Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Nov 18, 2011

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	Help Request	Answers
	2002 Audi A6 Quattro 4.2L cluster buzzing when pushing brakes VIN: WAUML64B22 I was hoping someone has been through this before? I have test all wiring for shorts and etc, Is it something that goes bad in the cluster? if anyone has some thoughts as to where I can start thank you for your time	View
	1994 Chevrolet Caprice Classic 4.3L Hesitation, Surge, Misfire VIN: 1G1BL52W4R Hello everybody, could use a little help on this one. This vehicle will hesitate,surge, misfire and also a slight backfire once it has been driven for approx. 30 minutes and it warms up. I have a feeling that i need to dig into the distributor but thought i wo...	View
	1995 Chevrolet S10 4.3L 4 wheel drive light blinks This S10 has had virtually the whole electrical & mechanicals replaced & the 4 wheel drive still doesn't work. The TCCM module, transfer case sensor, front diff sensor, actuator cable, & encoder motor have been replaced before it came to me. The lights will mo...	View
	1995 Chevrolet K3500 Cheyenne 6.5L Electronic VIN: 1GCHK33FXS We have codes 71 72 73 74 in current codes and 74 72 68 89 87 in history . I replaced the PCM today and all codes are the same. I have 12 volts at the trans fuse. Input speed sensor is reading over 8K not running. Gear selector on Modis reads 2nd gear all the ...	View
	2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.6L Blower Motor VIN: 1GCHK23205 Hi everyone and thanks for taking a look at my request here. Customer came in 4 months ago with a blower fan that would not run, we traced the problem to a bad blower resistor and replaced with the updated unit and wiring harness and all was well. A few day...	View
	2004 Chrysler Pacifica 3.5L Tpms VIN: 2C8GF68464 I have a 2004 chrysler pacifica that is giving me fits on relearning tpms sensors. Customer brought the car into the shop after getting new tires and the place that put the tires on put a standard valve stem in. Replaced the stem with tpms sensor, found 2 othe...	View
	2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport 3.8L starting VIN: 2D4GP44L53 Installed Reman Engine transfering required parts. New water pump, hoses, belts, wires, plugs, coolant and oil. New oem crank sensor (original was corroded into housing) and cam sensor. Engine cranks but acts like out of time.Rechecked plug wire routing, it co...	View
	2006 Dodge Durango SLT 5.7L master cylinder VIN: 1D4HD48206 customer brought in vehicle complaining of a soft brake pedal. replaced master cylinder twice, abs module, and brake booster. i have bleed the vehicle repeatedly both manually and with my starmobile scantool and it still feels the same. when pumping it several...	View
	1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 6.8L Mechanical VIN: 1FTNX21S0X This engine has something intermitant mechanically and i'm thinking timing chain tensioners/lifter bleed down. When it wants to act up it cranks over very fast for say 10 seconds like NO COMPRESSION and then fires up and runs great, it only does it when it wa...	View
	1999 Ford Crown Victoria 4.6L No Start, No ecm comunication VIN: 2FAFP71W6X This vehicle came to our shop not running,once we tested we found no fuel pump actuation,voltage to fuel pumps is only 6.0 volts,applying 12 volts enables the pump but still it won't start,ther is no comunication to the scanner,the scanner turns on,but no comu...	View
	2000 Ford F-150 XL 5.4L long crank cold VIN: 1FTRF18L0Y New customer 2000 f-150 5.4 liter has new plugs boots and fuel filter installed less than 10,000 miles ago Engine has long crank time when cold and only cold 5-7 seconds and then stall will chug and fart if you step on gas pedal with in 20-30 seconds then runs...	View
	2003 Ford Windstar SE 3.8L cooling fans VIN: 2F6BUJ269H not sure were to look so any help will be great guys and gals my customers complant is the cooling fans run all the time and they do but only once the van is started there is about a two to three second before they come on and its started now i have checked th...	View
	2004 Ford Explorer NBX 4.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FMZU73K64 I am having trouble confirming wether or not this ESM module is bad or not. The troubleshooting tree we have from Alldata seems to indicate a wiring harness problem because it asks to measure resistance between the MAP (ECM) and Pin 3 of the connector , and we... Trouble codes: P0108 (Map), P1116 (Ect)	View
	2004 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT 5.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FDSF35L24 tested canister vent valve workes as perscribed, tested purge valve, naturally clossed, works as perscribed, ftp is between 2.4v-2.8v, in spec,tested purge and vent valves both operate with ecm commands. replaced carbon canister about 1500 miles due to a test ... Trouble codes: P1450 (excess vacum in evap system)	View
	2004 Ford Escape XLT 3.0L 2-3 shift VIN: 1FMYU93174 Hi All,this is a 4x4 Escape. It has a problem shifting into 3rd gear. It slips when it goes to shift and will not shift into 3rd much less 4th. If you drop it into 2nd gear with the shifter,it will not slip whatsoever. When you 1st take off in drive,it will ta...	View
	2004 Ford Explorer Limited 4.6L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall, Misfire VIN: 1FMDU75W84 this truck came in with a hesitation and a loud rattle the cat was pluged and it had a misfire on the number 8 cylinder P0316 P0308 we replaced the plugs and all the coil boots as the coils tested good and we replaced all 3 cats as a unit but we still have a m...	View
	1994 Honda Accord LX 2.2L Performance VIN: 1HGCD5536R What we are experiencing is an intermittent issue. Vehicle falls on it's face around 2500rpm's (20mph), basically shifting from second to third gear. It cuts out, just like the ignition is cutting out but the engine does not die out. Drove vehicle all day yest...	View
	1998 Honda Civic DX 1.6L Engine VIN: 1HGEJ6124W C/s vehicle was running fine, than started to "chug" than died. He was able to get it to start briefly, then died again. Towed it to our shop. Wouldnt start. Ran all sorts of tests and everything looks good. Tried to start it again and it started after the thi...	View
	2003 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2.7L Unknown VIN: KM8SC73D73 There is a noticable thump in drive line... while driving and slowing down and then applying gas... at that instant when you apply gas to accelerate you hear this very noticable thump or clunk. It feels like driveline slack or something. My guess would be a po...	View
	2001 Jaguar XJR 4.0L Seal VIN: SAJDA15B51 Vehicle came in with trans leaking at right frint corner of trans, this is a mercedez trans, typical harness connector seal , have replaced dozens of them on mercedez . To get the part from jag dealer they have to special order it, and costs $100+ , so we get ...	View
	2004 Jeep Liberty Sport 3.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1J4GL48K44 This Jeep has code 441. I checked the purge valve which is O.K. When I run the forced monitor test to check the NLVD I do not see the NLVD state change from open to close. I replaced the NLVD and still get the same result. From what I have read on here the NLV... Trouble codes: P0441	View
	2005 Kia Amanti 3.5L abs VIN: KNALD12495 not to sure were to go on this kia the vehicle came in for abs lamp scan it was able to comm with the abs module but no code in the system. i checked the brake switch tested out fine all my data on the scanner looks ok nothing jump out at me. can some 1 help t...	View
	2003 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.4L door locks VIN: SALME11423 trying to find the info to relean power locks will not work from key fob or from dash switch car does lock will key manulay and sets alarm key fob to open trunk works on remote	View
	2007 Lexus IS350 3.5L Hesitation VIN: JTHBE262X7 Customer purchased "Certified" from Lexus dealer- Car looks and drives great. Problem is that once the gas level gets below 1/3 of tank it misfires bad and loses power. Exhaust sounds bad like it is plugged and rattles. Add more fuel to tank and problem goes a... Trouble codes: P0300 (Multiple misfires detected)	View
	2003 Mazda 6 i 2.3L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Stall VIN: 1YVFP80C93 another garage did the timing chain repair,car ran good for a few months after,still has now cam position related codes or problems. car will run great cold,when warm will start to surge until stalls.when this is happening stft goes to 25%,graphing o2 shows 5-... Trouble codes: P2177	View
	1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SL 4.5L compressor/heat VIN: 1070441204 customer complains that the a\c compressor stopped working at the same time the heat stopped getting hot...the blower works in all settings, fuses are good and its full of coolant. it is also full of freon. the secondary coolant pump is working. there is a con...	View
	1995 Mercedes-Benz C220 2.2L Shifts VIN: WDBHA22E0S This Benz has a very odd shift pattern to it starts in second like I know alot of them do then it kicks down to 1st then right away 3rd then 4th so close behind it you dont even really feel it. Does matter how heavy you are into the throttle shifts like this e...	View
	2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 3.2L Hesitation VIN: WDBJF65J81 This vehicle runs perfectly other than a slight but noticable delay when accelerating from a stop. There is no engine hesitation or trans slip or delay in engagement. It is simply the time it takes between pressing the pedal and the response of the vehicle. I ...	View
	2000 Mercury Villager Estate 3.3L Speedometer VIN: 4M2XV14T0Y As stated in related history, The dealer told her that it just needed a speed sensor. Since the road test and the trans is getting a good VSS signal, I disagree. I pulled up a wiring diagram to see if the VSS had two sides to it, one for the trans. and one for...	View
	1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL 3.0L Misfire VIN: JA3BM64J3P I have #3 & #6 coil not firing. I have a good signal from PCM to ignition module for other 2 coils, but nothing from terminal #11(brn/red) at PCM. Have replaced PCM twice(aftermarket reman) & still have same results. Other two coils firing good & have good sig...	View
	2007 Nissan Maxima SL 3.5L Mechanical VIN: 1N4BA41E07 Hello to everyone on iatn.Trying to remove cylinder heads on this car. labor sounds low at 12.3hours to remove both heads & timing cover, upper & lower oil pan.Does anyone kown any short cuts or tips on r&r heads?also does labor sound right?	View
	1998 Pontiac Trans Sport Montana 3.4L overhead controls VIN: 1GMDX03E9W customer has water leak from overhaed controls after rain no visable holes in body but it does have a luggage rack. the only wetness is around controls rest of headliner is dry. hope someone has seen this before an has a idea. thanks jim	View
	2001 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5.7L security light VIN: 2GZFV22G91 Customer bought car at auction. Another shop replaced the BCM for a power window issue apparently. Security light is always on. This uses the key with a resister "pod" in it. Always starts and runs fine, just light on. Tech 2 doesn't seem to cumminicate with s...	View
	1999 Subaru Forester S 2.5L poor aceleration VIN: JK1SF6550X The customer states that he lacks power on acceleration, but not all the time. The unit appears to run better when cold and the problem increases with warmer temperaturs. No other codes have ever been present. I have read the 12 archive files in relation to th... Trouble codes: P0325 (Knock sensor)	View
	2003 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0L Transfer Case VIN: JTEBU14R13 Customer put vehicle in 4 wheel drive but it would not come out of 4Lo and drove to my shop at 35 mph. We removed transfer case and found no problems but we believe shift shaft was stuck, checked actuator with 9 Volts and it moved fine. Put transfer case back ...	View
	2005 Toyota Camry 2.4L drive belt VIN: 4T1BE32K25 How do you replace the drive belt? I have a gates belt K070763 which my supplier says is the correct belt but it seems too short. Do I need any special tools for this job? Thanks in advance.	View
	1994 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L Oil Pan VIN: 3VWRA81H9R I am trying to change the oil pan gasket and clean out the oil pan but cannot get the oil pan off. All 20 of the bolts are out and it moves around but appears hung on something like the oil pump pickup tube against a baffle. I am afraid to pull too hard on it,...	View
	1994 Volkswagen Jetta GL 2.0L Oil Pan VIN: 3VWRA81H9R I was given a gasket without the baffle plate and was wondering if I could bypass putting the baffle plate back in or should go buy a new gasket baffle plate combo?	View
	1999 Volkswagen Golf TDI 1.9L cruise control Hello everybody. I'm stumped. I've got a 1999 VW Golf TDI with a dead cruise control but that's not what has me stumped. I can't find the cruise control module (computer?). Other information says it should be under the drivers side dash forward of and above th...	View
	2002 Volkswagen Passat W8 4.0L engine VIN: WVWZK63B82 This car has a misfire cylinder 3 & 6 mostly. We had cylinder 7 once show up but after clearing the dtc's and rechecking only 3 and 6 showed misfirig.The condition is noticeable at low rpms after [...] you no longer feel a misfire. The customer stated after...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2007 BMW 525i 3.0L No Start VIN: WBANE53507 fixed. we didn't get too many replies as to alternate testing but our diagnosis was correct. Cas module was at fault. Installed new module and shipped to BMW for reprogramming. $390.00 plus a tow. Time to look into the J2534.	4
	1987 Cadillac DeVille 4.1L MIL Lamp on, Cooling fans run VIN: 1G6CD5187H I really appreciate all of the insight you guys have given me. With all of the previous checks, I am about 90% certain a new PCM will correct this problem when analyzing the help offered me by this request. This customer has yet to return to the shop but whe... Trouble codes: F32 (Loss of communication between ECM and BCM).	8
	2001 Daewoo Lanos S 1.6L oil light VIN: KLATA526X1 it was a bad oil pump it is hard to think a pump would be bad with only 21,000 miles thank you for all the help	5
	1999 Dodge Durango SLT 5.9L no buss sig. no start VIN: 1B4HS28Z8X after waiting forever for a new factory pcm...the problem has been righted. thanx for all the input. new it was the pcm just wasnt sure if i should continue with the reman option. three different reman boxes two different brands...and all bad!	9
	2002 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L No power when cold VIN: 3B7KF23642 I guess I will cal this one fixed. I found air still in the injector lines on cyl 1&4. I also found that while I was removing/installing the pump, I loosened the line that came from the filter housing without realizing it. There was no fuel leak but possibly, ...	8
	2007 Dodge Sprinter 3500 3.0L Cuts out VIN: WDXPF34527 Thanks for the help guys. I checked the boot and replaced the fuel filter again. Didn't see any tears on the boot and the fuel filter didn't help. Im shipping this one to the dealer. Its a fleet van so im sure i'll find out whats wrong with it down the line. I... Trouble codes: 2047 (fuel rail pressure volume control monitoring maximum pressure exceeded).	2
	1989 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat 5.8L Steering VIN: 1F38503928 Sorry about the late response. The customer picked up the truck because he needed it back so we let him have it even though the noise was still there at times. We thought maybe after he got a few miles on it, all the air would get worked and everything would b...	46
	2000 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L n/a VIN: 1FMZU63XXY we replaced the valve body after checking out the solenoids as they were all good and now the vehicle works fine thanks for all the help	11
	2000 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 6.8L Cuts out, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTNW21S7Y Thanks for all the replies---I was leaning towards a coil problem, kinda like the lincoln LS8 has, whereby the feedback occurs on the primary circuit. this truck had no noticable miss fire-- I decided to start unplugging 1 coil at a time to see if problem wo... Trouble codes: P0340 (Cam Sensor Fault).	8
	2001 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 6.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTWW33S51 I compared the flow through the new vent valves and determined the the ones in the tank are fine. I believe the problem is in the programing as one of the replies stated, it does have the extra large tank, and everything in the system works properly and there... Trouble codes: P0455.	4
	2005 Ford Focus ZXW 2.0L fuel gauge, engine light VIN: 1FAFP36N75 well based on what everyone has told me I have advised the customer to try some fuel additve and see what happens before we spend anymore time and money on this car, the customer is gone and being that it only happens a couple time a year I don't expect to see...	5
	2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty XLT 6.0L compression VIN: 1FTSH21P46 It took a few days to get the compression test adapter, after we got it the compression was 200 to a low of 120lbs, not near enough for a diesel. Hooked up a battery charger and sprayed it with WD 40 and cranked it hard. It struggled but finally started. A...	14
	2010 GMC Acadia SLT 3.6L Power Steering VIN: 1GKLVMED0A Thanks for all the help guys. A new pump solved the issue and the customer went off on his merry way. Thanks guys	7
	2003 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.4L Door Locks, Wipers VIN: SALME11433 WELL AFTER A CANCELLED CHECK, AND THREATS OF A LAW SUIT, WE GOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE TO PAY CASH FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND LABOR, AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND SAID IF THEY COULD PROVE THAT WE DID SOMETHING WRONG TO CAUSE THIS, THAT WE WOULD...	8
	1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SL 3.8L Radiator VIN: WDBBA45C1F Thanks to everyone who responded. I had pushed the car outside to work on other vehicles until today. Richard's suggestion to use a block of wood and a floor jack worked perfectly. No damage to the radiator. I have never seen a radiator stuck that badly in 30 ...	5
	2005 Nissan Altima S 2.5L No Start VIN: 1N4AL11EX5 thanks to all your replies,put a new chain tensioner and guides on and it fired right up,this kind of threw me off I have seen these engined with over 300 on them and still running with the original timing chain,I am still wondering what the parameter is for a...	8
	1994 Pontiac Trans Sport 3.8L No Start VIN: 1GMDU06L5R Thanks for all the help. Under the icm where those grounds was off, I open the wiring harness and found one broken black and white wire. Alldata shows it to be cavity h and calls it a crank sensor ckt 646. Wiring diagram shows 646 going to crank sensor, it goe...	10
	2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G2MG35X67 I have checked all the wiring, injectors and crank signal again. No problems found. Advised customer to take it to the dealer and have crankshaft relearn performed as several posts said this solved similar problems. I'm waiting to see if this clears it up. I ... Trouble codes: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304.	9
	2009 Pontiac G6 GXP 3.6L Steering Wheel VIN: 1G2ZM57759 the car has not yet been fixed but pretty sure its the steering rack customer says its doing the exact same thing as it was when the dealer replaced it rite after she got it. She is going to wait till it gets worst but thanks for all the replys appreciate it!	4
	1983 Porsche 911 SC 3.0L cylinder head VIN: WP0AA0919D to all that replied the customer wants to fix car but does not have the cash to do so at this time he will let us know when he can thanks again to all that replied russell	16
	1998 Saab 900 SE Turbo 2.0L door locks VIN: YS3DF58N7W thanks to all that replied the lock module was the problem we powered the locks and got them unlocked and disarmed the lock module customer declined replacing module all is well with manual locks thanks again this site rocks russell	7
	2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3VWSC29M81 Turns out that the suction jet pump was plugged and not supplying vacuum to the pcv. Installed new suction jet and reset the idle with scan tool. Car has been gone for 2 weeks now. thanks for the help! Trouble codes: P1297, P1557.	6

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