Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Mar 20, 2012

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	Help Request	Answers
	2008 Audi Q7 Premium 3.6L rear hatch VIN: WA1BY74L38 This Q7's rear hatch has a mind of it's own. The vehicle's battery was replaced in the last couple of weeks, and all comfort & locking functions were normal, so I don't think this is associated. The rear latch will release randomly, and the hatch opens automat...	View
	2003 BMW 325xi 2.5L pass. side HID VIN: WBAEU33423 I switched the bulbs and still no light on passenger side only . I turned the lites on with the plugs off and watched the lightening jump to ground , then the both lites will work for a long time normally .The pass. side headlite seems to get brighter a little...	View
	2004 Cadillac Escalade 6.0L MIL Lamp on Hello and let me thank you all in advance for reading my post. I first received this 04 cadillac escalade with a code -p0446. I checked all corresponding circuits to the vent valve and purge valve and fuel tank pressure sensor and all circuits checked out ok. ... Trouble codes: P0446	View
	1994 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Tahoe 4.3L Hesitation, Surge, Stall, Misfire VIN: 1GNDT13W2R Car came in to the shop with a surge complaint,misfire.This is her daily driver surge,misfire happen she brought in same day.After verifying that i saw spark leaking from the aftermarket accel coil to the intake.Thought easy fix installed new ac delco coil,vec...	View
	1996 Chevrolet S10 LS 2.2L Surge, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCCS1946T Hi there guy's, I could sure use some of your advice and experience on determining what is wrong with this vehicle. The following vehicle has trouble code P0171=Fuel Trim System Lean. Freeze Frame Data is as followes: AF Ratio=14.6:1 Calc. Air Flow=36.73 g/s E... Trouble codes: P0171	View
	1997 Chevrolet Venture LS 3.4L Surge, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GNDU03E4V Hello everyone, got this gm that is giving us p0300 codes intermintently. As one can see I have replaced parts that were worn out and tried new parts and/or known good parts for testing purposes. What stands out is the neg fuel trims all the time and an approx... Trouble codes: P0300	View
	2000 Chevrolet K2500 7.4L Steering VIN: 1GCGK24J8Y Vehicle pulls left especially when driving on road crown. Are these alignment specs acceptable? Front left toe = +1/32. Front right toe = + 1/32. Total toe = + 1/16. Front left camber = +3/8. Front right camber = +1/4. Side to side camber = +1/8. Left caster =...	View
	2001 Chevrolet Express 2500 4.3L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCFG25W01 Van seems to run fine but sets missfire moinitors for #1&4 cyls. No missfire at idle but starts at about 1500 to about 2600 rpm. Does'nt show missfire under hard accel or idle just steady cruise. We reset cam retard from -10 to 0 which got rid of p1345 but mis... Trouble codes: P0300, P1345	View
	2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS 3.5L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCDT13624 Criuse speed no miss detected in any cylinder ?? Only hot idle I think its the same cylinder head issue that GM has a bulletin out for improper valve to cylinder head seating is the cause i think any GM tech no if i could be right . I was a GM tech for 24 year... Trouble codes: P0302 (2 cylinder missfire detected read missfire data 2 missed for 3000 times all others ok), P0300 (Random miss ater clearing)	View
	2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L can't reset TPMS VIN: 2GCEK290X9 - tech didn't keep them in order of removal. Installed summer tires and tried to relearn tire position (used modis to put into tpms relearn) We are getting the truck to start relearn 2 beeps, start the relearn with a snap on tire relearn tool left front it bee...	View
	2006 Chrysler 300 Touring 3.5L Mechanical VIN: 2C3KA53G16 To all, I have a routine maint. timing belt coming in and I read the procedure in Mitchell. It wants me to pull the valve covers and remove the rocker arms. The labor time for the valve cover gaskets is almost the same as the timing belt labor. I also checked ...	View
	1996 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L brakes VIN: 3B7HF13Y4T Tuck came in for wandering and pulls left when braking. Front pads have even wear. Checked suspension components and found a few things that are loose. So we went ahead and replaced: track bar, upper ball joints, lower ball joints, axle u-joints, steering gear...	View
	2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 4.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1D7HU18N23 I guess one of my biggest problems is Mitchell has no info on these 2 codes. Can someone kinda give me a clue of where to start. Is this usually a convertor fault or o2 sensor fault? Thanks, Nate Trouble codes: P0421 (B1 cat efficiency low warmup), P0431 (b2)	View
	2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 5.7L Engine VIN: 1D7HU18D13 So the owner who is a friend of mine calls me up the other day. Had me come take a look. If you leave the oil cap on the engine and try to crank the motor, almost immediately the engine will explosively blow the oil cap off the motor. Pretty good dent in the h...	View
	2005 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT 5.9L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3D7MS48C45 P0088 high fuel pressure actual pressure 21,000 dersired pressure 6800 replaced pump 2 times also replaced fuel control actuator and cascade valve. KOEO pressure goes to zero bump key pressure showes low pressure pump value. if I add A 1K resistor to pressure ... Trouble codes: P0088	View
	2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7L 4x4 VIN: 1D7RV1GT3A FYI, we installed front leveling kit after repairs. Customer complained about a vibration in 4x4 only. spoke to our local dealer to verify vibration and was comfirmed leveling kits do cause a vibration in 4x4 only	View
	2001 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Fluid VIN: 1FTSW31F31 I have a customers truck that is a construction worker, he recently pulled a 14,000 lb. trailer and when they stopped it was pouring tranny fluid out from inside the bell housing, by the time they brought it to me they had added 2.5 quarts of fluid and is was ...	View
	2005 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FMFU17525 Thankful for any help on this. This truck came in last week customer complaining of surging and stalling at idle with check engine light on. We found P0012 (Intake cam position timing over retarded bank 1) P0345 (CMP Sensor @ ckt problem bank 2) stored in me... Trouble codes: P0012 (P0012 Intake cam position timing over retarded bank 1)	View
	2005 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1FMZU73E35 Hi all This Explorer has a very intermitant hot soak issue. It will start and have a very rough idle and per the customer will stall sometimes when put into gear. IT will run rough for 1/2 to 1 minute then smooth out and run great. I have experinced the rough ...	View
	2008 Ford Focus SE 2.0L Door Ajar VIN: 1FAHP35N28 Identifix shows the Door Jamb Switch in the Center Pillar, whereas internet searching shows it in the Door module. Any assistance is appreciated as of right now I've open the door panel and looked around for triggers etc but I don't want to pull the interior a...	View
	2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD SLE 6.0L heating VIN: 1GTGK13U83 vehicle came in with a complain of not enough heat. heater will work fine when first started and as long as it is no driven heat will come out of the vent. when you drive a couple of blocks down the street, it will start to loose heat and then it just blows lu...	View
	2002 Honda Civic Si 2.0L Stall, Misfire VIN: SHHEP33522 This car has a interesting problem. It misses on cyl. 2 when stalls after 5 seconds. It will start back up, miss and stall. While it is running, cylinder 2 has no injector pulse. It fires twice while cranking and twice while stalling. If I manually fire the in...	View
	2005 Honda CR-V LX 2.4L No Start VIN: SHSRD68595 Hello everyone got this car in yesterday for a P0453. Installed new Honda FTP sensor as suggested by TSb 06-051 code returned apon start up. Found some corroded pins in connector C558 (6 Pin connector for the canister unit). Repaired wiring cleared code and re... Trouble codes: P0453 (FTP sensor circuit high voltage)	View
	2007 Hummer H3 3.7L oil pressure VIN: 5GTDN13E37 veh came in for oil light coming on at idle when engine is hot. we installed a gauge and found oil pressure when idling and warmed up was at 2 psi. mitchell shows the min oil pressure spec to be 12 psi at 1200 rpm. oil presure is 16 psi at 1200 rpm. above min ...	View
	2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L No Start, Stall VIN: 1J4GX48S83 Jeep will die at random times. Some times less than 5 miles or over 50. It will be hard to restart. It takes 5 to 6 tries and up to five minutes. Some times it will be hard to start after a short hot soak. It dies like switch is turned off, when it starts back... Trouble codes: 455 (Evap gross leak detected), 442 (Evap small leak detected), 320 (Ignition / Distributor engine speed input circuit)	View
	2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged 4.2L valve train VIN: SALSH23418 We have this noise that is hard to describe coming from the p/s cylinder head. It is from the center of the head loudest at the supercharger, but this could be misleading.Like I mentioned, this same head(pass side) was replaced 600 miles ago(with a used head) ...	View
	2002 Lexus GS300 3.0L Charging VIN: JT8BD69S42 Battery was dead, customer attempted to jump start. Customer crossed the cables. The fuse link for the Alternator & 5 other fuses. I need to know how to replace this fuse. Looks like it is bolted in the pass. side underhood fuse box. I can't get the fuse box a...	View
	2005 Lexus ES330 3.3L Brake pedal VIN: JTHBA30G35 This lexus had new front pads and rotors installed at 100K miles; 3K miles later they experienced an intermittent sinking brake pedal with light application at stop lights. We verified the concern and bled the front and rear brakes. The pedal maintained normal...	View
	2000 Lincoln LS 3.9L Traction Control VIN: 1LNHM87A9Y We have a Lincoln LS traction control light came on suddenly after the a/c system has been checked. Do not see any problems related to the system we were checking. Has codes U1262, U2003, U2005, and U2008 in the mesage center. Has an aftermarket radio unit for...	View
	2004 Lincoln LS 3.0L interior lighting VIN: 1LNHM86S74 This Lincoln will intermittently turn on the interior lights (also the outside rear view mirror lights come on). It may go for quite awhile with them out and then they will come on for no reason and this will drain the battery. The data I have for the doors be...	View
	1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 4.5L Slips 1-2, 2-3 VIN: 1090161200 This is actually a grey market 300SEL. We removed and tore down transmission. Previous overhaul not done correctly. drum in backwards, valve bodies mis-assembled. Indication of clutch pack damage. We replaced missing and worn parts, re-assembled and test drove...	View
	1995 Mercedes-Benz C280 2.8L srarter VIN: WDBHA28E9S Mitchell shows a Starter lock out relay module behind left kick panel that is not there. Does any body know where it is ? Thanks, Ron	View
	1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Kompressor 2.3L Shifting VIN: WDBKK47F8X I would like to thank everyone for their time and input. We have used IATN for over 2 years now and find it a very valuable tool for info. So Iam wondering if anyone has ever installed a used etc module(electronic trans control). Same old story cust has little...	View
	2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 4.3L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, No throttle VIN: WDBNG70J1Y So this car come in on the tow truck, dead, open the trunk to put the jumper box on it and find the battery already uncovered and jumper cables in the trunk. I already know this car had battery issues but the customer denied me when i told him to replace the b... Trouble codes: C1022	View
	2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 5.0L abc VIN: WDBSK75F63 hi techs dual pump was replaced a couple of months ago. Every thing was going fine until owner sat idling for several minutes... est 10... and the front dropped one level and then again. At this time the abc light illuminated. At his residence I pulled codes ...	View
	2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 5.0L ac system leak VIN: WDBTJ75J85 This vehicle loses the AC charge after about 2 weeks, i added dye a few days ago and cannot find any leaks under the hood. I am leaning towards an evaporator or expansion valve, just can't get my head around this is a very low mileage car can the evap actually...	View
	2004 Mitsubishi Lancer ES 2.0L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: CS3A209284 Hello fellow technicians this lancer equipped with 4G18 engine has a complete loss of power. If revved in neutral it is lazy to get to redline no misfires felt or heard. In drive a around 2000rpm engine just gives laboring response and goes very slowly will ev...	View
	1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 3.8L Instrument lights Problem solved! I went down to Las Vegas and visited my brother. I got a chance to take a look at his 1986 Olds Delta 88 inoperative Instrument light problem. I found that there wasn't enough voltage getting up to the printed circuit board, we cleaned all the ...	View
	2001 Saab 9-5 2.3t 2.3L Air recirculation motor lever VIN: YS3ED48EX1 The lever on the recirculation motor is broken. Looking at this idiotic design, it is apparent that it is designed to fail. The motor continues to drive hard even after reaching what should be its stop. It will drive for 14 seconds in either direction regardle...	View
	2005 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.7L Radio VIN: JTEBT14RX5 Customer states battery going dead and radio and info center stays on all the time. Vehicle appears all original with no add ons. I noticed the rear wiper/washer does not work. I removed acc cut out relay and radio is still on. Note when I say on you can turn ...	View
	2009 Volkswagen Routan SEL 4.0L 3rd row power folding seats VIN: 2V8HW64XX9 The vehicle came in with the right rear seat recliner stuck in the fully reclined postion. Also, the left power folding seat would soemtimes not unlatch to stow. found a reflash for improper unlatch of either seat. Once that was performed the left seat operate...	View
	2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 2.0L lock VIN: WVGBV95N69 all doors lock, drivers door wont unlock.scanner data shows its working. replaced latch, same problem.	View
	1997 Volvo 850 2.4L speedometer VIN: YV1LW5543V HELP!!! I have a 850 Volvo that I can not get the speedometer to work. I am sure the trouble is in the abs module even tho I have replaced it with a used unit. I can go into the abs with my scanner as long as the engine is off but if I start the engine I loose...	View
	2001 Volvo V70 T5 2.3L Engine VIN: YV1SW53D81 Thanks in advance for all the help.Vehicle came in with laundry list.Struts,Oil Leaks,exhaust.Handled Struts and exhaust.Working on oil leak.Pulled front cover found oil all through TB system.Looks like cam seals.Removed belt on timing marks.Now I have two que...	View
	2005 Volvo XC90 T6 2.9L Mechanical VIN: YV1CZ91165 I have a question for all the techs out there can i remove and reseal valve cover on 2005 volvo xc90 2.9 l without use special tool that hold down valve cover need step by step info thankyou.	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2000 BMW 323i 2.5L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: WBAAM3345Y This vehicle is being wrapped up, but not in a good way. The customer showed up yesterday morning after I had posted this request and went nuts. He was screaming and yelling all kinds of unprintable words. He blamed me for everything short of the 9-11 terroris... Trouble codes: P0303.	19
	2004 BMW 545i 4.4L Valve Covers VIN: WBANB33554 Thanks Joshua [...] also for tring to give me usefull information. Remove upper cowl cover then center hvac vent cover. No jacking up or pring motor over.	6
	2006 BMW X3 3.0i 3.0L differential VIN: WBXPA934X6 Unfortunately the customer has not returned to have us further diagnose the source of the noise, but several replies indicated the most likely cause would be the driveshaft center support bearing. There is also a bulletin regarding a tear in the floor where th...	5
	1997 Cadillac Eldorado ETC 4.6L Blower VIN: 1G6ET1297V The blower motor was the problem as pretty much everyone said. The key to good diagnostic skills is understanding the system, and once I learned out how the blower operated, testing was a snap. Then replaced the heater core, and that took care of the heat iss...	14
	2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L Steering VIN: 2GCEK19TX2 Thanks for all the responses-- a steering gear box and flush did the trick.Gerry, thanks for the insight on jorgen auto Matt	20
	2002 Chrysler Town & Country LXi 3.3L rear latch/actuator VIN: 2C4GP44342 Thanks, to all who posted to my help request. The handle switch was replaced. But this was not the fix, and is still unfixed at this time. The customer, did not want to continue with the dia., I was asked you unplug the latch, so it would not run the battery...	8
	2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500 2.7L stuck injector VIN: WD2YD74233 Hi guys I have been hearing guys call this "The Black Death!" I think it should be the official name for it! I rented and used the tool from store.europarts-sd.com... or http://s...	7
	2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500 2.7L turbo VIN: WD2YD74233 Hi guys New turbo cartridge(center part w/bearings) from g-pop shop did the trick. The bearings were just bad enough to let it spin a little but not really spin up.	4
	1999 Ford E-250 Econoline 4.2L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1FTPE2425X The EGR ports was clogged. I cleaned them out and its running good. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!	13
	2003 Ford Crown Victoria 4.6L R/f Seatbelt Retractor VIN: 2FAFP73W23 Thanks for your help gentalmen. My data described this code as the right, front, but I rechecked the left, front, as advised and it turned out to be the left, front pretensioner. Then the customer decided to not have it fixed. After all that work. In any eve...	9
	2004 Ford Crown Victoria 4.6L No Start, Cuts out VIN: 2FAHP71W04 I replaced the eec relay and attached a missing ground from engine to firewall.Problem has not returned.BUT the temp here is middle 80's and the problem does not occur above 30*.This is Michigan,could snow next week.I will repost if problem returns.Thanks to ...	15
	2004 Ford F-250 Super Duty XLT 6.0L No Start VIN: 1FTNW21P04 Monty and Jake tagged this one, but everyone got a part if the action! unbolted the ficm to check the harness for chaffing and low and behold, the back plug was not fully seated in the ficm. plugged it back up and re-assembled...NUTH'N! didn't have the green c... Trouble codes: P0268 (Injector 3 circuit high), P0676 (Cyl. 6 glow plug circuit), P2614 (Cmp circuit/open), P2617 (Ckt circuit/open).	12
	2004 Honda CR-V EX 2.4L wheel speed sensor VIN: JHLRD77844 Thanks for all the advise, I'm still waiting for the car to return to test it. But I tried updating info, but it didnt work. I miss typed the side of vehicle. I did replace the L.R parts not R.R. I did have a bad wire in harness through body so that was alread...	11
	2001 Infiniti I30 3.0L Blower fan system VIN: JNKCA31A01 First, thanks to the 3 listers who responded. No one ever did comment as to whether the HVAC box must be removed to change out a fan motor. I replaced the fan speed control module with another one from the dealer. I should comment that the 10.9 amp draw on the...	3
	1998 Land Rover Discovery LE 4.0L ignition VIN: SALJY1247W My diagnosis of a bad ECU was correct to begin with, the no spark after he replacement was that the ECU had to be reconized by the antitheft module. I read all of the information that was available to me about the operation of the antitheft and from that data...	8
	1997 Mazda Protege DX 1.5L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: JM1BC1411V Thanks for all the replies, but have to close without fix. Vehicle was not consistent enough to establish problem. Out of 5 days, vehicle duplicated issue twice for 2 seconds and then back to normal in a second. Replaced the air intake tube, but only has minor...	5
	2003 Mazda MPV ES 3.0L low engine vacuum VIN: JM3LW28A13 vehicle is fixed. through the oil cap hole we could see the timing chain and push on it and it was nice and snug so we leaned away from jumped timing temporarily. removed EGR valve and found it stuck open. it wouldent even budge when tapping on it with a hamme...	8
	2000 Nissan Frontier XE 2.4L tcc solenoid vavle VIN: 1N6DD21S1Y thank you for all your help ,finaly nissan have recall for it check speed sensor driven gear it wear out replace then driving about 200 miles code is not back think it be fix at this time	3
	2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8L floods VIN: 3N1CB51D25 thanks to all who replied. i pulled head, looked like it was dark between cylinders. sent out to check, all OK except a little crooked. planed & reassembled - been gone a week, No problems. thanks again	15
	2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: JF1GD70646 thanks for all the help. ended up smoking entire intake system. found one intake boot off turbo with good size tear in it and 2 other boots with small tears. it has aftermarket intercooler system so i got a hold of that company and ordered all new boot/connect...	11
	2009 Toyota Prius Touring 1.5L Starting VIN: JTDKB20U39 Thanks to Carolyn,Stephen,Jim,Michael,and John. This is a AGM battery that is rated @ 325 CCA, the only info on the battery says to charge @ no more than 3.5 amps for no longer than 10 hrs. After charging for 6 hrs. one day than 4 hrs.the next @ 2.5 amps I tes...	11
	2002 Volkswagen Beetle Sport 1.8L engine VIN: 3VWED21C32 this one still has me in the air did everything over check spk injectior pulse even kept engine running with brake clean while watching noid and fuel pump power and ground finally SWITCHED FUEL LINES and it fired never pulled lower hose but somehow lines were ...	13
	2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L engine VIN: 3VWCT71KX6 thanks for all the help, most replies were things i had already ruled out. after performing a compression test found one cylinder just out of spec from the others, 5 bar allowable difference. i removed the valve cover again and more closely inspected the cam s...	8

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