Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Jun 5, 2012

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	Help Request	Answers
	1991 BMW 325i 2.5L No Start VIN: WBABB2314M Hey guys, I need some help with this one. Car came in on a hook, customer says he parked the car, came back (don't know how long), and never started again. Car has no spark, no injector pulse, no fuel pressure. Car cranks no problem. First thing I checked is t...	View
	2002 Buick Regal LS 3.8L Key VIN: 2G4WB55K42 Key will not turn back far enough to remove. Only Happens intermitanly	View
	1997 Chevrolet S10 LS 4.3L fuel gauge VIN: 1GCCS19X4V Gauge always reads empty. gauge will perform sweep test ok and will read full with buffer/slosh module disconnected. sender tests ok with ohm readings @ 38 currently. wiring integrity thru harness intact. test says unplug sender/fuel pump and if reading full r...	View
	1998 Chevrolet Express 1500 5.0L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GBFG15M7W Vehicle came in running terrible. Scan of the system turned up only p0300 random misfire. Using the scan tool only seem to have a proble on cylinders 2 and sometimes on number 8. All other cylinders are not showing a misfire. New plugs, distributor, ignition w... Trouble codes: P0300 (Random Misfire)	View
	1999 Chevrolet Express 1500 LS 5.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GBFG15M6X Hi could really use some assistance from you gm techs, This car came in with the two codes p340 p1336. I scoped the cam sensor and found that it had no signal i cheked for voltage coming in (12v). Decided the sensor was bad and replaced the whole distributor. ... Trouble codes: P0340, P1336	View
	2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS 5.3L Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3GNFK16Z04 truck came in fo intermittent stumble and stall code po336 rec cam and crank sensor cust agreed put sensors in had to replace cam because of bad sensor crank sensors still intermittently throwing the po336 checked voltage signal and low reference all seem ok t... Trouble codes: P0336	View
	2005 Chevrolet Colorado Z85 2.8L starter VIN: 1GCCS14825 Thank for any help. Truck came into shop running after rolling off to start. Cut off will not crank. No power to starter sol. Check fuses and relays. Start relay #62 not clicking. Power on only on one terminal B+. Power on clutch swtich. Bypass swtich still no...	View
	2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 WT 6.6L Electronic VIN: 1GCHK33D66 Truck will peg trans temp gauge and set warning on info center but temp on line and cooler read much lower. Has anyone put a trans temp sensor in or how do you test. What wires mitchell sucks on this one	View
	2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LT 6.6L Transmission VIN: 1GBJK39678 This truck has an intermittent code P0732 2nd gear ratio incorrect. It only sets about once a week and trans goes into limp mode and stays in third. When code is cleared all is OK for about a week. We have already replaced trans and still have same problem. Ha...	View
	2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Dream 2.4L Cooling Fan VIN: 3C8FY68B52 I have a strange one on my hands. This vehicle came in 2 months ago with overheating no fan operation. Found a faulty low speed fan relay and installed new one. Found some wiring that had been tampered with by someone else that wired the high speed and low spe...	View
	1998 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L Steering VIN: 3B7KF266XW This truck feels real loose, but all parts are tight. It almost feels like it has rear steering, when you turn the wheel. It feels like rear is turning opposite of front. Alignment is ok, alignment shop doesn't have any suggestions. He actually thought the stu...	View
	2004 Dodge Stratus R/T 2.7L Stall VIN: 1B3EL76R04 Hello IATN, I have a 2004 Dodge Stratus with a 2.7L that stalls when hot. I got this car a few days ago with the stalling complaint but it would fire right back up no problem. I first scanned for codes and check for vacuum leaks around the intake or broken vac...	View
	2004 Dodge Neon SE 2.0L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1B3ES26C84 We diagnosed this car with a blown head gasket, blown in between cyls 3&4. Removed head, sent to machine for valve job. New gaskets and a used cam(lobes were starting to gall) and back together. Recent plugs and coil pack was installed before cyl head by an un...	View
	2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L Headlamps VIN: 1D4GP24R96 This vehicle has headlamps that do not operate most of the time. Every so often they will function. We have seen the switch inputs change at the BCM as we move from off to park and then to headlamps. The BCM shows these as 3.3 v off, 2.4 v park and 2.7 headlam...	View
	2001 Ford Focus ZX3 2.0L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 3FAFP31391 Car came in on the hook, client stated they heard a boom and the car quit running. Yes it snapped the timing belt. We installed a new belt, checked the belt aligment twice, we do have the proper tools to do this. Started the car and it will not idle, you can g...	View
	2001 Ford Focus LX 2.0L Starting VIN: 1FAFP33P31 hello all have this 2001 focus 2.0 sohc that has no crank no signal to starter ,starter relay is not clicking , there is no anti thift light on dash , has after market alarm system it is disconected looks like maybe ignition switch has been replaced and there ...	View
	2003 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT 6.0L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: 1FTSW31P23 A lube shop changes his oil, oil filter and air filter. Next day blows white smoke big time at start up. No codes. Visual inspection reveals no connectors of nor split intake tubes. Oil used was Castroll 15w40 tec CJ-4. Oil filter is Fram. Air filter is not pl...	View
	2002 GMC Yukon XL 2500 SLE 6.0L Surge, Cuts out VIN: 3GKGK26U72 Customer complaint is intermittent losing power on Interstate only. This beast has to be run at 70-75 mph for a few miles before it acts up. At 75 the fuel pressure is at 47 psi, and about 3 times in 10 miles will drop to 35 psi then back up to 47 psi. You can...	View
	1990 Honda CRX 1.5L inaccurate speed VIN: JHMED8455L Hello all, This is a beautiful old car brought here from Denver where it was garaged. The owner drives 2 of these and both cars have a 10% error in displayed speed. He uses his gps to prove the error which displays 73 mph when driving at 80 mph. He has varied ...	View
	1991 Honda Accord EX 2.2L Seems to be in limp home VIN: 1HGCB7668M This car came to me with the S light on and the trans is in limp in mode. If you put it in drive its locked in 2nd. if you manually pull the shifter into low it will shift into low. Also it rattles the shifter interlock when the key is on. I've checked for sim...	View
	2000 Honda Civic LX 1.6L No Start VIN: 1HGEJ667XY Customer towed vehicle in on intermittent issue of fuel flooding and no start. Tech tested for spark and had weak spark on the original distributor. Replaced distributor and car fired up fine. When tried to start it up a later on in the day and now has no spar...	View
	2002 Honda Civic EX 1.7L cruise control VIN: 2HGES26762 This car is a sedan which matters in testing vs the coupe. The sedan uses an older style, switch, module & servo system. Customer complains that after cruise is engaged, it will kick out after 3-4 mins. Light on main switch is on, & light on dash goes off when...	View
	2005 Honda Odyssey Touring 3.5L tail gate VIN: 5FNRL38895 Hi Honda techs. This one has been kicking our tail. Came in from another shop that tried to fix the tail gate door that won't open from the fob, dash switch or tail gate outside handle. The other shop already replaced the latch motor assembly and and control m...	View
	2005 Honda Accord SE 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1HGCM82435 vehicle brought to the shop for code p2279- air intake system leaking. checked cam timing and it is all good. cam and crank are timed correct. perform vacuum leak test with a smoke machine and there is no vacuum leak. adjust valve clearance while the engine is... Trouble codes: P2279	View
	2006 Honda Civic LX 1.8L vibration VIN: 2HGFG12666 Engine runs perfect, can see too much run out of rt hub,I think we just found it.Its eaither bad rotor or bent hub or both.Vibration starts at 35.On lift can run and see hub, we do both wheel bearings also.	View
	2006 Honda Element EX 2.4L Bearing VIN: 5J6YH28656 Group, This Element has what would typically sound like a LF wheel bearing. It was origionally diagnosed as a carrier bearing, which was later replaced in the psf bracket. We Feel it under the drivers feet, in the steering wheel and gets louder with speed. Re...	View
	1986 Jaguar Vanden Plas 4.2L extended crank Today I was handed a 1986 Jaguar XJ6 Vander Plas with the complaint of extended crank. the vehicle had sat in our lot for a few hours prior to pulling it into my bay. Out in the lot, the car cranked and cranked and cranked. After four seperate 10-15 second cra...	View
	2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L Dome Lamps VIN: 1J4GW48S54 Need to bounce one off you jeep techs out there. If the panel lamp dimmer is in any position except off, the dome lamps continually come on, dim out normally, go off, and cycle on again, randomly. Data shows all switches off, even in graphing mode, no glitches...	View
	2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7L Transmission VIN: 1J4HR58N76 Customer drove car to store in store for short time, started car put in reverse delayed engagement she drove car home with no problems.fluid is full and clean. The only code stored is p0736 reverse incorrect ratio. Please help me fix this issue. Thanx guys, ro...	View
	2006 Kia Sedona LX 3.8L SRS system VIN: KNDMB233X6 Hello, Van came in with SRS light on. Scanned with Snap-on Modis Scanner and was able to get into Air Bag setting. Once in, the scanner only gave me engine codes, not air bag codes? The scanner is 1 year old and does not look like it has air bag software on i...	View
	2002 Lexus SC430 4.3L power window VIN: JTHFN48Y52 Power window on pass side inop from either switch-both windows work normal when using power top-upon inspection found wiring between drivers door and body badly corroded-1 pin actually broken off.Made repair to wiring-still same problem.Found that if pass swit...	View
	1993 Mazda RX-7 1.3L Coolant Level VIN: JM1FD3322P Hello folks, Got an issue with the 'add coolant' light and buzzer coming on and cannot seem to get rid of it. It had a problem last year after replacing the radiator, but got it to turn off. It was ok this year but when it was brought out of storage it had an ...	View
	2002 Mazda MPV LX 3.0L shft solinoid A VIN: JM3CW28J52 Please advise if you have repaired a p0752 shift solinoid A failure.I am about to remove the pan and test the resistance of the shift solinoid hopefully it can be purchased without the entire valve body.Thanks.	View
	2006 Mazda 6 S 3.0L Starter VIN: 1YVHP82D46 Vehicle came in with intermittent Starter motor gear spinning and not engaging. We were able to duplicate symptom in the shop. We installed 2 different aftermarket remanufactured starter motors and the symptom was worse. Ordered Starter motor from Mazda. This ...	View
	2000 Mercedes-Benz E320 3.2L Compressor VIN: WDBJH655XY WOW tried to help someone out... Bites you in the... Vehicle came in A/C Not cooling properly. The A/C Blew 75 degrees. Evacuation and recharge, GREAT! Works, untill you step on the gas! Then the Pressures go to ambient temprature and does not cool again until...	View
	2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 5.0L Abc OK, hear it goes. Car came in with fast dipping (dropping) left front and slightly slower dipping right front. Noticeable within 10 min. on the left front and within a couple hours on the right. Right strut was damp and left was dry. I replaced both struts and...	View
	2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 4Matic 3.2L Can bus VIN: WDBRH84J94 Need to find Gateway module alldata says it's located on "left side under dash take foam out and it there". I've checked both sides of footwells have not located it need to check can buss wires.	View
	2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI 3.2L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge VIN: WDBUF26J25 Hello Mercedes techs, This car has a check engine light on with codes p0192, and p0652. P0192 comes right back when cleared, p0652 returns after a minute running. Idle fluctuates, and acceleration is very poor most of the time. Alldata has no code information ... Trouble codes: P0192, P0652	View
	1967 MG MGB GT 1.8L No Start, lean VIN: GCD1U70246 We can get it to start but only with a hand over the throttle opening. The choke lifters are stuck but we thought we should be able to get it to run without them going up and down. the pisons and needles go up and down freely. We have blown air through the mai...	View
	2004 Mini Cooper 1.6L power steering pump VIN: WMWRC33484 This Mini came in with a intermittant problem with the power steering pump. When the pump stops working the battery light comes on stays on for a few minutes then goes out and the power steering is back on. I checked the alternator and battery both checked out...	View
	1996 Nissan Sentra 1.6L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: 1N4AB41D6T car came and no problem found at that time, but when checking it found spark plugs very worn out, also p0505, clean up throtle install new acv and problem solved, came back with the original problem this time able to see that no acceleration and dying out, che...	View
	2004 Nissan Maxima SL 3.5L Pin VIN: 1N4BA41E34 Hi everyone, this is my first time posting, but I have a problem. I'm trying to figure out the Pin of the IMMO. I have a bunch of numbers, so maybe someone can calculate the PIN for me. BCM Nissan P/N: 284B0 7Y000 XX CKE PT Number: [...] IMMOBI...	View
	2004 Saturn Vue 3.5L compressor VIN: 5GZCZ53444 this saturn came in not cooling good The low side is 70 at idle and the high is 150 if I raise the speed up to 2000 the low is around 55 and the high is around 175 the duct temp feels slightly cool with high rpm with the blower on low.The raditor fans are runn...	View
	2006 Scion xB 1.5L engine VIN: JTLKT33426 nephew car has a p0301 cly#1 mis fire. performed compression test and found #1 low engine seems clean and well maintaince. Is there any common problems with this engine that i should check will be performing leak down test tomarrow. this car has a history of a...	View
	1990 Volvo 240 2.3L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Misfire VIN: YV1AA8859L hello all, hope one or more of you can help. we got this 240 that is running realyy lean. the o2 sensor voltage cycles 0.00 volts to 0.800 volts. the car fails calif emissions test with high nox and has a lamda of 1.028. spec in calif is at .998-1.002. this is...	View
	1997 Volvo 850 GLT 2.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: YV1LW5648V Hi folks, We had this 850 come in a few weeks ago for a CEL, codes 611 & 612 - volvo's tank system leak / error codes. Not finding any smoking guns, we replaced a crumbly looking vacuum hose just downstream of the cannister purge valve & the purge valve itself... Trouble codes: P0442, 612 (Volvo specific code - small evap leak detected)	View
	2001 Volvo S40 1.9L Engine, Body, Eletrical VIN: YV1VS29591 Car was towed in, Will not crank consistently, the starter gut totally glitches out or doesn't crank at all. The DIM is glitching as well, the mileage LCD and all warning lights flash with no rhyme or reason. Basically nothing at all works. With the battery co...	View
	2004 Volvo S60 2.4 2.4L Cluster,Limp In Mode VIN: YV1RS64A24 Volvo Techs Please guide me.S60 came in with No cluster function except check engine light.Did some reading and found multiple faults with DIM.Removed DIM wiggeled and twisted to no avail.Tested power and ground feeds both there.checked ohms at DIM plug found ...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2004 Acura RL Premium 3.5L ABS, VSC systems VIN: JH4KA96634 Honda factory/dealer scan tool was required to reset code. No specific problem or reason for it to have set code or to not reset manually using VSA button procedure. Dealer service department did tell me they have had it happen also. One of the situations that...	16
	2002 Audi A6 3.0L acceleration VIN: WAUJT64B72 Thank you to all members for your help. Basic checks like coding, adaptations and fluid levels are always great suggestions. Also, the suggestion to check the ABS tone rings was excellent as we had replaced both front outer joints a few months earlier. We did ...	8
	2004 Audi A4 Quattro 3.0L Drivers side door locks VIN: WAULT68EX4 Well thank you once again for the help and advise the door switch was the problem and the vehicle locks and unlocks as designed	3
	1999 Cadillac DeVille 4.6L Excessive Emissions, VIN: 1G6KD54Y0X Another lesson in "check the basics first". Car had (somehow) an intermittent vacuum leak on the intake gasket. It was still failing when it went to the referee. The help replies all help a lot. Unfortunately my new tech inherited the car from the previous tec...	8
	2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 3.4L Starting VIN: 2G1WW15E71 after talking to the customer , she said that concern was always there. vehicle originally came in as a no start. found theft light on with a B2960. after replacing the cyl and reprogrammed, i noticed the delayed crank. grounds were good. i decided to replace ...	5
	2007 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.9L compressor VIN: 2G1WU58R47 Well this one is done. I installed a new txv it still acted up. I was finally able to get it to make the noise running it on the hoist after about 100 tries. The belt was flopping around like a loose guitar string. I put a new tensioner and belt on and the pro...	5
	2008 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 4.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1D7HA16N08 I'm going to close this post even though I'm not sure if its repaired. I received several responses and a few were helpful. The problem I had was the code would not return. I drove the truck for 4 days, have given it back to the customer and he has driven it a... Trouble codes: P0153 (O2 Sensor B2S1 Slow Response).	17
	1999 Ford F-450 Super Duty XL 6.8L No Start VIN: 1FDXF4657X HA! Well ladies and gentlemen this one is fixed. Rremoved all coils and checked for signal and signal to coils was present. Went to tech that installed engine and asked where the coil packs came from. Low and behold from the junk E-350 engine because they look...	12
	2000 Ford F-450 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L No Start, Hard start VIN: 1FDXF47F4Y Thanks to all who replied, Got some great info from: Mike from NY / Jean from Mass / John/Jake from Alberta / Paul and Craig from Texas / Francisco from Missouri / Joseph from NC +++ The issue was compounded by several layers of malfunction and plain old ... Trouble codes: 1293 (B1 High side feed V open), 1294 (B2 High Side Feed V. open these do not set constantly and may be), 1670 (EF feed back signal not detected).	11
	2005 Ford Freestyle Limited 3.0L compressor VIN: 1FMZK06105 sorry so late in getting back guy Took vec to ford shop to have checked out all was needed was to reflash We had been told that it had been done by customer prev to bring in to us for repairs tahnks all for you input	8
	2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT 6.4L Clutch pedal VIN: 1FTWF31R28 Well im guessing that a new clutch assembly will fix are problem,The clutch disc does show ware but not to the point you would expect to cause a problem.If we continue to have any other problems i will post them,Thanks for the help.	8
	2003 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLE 6.6L tempurature gauge says 240 degrees VIN: 1GTHK23193 Well after MUCH frustration my truck should be fixed tomorrow. The cooling issue anyways. The smoke is going to be another issue for another day. I finally ran out of ideas and pulled the water pump out. Tim from CA was right on. The impeller was loose on...	16
	1985 Jeep Cherokee 2.5L Clutch VIN: 1JCUL7812F thanks for all that replied...The pressure plate was at fault, the diapham spring was too large even though it was the only one that we could get from 15 different suppliers that was a 9-5/8"...this apparently was a 1984 V-6 flywheel on a 2.5L [...]! it has...	6
	2005 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.4L rf VIN: SALME11485 WE found the problem with the rover to be a small hole in the passanger side strut, This was diagnoised by putting it in off road mode and spray the strut down with soapy water . If it wasnt for Iatn the hard problem would never be repaired Thanks again Mark...	5
	1998 Mazda 626 DX 2.0L Calipers VIN: 1YVGF22C6W We ordered a master cyl and replaced it as thats what most of the replies indicated. Seemed to work good. Thanks for all your help. (we had the same issue with a Honda, and tried the same but it had ABS problems making us think it was a master cyl.) Thats why ...	20
	2004 Mazda 6 i 2.3L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Stall VIN: 1YVFP80C04 Thanks once again to everyone who responded and sorry for the delay in closing this help request. I informed the customer that we believed his problem was to do with timing chain skipping or stretching and he decided to take the car to the dealer. I have been ... Trouble codes: P0340.	9
	2004 Nissan Xterra SE 3.3L low power VIN: 5N1MD28Y74 Thanks for the replies everyone. I have double checked the backpressure, dist, vac leaks, and tried a Mass Air Flow Sensor and found no problems. Customer has declined further tests.	8
	1997 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L All forward gears and reverse VIN: 4T1BG22K4V I'm not a trans guy so I try not to get any deeper into them than a fluid and filter change. I pulled off a cooler line and had no fluid pressure. Removed the pan and found metal shavings (Lots). I didn't send it back to the dealer because it was over 6 years ...	7
	2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L Unknown VIN: WVWVD63B11 I found the problem, my friend rebuilt the transmission but the forward drum installed wrong, the good requires a magnetic ring, which sends a pulse to the input speed sensor, well now works well thanks to everyone who gave me their advice.	4
	2005 Volkswagen Golf TDI 1.9L Looses power VIN: 9BWGR61J85 Low vacuum was the problem. The mechanic found it using a vacuum pump and pinching off vacuum lines. He probably could have found it faster using our smoke machine but it's hard to get old mechanics to use modern equipment sometimes. This car has and egr coole... Trouble codes: P0299.	13

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