Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Feb 24, 2012

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	Help Request	Answers
	1999 Audi A8 Quattro 4.2L Mechanical VIN: WAUBG34D8X vehicle came in for oil leak. degreased and ran. it apperard to be coming from oil pump drive area. i pulled the covers the timing belt and i could see the cam seals and the crank seal showed no signs of leakage. the area around and beneath the oil pump drive ...	View
	2004 BMW 330Ci 3.0L unknown VIN: WBABW53434 Looking to see if anyone has had issues with this model. At start up warm or cold. we have a ear shattering squeel that sounds like a blocked P/S pump. The P/S unit seems to be flowing normal and the secondary vacumm pump is functioning normal as far as we can...	View
	2004 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L Rap VIN: 1G4CW54K04 I have a 2004 park avenue that the RAP will not shut off, the coustomer had a complante about a dead bat and when she brought it the radio and the power windows will not shut off, I have no codes, I have checked the RAP relay and its good. Please help	View
	2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT 6.0L n/a VIN: 3GYEK62N86 Truck came in for whineing sound.Sounded like a suspension problem.Upon inspection it seamed like this sound is coming from the transfer case or tranny.Its hard to tell.There is not much i can do,I put the truck in neutral spin the rear and front tires forward...	View
	1994 Chevrolet C1500 Cheyenne 4.3L brake light switch VIN: 1GCDC14Z6R customer came in with no tail lights or brake lights. Tail light problem turned out to be the headlamp switch, still had no brake lights. had power to brake switch , if I jumped wires at switch, the lights worked, I installed a new switch and they still do not...	View
	2000 Chevrolet S10 2.2L Mechanical VIN: 1GCCS1954Y truck had bad motor, I replaced engine with one with new rod bearings , oil pump ect. drove about 20 miles truck quit. was out of time pulled down and pin in cam was broke into. Relaced cam drove about 10 miles and once again pin in cam broke again. Cam turns ...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Express 1500 4.3L Brakes VIN: 1GCFG15X84 Van stops ok. But, when you very slowly & gradually come to a stop in "stop-&-go" traffic; at the last split second before stopping the van feels like you hit an ice patch. If you apply the brakes heavily, no problem. Van had leaking PS hose to hydro-boost br...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2GCEC19VX4 Hi All, One of my customers has a 2004 chevy truck, 4.8liter engine that in a years time or 9 thousand miles that throws a p0430 code. It first came in with a p0430 code and a rattling converter. Replaced convertor and all showed good then in 1 year 8 thousan... Trouble codes: P0430 (catalyst system low efficiency bank 2)	View
	2004 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7L MIL Lamp on has aftermarket k&n air filter induction -cleaned maf-has aftermarket exhaust-engine data 1 said car was in open loop after running for 30 min. after codes were cleared it seemed to go into closed loop? i am using anautel maxi das 708 it would not let me reset... Trouble codes: 174 (bank2 lean-longtermavg13-15), 171 (bank 1 lean-lt trim avg 13-15)	View
	2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ 5.3L Misfire VIN: 1GNFK13067 Thanks in advance,I have this 07 tahoe that has v4 cylinder deactivation and it came in for some front end work and exhaust manifold gasket(r/side).It was here for a few day after work was done drove great.Customer takes it and 2 days later comes back with eng... Trouble codes: P0300, P0306	View
	2007 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Z71 5.3L Glass hatch VIN: 3GNFK16397 Hello all you Tech. This 2007 Suburban is going to drive me to drink. When I turn on the A/C, then release the brake pedal the rear glass hatch will open, turning on the dome lights. If the A/C is off everything work ok. I have replaced the BCM also we install...	View
	2009 Chevrolet Express 1500 5.3L ipc VIN: 1GCFH15409 speedo drops out shift ind. switches between p and what ever gear your in for a split second, also during cond clicking noise in ipc, and trans shifts to 2nd. Intermittantly abs light on code c0055 0f sets	View
	1992 Dodge Dakota LE 5.2L hydralic system truck came in with a very low or spongy brake pedal, we replaced , rear brake hose and rear brake line( deteriorated ) checked rwal valve , was leaking so we bypassed it, replaced master cyl , bled and bled and bled brake system, pinched off rear brake hose, d...	View
	2002 Dodge Intrepid SE 2.7L Surge VIN: 1B3HD46RX2 this vehicle was brought to me after having a used motor put in at another shop. what happens is the motor acts like the rev limiter is kicking. it starts at around 2200 rpms. the customer could live with that but unfortunately it does when its in gear also wh...	View
	2003 Dodge Durango Sport 4.7L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1D4HS38N73 This Vehicle just started stalling intermittantly a couple of days ago. This started after fueling with low octane gas after using mid-grade or premium for over 8 years. When this vehicle cuts out, it seams as if it has shifted to low gear. Some times the tir...	View
	1997 Ford Taurus SHO 3.4L Misfire This vehicle had and has been to 3 Ford dealerships and two other shops besides us. It had several problems, mostly related to coils shorting out and affecting the computer. We fixed all problems except this last one. All data is good, except that when started... Trouble codes: P0304 (Cylinder 4 misfire)	View
	1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL 7.3L No clutch pedal Replaced clutch and slave bled system still have no clutch pedal	View
	2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Mechanical VIN: 1FTNW21F91 Hey all you diesel guys. We installed a short block that was rebuilt by a local machine shop no we cant get it to start. The motor only turns at like 80 rpm while cranking. I have 0 icp. the ipr is at 65%) i did fill the oil reservoir up to about an inch below...	View
	2006 Ford F-150 XLT 5.4L ijection ignition VIN: 1FTPX14V96 Engine misses on different cylinders it started with cylinders 7&8 cleaned out the spark plug wells then miss was just on 7 so I switched coils on 6&7 miss went to 5 replaced plug on 5 switch injectors 5&6 replaced coil miss was stil there.truck sat over night...	View
	2001 Honda Civic EX 1.7L turbine speed sensor VIN: 1HGEM22901 This civic came in with a check engine light, code p0715 (input/ turbine speed sensor A circuit malfunction). I pulled the sensor out and tested the resistance, it was 525 ohm (spec is 400-600 ohm) I checked both wires for short to ground, no short to ground. ...	View
	2007 Honda Fit Sport 1.5L Coil Pack VIN: JHMGD38637 This is a parts-availability issue, rather than a diagnostic one. I replaced one coil pack last summer with Honda part 30521-PWA-003. The car has run fine since then, until this week: another coil pack is failing. This time, however, Honda sold me a 30521-PWA-...	View
	2005 Jaguar XK8 4.2L out put shaft seal VIN: SAJDA42C45 The right diff out put shaft seal is leaking and the parts dept.at the dealer said they dont show a seal for it and in the pix there is just an o-ring. I realy dont what to take apart to find out about the seal and not be able to get one. thanks for taking th...	View
	2006 Jaguar S-Type VDP Edition 4.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: SAJWA01B76 need help from u jaguar techs , car came in with motor light on , codes are p0171,p0174,p050b, and p2105. i am suspecting a bad mass airlow or a vacum leak causing lean codes. but my main concern is the other 2 codes. i dont have any info on any one of them an... Trouble codes: P0171, P0174, P050B, P2105	View
	2006 Jeep Commander 4.7L Limp In VIN: 1J8HG48N36 Have 45re transmission brought in by another shop. Came in limp in mode check engine lite on. They replaced trs/solenoid pack no change. Scanned vehicle had the following codes p0846,p0869,p0871,p0876,p0882,p0988 having seen this before i new i had no power to...	View
	1996 Land Rover Discovery SD 4.0L MIL Lamp on Car came in for mil and rough running. P1372 is for coil 2 and P1374 is for coil 4 and are described in alldata as coil primary charge current (dwell) reached in less than the threshold min. of 2ms (normal saturation time ) 2ms). Found that coils 2 and 4 were ... Trouble codes: P1372 (early ignition coil activation coil 2 cyls. 58), 1374 (early ignition coil activation coil 4 cyls. 23)	View
	2001 Mazda Tribute ES 3.0L moaning noise VIN: 4F2YU08161 there is a moaning noise in the intake area about 2000 rpm with load, also when decel and at idle sometimes. I took IAC motor off and ran with it off, no change. I s there a baffle etc. inside the intake that may have deteriorated?	View
	2001 Nissan Xterra SE 3.3L Alternator VIN: 5N1ED28Y51 This Xterra came in this morning with the complaint or long cranks, no cranks, and/or starter click. As I went to start the truck this morning the dashboard was not lit up. The odometer, speedometer. tachometer, and all the warning lights were dead. The only l...	View
	2003 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.8L Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3N1CB51D83 Greetings to all. I have a Nissan Sentra GXE that came to me with a P2138. When the vehicle came in the MIL was on but vehicle ran fine. Accelerated well and other than the MIL being on was for all intents and purposes perfect. Tested the wiring @ APP 1 & 2 an... Trouble codes: P2138 (Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Circuit Range/ Performance)	View
	2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8L No Start VIN: JN1CFAN16Z Hi there! I've got an imported Nissan Sunny in the shop.The original engine went(QG16) and there is no replacement available locally.Another shop dropped in a local(South African) QG18 engine,changed the intake manifold,etc and extended the cam sensor wiring,s...	View
	2001 Oldsmobile Alero GX 2.4L Hesitation, Stall, No MIL after stall VIN: 1G3NK12T11 Typing for my brother, Fred. We thought we had this problem solved with the ignition switch (see related history). The car ran fine for several miles before the stall occurred again. The engine will abruptly stall on a snap throttle. Sometimes, it will only st...	View
	2004 Saab 9-3 Arc 2.0L Auxiliary Port VIN: YS3FD79Y64 Customer installed auxiliary MP3 port and needs system configured to make it work. We need to know what the process is. Have never done this particular re-program operation before. We have the Tech 2 and are very familiar with getting security access and addin...	View
	2006 Saturn Vue 2.2L Mil VIN: 5GZCZ23D86 I cannot come up with any information for this dtc. I contactd the service department of our GM dealer and it wasn't in their material either. The CEL is inlluminated with no driveability concerns. Does anyone, possibly a former Saturn tech, have any info on w...	View
	2007 Subaru Outback XT Limited 2.5L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: 4S4BP63C07 Hi All. For the last six months on and off This turbo charged 2.5 has intermittently misfired mostly at idle and occasionally at highway speeds according to owner. Initially, flushed oil system with Suburu flush and added synthetic oil to correct possible clo...	View
	1988 Toyota Pickup 2.4L No Start, When cold VIN: JT4RN63A2J The vehicle was brought in as a no start when the outside temperature is below approx 35 degrees. It has been warm weather since brought in and i have not got it to do this but once and before i had a chance to check anything the temp had gone up enough to sta...	View
	1998 Toyota Sienna LE 3.0L radiator fans always on VIN: 4T3ZF13C7W Hi Guys, this is a new customer we've never seen this car before. He bought it new and has been to quik lubes, midas, the dealer etc. He asked us to check why the radiator cooling fans come on - they seem to be on "high" speed ( they have 3 speeds, I believe...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L asr light abs VIN: WVWMA23B3Y Hello fellow techs, I have a problem child in my hands cant seem to figure out thanks in advance for any help. Well here it goes if u turn right on this car asr light (anti slip regulation) starts blinking car looses power i guess normal since its thinking ca...	View
	2006 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5 2.5L Blower and wipers inop VIN: 3VWPG31C86 Hi there and help with this gremlin infested beetle. I had the vehicle in for inoperative AC blower and windshield wipers. The customer stated they would come and go together intermittently and then finally both went out. I brought it in and went to the igniti...	View
	2008 Volkswagen Passat Turbo 2.0L Stall VIN: WVWJK73C38 hi VW test and all car stall and tow I check low then 50 psi of fuel pressure when key on but after set 10 min car will start again and will stall 5 min later it will not start or it start and cut off that time no fuel pressure I check it have power by fuel pu... Trouble codes: 12356 (135 -), 135 (12355-), 12355	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2003 Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.0L no start VIN: WAUAT48H73 thanks to all who replied to this post. The customer fought with audi canada since a sludging problem is common on these cars and they decided to cover a part of the cost for replacing motor as long as the job is done with them. From the latest news he gave me...	8
	1989 BMW 325i 2.5L rocker arm/shaft VIN: WBAAD1301K I recieved many replies(9) and are thankfull for all of them. The car has been put off due to a sudden boom in business, I took a local job to get me through the slow time I was having, and now am working way too much to finish this BMW. I am 100 percent sure ...	9
	2004 BMW Z4 2.5i 2.5L seat belt warning light VIN: 4USBT335X4 thanks to all that replied the problem was at the seat belt latch driver side the housing was coming apart i put it back together and all is well thanks again russell this site really helps thanks iatn	5
	2007 BMW 328i 3.0L No Start VIN: WBAVA33567 Car is going away without a fix. Thanks to those that did reply. Randy suggested fuel pressure bleed down, but this was not the case (original data showed fuel pressure of 80psi)Pump pressurizes system when doors unlocked/opened. Pressure was unchanged both w... Trouble codes: 2A37, 2A47, 2A45, 2A77, 2A3F.	5
	2001 Buick Regal LS 3.8L trans. shifting VIN: 2G4WB55K91 the problem was broken & rubbed through wiring under the hood where it runs by the accumulator.there was so much tape at this location & the wires very small which made it difficult to see. we cut open the harness, repaired the affected wires, retaped & insula...	14
	2002 Cadillac DeVille 4.6L battery VIN: 1G6KD54Y42 Thank you to all that replied.We reassembled and sent this Caddy on its way.with an amp clamp on the battery and a tech 2 powered up,we never could "catch" a module staying awake after hundreds of door,trunk,hood,and key cycles.the customer was getting angry a...	16
	2004 Cadillac CTS 3.6L block VIN: 1G6DM57734 Customer took car home on tow truck don't know what his plans are.Thanks to all for responding everyone said take out the bottom.The best tip was about using 4 jack stands under the cradle instead of some sort of flat tray stand GM said to use.This what concer...	17
	2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT 4.2L calipers VIN: 1GNDS13S47 Firstly, I would like to thank the techs that responded. Brake fluid was contaminated, replaced master cylinder and bled whole system twice. Test drove on and off for two days, no more lock-up of any sort. Customer came to pick vehicle up and admitted to maybe...	24
	2000 Chrysler Cirrus LXi 2.5L Timing componets VIN: 1C3EJ56H5Y Well the fix is to replace the engine with a used one. The customer ( an older woman only working part time ) is short on cash, like so many in the U.S.. To those of you that said that you can't expect to get to the next timing componet replacement time i.e. 7...	14
	2004 Chrysler Concorde LXi 3.5L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 2C3HD36M34 Thanks for all your help. switching o2 sensors did not help until full battery disconnect for 10 minutes. This car dose not have o2 sensor heater monitor so computer did not pick up on issue. I had two bad Bosch o2 sensors in a row. Even though 1 front o2 was ... Trouble codes: P0132.	15
	2005 Chrysler 300 Limited 3.5L Transmission VIN: 2C3JK53G75 Well..I found it! The day after we got this car, the customer called me and informed me that their other 2005 Chrysler 300 now would not start. I stopped over their home and found chewed MAP & CAM sensor wires. SQUIRREL!!! So now I had to REALLY investigate t...	14
	1999 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L Relay Box VIN: 2B4GP44G9X I thought I had closed this all ready, It was the pcm.	15
	2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.2L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1B7HC16Y41 replaced brand new aftermarket crank sensor with dealer crank sensor,problem fixed.Thanks Jeff & everybody else for input. Scott Trouble codes: P1391.	17
	2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie 5.9L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Stall VIN: 3D7KS28C55 Thank you again IATN!!! I obtained a govenor pressure control solenoid from a local injector pump rebuilding shop, installed it and it runs good. No more surge at idle. Runs strong going down the road. This is now chalked up in the memory bank for when I se...	10
	1998 Ford Contour GL 2.0L Air bag light VIN: 1FAFP6536W I removed the RF impact sensor and cleaned mounting. Also cleaned the connector terminals and applied dielectric grease. All seems well. Thanks for the help.	11
	2004 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4L Hesitation VIN: 1FTPX14504 Roger [...] hit it on the nose. Replaced the PCM, truck has been gone a week now and if it had not been, we would have known. Purchased a cRecorder and drove the vehicle with it. Was fortunate to have the truck act-up a few times. At first look of the waveforms...	8
	2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty XL 6.4L Hesitation VIN: 1FDXW47R38 thanks for the tips replaced thermostat spring was broke. also replaced the clutch fan had a internal short would act up only when wet. Trouble codes: P0529, P00B7.	4
	1995 GMC K1500 Sierra SL 5.7L brake pedal VIN: 2GTEK19KXS Put another master cylinder on no change. Have great pedal with front hoses piched off. Re-examined pad contact points etc. still no obvious issues. Got with Identifix and tested pedal drop of 3.1 inches or less with no vacumm on booster and normal pedal app...	16
	2001 Honda Odyssey LX 3.5L Poor Idle Quality, Surge VIN: 2HKRL18551 WOW, after a full day of re-diagnosing. My intial diag was on the money. After my update yesterday I checked for vacumm leaks. I also checked cam timing, IAT, ECT, TPS, and the IAC signals, all ok. So I decided then just to put another valve in it. The second ... Trouble codes: 3102, 0504.	11
	2005 Honda Civic Hybrid 1.3L Clutch VIN: JHMES96625 Thanks for all of the advise. We will get him scheduled in and go from there. I think with all of the advice we shouldn't have any trouble.	7
	2007 Infiniti G35 3.5L Hesitation, Stall VIN: JNKBV61E17 Took back to Dealer, they said no codes were ever stored and they replaced both VVT solenoids under warranty. Do not know why no codes ever set or why problem occured after battery was replaced but car is fixed.	4
	1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L Tcc VIN: 1J4GZ48S1W Thanks for all the help, the problem was an output shaft speed sensor giving an erractic signal.	14
	1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4.0L Unknown VIN: 1J4FY49SXW We were confident it was either a driveline or rear axle problem because of where the noise was and it did not do it if the rear diff or driveline were not loaded. It was obviously not tire related as it would do it in 2 or 4 wheel drive equally. The driveline...	8
	2003 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.4L engine VIN: SALME11473 Thanks for the responses, I did the valve cover gaskets, we'll see what happens.	6
	1997 Mazda Miata 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: JM1NA3537V Following the air gap adjustment, the customer was able to keep the check engine light off long enough to get her emissions inspection and armed with a current tag, she no longer feels the urgency to return for further testing. I am sure I will find the root ... Trouble codes: P0505 (Idle Air Control System), P0300 (Random Cylinder Misfire).	6
	1995 Mercedes-Benz SL320 3.2L 5th gear VIN: WDBFA63E0S Hi guys, thanks to everybody that replied, but running out of time here.. everything checks out fine on this car exept that I haven't checked the solenoid for the 5th yet. If that is okay I will condemn the gearbox and recommend a replacement unit. thanks agai...	6
	2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 3.5L Unknown VIN: WDBWK56F75 Thanks to all. It was an easy job. Sometimes you just dont know untill you are in over your head and then it is to late. Like most replies stated they just pop out and push in. Thanks again.	9
	2006 Mercedes-Benz S430 4Matic 4.3L TPMS display on dash VIN: WDBNG83J06 Thank you Scott from Alberta. We initially thought that to be the case, but we thought there may be another recourse. We did send it back to the dealer and our customer is happy. Thanks to all for your conciderations	1
	2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor LS 3.8L No Start VIN: 4A4MN21SX5 Thanks for the replies, i took apart the column and didnt find any problems. Customer did not have any speedpasses on his key ring. We estimated replacing the key antenna, customer decided to take vehicle until problem comes back. Maybe i fixed a connection is... Trouble codes: P0513.	4
	2006 Mitsubishi Endeavor LS 3.8L Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: 4A4MN21S06 well i got a used computer in (same part number)and truck would not start so i found a locksmith that said he could program the key to the computer for $150 so i stuck working computer in truck and went to see him swapped computers at his shop and he "programm...	3
	2004 Nissan Maxima SL 3.5L lack of power VIN: 1N4BA41E84 Several members hit this one. It was a plugged rear cat converter.Replaced it and car runs strong. The problem was intermitant for awhile adding to the confusion.Thanks to all who replied	11
	2000 Saturn LS2 3.0L 1-2 shift VIN: 1G8JW52R3Y Thanks for the replys. Although I never did duplicate this fault, I went ahead and programmed the TCM with the latest calibration file and explained to the customer that the fault still may be present and would more than likely involve at least the PC solenoid...	4
	1993 Subaru Loyale 1.8L No Compressor Engagement VIN: JF2AN52B6P I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THE REPLIES. MOST SAID TO LOOK CLOSELY AT THE SENSOR AT THE FRONT OF THE COMPRESSOR WHICH WE ALREADY HAD. IT IS VERY HARD TO FIND INFO ON HOW THE AMPLIFIER INTERPRETS THE SIGNALS GOING IN. WE JUST BYPASSED THE AMPLIFIER AND L...	6
	2000 Toyota RAV4 2.0L fan VIN: JT3HP10V2Y the car it fixed I check it was missing fan switch I replace new Switch the fan go back to normalthank you all.	4
	2003 Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.8T 1.8L Unknown Hey guys I put that N92 solenoid in and it's seems to be fixed. I thank everyone for there time and expertise. Seth	7

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