Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Mar 7, 2011

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	Help Request	Answers
	2003 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8L Temp gauge VIN: WAULC68E03 This is a bear. The customer came in complaining of no heat. We then replaced the timing belt, water pump, and the thermostat and housing. When the custmer left she had heat but the temp gauge would read cold. The temp gauge would at times come up to about 1/4...	View
	2004 Audi A8 Quattro L 4.2L Cooling Systems VIN: WAUML44E54 This car the fans stay on after the key is turned off i did find tsb for wire under buy the alt hits the alt but this car is good temp sensor is working ok i dont want to replace the fan mod unless i am sure it is about 900 hundred dollers thanks for the help	View
	1997 BMW Z3 Roadster 1.9L door locks VIN: 4USCH7328V I found a post in the archives with this exact same problem. Replacing the hood switch repaired it. The post said the only way to properly diagnose this system is to get the wiring diagram and a good volt/ohm meter and go to town. I have several good DVOM's. D...	View
	2002 BMW 325Ci 2.5L Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: WBABS33492 Car was towed in with a starts then dies problem.checked for codes and found 83 and 144.we replace the crank sensor with and oe sensor but still have the same problem. The car starts and runs longer now but it still sets code 83 and 144.mitchell does not seem ... Trouble codes: 83 (Crankshaft position sensor), 244	View
	1998 Cadillac DeVille d'Elegance 4.6L Accessories VIN: 1G6KE54Y9W Thanks in advance.Yhis caddy is killing me,will start then stall in 3 seconds,it had flashing airbag light,flashing boxes around prndl,and message stateing theft system ,vehicle may not start,i also have no communication with any module no radio,and just -- on...	View
	2001 Cadillac Seville STS 4.6L Ebcm VIN: 1G6KY54931 hey guys weve had this one come in before but had no codes stored current or history, lamp was off so we didnt have any direction on it. now we get codes in ABS module and in ESC module abs: c1287 steering rate sensor malf esc: co710, u1000 (steering pos sens...	View
	1998 Chevrolet C3500 Silverado 7.4L interior lights VIN: 1GCGC33J9W Thank's for looking. The truck's interior lights come on at random which drains the battery. I'm looking for the keyless entry modual and the interior light modual. I have found a little plastic black box above the gas pedal but it has 6 wires white, tan, oran...	View
	2001 Chevrolet Tracker 2.0L No Start VIN: 2CNBJ13C61 I have an intermittent(95% of the time) no start. While checking for spark, I will get an occasional spark on the coil I am checking. If I am very persistent, I can sometimes get it started and it runs great. The upper timing chain tensioner is noisy at times ...	View
	2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT 6.0L steering VIN: 1GCHC24K58 customer had this truck towed in, says it has loud pop when turning tight-either direction. does not do it often but after pops it will pull so badly he cannot drive it(scared him so bad, had it towed in 80 miles). turn a few times and it is ok. we have checke...	View
	2001 Dodge Caravan SE 3.3L All theHead lights turn on, fuel pump fuses blows VIN: 2B4GP44RX1 I have this 2001 Dodge caravan, 3.3 litre. I was driving on the highway and all of sudden my dash board lights started flashing and car stalled.Transmission will not shift from2nd gear to 3rd. I opened the hood and found all the battery fluid gushing out of th...	View
	2002 Dodge Durango Sport 4.7L rockers VIN: 1B4HS48N64 Hey techs, this durango belongs to a regular customer, she regularly has her oil changed etc. The vehicle came in with a pronounced missfire and the cel on. With all the tests I performed it boiled down to a rocker that had been pitched off it's lifter base an...	View
	2006 Dodge Charger 2.7L Steering Angle Sensor Chrysler Techs, this is a weird one, and there seems to be not a lot of info available for this system, and how it is supposed to work. It sets a code in the ABS C2205 (Internal Steering Control Module failure, and a C121a, SAS not initialized). In the Steerin...	View
	2009 Dodge Charger SE 3.5L Thermostat VIN: 2B3KA43V19 Hi Fellow trench people. 09 Dodge Charger, 3.5L. Engine never gets to temperature. Should be easy, put a thermostat in it. That's not too much fun!!! After removing the coolant resevoir and the rad hose from the stat housing there is a heater hose hooked to t...	View
	1987 Ford F-350 XL 7.5L Piston VIN: 1FDKF3715H This engine keeps eating #5 piston it has been replaced once after rebuild.i think i'm chasing a detonation problem but what concerns me is twice on the same cylinder piston has come apart. What my question is if anyone knows what the total advance for a gang ...	View
	1997 Ford F-250 XLT 5.8L Cylinder Heads VIN: 1FTHF26H5V Hey engine guys. I would like some advice. I am building a Windsor stroker for my tired old truck. So far I have a machined block and a fully balanced rotating assy (balancer to pressure plate). I need help with cylinder head selection. I have no plans of maki...	View
	1997 Ford F-150 XLT 4.6L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1FTDX18W8V hello fellow techs my husband is on his way home from florida and his truck has aquired a problem truck run fine while under load. but while deceling or at idle truck is popping back through the intake. is there a quick for for him to do on the road. any help...	View
	2000 Ford Expedition XLT 4.6L spark plug looking for tip on which tool would be best for tech to purchase to repair blown out or stripped sparkplug on 46 and 5.4s also tip on later triton tool to remove broken part of porcelin tip	View
	2005 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT 5.4L Fuel press. VIN: 1FTWF31545 So we got this as a tow in, another shop replaced fuel pump and filter from local Ford store still no start. So we replaced driver module and truck started for 10 seconds then stall w/no start?? After testing we had power and ground at pump connector when unpl...	View
	2006 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 6.0L No Start VIN: 1FTWW33P66 This 6.0 diesel was towed in for a no start. Not a diesel shop but know enough to be a little dangerous. ICP sensor reading showed oil pressure not high enough for fuel to be pushed out of injectors. Removed both valve covers and performed air pressure check a...	View
	1999 GMC cut away 5.7L Hesitation, Cuts out, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1GBJG31RXX The truck drives fine until at some point after it is warmed up...it can be 100 miles later on a trip, it loses power. Vin R Vortec 5.7 Engine was rebuilt by another shop due to a bad intake leak. This problem happened before the rebuild and after. They tol...	View
	2005 GMC C7500 Topkick C7H042 7.8L pto VIN: 1GDK7C1325 Hi I bought a used 2005 gmc 7500 rollback I am trying to install a high idle switch for the power take off. The truck has the 7.8 litre duramax engine with an allison auto trans.Would anyone have a wiring diagram or know how to hook one up? It does have a plug...	View
	2004 Hyundai Elantra GLS 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: KNHDN46D64 Please you huyndai guys. i have this one that keeps comming back with the above problems. Mitchell says to test the pressure sensor by test at the sensor for a 5 volt supply i have that then test ground i have that. it the says on sensor wire you shouls have 2... Trouble codes: P0453, P0455	View
	2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited 3.3L Oil Pressure very high 104 psi VIN: 5NPEU46F77 this car came in with an oil leak ...oil was omming from the filter housing ...it weas just pouing out so i replaced the o ring and retested it and no leak found so i shipped it ...well it ame back 2 days later with same problem so i heked pressure and found o...	View
	2008 Infiniti G35 X 3.5L Cuts out, Stall, Start/dies VIN: JNKBV61F38 Group, 2008 Infinity G35x, Starts momemtarily and stalls immediately. Does not run long enough to idle. Throttle accuators act upon startup then shut down. Can read and see pedal position sensors one and two acting. TPS have no movement on startup. Does not a... Trouble codes: P1233 (Electronic throttle accuation)	View
	2007 Kia Sorento LX 3.8L Alternator VIN: KWDJD73657 I searched IATN, Alldata and Mitchell to no avail. Battery and brake light stay on and alternator is inoperative. I need to know what voltages I should see at terminals 1 and 2 of the alternator connector. From the wiring diagram I would expect 12 volts at #2 ...	View
	2006 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.4L camera & glove box VIN: SALMF15416 Back up camera does not work most of the time- any ideas about how to troubleshoot or common failures... Glove box latch does not work, I have forced open the box and can see there is a problem with it. There must be a cable that runs from the push button rele...	View
	2003 Lexus GX470 4.7L Transfer case VIN: JTJBT20X63 After installing the used case and using the vehicle for two days it will now pop out of high range when coasting down hill for 15 to 20 seconds. It happens about 80 or 90 percent if the time. If a little pressure is applied to the selector lever to keep it in...	View
	2003 Lincoln Town Car Executive 4.6L No Start, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1LNHM81W03 car been to too many shops already. some did tune ups, other changed fuel pumps. customer complains about car cutting off when driving and won't start ( actually it starts for few seconds and cutsout asif the anti-theft system is activating but it's not). also...	View
	2002 Mercedes-Benz A160 1.6L 2-1 down shift harsh VIN: WDB1680332 I have a W168/ 2002/ A160 with a harsh 2-1 down shift along with harsh vibration in reverse and drive stationary, when cold. As the transmission warms up to operating temperature the shifts improve. Once moving the transmission shift is fine. There are no fau...	View
	2003 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: WDBRN40JX3 Hey guys, having some trouble with this little C class. vehicle cam in with po340, po341 codes for intake cam hall sensor. Checked connection and power and ground input to sensor and all was fine. replaced cam hall sensor which did not correct the problem, as ... Trouble codes: P0340, P0341	View
	2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 5.0L Misfire VIN: WDBUF70JX4 Looking for some help / advice. We have this 04 E500 with a misfire in cylinder 8. replaced spark plugs and wires. switched coil packs around. smoke checked intake. ok. found injector not working. replace #8 injector. checked fuel pressure. pressure was errati...	View
	1995 Mercury Villager GS 3.0L Cooling Systems VIN: 4M2DV11W1S help i have a villager overheating after replacing radiator and thermostat.i run vehicle starts overhaeting within minutes of starting vehicle hose on front of engine is hot while the hose going to back of water pump is cold wondering if water pump has failed....	View
	2007 Mitsubishi Galant ES 2.4L No Start VIN: 4A3AB36F87 Hauled in as a no start car cranks fine but will not start has code p0513 immobilizer unit ecm comm. error. Customer shut off went into work hasn't started sense. Shop Key says to clear codes and if p0513 comes back replace pcm. Has anyone run into this before... Trouble codes: P0513 (Immobilizer unit Ecm comm. error)	View
	2007 Nissan Frontier SE 4.0L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1N6AD07W97 This Nissan runs lousy. It has a real loss of power and random misfire. It feels like a cat is clogged or low fuel pressure. What has me really concerned is a high speed rattling sound that you can feel in the intake manifold at about 2500 rpm. The noise sound... Trouble codes: P0300 (Random missfire)	View
	1990 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 3.8L 1-2 shift -no overdrive VIN: 1G3HY54C0L Hi everyone, thanks in advance for any help. Got this older car in, has lower miles on it, owner wants to keep for his daughter to drive. Had no 3-4 shift, 1st 2nd 3rd @ tcc lockup worked good, scanner showed 4th gear shift, so i new trans was trying to make s...	View
	2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager 3.0L Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out VIN: 2B4GP2530Y The idle is high (1200)RPM, as soon as you try to accelerate it starts backfiring in the intake. The compression is good and even across the board, MAP reads good and TPS sweep is clean, haven't scoped the cam or Crank sensors yet but will go there next. Vehic...	View
	1995 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0L Cuts out, on down shift VIN: 4T1GB10E7S All right everyone, this one has me puzzled. car runs great now that i have the t-belt straightened out. The problem that it has is on a down shift to 2nd gear for passing. When it shifts to 2nd and the rpms hit about 4200 it acts like its going into fuel cut ...	View
	2007 Toyota Camry XLE 3.5L A/C Vents VIN: 4T1BK46K87 I replaced the radiator and condenser. Recharged system to find that the air comming out of the vents are not cold in fact feels like the heater is on. I put the gauges back on and checked to see if the system was working and it is. Pressure drops normal when ...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.8L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3VWSE29MOY Car barely starts/idles/runs, will start up and idle high and smooth for 1-10 seconds, then drops to 4-500rpm. No power in gear, was able to get runnability back by unplugging the air flow meter. Still runs in throttle limp mode, smooth but only barely opens t... Trouble codes: P0343, P1639 (Accelerator pedal position sensor 1/2 range), P0118 (ECT high input), P0420 (Catalytic efficiency), P1128 (bank 1 lean)	View
	2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition 1.8L Oil Light/Buzzer VIN: 3VWPD69MX1 WE REPLACED TURBO , AIR INJECTION PUMP, pulled and replaced engine with battery being disconnected for 2 weeks AND NOW HAVE AN OIL LIGHT/BUZZER SOUND COMING ON AFTER 5 MINUTES OF RUN TIME . OIL PRESSURE COLD 25 PSI /OIL PRESSURE WARM AND DRIVING IS 50 PSI , NE...	View
	2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T 2.0L Mechanical VIN: 3VWNJ31K96 Dear Members, This 2006 VW 2.0T Jetta has 111,800 Km on. It has loud tapping noise while engine is running. The customer drove on highway for 4 hours, and 4 hours back home. He drove 130-140 km/h of high speed,and he said that he regularly drove 4-5 hours lon...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1989 Acura Legend 2.7L Battery VIN: JH4KA4651K Got her fixed! Installed a new Megatron Interstate battery, let sit for 27 days, and she fired right up. So a new battery solved the problem, but I wish amp-hour ratings were required on batteries; that may have led to a quicker, less complicated diagnostic....	16
	1992 Acura Integra LS 1.8L No Start, Cuts out, Stall VIN: JH4DB1664N Hello IATN. I have a fix for this Acura. After running through all my test (ignition switch power and ground, Distributor power ground and spark, Main relay power grounds and relay tested, Powers and grounds at the thermostat housing and right side kick panel...	26
	2002 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire VIN: WAULC68E32 Finally figured it out!! We pulled the computer out and found antifreeze in the connector, we then disconnected the coolant sensor and sure enough, it was leaking coolant through the sensors, crawling up the wires and in to the computer. We had 16 codes and no... Trouble codes: 16396 (Bank 1 cam A intake advance setpoint not reached), 16705 (Engine speed sensor implausible signal), 16684 (multi cylinder misfire), 17705 (pressure drop between turbo and throttle valve), 16490 (MAP sensor implausible signal).	4
	2003 BMW 530i 3.0L Engine VIN: WBADT63413 Going to replace the pcv and hoses as suggested. Going to replace the spark plugs. Going to make sure the oil level is proper. Going to advise the customer how to interperate the oil level on the dipstick. Going to conduct an oil consumption test from this poi...	23
	1998 Cadillac DeVille d'Elegance 4.6L Electronic VIN: 1G6KE54Y4W Thanks for all the replies. It turns out that this is normal operation. Gm designed this system to blow hot air on defrost and floor during cold start ups based on temp sensor. When the cabin temp warms up it will then blow hot air out of the middle vents. th...	5
	1999 Dodge Intrepid 3.2L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: 2B3HD56J3X Well after a week of double checking things, what we found is that injector #3 and #5 were shorted togather in the wiring harness under the thermostat housing and each injector was firing twice causing those two cylinder to run rich and causing cylinder #1 to ... Trouble codes: P0172 (Right bank always rich).	3
	2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.2L 2-3 shift VIN: 3B7HC13Z91 I'm going to pull the trigger on this post. The customer did bring the truck back so I could get a second look at it but ended up going home with it. What I found was the gov pres was peaking out around 135psi,the desired pres was pretty consistent with mph,th...	15
	1992 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3L hydraulic shift VIN: 1FTCR10A7N First let me say thanks to all of you who replied as all of you said the same thing..."FIX THE GOVERNOR DUMMY LOL" It turned out to be a small slither of metal stuck between the gov housing and primary valve preventing spring function and proper movement. we r...	10
	1998 Ford F-150 4.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTZX1727W I pulled the upper intake off and found a vacuum hose at the rear of intake to have a hair line crack. Test drove no codes thanks to everyone who helped me on this. Trouble codes: P00, 171 (lean bank 1), P00, 174 (lean bank 2).	37
	2000 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FMDU72X9Y Well guys as I did stated on my update, Fuel Pump did fix my major problem on this Truck Ford Explorer fuel pressure should be around 65 psi with KOER, Customer hasn't comeback for engine stalling sometimes only when come to a stop but She call me the other da... Trouble codes: P0171, P0174 (fuel system lean B2).	11
	2001 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L p0731 VIN: 1FAP55291A rebuilt the org tranny and no further issues with it thanks for you help every one i sure love doing work for free	23
	2001 Ford E-450 Econoline Super Duty Custom 7.3L No Start, Cuts out VIN: 1FDWE45F71 We ended up sending this one to ford. they stated the inner liner of the fuel tank is coming apart and caused debris throughout the fuel system. I took a fuel sample myself and did not see this. They recomended replacing the fuel tank, fuel pump, and perfor... Trouble codes: P0603 (Internal control module kam malfunction).	10
	2002 Ford F-450 Super Duty XL 7.3L oil leaks Here we go folks.First of all i would like to say thank you very,very much to all who responded ,there were so many ,but you guys know who you are,thanks again.Well the fix was actually very simple,i was just nervous because i know zip about diesel.I removed t...	22
	2006 Ford Escape Limited 3.0L parking/license lights VIN: 1FMYU93136 thanks to all who responded. All very good responses. Gerry from new york nailed it. pulled liftgate panel down and sure enough right hand side extension harness to license melted and burned through connector. thanks again fellas iatn rocks hard.	9
	2003 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L Abs Module VIN: 1GTEK19T73 I fixed it! Thanks to Leonard form Arizona, i figured it out. I talked to him on the phone and he explained on how to check communication lines and it got me what i needed. Ok so the ground was NOT a problem.. it was the data wire going to the radio that cause...	11
	2007 GMC W4500 Forward W4S042 5.2L light on VIN: J8DC4B1697 HI , this truck did not come back in yet , with the replies we had -we will pull the wire and if the light goes out we will know its in the sensor -we will install new gas filters and clean out water seperator and check switch -if bad will also install new swi...	4
	2003 Honda Accord LX 2.4L heater VIN: 1HGCM71373 flow through radiator is ok. monitored temp with scanner and thermometer. at -15 ambient air temp, ect 180, and egine idling, heater air temp is 90.rev the engine to 1000rpm, heater temp will rise to 120 right away.on the high way at cruise speed, ect 180, hea...	6
	1993 Jaguar XJ6 4.0L alternator VIN: SAJKW1740P Sorry everyone. I have admitted defeat. Feel like I let everyone who posted down. Told customer to take it to my competition. About killed me but now I'll know if they really are smarter than me ;). He promised to let me know what fixes it so I'll try to repos...	21
	1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4.0L air bag VIN: 1J4FY49S1W Thanks, you guys were right, the 2 air bag modules must have been from vehicles that had blown the bags. If you order them used, you just need to make sure the bags weren't deployed. If you check on ebay, there are places that reprogram this code for around $5...	7
	1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7L No Start VIN: 1J4GW68N0X Thank you all who responded, I really knew the answer inside before asking however was hoping I was wrong due to the $$$ out of our pocket on this one. I replaced the computer with Chrysler rebuilt computer and reprogram, it all works as it should. After I did...	7
	2006 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.4L Suspension VIN: SALMF15416 The low coolant message cured by replacing the coolant bottle assy which had a sensor in it.Although the message center said suspension error, there were no codes. However my scan tool- AE -gave data info. It looked like the right rear height sensor was readin...	5
	1999 Lexus RX300 3.0L Mechanical VIN: JT6GF10U5X Ok to my first question, I sent the ECU out and had it rebuilt by . So far all is good although I would have them ship other than ground next time, it took 5 days. As far as using a used unit, you can however you have to find someon...	13
	1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4S3BG6853W AS I SUSPECTED,AND MOST OF YOU GREAT PEOPLE CONFIRMED,THE AFTERMARKET O2 SENSOR WAS EITHER DEFECTIVE OR NOT SUITED TO THIS CALIFORNIA EMISSION SUBARU LOCATED IN RHODE ISLAND.MY CUSTOMER ORDERED AN OE FROM SUBARU OF TACOMA,AND I POPPED IT IN.I RAN THE DRIVE CYC... Trouble codes: P0135 (O2 heater circuit malfuntion [...]).	12
	2001 Subaru Forester L 2.5L 2-4 brake solenoid circuit VIN: JF1SF63591 Well, I found out from Calvin in Hawaii that I needed to have the trans in neutral before running the tests that I had run. Steve in Washington reminded me to make sure that I had not bent pins or pushed any out of place when I disconnected the two large engin...	3

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