Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Dec 30, 2011

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(Also Available: All, Asian, Chrysler, European, Ford, GM.)
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	Help Request	Answers
	1998 Acura RL 3.5L No Start, Stall VIN: JH4KA965XW after repaired stated above, ran good for a few months, came in late last night, doesn't start, cranks but doesn't start.	View
	2004 BMW 545i 4.4L Transmission VIN: WBANB33584 This car came in about 9 months ago with a leaking transmission oil pan and we replaced the gasket. Last week we noticed when servicing it that it was still leaking so we recommended a new pan which the customer approved. We put on the new pan and almost immed...	View
	2004 BMW 530i 3.0L Sound System VIN: WBANA73544 Hello, I'm hoping someone's come across this one. I have an 04 BMW 530i with no audio output at all. The logic 7 amp is staying off and I cannot select or adjust any audio functions i.e. the treble,bass,etc... I'm pretty sure theres a connection problem at con...	View
	2005 BMW 325xi 2.5L No Start VIN: WBAEU33455 No start has crank. towed in starts every time can not get condition to repeat. fuel pressure 46psi spec i found was 50psi. bleeds off 3 pounds and hold 43psi for over 10min. waveform looks wrong, not sure what BMW patterns are. has new fuel filter on done som...	View
	2007 BMW 335i 3.0L power window VIN: WBAVB73507 We replaced a brocken left rear wind regulator. Now that the new part is installed we can't seam to set(initialize) the new motor regulator assembly. The window funtions up, and down but we can seam to get it to understand when it's fully open, and fully close...	View
	1998 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L duel climet control VIN: 1G4CW52K6W I finally got this car back in plugged in actuator got heat took off with car and went cold this is wierd hot outside hot air on passenger side now cold outside and cold on passenger side I see a heat sensor an ac sensor and a sunload sensor I fell one of thes...	View
	2002 Chevrolet S10 4.3L Surge, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCCT19W12 I have one of those vehicle that just won't go away! This S-10 has a misfire that only happens at highway speeds, under a load after the trans shifts into OD. One scan tool is pulling a P0300B and another tool is pulling a P0303. Misfire data shows that the ... Trouble codes: P0300, P0303 (Cyl 3 misfire)	View
	2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS 3.5L No Start VIN: 1GCDT13664 This problem occurs very intermittently, but seems more frequent in the last couple of weeks. When it decides not to start, it usually occurs after a drive cycle. Customer never experianced any drivability concerns other than no start when problem does occur.i... Trouble codes: C00, 899 (Device voltage low), U1026 (Description unavailable), U1064 (Lost communication with bcm/driver info center), B0005 (In park switch circuitb1420device voltage malfunction), B2960 (Security system sensor data incorrect but valid), B0528	View
	2005 Chevrolet Colorado Z85 2.8L abs activation VIN: 1GCCS19875 i have an 05 colorado with abs intermittent activation as well as light.randomly activates while driving and starter activates as well. any help appreciated. codes-c0035-left front wheel speed sensor ckt short c0220-abs channel in release too long. thanks chr...	View
	2005 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 LT 6.0L Transfer Case VIN: 3GNGK26U05 Greetings to all i would like to get some input on this truck.customer says 4x4 will not engage.customer states at times the 4x4 selector switches will not light up.with our scan tool i selected each switch and it coincides with scan tool reading but thats whe...	View
	2008 Chevrolet HHR LT Panel 2.2L steering effort VIN: 3GCCA05D28 The steering effort is not equal left and right while sitting still or driving. The wheel is off center and the vehicle pulls, we have not had the alignment done yet. I would like to do a steering angle sensor calibration but that comes up under ABS, this car ...	View
	1993 Ford Ranger STX 4.0L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1FTDR15X2P Vehicle came in with a surging and hesitation problem. Costumer just finish washing the engine and it starting doing that.scanned it and code 211 and 212 pop up, took it for a drive and started misfiring under a load it had no power it ran rough and it hesitat... Trouble codes: 211 (Ignition pick up erratic), 212 (Lost communication with tach)	View
	2000 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Engine Oil VIN: 1FTNX21F0Y This F250 came in for service and the customer wanrs a full synthetic oil put in. I'm used to the old stand by Rotella non synthetic oil for this vehicle. Mobile makes a 5w40 full synthetic they call"turbo diesel" oil. Is that okay? called the Ford dealer and ...	View
	2003 Ford F-150 Lariat 4.6L Pass Side Cyd Head VIN: 1FTRX18W33 This new to us vehicle was towed with lots noise from engine, found pass side chain guides broken,replaced both chains,tensioners and guides,came back two weeks later with ticking noise, which was diagnosed as serp belt tensioner,replaced belt/tensioner, custo...	View
	2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0L pcm flash VIN: 1ZVBP8CF3B Has anyone had a problem reprogramming the PCM on the new Mustangs. I can program the BCM & it will pull the VIN # & calibration # from the PCM, but gives an error that it cannot communicate with it. I am using a Drew Industries Cardaq Plus J2534 programmer. I...	View
	2006 GMC Envoy XL SLE 4.2L Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GKET16S56 I have some confusion the dealership is saying the coolant temperature sensor for the guage is located right rear behind the engine of cylinder head, however there is the coolant temperature sensor shows same part number but is there two of them and where are ... Trouble codes: P0128, P0171	View
	2002 Honda Civic LX 1.7L Clutch Master cylinder VIN: 1HGEM21532 I replaced the clutch master cylinder tried to bleed it per procedure many times but the pedal won't come back up stays on floor.I thought maybe I got a bad one so I put the old one back in.The old one was fine except for it squeaked on occasion.Now the old on...	View
	2008 Hyundai Azera Limited 3.8L Abs VIN: KMHFC46F68 Hi group we a (hyundai dealer) are having a tough time with this one , it keeps setting a code c1201 left front wheel speed sensor (power range performance interminate)we have replaced. signal does drop out on laptop. grounds and power to module. the code sets...	View
	2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0L all gauges VIN: 1J4FF48S8Y jeep was brought in a couple weeks ago. I have checked power and grounds all good. Turn indicator lights work and so does parking brake light and bright lite. None of gauges respond to anything. I have been through all connections at dash. Any ideas?	View
	2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.7L Starter VIN: 1J4GR48KX5 This jeep was towed into us and would not crank. Plenty of battery voltage. Vehicle in excellent condition. Turned key 3 times, heard faint click under the hood which sounded like a relay, but no engine crank. 4th try and engine cranked and started just fine. ...	View
	2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X 3.8L engine VIN: 1J8GA39117 i have a noise that sounds like it is coming from rear top of engine. it sounds like a rattle metallic noise. it is there hot or cold but gets louder as engine heats up & gets louder if you raise rpms to 2500. it is not a tick like a lifter or rocker arm. i us...	View
	2004 Mazda 6 S 3.0L Excessive Emissions, No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1YVHP80D84 I have a feeling this is a buss connector issues, ground issues, power issue or alternator. I do not know if the ECU controls the voltage regulator or not. During my test with my solus pro, some times the live stream would freeze. some times it would loose com... Trouble codes: P0443, P0102, P2088, P2092, P1487, P0403	View
	2002 Mercedes-Benz S430 4.3L security VIN: WBBNG70J22 i have this car sitting overnite sometime security light intermittanly start flashing till battery get low or dead. any thought appreciated	View
	2008 Mercury Mariner Premier 3.0L Mechanical VIN: 4M2CU87148 Vibration in gas pedal looked on alldata and mitchell no tsb's no recalls for customer complaint	View
	1997 Nissan Maxima GLE 3.0L Stall VIN: JN1CA21D5V Car stalled 6 times while driving across town two nights ago. Stalls while driving, not at stop lights.Starts right back up. I drove it yesterday, was ok. Dont know where to even start. Dont know the common problems on these Nissans. Could it be the ignition s...	View
	2007 Nissan Sentra SL 2.0L Steering VIN: 3N1AB61E47 Replaced front struts and upper mounts 7,000 miles ago. Everything was working fine then. We did not replace the upper strut bearings at that time. Recently, the car has a groaning/creaking noise when turning. We cannot find any loose front end parts. We canno...	View
	1992 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE 3.3L stuck in limp in mode code 42 VIN: 1P4GK54R9N customer said trans is stuck in 2nd gear happened seveal years ago had dealer repair, was trans module. Cust supplied module didnt fix today. measured sol pack resistance as per code 42 diag. found 38k ohms to gnd. at case. replaced sol. pack and test drove go...	View
	2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G2NW52E02 I have had this car for a while now and im out of ideas. Has a random mis code and 1 is the worst also 2 and 5 but they were only missing 2-7 times verses 335 that cyl 1 was showing. It doesnt appear to leak coolant and if it were only number 1 I would probabl... Trouble codes: P0300 (Random mis)	View
	2003 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.4L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G2NF52E33 I keep getting a p0300. On my scan tool it shows a constant misfire on cylinder 3 at idle. If I raise the rpm to 1500 no load and it goes away. At all times the engine runs smooth. I have swapped all ignition parts with know good parts, no change. I replaced t... Trouble codes: P0300	View
	2007 Scion tC 2.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: JTKDE16797 Hi all. This car came to us from dodge dealer.It was sent to local toyota dealer for this problem and they replaced crank sensor and reluctor,engine wiring harness.They said veh.was o/heating and replaced radiator.Their final answer was #4 wrist pin was bad an... Trouble codes: P0355	View
	2000 Suzuki Vitara JS 2.0L Shake at idle VIN: 2S3TE52V6Y It came in for a poor running/ misfire so we did the spark plug boots and no more misfire. It came back with a intermittent stall condition and found a camshaft code in it. Replaced the sensor and no more stall, but this thing has had a vibration at idle since...	View
	2007 Toyota Corolla S 1.8L heating VIN: 2T1BR32E47 I have a 2007 Toyota Corolla with no heat. I have replaced thermostat, flushed heater core, and checked water pump. I have checked to see that hoses are not blocked. I cannot get water to flow through heater core. Car does not run hot. I can remove hoses from ...	View
	2009 Toyota Corolla XLE 1.8L compression VIN: 1NXBU40E59 hello group, we have this corolla here that has lost compression on cylinder 2, originally suspected a coil because of a intermittant missfire, swapped coil to cyl 1 due to car running flawless at time and for the first time came to the shop misfiring, still o...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Passat GLS 2.8L ABS module VIN: WVWMD23B4Y We got P1649-18057 Data Bus Powertrain Missing Message from ABS Control Module We don't have the VAG connector. Does anyone know the pin connectors and numbers for the can. It is supposed to have Specified value: 60 to 72 Ohms at the pcm, but I don't know the...	View
	2007 Volkswagen Passat Value Edition 2.0L Compressor VIN: WVWLK73C97 This is an internally regulated compressor without a magnetic clutch. Replaced the compressor because it was not pumping up, my vag-com data showed compressor fault code 0 (normal) prior to replacement. After replacement vacuumed/charged system and tested with...	View
	1990 Volvo 740 GLE 2.3L Check Engine Light VIN: YV1FA8944L This car came in for check engine light and failing smog test, i pulled code ( grounding pig tail to # 6) 2-2-4 came up -- which was for coolant temp malfuntion and vehicle is in limp home mode, i ohmed the cts and sure enough it was out of range so i replaced...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1998 Audi A6 Quattro Avant 2.8L upshift VIN: WAUJC84A0W sadly i cannot post the true fix for this vehicle. when we returned from the long weekend a tech jumped in this vehicle for a test drive to verify the problem. trans operated correctly & still does...must be majic.	13
	2001 BMW X5 4.4i 4.4L Camshaft Timing VIN: WBAFB33511 Thank to all that responded. Wade was right at Monaco Motors. Spoke to his tech. We didn't do the timing correctly on Vanos. The continuity test with the vanos timing it very tricky. All Data had it correct. You just have to read it, correctly. I missed the ...	5
	2006 BMW X5 4.4i 4.4L various thanks to all again. this one is fixed. our shop is out in the boonies and having iatn members support gives me the confidence in my diagnostics that we need to sell the work. be well shawn	17
	1999 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L Unknown VIN: 2B4GP44R9X After checking the flow form the cooler we found it perfect, we pulled the output shaft speed sensor it had slight bits of fine metal, nothing servere, checked the powers and grounds at the TCM okay, wiggled the harness okay, ohm tested the solenoids from the...	13
	2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4 2.4L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1B3ES66S24 Most of the replies I got said to use oem sensers so I replaced both cam and crank sensers with factory ones with no change in symptoms. I was checking the signal at the pcm which should eliminate wiring problems but I rechecked the mentioned areas anyway with... Trouble codes: P0344 (cam senser circut intermittant).	14
	2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L Stall VIN: 2D4GP44LX5 Vehicle ran perfect with no stalling for 3 days with the fuel pressure gauge hooked up. The throttle body was clean from the last time it was here for service. Customer did state the vehicle only stalled in the morning, maybe something to do with the humidity.... Trouble codes: P0420.	10
	2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L abs VIN: 2D4GP24R95 Thanks for the responses I had to put it back together for the lady so she had a car over the holidays. shortly after the problem changed to just false activation. I determined that I fixed the voltage varience problem by cleaning all the connections on the ju...	6
	1994 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L Instrument Cluster VIN: 1FMDU34X7R Removed the 20A maxi fuse for the electronic shift control and problem was resolved. I guess having the vehicle retrofitted with a manual transmission caused the problem. Thanks everyone for your input to such an odd ball.	5
	1996 Ford Crown Victoria LX 4.6L Mechanical VIN: 2FALP74W8T Thanks again for all of the helpful replies. Apparently this engine uses the spring loaded, oil pressure assisted type tensioner, not the ratcheting type. I'm guessing that for whatever reason the spring tension on these aftermarket tensioners is not as good...	17
	2006 Ford Explorer Limited 4.6L Emissions VIN: 1FMEU75836 Well, I scoped out the bank 2 downstream O2 and it was switching like the upstream. Got another cat from the dealer and all seems good now. Maybe this is why it took so long to get the first one.	11
	2001 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L compressor cycling VIN: 2HKRL18691 Got some good help on this one. The Cabin air filter was clogged as I could hear the fan working too hard but was planning that as an upsale. Replaced it and pulled out agallon bucket of leaves from the box and fan squirrel cage. Problem continued, Turns out t...	17
	2002 Honda Accord EX 3.0L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1HGCG165X2 After much heartache and a lot of testing I found the valves in #1 and #3 cylinder bent. Somehow this engine must have been rotated before I got to it. I'll never know for sure how it happened but the heads came off, were sent out to our local machine shop, th...	28
	2005 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L Side Door VIN: 5FNRL387X5 The passenger side sliding door guides and tracks were cleaned and lubed. The latch mechanism was lubricated. These two things did not help. We replaced the latch mechanism and the problem was fixed. Thanks to everyone that helped out with some information.	7
	2007 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L defroster flaps VIN: SAJWA51A07 Stanley, I was able to pull temp sensor from r/side of heater box and stick a pick in there to feel the movement of the def flap. then I put a screw through the side of the box to stop the flap just before it closes all the way. It bleeds slight air on the gla...	1
	1999 Kia Sportage 2.0L engine & transmission VIN: KNDJA723XX found pins in connector at idle air control bent, repaired cars been running good for 10 days now thanks for all your help	5
	2004 Kia Optima LX 2.4L Poor Idle Quality VIN: KNAGD12694 Thanks guys. It turned out to be oil pump balance shaft. I think that almost all of the replies that I got pointed me in that direction. I also want to add that I appreciate the concern for me getting that signed waiver from my customer for not doing a comp...	12
	1994 Mazda 626 DX 2.0L No Start VIN: 1YVGE22C9R Thanks guys for all your input. It turned out to be couple of problems. F/P regulator was bleeding down but not all the time as many of you suggested. Did try a new distributor but did not solve it. Turned out to be a poor f/p relay grounding circuit by th...	9
	2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 3.0L ESP faults VIN: WDBWK54F56 I have not done any further testing or repair of this vehicle. The customer reports that the light and problems have not returned for some time, and therefore does not want to pursue the issue for now. I consulted with a couple respected mercedes sources, a...	4
	1990 Mitsubishi Minica .657L Cam Timing Thanks to all that replied. I have contacted a Mitsubishi tech who might be able to positively identify the correct markings and point me in the right direction. I am closing this posting. It looks like this vehicle is more rare than I originally thought. most...	5
	2008 Saturn Vue XE 2.4L theft deterrent VIN: 3GSCL33P88 WELL THIS ONE WASN'T EASY.IT WAS GETTING HANDY CHRISTMAS SO WE GOT IT TOW TO THE DEALER HOPING THEY WOULD GET IT FIX.THEY WORKED ON IT A 1.5 DAYS AND SAME RESULT AS WE HAD.GOT IT TOWED BACK TO OUR SHOP CHRISTMAS EVE.THE USED CAR LOT BROUGHT US ANOTHER TRUCK T...	4
	2006 Volvo S40 2.4i 2.4L trunk open VIN: YV1MS38216 THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE!!! You were all right on. The black wire in the loom that goes threw the trunk hinge area was broken. There is a plug under the rear window shelf, just unplug and use ohm meter on the plug at trunk latch and found open on the black wire...	5

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