drop in rpms(200 - 400rpms ussually, sometimes it will stall). fuel trim indicates it is not running lean. checked cr...	View
	2005 Ford Focus ZX5 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3FAFP37NX5 This car came in with a P0403 stored in the computer. EGR has power and ground going to it, and even works with a bench test. None of our Scan Tools have PIDs with EGR information or tests. Once the code is cleared it comes back almost instantly. Any ideas wou... Trouble codes: P0403 (Egr malfunction)	View
	2005 Ford Ranger Edge 4.0L drive train VIN: 1FTZR45E65 When driving in four wheel drive on the road, the truck sounds like its shifting in and out of four wheel drive .On acceleration its worse. Replace shift motor didn't help.It sounds like a klunking noice coming from the drive train.When running on houist it do...	View
	2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 6.0L Fuse 24 Blows VIN: 1FTSX21P25 Hi there everyone and thanks in advance for the help. This Super Duty is blowing fuse 24 for the tow/haul switch, blower relay, temperature blend door actuator and the mode selection switch. I have checked the harness to the tow haul switch closely on the colu...	View
	1995 Honda Accord EX 2.7L No Start VIN: 1HGCE66695 help!!! I have very long crank time on this car,30-60sec,once its started itwill bog down if you give it any gas, for the first few sec,then will run great until it cools off again,checked iAtn for any others who may have had same problem. no luck. help!!! I h...	View
	2002 Honda Civic EX 1.7L timing belt tensioner VIN: 2HGES258X2 having trouble getting the timimg belt tensioner to tighten. it will tighten up and then when you rotate crank belt will loosen up.original tensioner and new tensioner do the same thing.any ideas or is the normal	View
	2008 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L Cuts out VIN: 5FNRL38658 Hello Techs, I have this Honda Odyssey that came in for service and he has a complaint that at around 25 mph the vehicle hesitates a little. I test drove and did confirm the hesitation, it felt more of like a chatter or a flutter for a few seconds after it shi... Trouble codes: P3400 (valve pause system stuck off)	View
	1997 Jaguar XK8 4.0L No Start VIN: SAJGX5749V Hi I have a 97 Jag that will not start and the dash says engine fault it will crank no problem the computer is not grounding the relay for the ignition module an it is not grounding the fuel injectors tryed a crank speed sensor and checked all 12v+ to the ecm ...	View
	2003 Land Rover Discovery SE 4.6L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: SALTW16453 Good day. I am opening this post for this specific vehicle but am having the same trouble with two or three more Discos. The probelm is that they will set a check engine light and run rough at idle. When you scan the codes, roughly the same codes come up every...	View
	1998 Lexus GS400 4.0L No Start VIN: JT8BH68X1W Vehicle was towed in with dead battery.Attempted to start with jump box and vehicle would start but die.It seemed like anti- theft problem.Hooked 3 different scanners{launch-genisis-and code reader}and could not comm.w/pcm however could talk to other modules.W...	View
	2002 Lincoln Continental 4.6L Engine VIN: 1LNHM97V12 Thanks for taking the time to read this request. This Continental was brought to me after it had been to another shop. The other shop said that 1 bank was low on compression. Customer brought it to my shop for second opinion. I found no codes present and engin...	View
	2004 Lincoln Town Car Executive L 4.6L right air spring(bag) Came in with right rear end sagging a little by 2 inches. I checked for codes and none were found. Deflated both the air springs, and the pump inflated both of them up to the same height as before, right side sits 2 inches lower. I sprayed the bag with a foamy...	View
	2002 Mazda Protege5 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: JM1BJ24652 Car came in a while back with p0172, I found a bad vacuum hose to Fuel pressure regulator, so I changed it and sent her on her way, She came back with same code next day. I have tested and found no fault with the following- Fuel pressure,o2 sensor (upstream),C... Trouble codes: P0172	View
	2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 3.5L No Start VIN: 4JGBB86EX6 Hello, I have an unusual problem. Vehicle has extended cranking during first automatic key cycle if vehicle has sat for 30 minutes or longer. Cycle key second time and it fires right up. Intermittently it will start at the end of the first key cycle, when it d...	View
	2003 Mitsubishi Galant ES 2.4L timing VIN: 4A3AA46G63 This car got towed in for a crank no start.Diagnoised bad crank sensor.When I pulled the timing cover off to remove the timing belt I noticed the balance shaft belt had broke and taken out the trigger wheel.I made sure the cam and crank timing marks were still...	View
	2005 Nissan Frontier Nismo Off-Road 4.0L No Start VIN: 1N6AD07W55 this one has me scratching my head...customer states was driving down the road all of a sudden the tach jumped up and went back down and since then it hasnt run at all i scanned it there was a crank sensor code i replaced it. the old one was hit on the tip pre...	View
	1990 Saab 900 Turbo 2.0L Excessive Emissions, Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: YS3AL35L2C As you can see from the information I have listed with this help request the Fuel Injection Control Unit is loaded with codes. I have taken each code and tested each respective sensor and acutuator (All tested good except the Mass Air Flow sensor which I have ... Trouble codes: 12231 (No rpm signal at computer), 12213 (Full throttle contact shorted), 12222 (AIC idle valve fault), 12223 (Air Fuel Ration too lean), 12112 (O2 sensor problem)	View
	2002 Subaru Forester S 2.5L manual shift VIN: JF1SF656X2 trailered car to shop. seemed to be stuck in gear. in neutral car would move forward as if in 1st gear. we got to the shop & were able to drive into shop but no longer seemed to be stuck in gear. this has not happened again since. due to cold weather, we decid...	View
	2006 Subaru Forester XT Limited 2.5L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: JF1SG69666 Hello to all. I have this turbo Forester that is giving us a fit. Last week we had a no start on it. We tested and got power and ground at the fuel pump. Replaced fuel pump and it ran great for a week. Now it came in with a hard start and lack of power. Code P... Trouble codes: P2102 (Throttle actuator a control mtr circ low)	View
	2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 2.5L Intermittent P0720 VIN: 3VWSF71K76 I thank anyone in advance who will take the time to read this post and offer any suggestions. This 2006 VW Jetta sets a code P0720 (factory 17104) and P0721 (factory code 17105)- Vehicle speed sensor circuit range/performance codes. Doing research, I don't see... Trouble codes: P0720 (Output Speed Sensor Circuit), P0721 (Output Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance)	View
	1998 Volvo V70 GLT 2.4L Headlight VIN: YV1LW5648W Both this and my daughter's S70 each have a headlight whose lowbeam is aimed high and won't adjust down. The adjust & corresponding shaft turn but something is disconnected/broken inside. Vadis shows a separate adjuster device inside but it's not available. Is...	View
	2000 Volvo S80 2.9 2.9L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: YV1TS94D6Y Hello fellow Euro technicians. I've got this Volvo that has been in our possession for the past week. The owner is getting very impatient (and bitchy). The complaint is of intermittent power loss and rough idle. It's acted up ONCE on us, for about thirty secon...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1991 BMW 325i 2.5L Poor Idle Quality VIN: WBAAD231XM After trying all the checks given to me by the members, I concluded that the problem is in the ECM. The car acted a little better when I switched IAC valves but it still searches for an idle when you first start it cold. It fluxuates between 800 and 1200 for a...	11
	1988 Cadillac Allante 4.1L Hesitation, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1G6VR3172H well guys this one is fixed,I would like to thank ERIC from Michigan for seending me down the right road,but special thanks go out to RON from CALIFORNA who hit the nail on the head.It end up being some bad injectors. after removing all the injectors and check... Trouble codes: 44 (richt o2 lean), 67 (faulty cruise control), 64 (too much accelration with cruise on).	13
	1990 Cadillac DeVille 4.5L Hesitation, Misfire VIN: 1G6CD5331L Hi everyone thanks for the help after replacing the egr valve the car ran better but I think one of the injectors is failing the customer does not want to fix it at this time. Thanks again.	15
	2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LS 6.6L Glow Plugs VIN: 1GCHK23163 Thanks to all who responded. Turns out that once I fixed the glow plugs and the wiring harness the unit starts. It still starts hard and I am confident that there are two bad injectors. Waiting on the customer to decide if he wants to fix or pedal. Thank you a...	4
	2005 Chevrolet Epica LT 2.5L Stall VIN: KL1VP59L1S Replaced the throttle body with the updated part, has been 2 weeks or so now and no issues. Thanks for all the help Trouble codes: P2101.	7
	2006 Chevrolet Impala LS 3.5L reduced power VIN: 2G1WB55K76 First the fix- throttle body assembly. I got a new t-body and just plugged it in without installing it to see if it would flutter back and forth too. It didn't, nice and smooth open and closed. So I installed it. I'm not sure why a bad unit would cause th... Trouble codes: P2135, P0121.	9
	2007 Chevrolet Equinox LS 3.4L Reduced power VIN: 2LNDL13F77 a lot of replies pointing to replacement of throttle body...customer not wanting to roll the dice on a $400 part not knowing for sure...like i said it was intermittant problem with not any clues except the dtc's... THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME... Trouble codes: P2135 (App), P0121 (Tp).	10
	2009 Chevrolet Equinox LT 3.4L signal switch VIN: 2CND133F79 Thanks to everyone that read and/or replied to my help request. Thanks to David for reminding me how to remove the signal switch [ I was away from my shop, visiting my daughter,-her vehicle ]. I did remove and inspect the switch,saw no physical damage,so I lub...	7
	2006 Chrysler Town & Country Touring 3.8L Blinking ABS light VIN: 2A4GP54L66 Thanks to everyone for their help. This van was sent to dealer for programing and is done. Thanks again and to all have a great holliday.	10
	2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Van 3.9L Cuts out VIN: 2B7HB11X8Y OK all sory it took so long to close. After a week of trying to figure out what was wrong and trying many of you ideas I had to give up (I really hate to do that). So I refered them to a electrical speciality shop. So thanks for all the input but had to send t...	11
	2004 Dodge Durango SLT 5.7L Cuts out VIN: 1D4HB48D24 road test when it was doing the problem and found egr tube to egr bolt was missing replace gasket and 1 bolt road test no problem fix thanks guys Trouble codes: P1618 (Sensor reference voltage 1 circuit erratic).	5
	1992 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0L Suspension VIN: 1FMCU24X8N I got a set of chassis ears and set them up to listen on both knuckles, both ibeam mounts and both radius arm mounts, heard the cluck the loudest at the radius arms. Checked out the brackets and the previous tech had cut out the rivets and replaced them with b...	16
	2001 Ford Escape XLS 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FMYU041X1 Well, I'm calling this fixed but I won't be positive until that light stays off for an extended period. I got the vehicle back after the customer had driven it for 2 weeks and the check engine light ewas not on. There was a pending code P1151 and also the OBDI... Trouble codes: P1151 (HO2S B2S1 switchpoint indicates lean condition).	12
	2007 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL 6.0L Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1FTSW21P57 OK ALLEN FROM CAL.WAS RIGHT ON,ENGINE HAD EXTREME BLOW BY,SMOKED LIKE TRAIN FROM DIPSTICK TUBE,CUST.TRADING TRUCK.THANKS FOR THE HELP.EDDIE	4
	2001 Honda CR-V EX 2.0L Cylinder Head VIN: JHLRD17651 Thanks to all who provided input on the repair for this Honda CR-V. As many had suggested the problem was with the cylinder head itself; we replaced the cylinder head with a rebuilt head which happened to be an improved design from Honda that had been recondi...	13
	2007 Honda Odyssey LX 3.5L Hvac VIN: 5FNRL38777 Sorry for the delay, was hoping customer would stop back and tell us what the dealer found. Just wanted to tell everyone that we did try a new thermostat and vacuum filled the cooling system with no change in temp. readings. Also tried bleeding system at hea...	10
	2008 Honda Element LX 2.4L tpms VIN: 5J6YH28708 customer took vehicle because he was going on a trip. i kept the old sensors. when the customer returns, i will check to see if i have the correct ones installed since i found out through your help that there are 4 differant sensors used on hondas. hopefully i...	7
	2006 Hyundai Sonata GL 2.4L Radio/Rear Defrost VIN: 5NPEV46F36 Thanks for all the help, I recomended replacing the rear glass. The customer said she would just live with this issue, given the cost of the glass and it being the holidays. I did check all the grounds and voltage everything checked ok.	10
	2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS 3.3L Hesitation, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 5NPEU46FU6 it was the third cat on the car and it is running great now. i hope this helps out someone else Trouble codes: P0300.	12
	1997 Infiniti Q45 4.1L Power Steering VIN: JNKBY31D0V Thanks to everyone that replied. The fix was a bad power steering reservoir even know that we cleaned it 1st it still did not have enough flow to the pump which was causing the fluid to aerate.	8
	2006 Isuzu NQR 5.2L Starting VIN: JALE51B163 thank you for all your help it was the ignition switch	3
	1997 Jaguar XJ6 4.0L passenger seat VIN: SAJPX1146V Thank you, Ken from Cali, for getting me pointed in the right direction. You responded to my post within 15 minute of me posting it. He talked about the switches of certain componets on Jags keeping the curcuit "alive" and causing draws. I walked over to the p...	4
	2002 Lexus RX300 3.0L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: JTJHF10U80 Could not feel any misfire or air leaks and compression test ok. Checked valve clearance, exhaust valves on cylinder 2 & 4 closed to 0.005 adjusted and mil light not on and misfire count 0%. Trouble codes: P0302 (Cylinder misfire no2), P0304 (Cylinder misfire no4).	9
	2002 Mazda MPV LS 3.0L heat VIN: JM3LW28A32 sorry for the wait,there wer 2 problems the head gaskets were leaking and the aftermarket thermostat is made wrong, back side of thermostat for heater was to small forcing a sticking open problem.	6
	1989 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 3.0L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: WDBCA2505K sorry for the delay i wanted the cust to drive the car for a few days...i replaced the ignition coil and all seems well...thanks everyone for your help hope i can return the favor.	15
	1995 Oldsmobile 88 Royale 3.8L Intake plenum VIN: 1G3HN52K1S Alright here's the deal: I made a huge mistake last time I did this manifold and did not install the tube insert. The only reason I can think of for not doing this is while reading the directions today it reads to remove the original insert and install the n...	13
	1980 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II 6.7L Purges out coolant VIN: 0000SRK394 Hi everyone and thanks for the help on this one. The mechanism(steam valve) to hold and release pressure is in the header tank above the radiator and is under the round plate that has several small bolts in it. Rather than try to repair this part, I opted to...	9
	2004 Volkswagen Touareg V6 3.2L Stall VIN: WVGBC67L74 Well this truck has two fuel pumps? Why poss because of the split sumps in the fuel tank. The pump in the right side comes on as you first turn the key to pressure up the system then the left pump runs to keep engine running, the other pump will now only come ...	10

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