Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Mar 13, 2012

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	Help Request	Answers
	1992 BMW 318i 1.8L Head Gasket,Coolant VIN: WBACA5316N Than you very much for helping on this, it is really irritating me. This is the second time this customer has brought this car to me. Last time they cheaped out on a tune up and had someone put in Autolite spark plugs which burned out a coil. They were very ha...	View
	2003 BMW 540i 4.4L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: WBADN63403 runs fine when first started great power then ill drive and about four miles it starts missing bad service engine soon light flashes watching the data stream the misfires jump around usaully at least three or four cyl. at a time they change witch ones are miss... Trouble codes: P0363, P1345, P1349	View
	2006 BMW 750Li 4.8L Passenger front signal VIN: WBAHN83516 BMW techs I need help. I have a 2006 BMW 740 LI here in my shop. The front headlamp assembly has two signal bulbs within the headlamp casing. The fault is the outer signal bulb will not flash but the inner bulb it's attached to flashes; all other signals work...	View
	1992 Buick Roadmaster 5.7L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, High Idle VIN: 1G4BR837XN This older tbi gem isn't something we see everyday and I feel were caught up with something simple were missing. The customer came in with a high idle complaint. The vehicle idles up over 1500 when cold. After warmed it drops to the 1100 to 1200 range. We gave... Trouble codes: 24 (No Vehicle Speed Signal Recieved)	View
	2011 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L fuel VIN: 3GYT4NEF3B This truck fails only on first start in morning, here my country min temperature is around 60F, the car start and stall exacly two times, on the third crank stays running quite unstable and in a very lean condition, if its accelerated you hear the explosion in...	View
	2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.6L Hesitation, Surge, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCHK23151 Hello to all, and thanks in advance. As my repair history states, engine was replaced with lower mileage unit and problem was there before and after. It fails to start without either. And under hard accel it sets code P0094 for fuel leak and Ive seen the desir... Trouble codes: P0094 (Fuel system small leak detected)	View
	2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer LTZ 4.2L Stall, Strains on acc. VIN: 1GNDS13SX3 Vehicle starts and idles good. Problem is straining on acceleration, from take of on moderate acc. or at highway speed if trying to gain speed faster or on pulls, even if cruise is on and going up a slight grade.Scanned sys. no codes present. After driving app... Trouble codes: P0172	View
	2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer LTZ 4.2L Hesitation VIN: 1GNDS13SX3 Sys. has code PO172B, fuel trim sys, code will reset after app. 10 miles driving from cold start to the 10 miles. Fuel pressure great, convertor appears to be clear, replaced front o2 sensor. Cleared codes, reroadtested same code reset after app. 10 miles. Idl... Trouble codes: P0172	View
	2004 Chevrolet Classic 2.2L Bcm Warning Lights VIN: 1G1ND52F74 Need some help on this one guys! Car came in with a steering problem, rack was rotted loose from the cradle. Replaced cradle and sent vehicle out for alignment. got vehicle back and proceeded to check for inspection. Found horn not working. installed push butt...	View
	2008 Chevrolet Express 1500 5.3L runs great no codes VIN: 1GCFG15438 HI, This Chevrolet Express Van 1500 is due for Inspection here in NY. It had an EVAP code P0449, it was repaired at another shop and the code was erased. They have driven the van aprox. 1000 miles and the monitors won't run. I personally drove it almost 100 mi...	View
	1995 Chrysler LeBaron GTC 3.0L Oil Pump VIN: 1C3EU4538S Customer concern-- Kid drove car. Had to pass a car on hwy. After that the oil pressure guage on dash read high. Engine does not make any noise. Diagnosis--Connected mechanical oil pressure gauge to car. Reads-- COLD 100 PSI IDLE-105 PSI 2000 RPM. HOT 15 PSI I...	View
	2004 Chrysler Town & Country Touring 3.8L 2nd VIN: 2C4GP54L84 I've picking away om this one and now it's picking away on me. Here it goes: Previous shop attempted to repair a no crank no start concern wich was diagnosed vehicle needing a PMC. The ASD relay circuit was jumped because it wasn't being powed. The customer dr...	View
	2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport 3.3L Surge, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 2B4GP44R41 Here goes, have this van that will surge and stall at idle and on acceleration. Feels just like a bad fuel pump. Has 62 psi fuel pressure and volume is fine. When running and giving the engine throttle it will run bad and buck just like its running out of fuel...	View
	2002 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L turn signals brake lights hi beams hazards wipers VIN: 1D7HU18Z02 hey guys have strange lighting problems.brake lts stay on .turn signals only flash on inst cluster not outside at signal lts.no hazard lts no wipers no hi beams no wiper washers.cant turn off headlights.seems like signals and brake lights are grounding before ...	View
	2003 Dodge Caravan SE 3.3L PCI Bus communication VIN: 1D4GP25R43 Thanks in advance to everyone.I have this 03 van that came to the shop in limp mode and no speedo.Ihad no communication with the tcm but can communicate with all other modules,so I tried speed sensor that did nothing.Upon further investigation I found tcm in r...	View
	2003 Dodge Dakota Sport 3.9L govenor sol VIN: 1D7HL38X83 trans in fail safe mode. po748 has been retrieved govenor pressure solenoid circuit problem. diag system ck all power and grounds for trans circuit, ck wireing harness from pcm to trans ok removed trans pan ck control harness asswell ok. ck all solenoids all o...	View
	2004 Dodge Stratus SE 2.7L Stall VIN: 1B3EL36T74 This is an E-85 car, but has been run on unleaded only since this problem started. It has an intermittent long crank then rough idle and stall when cold. Driver has to 2 foot it for the first minute. After that, it is fine, sometimes for several days. We hav...	View
	2009 Dodge Dakota SLT 4.7L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy Good morning everyone,i have this police truck that has no power.I took it for a test drive and MIL was flashing and i could feel the miss.Pull codes and these are codes that were pulled.see below.I checked spark plugs and on cylinder #5 spark plug was chipped... Trouble codes: P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire), P0305 (cylinder 5 misfire), P2096 (downstream fuel trim lean bnk 1), P2098 (downstream fuel trim lean bnk 2), P2305 (ignition coil 2)	View
	1964 Ford Econoline 2.8L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Stall This nice little Econoline has a rough idle when warmed up. It will stall unless kept over 1800-2000 rpm. Cannot find any vacuum leaks. Took carb apart and nice and clean, float is brass and not fuel logged. All points, cond. plugs, cap, rotor, wires are new. ...	View
	1999 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L Fuel Pump Inop VIN: 2FMZA5141X Van was tow in for a water pump customer attempted to start van no sucess did try to jumper with low battery. Ck for codes ck for voltage at fuel pump since no pump function was heard no voltage.ck fuel pump relay ok inertia switch ok code are b2513-b1470-u114...	View
	2000 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL 6.8L No Start VIN: UNKN0WNV1Y this vehicle has no codes for coolant temp sensor issues, but it floods when you try to start it cold. so i was informed that the temp sensors have alot of issues on these so i testes CHT CTS and IAT. CTS was the only one that tested bad. replaced sensor and t...	View
	2001 Ford F-150 XL 4.2L No Start VIN: 1FTZX17281 Vehicle towed in for no start, no communication to pcm. Scanner will communicate with all other modules. Mileage is "---" on dash. Checked power and grounds to pcm all good. Theft light flashing. 5v reference good from pcm. Unplugged tps and dpfe with no chang...	View
	2002 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L airbag VIN: 2FMZA51402 b1869 airbag light circuit fault. Airbag light does not come when you first start vehicle, you get 6 beeps. Air bag light does come on and stays on solid after driving for a while. code b1869 stored. Suspect possible ground and/or cluster problem. any help app...	View
	2003 Ford Crown Victoria 4.6L R/f Seatbelt Retractor VIN: 2FAFP73W23 Hello Gents, I'm close to sliting my wrists. I hope someone can help me. PLEASE! I have replaced Both Restraint Control Module, and Right, Front Seatbelt Retractor. (Pretensioner is in retractor) I have even replaced the harness. I have .5ohms in each wire. O...	View
	2003 Ford F-150 Lariat 4.6L Steering box VIN: 1FTRX18W83 Ok so this one is my landlords truck and wanna make sure its fixed right the first time. If you turn steering wheel 1/8th turn and rock it back and forth it makes a vibration\groaning noise from gear box area more noticeable in lines than gear box. Im wonderin...	View
	2007 Ford Mustang 4.0L blower motor ac clutch VIN: 1ZVHT84N67 Car arrived customer complaint blower motor does not come on right away, may be delayed by 30 seconds to several minutes. Our inspection found that the compressor didn't come on until the blower ran. Once they started the a/c system worked fine until the event...	View
	2001 Honda Accord EX 2.3L Misfire, Poor acceleration VIN: 1HGCG32581 Good evening, This Honda has a poor acceleration, it will misfire and back fire through the intake. If you easy into the throttle it not as bad. Checked all the readings as needed, fuel pressure it good, tps it reading , map sensor is reading, ignition system...	View
	2005 Honda Civic EX 1.7L lock cylinder VIN: 2HGES26785 this honda is giving me hard time, before putting a new lock cylinder or calling lock smith...is there any way to make this ignition lock cylinder turn? it was turn normal before connected the ground and teminals ...here is what happend. Tow car to the shop fo...	View
	1996 Infiniti Q45 A 4.5L Abs VIN: JNKNG01DXT This infinti has an intermittent abs / trac light come on. The funny thing is when the abs light pops on the audio for the radio cuts out but the display still works. The power seats also stop working at the same time. All data and mitchells have some repair d...	View
	1992 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L fuel pump VIN: 1J4FT28S2N Vechicle came in with no fuel pressure had spark and injector pulse.checked voltage at pump had 12 volts and good ground. Dropped gas tank and found pump and hoses swollen and contaminated.replaced complete pump assembley and cleaned tank as best we could 2 we...	View
	2003 Jeep Liberty Limited 3.7L transmission VIN: 1J8G8E8A13 Customer complains of intermittent transmission limp mode. Car wont up shift. No fault found when we test drive. Fault code P2e30 permanent on ECU and TCM We have no info on this code. Does it need a dealer scan.	View
	2003 Jeep Liberty Sport 3.7L Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1J4GL48K83 Vehical came in on the hook for over heating/ stall. I replaced the leaking water pump, checked for codes and test drove. The history code in the system was p034o, no cam signal the sensor worked fine during the test drive and while bleeding the coolant. The c... Trouble codes: P0340 (Cam signal), P0221 (Tps low voltage)	View
	2010 Mazda 3 S 2.5L No Start VIN: JM1BL1H60A Need some thoughts and help. Have this 2010 mazda 3 with 2.5l cranks will not start.No injector or coil pulse I correct my self 1 pulse about every 500 rpms. Will not even try to fire. No codes,has advance keyless entry no theft codes, key light is green ,No c...	View
	2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 3.2L center vent flap positioning motor VIN: 4JGAB54E02 Mercedes tech, please help. The center vent flap generating binding noise when engine is running, engine off. And even pull key out of the ignition, noise will stay there for 10 minutes before it go away. We can see when center vent stop spinning and noise wil...	View
	2000 Nissan Frontier XE 2.4L tcc solenoid vavle VIN: 1N6DD21S1Y Thank in advance all tech,have this 2000 frontier coming with complaint trans jumping between 45 & 50 mph,has code p1776 remove vavle body check tcc control vavle is ok(free to move) replace tcc solenoid vavle.Truck running & shifting fine after repair but the...	View
	2007 Nissan Versa SL 1.8L Control System RPM VIN: 3N1BC11E47 the car come to my shop whit a missfire i fix the missfire replace coil and i performed throttle position learn and idle speed learn but the car rpm still goint to 2k to 2200 and now i got a code P0507 Idle Control System RPM Higher Than Expected i dont have a...	View
	2010 Nissan Frontier SE 4.0L Evap VIN: 1N6AD0EV0A Iam the third tech to look at this vechile always comes back couple weeks same code P0448 evap vent solenoid. My testing it will pass a .010 evap force test, took canister down manually tested pressure sensor will go from 0.0 volts to 4.8 volts vent solenoid a...	View
	2001 Saab 9-5 2.3t 2.3L HVAC - wipers VIN: YS3ED48E91 Weird one here, wipers cycle on low speed when you try and use heater. also you can hear the washer pump operating, But no air blows from blower motor.The wipers stay on until you shut off the HVAC unit. the wipers work normally if HVAC is turned off. Scanned ...	View
	1995 Subaru Impreza L 4x4 1.8L not shifting VIN: JF1GF6354S we replaced the transmission with a used one, speedometer works but car is not taking off like the torque converter was not working. Any suggestion	View
	1999 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: 4T1BF18B8X This is one of those cars that makes me question my career choice sometimes. Car came in running fine. We found leaking valve covers and replaced the gaskets. Also installed new plugs (NGK). Upon finishing, fired the car up and it ran terrible, with a pop in t... Trouble codes: P0300 (Random misfire), P0301 (1 misfire), P0303 (3misfire), P0305 (5 misfire)	View
	2009 Volkswagen Routan SEL 4.0L No Start, No Crank, Theft VIN: 2V8HW64X29 Hopefully some VW techs know how to solve a Chrysler puzzle. This van is nothing but a totally rebadged Dodge with a VW VIN. As best I can tell or understand, none of the VW scan tools or software is compatible with this van. I do not know what the dealers use...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1996 BMW 328i 2.8L Starter VIN: WBABK7323T Larry, Randy, Victor, Andy, Marc, Scott, Robert, Chuck, Dan, and Chris, all of you were right on the money. It never occured to me that that late of a model wouldnt have a clutch interlock on the starter. Further research showed that, as some of you pointed ou...	14
	2008 BMW X5 3.0si 3.0L Poor Idle Quality, Surge VIN: 5UXFE43588 thanks for replies, 399 for valve cover assy. 7oo dollar whistle job. expensive but i like it. no replaement parts like v8 has , had to replace whole assy.	3
	2003 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L No Start, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1G4HP54K83 Threw up my hands on this one, checked all the items noted and finally sent it to the dealer. I talked to the service manager and he said the MAP and MAF were dropping out and they replaced them and it has been good so far. I had graphed them and thought they ...	22
	2001 Cadillac Seville STS 4.6L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1G6KY54971 Thank you to everyone that took the time to reply. I checked the EGR and TPS for proper operation and they were operating as designed. Also the lower gaskets on the plenum are new from when I replaced the intake boot. Checked IAC connector and pin fit, OK. I ... Trouble codes: P0507.	12
	1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2L Stall VIN: 1G1JC1242T We got it to stall with fuel gauge hooked up, it maintained fuel pressure. It had spark and injector pulse when it wouldnt restart. We thought maybe the spark was incorrect so we repalced the ignition module and it still stalled. We thought it might need a com...	20
	1999 Chevrolet Malibu LS 3.1L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G1NE52J1X I would sincerly like to thank everyone who replied, There was a lot of great tech info given, I had replaced the map and maf sensors with known good ones and no change. I decided to volunteer my labor at nc and replaced the intake gaskets, while replacing the... Trouble codes: P1433.	20
	2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.8L Intermittently Not VIN: 1GCEK14V34 Twofold failure on this one. The cluster was definitely faulty, we tested inputs to cluster when it was failing and they were good, communication was present when cluster was working, not when it was failing, could communicate with all other modules. Replaced ...	9
	2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ 5.3L Misfire VIN: 1GNFK13067 I'd like to thank everyone for their time and advice.Taking everyones advice I replaced VLOM solenoid assy and all the lifters and truck runs like new.The cylinder 6 intake lifter was dead like suspected.Thanks again. Trouble codes: P0300, P0306.	16
	2009 Chevrolet Express 1500 5.3L ipc VIN: 1GCFH15409 all wiring between VSS, TCM, ECM, BCM,& IPC was all good. Had correct Hz signals, still intermittantly speedo and trans range indicator would drop out. Replaced TCM and reflashed all ok runs great no issues.	4
	2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Dream 2.4L engine temp VIN: 3C8FY68B42 thanks for all the ideas,most were correct in suggesting changing thermostat again,new oem stat and radiator cap cured this one. some thought haed gasket and cooling fan problem but overheat was never a problem so i dismissed those ideas quickley. i guess the ...	15
	1990 Ford F-350 Custom 7.5L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 2FDKF38GXL This one was a faulty PCM. All sensor signals, voltage feeds and grounds were good, no communication with PCM and erratic symptoms led us to that.	7
	1993 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8L No Start VIN: 1FAPP6246P Thankyou for all the help-We checked all the powers and grounds in computer harness-All checked within specs.-eec relay checked out fine-We ended up replacing the computer -used-Fired right up-All is well-THANKS AGAIN-Brian	23
	1999 Ford Contour SE 2.5L Security VIN: 1FAFP66L6X Sorry it took so long to close but I just finished it. I finally got an e-mail back from Ford. It ended up that some how this pcm had the europe version of the security system. This is how they do it over seas on this vehicle. The repair was to replace the com...	5
	2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 5.4L readiness test VIN: 1FTNX20L91 Initial inspection station still declined to pass it. Sent him to "our" local shop. No OBDll sticker under the hood, no O2's behind the cats. For those who said it was not necessary to emissions test MUST have been correct. Thanks for all the help Jake	7
	2005 Ford Escape Limited 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FMYU94135 well thanks to all that replied. it turns out the new fuel pressure regulator that we installed from the dealer was defective we installed a new one after doint a lot of pin tests and the customer says that the code has not returned. so all we can do is hope t... Trouble codes: P0193 (Fuel pressure reg voltage to high).	8
	2006 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3L Hard start /flooding VIN: 1FTYR10D86 THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST. I ENDED UP CONTACTING IDENTIFIX, AND FOUND OUT THAT FLOODING OUT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2.2 AND 2.0 ENGINES. I HAD NO FUEL PRESSURE DROP AFTER KEY OFF, AND COOLANT TEMP AND INTAKE AIR TEMP WERE GOOD, ALSO WE T...	12
	2006 GMC Envoy SLT 4.2L drivers door control module VIN: 1GKDT13S96 Thanks to everyone on their responses. It was a programming issue. I appreciate the education.	12
	2003 Honda Accord LX 2.4L hvac VIN: 1HGCM56303 Thanks for the replies, As it turns out I had a clogged heater core. It was a little confusing because this car had 2 distict zones, everthing on the left was cold and on the right it worked pretty well. I found out they seem to use the same split case for the...	6
	2007 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L driveline VIN: 5FNRL38447 First, thank you all who responded. This vehicle has been the raspberry seed in our wisdom tooth for several days. I have seen a similar problem in a Ford Escape, but there was a visible problem with the inboard joint of the axle. This axle has no visible d...	9
	2003 Hyundai Elantra GLS 2.0L noisy decel VIN: KMHDN45DX3 some knuckle head added a 3rd 02 sensor back of the cat and rewired . Got a good kick out of this one. Put the right rear 02 sensor and remove the 3rd one. Still don't makes sense why i had a weird noise in decel(took care of the noise problem too.. Trouble codes: P0139.	2
	2005 Infiniti G35 X 3.5L Fuel guage VIN: JNKCV51F25 Thanks for the replys Guys! Thanks Kevin in NJ I bet I looked in Alldata 10 times & couldnt find the self test. The cluster is bad I ordered new cluster from Infinity.	3
	2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.7L No Start VIN: 1J4GR48K06 Following advice from others, fuel pressure steady @58 psi, asd relay tests all good, swapped with known good one, replaced ignition switch, cleaned all grounds, ohm checked from ecm to crank and cam sensor, map sensor, fuel injectors, ignition coils and asd r...	8
	1997 Lexus LS400 4.0L no drive until Replaced trans, will tear down old one to see what problem was.	5
	2006 Mazda 3 S 2.3L brake VIN: JM1BK123X6 Customer was satisfied after master cylinder was replaced. All slide pins were good and abs was activated in a field with no change. Thanks for the replies.	8
	1988 Toyota Pickup 2.4L No Start, When cold VIN: JT4RN63A2J THE WEATHER HAS TURNED OFF WARM . THE CUSTOMER PICKED UP VEHICLE AND THIS WHERE WE ARE AT THIS TIME. I WILL RE-OPEN WHEN IT GETS COOLER AND CUSTOMER BRINGS TRUCK BACK.THANKS TO ALL WHO RESPONDED. LARRY [...]	16
	2004 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L No Start, Cuts out, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1NXBR32E04 Thanks to all those that replied. The problem was broken ground behind the head of the engine... the ground that suPply the coils. Thanks for all your help. SS Trouble codes: P0171, P0351, P0352, P0353, P0354.	4
	2004 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L data lines VIN: 3VWCD31Y54 K-line was shorting to something, ran isolated wire between DLC pin 7 and IPC pin25 on connector t32 after opening vehicles K line bus and was able to communicate. I had unplugged all modules Mitchell showed connected to the K line and was showing 760 ohms re...	5

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