Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Sep 7, 2012

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	Help Request	Answers
	2009 BMW 335i xDrive 3.0L head gasket VIN: WBAPL33579 need removal procedure and any special tools needed	View
	2003 Buick Century Custom 3.1L Cluster VIN: 2G4WS52J33 We replaced the cluster due to fact the odometer and shift display was inop. The illumination for the gauges was out also. Replaced cluster right from GM programed with milage, etc. The odometer and shift quadrant light up fine now and the gauges all work prop...	View
	1994 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 5.7L engine VIN: 2G1FP22P2R Hello: Am installing a rebuilt engine. Engine fired up yesterday and ran @ idle to about 2000 rpm until we noticed (has open exhaust) starter still engaged so shut off. Replacement starter installed today and no start, no spark, no injector pulse, and no comm...	View
	1999 Chevrolet S10 LS 4.3L Fuel Trim VIN: 1GCCT19W1X Hello, Techs. I need some help with fuel trim. This S10 came in with Check Engine and ABS lights both on. It runs fine, with no drive-ability issues. Engine codes were for O2 B2S1, O2 B1S3, and lean condition. Both sensors were fixed at 451mv. LTFT and STFT...	View
	2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 3.8L Surge, Misfire VIN: 2G1WX15K61 Howdy Y'all! This Monte carlo SS is being a pain in the ASS pocket. Came in as misfire underload customer thought it was transmission. And OH YEAH the radiator is leaking too. It was soooooo hot and out of coolant customer had filled it up that am (40 miles). ...	View
	2006 Chevrolet Uplander LT 3.5L park assist VIN: 1GNDV33L26 Hello all GM techs I want to thank you in advance for any advice you can give. We have a 2006 Uplander and the ultrasonic park assist just stopped operating, according to our customer, it worked fine one day and the next morning it stopped operating. I will be...	View
	2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 6.0L Hesitation, MIL Lamp on, No Power VIN: 1GAHG39K58 We have a chevy van here with a severe lack of power, runs like the timing is off about 20 degrees. The only code we are getting is a hard P0325 so that is what we have been going after. Followed the flow chart 100% and it said to replace the knock sensor, so ... Trouble codes: P0325	View
	2002 Chrysler Town & Country Limited 3.8L Air bag light VIN: 2C8GP64L52 I am have trouble finding out weather the otc airbag load tool that I have will work. It is the otc3770 load tool. I do not have the disc that came with it as when I got it it must have been installed on another computer before I got the tool. So with out it I...	View
	2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited 2.4L cooling fan VIN: 3C8FY68B22 With the AC switch engaged the fan will not come on. I ckd the power going thru the low & hi side switches and results are as follows. With key on voltage is 11.45. Engine running it reads 13.1. When the AC switch is on volts drop to .4 and when the compressor...	View
	2004 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 4.7L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1D7HA18N24 Truck came in with Po306,300. We found a bad injector on #6 & 306 went away. However other problem is that at approx 4400rpm while driving, & heavy accel, the truck starts losing power(like the fuel cut-out is kicking in)The check eng light starts flashing whe... Trouble codes: P0300	View
	2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L a c VIN: 1D4GP24R05 Rear air blowes cold. Front blowes warm air. Scaned and found no code. The A/C does some thing odd. It kicks on the comp and the pressuer goes to arond 35 loe and 250 high at that point the fan kicks on and the AC comp kicks out	View
	2008 Dodge Avenger SXT 2.7L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1B3LC56R38 help!i have a 08 dodge avenger 2.7l with the check engine light on. p0305 cyl 5 misfire checked flugs recomended plugs and a coil to be safe.( cyl 5 is under the intake) i pluged new coil in with a spark tester and got spark. took intake off replaced plugs and... Trouble codes: P0305	View
	2000 Ford Taurus SE 4-Valve 3.0L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1FAFP56S7Y High idle, 1000 to 1300. Take the oil fill cap off the valve cover and the vehicle dies. The engine is sucking vacuum internally. Spray carb cleaner in the oil fill and idle increases. Have worked on this four days straight. Thanks in advance for your assista...	View
	2002 Ford Focus SE 2.0L No Start VIN: 1FAFP34P02 I got a strange one here. Cust states she was driving and all was well when the car started to chugg and then died. Would not re-start. Towed to shop. Cranks but will not start. Battery power good. Checked for spark - present, but looks weak. Fuel quality is g... Trouble codes: P0442 (Evaporative emissions control system small leak detected), P1246 (Alternator load input failed)	View
	2003 Ford Focus ZX5 2.0L Stall hello all. not sure what this cars problem is but owner says it just dies i did a tune up cleaned the maf sensor car ran great in test drive till owner took it home call to say it died at the turn in to her drive way will have this back at 8am friday. Help ple...	View
	2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 6.0L trailer brake controller VIN: 1FTSX20P85 well thnx for reading guys. i have no dtcs in the trailer brake controller module. i have all powers and ground. all of the wiring to the 7 way good as well as the trailer itself. i step on the brake pedal and i get an input to the controller for the brake ped...	View
	2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 5.4L Poor Fuel Economy, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTSW215X5 customer complains of MIL light on and poor fuel economy. scanner shows both banks too lean codes. Diagnostic steps I have performed so far... -datastream shows both bank LT fuel trims pegged at +30. as soon as you increase the rpm to anything above idle LT t... Trouble codes: P0171, P0174	View
	1977 GMC C15 Sierra Classic 5.7L Cuts out, backfire/exaust VIN: TCL447Z515 hey people, this is a head scratcher... we dropped in a new 350 crate eng.,with new edelbrock 600 cfm 4bbl,(EGR blocked), performer edelbrock manifold,full tune up, ie... cap,rotor,plugs,wires,fuel,air,LOF. customer brought truck back with complaint it wasn't ...	View
	1993 GMC G2500 Vandura 5.7L Stall VIN: 2GDEG25K9P customer had replaced all these item in an attempt to correct this engine stall to no avail. Engine start fine, runs for approx 14-16 seconds and the loop goes closes and with in 25 seconds of start up it will start idle hunting(approx 2 rolling idles) then st...	View
	2001 GMC Jimmy SLE 4.3L Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out VIN: 1GKCS13W91 Hesitates on hard acceleration from a stop,bucks on light acceleration under a light load.Reman transmission 2 months ago,had this intermittent condition before that. Problem is more consistent.No misfire codes or misfire counts.ignition timing seems to be wit...	View
	2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Classic SL 6.6L Driver Door Module One for you GM dealer guys. Got this GMC 2500 that the driver door module would not operate the drivers window, all the other windows worked fine. Replaced DDM, when they went into Tis to Web to program the new DDM as soon as they went to download, an error me...	View
	2009 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L Vses ( vehicle stability enhancement system) VIN: 3GTEK23M09 Body shop brought this vehicle to me and said the vses light was on and the adjuster said no problem hit a switch and the light went out. Wish it was that easy to fix vehicles. I pulled a code C0710. I scanner the yaw rate and Lateral Accelerometer and got 2.4...	View
	2001 Honda Accord EX 2.3L Stall, No idle when hot VIN: 1HGCG32571 I just replaced the head gasket on this vehicle. It had overheated and warped the head. The cylinder head was resurfaced only. No valve work. After the job was complete, it started up just fine, during the warm-up process seemed to be ok, but started to idle l...	View
	2005 Hyundai XG350 3.5L evap core Unqble to find any info on replacing or repairing this evap core	View
	1993 Isuzu N NPR 3.9L 2nd gear VIN: JALB4B1K7P 1993 Isuzu NPR had transmission rebuilt about 8 months ago. truck came in stuck in limp mode, econ light flashing. i can't find diagnostic connector. i can start truck and idle for about 3min. the econ light start flashing, if i start the truck about 1/4 throt...	View
	1998 Lincoln Continental 4.6L Brake Pedal VIN: 1LNFM97V1W Pedal goes to floor sometimes. Customer does not hear/feel ABS pump coming on when this happens. Seems to inprove for a few days after system was serviced each time. I have felt the pedal creep down while running but not always. Very solid pedal when engine of...	View
	2006 Mazda 5 Sport 2.3L pulls right VIN: JM1CR29306 Need a little help from the mazda guys. Got a wierd problem with torque steer on this one. Pulls right when driving and under accel. The problem is torque steer and as u can see I've replaced a few things that needed it anyway and aligned this vehilce to almos...	View
	2005 Mini Cooper 1.6L Belt Noise VIN: WMWRC33465 Was thinking of fan loading charging system only when fans kick on does belt slip on alt. Not letting it charge tested with other fans noise still there at fan engagement. Need ideas, or any info. Thanks to all	View
	2000 Nissan Pathfinder LE 3.3L Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: JN8AR07S5Y The concern is the check engine lite is on (P1320) and it will stall while driving. More likely during hwy speeds. I verified that it will just died since on my first test drive that is what it did. I tried cranking but it would not start until about 5 mins la... Trouble codes: P1320 (Ignition Signal)	View
	2002 Nissan Frontier SC 3.3L rear wheel speed sensors VIN: 1N6MD26Y32 this is realy getting to me checked the wiring from the sensor to the abs moudle and did the restiance and ac tests sensors are reading. so got an used abs module still sets the codes c1101 and c1102 ran the actuator tests ok .at this point any sugestions well...	View
	2008 Nissan Altima 2.5L Immobilizer Key/Ignition VIN: 1N4AL21E38 Started vehicle using push start button - vehicle starts and run fine. Beeping/warning sound heard with no warning indicators or lights. Beeping heard approx every 2-3 minutes while driving and without any indicators/messages. Scanned for codes - None. Replace...	View
	2012 Other European California 4.3L lift points VIN: ZFF65LHA0C How do you lift a 2012 Ferrari California? A customer wants an upgraded exhaust system installed, and we have not found any lift points under the car to position two post lift arms. There is only unclear information in owner's manual. (Note: some of the car in...	View
	1988 Saab 9000 Turbo 2.0L lh r brake locks VIN: YS3CT55L0J This one is a stinker. Under heavy braking on gravel the abs activates but the LH R wheel locks. I think that the rear outlet valve is not opening but I can't prove it. ABS light works, goes off when pump stops, comes back on after approx 7 pumps of pedal. ...	View
	2003 Saab 9-5 Arc 3.0L Shifting VIN: YS3ED59ZX3 Customer had vehicle towed in for overheat condition stating vehicle died while driving and then would crank and not start we sold customer used engine and turbo installed and on road test vehicle drove find then quite shifting all together. toed vehicle back ...	View
	2004 Suzuki Forenza S 2.0L p0449 VIN: KL5JD52Z94 First had (4) codes at once. 0341, 0342, 0449, 0455. Changed Cam position sensor, that eliminated codes 0341 & 0342. For codes 0449 & 0455, Changed EVAP Vent Valve Solinoid. Before I had changed the valve, I would clear the codes and sometimes drive as little ...	View
	2006 Suzuki Forenza Premium 2.0L high beam VIN: KL5JD56Z36 the high beam headlights only function when swtich is pulled toward driver, when you push switch forward they do not work. I replaced the switch from another forenza and nothing changed, all fuses and relays good	View
	1995 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0L Stall VIN: JT3VN39W8S Greetings Toyota Techs, Here is my mind bender. This 4runner came in on the hook because it will stall about 10 seconds after start up. The engine idle degrades and gets rougher before stalling. You can start it right back up again and the same symptom reoccur...	View
	2003 Toyota Camry LE 3.0L ignition and fuel VIN: 4T1BF32K63 Hi everyone, hope someone can help me out with this. Vehicle came from another shop with a crank no start condition.No spark or injector pulse found. Tech at that shop replaced the Crankshaft poistion sensor, still not starting. I used a Snap-on scanner and fo...	View
	2003 Toyota Camry SE 2.4L pulls left VIN: 4T1BE30K83 all three alignments are in factory specs. tires have been rotated front to rear and side to side. checked lower ball joints, upper strut bushings, engine cradle alignment, any help with this would be grateful.	View
	2005 Toyota Prius 1.5L Abs VIN: JTDKB20U35 Hello Everyone, I have a Prius that has an intermitten ABS light that comes on we pulled codes. U0129, U0121, C1241 codes. We cleared the light and road test vehicle. No codes returned. We check Aux. battery voltage it was 14.04 when vehicle was in Ready mode....	View
	2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX 2.8L MIL Lamp on, Trans in limp mode VIN: WVWRH63B63 Hi guys I have a VW giving me some troubles here. This car came in a month ago with code P0600 in the pcm found water in the tcm and fixed water leak and gave car back to customer. Now the car came back with code P0600 data bus drive missing back in the PCM an... Trouble codes: P0600 (Data bus drive missing), 00532 (Air bag module supply voltage low), 01299 (Air bag diagnostic interface for data busJ533)	View
	2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L Headlights VIN: 3VWSE69M13 The vehicle arrived with no headlights, either with or without the ignition switch being turned on. I have very little experience with this make of vehicle. I am familiar with headlight systems that only work when the ingition is on, which raises the question ...	View
	2004 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3VWCD31C64 This car came in with misfire codes (p0300, p0303, p0301), codes p1143,p1297, p1166. We replace the pvc valve, pvc suction pump, mass air flow sensor, clean the throttle body, and relearn the throttle. After driving it, code p1143 is pending, the rest of the c... Trouble codes: P1143, 17551 (Load detection value above upper limit)	View
	1999 Volvo S70 GLT 2.4L Cuts out, Stall VIN: YV1LS56DXX hello all techs we have a problem with this car we cannot solve any help please, we are a volvo specialty shop and have solved many a tough problem but this one we are at the end.this problem started about 6-8 weeks ago you would drive car hot or cold stop go ...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2003 Audi A4 1.8L Unknown VIN: WAULC68E43 Thanks everyone I did replace the diverter valve and the noise ceased, the only time I heard it after was under a hard acceleration stomp, not when i just rev it, I think with the original audi filter you wouldnt hear it at all but this made the difference	21
	2004 Audi TT Quattro 3.2L Stall VIN: TRUUF28NX4 i was able to get to the fuel pump hatch behind the passanger seat. they dont give you much room and the panel hold down clips hold so well that most of them broke taking the trim panel off . i havent heard from the customer if there have been anymore stall is...	3
	1999 BMW 528i 2.8L radio VIN: WBADP6340X Thanks to all that responded. Replaced the ignition switch this morning and the radio works when in gear.	6
	2001 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L power windows power locks no interior lights VIN: 1G4HP54K71 TANKS GUYS AGAING YES IT WAS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE	17
	2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.6L bell housing leak VIN: 1GCHK24171 Thank you everyone for all your help. We changed the front pump and torque convertor to repair leak. I did notice when we removed trans to replace these parts, it looked wet where the pump mates to bellhousing. The o-ring on the replacement pump felt like it ...	8
	2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2L evap VIN: 1G1JC52FX3 thanks to all who pointed to the filler neck as the culprit. the neck would hold pressure - i tried to smoke it from the cap. Isolated the problem with a purge and seal, then eliminating components until finding the neck leaking.	11
	2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport 3.3L windshieldwiper VIN: 2B4GP44341 Thanks every one for the replies,I did't actually fix this,the customer did.He came in here for a quick fix ask he was out of state and on his way home and I did'nt have the answer bet told him very likely the motor or control board and would need the unit rep...	6
	2002 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 4.7L No Start VIN: 1D7HA18N92 thanks for all the help all of you guys put me on the right track wiring was good pcm was operating properly it turns out this engine has a trigger wheel broke off the cam gear little further inspection timming chain guide has broke and chain is flopping aroun... Trouble codes: P0340.	8
	2006 Dodge Dakota ST 3.7L starter VIN: 1D7HE22K66 The outpouring of help was terrific! After many phone calls and emails back and forth, a final test was done and a fuse which was reported good was in fact open. I think if I were there instead of on the phone we may have had this truck up and running within t...	13
	2007 Dodge Ram 2500 ST 5.9L a/c VIN: 3D3KS229C7 well,sorry it took me so long for this one as pullin dashes isn`t one my favorite dishes,especially when u do it three times.dodge dealer did not get all the doors replaced when i sent dash for OEM replacement a/c,heater.defrost doors.one set was still broken ...	4
	1997 Ford E-350 Econoline Club Wagon XLT 6.8L long crank time VIN: 1FBJS31S1V when i check the pressure at the fuel rail it takes pretty much a good portion of the day to bleed down all the way to 0psi it very well could be the pumps check valve alouth we have replaced the pump less than a year ago or a leaking injector the customer is ...	22
	2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L alarm VIN: 1FMZU73K23 Thanks for all the good advice...since the driver idoor gets the most use i focused on the door...mechanic in a can ..wd40...solved thr problem...we sprayed and operated the latch with a screwdriver and all is good now	11
	2005 Ford Focus ZX3 2.0L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3FAFP31N65 Thanks to all that replied but you guys were right pcv tube was no good. Funny how that tube did not leak when smoke tested,psi, but when vac was applied by engine it leaked , THANKS AGAIN Trouble codes: P0171.	5
	2006 Ford F-550 Super Duty XLT 6.0L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FDAF56P26 thank u so much for the help!we checked the ipr valve and found a pile of metal flakes on the screen. so we flushed the system, replaced the hpop and all 8 injectors. problem solved! thanks again and cant say how much iatn helps us out in a bind! Trouble codes: P0299, P0266, P0269.	6
	1987 Honda Accord LXi 2.0L Cuts out, Misfire, Erractic tachometer VIN: JHMCA5641H The fix ended up being two-fold. The posted concern with the erratic primary ignition was just that. The customer provided another distributor which was now the 4th unit warrantied by the other shop and their parts supplier. This fixed the tach and most of ...	17
	1998 Honda Accord LX 2.3L No Start VIN: 1HGCG564XW after taking a fuel sample it tested fine no water in it i was out of ideas so i decided to drain gas and put more in it and that fixed vehicle thanks for all the help	13
	2001 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L Misfire VIN: 2HKRL18631 Thank you all for your advice. I ended up relacing the two known faulty injectors, and it ended up running smoothly. No misfires recorded after replacement. Trouble codes: P0301 (Cylinder 1 misfire), P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire), P0303 (Cylinder 3 misfire), P0305 (Cylinder 5 misfire), P0306 (Cylinder 6 misfire), P0300 (Random/multiple misfire).	17
	1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: 1J4G258S2X Thanks to those who helped, I admit, I was way off mark on this one, the problem actually turned out to be a faulty crank position sensor.	8
	2001 Mazda MPV DX 2.5L igntion lock VIN: JM3LW28YX1 Thanks for your reply's. I did find that broken micro switch over column. I have ordered a new one. I had a strong feeling about that but i could not find its location in alldata. Thanks again for your help.	3
	2005 Mazda MPV ES 3.0L Misfire VIN: JM3LW28J15 Thanks guys For your Help,i finally order a another computer and cut de driver wire on the numer3 Injector at the pcm and check with a noid light and look fine.so i bypass the wire to the injector,did not take chance that short the computer again.maybe short b... Trouble codes: 203 (Injector 3).	17
	2003 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor 1.8L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: WDBRN40J13 most all recomended a motorvac or carbon clean ,, ,,, engine crank case is clean , i did try a carbon clean just to see if any difference ,, as Mark mentioned the head and guides are weak links ,, i will price a head and see if the customer wants ... Trouble codes: N0NE.	9
	2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor SE 3.8L Wheel Sensors VIN: 4A4JN2AS7B The vehicle is fixed. THank you guys, and speccially to Mr. Jason Pezanowski, who sent to me the diagram. The problem was the Frt LH sensor, cable was stretched out in the metal bracket at the shock, and no showed damage,but wires inside was broken, tounching ...	3
	1987 Porsche 924 S 2.5L driveshaft coupler VIN: WP0AA0922H ITS MY MIDDLE SONS FIRST CAR N M HAVIN A LOT OF FUN DOIN IT BUT I HAVE A SQUARE DRIVE SHAFT RETAINER MISSIN ALL OF THE SUDDEN N THE BACK ONE MUST B DIFFERENT N WILL HAVE TO HUNT ONE DOWN.THIS CAR IS SO DIFFERENT THAT I HAVE TO THINK THIS ONE OUT AS I REINSTALL...	3
	2002 Saab 9-5 Aero 2.3L torque convertor lock up solenoid VIN: YS3EH59G12 A new TCM did fix it, the previous transmission burnt out the driver for the tcc soleniod, Thank for all the help.	4
	2005 Scion xA 1.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: JTKKT62435 unfortunately i didnt get a chance to finish this one. I found another system that uses pulse width and verified this one had a good ground from the pcm. wish i could have gotten another toyota to compare. still 99 percent sure pcm was bad but customer didnt w... Trouble codes: P0012.	3
	2003 Suzuki Aerio S 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: JS2RA41S43 Thanks for all the replies. Come to find out there two different versions of this engine. One has 36 teeth on the crank the other has 6. Japan engines were very good about dealing with this and sent the correct motor and the code didn't return. Of course I had... Trouble codes: P0335.	6
	1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0L HeadGasket VIN: JT3VN39W1R Installed Toyota Head Gaskets and had heads checked at a machine shop. Only the future can tell if you guys were right.	23
	2006 Toyota Tacoma 2.7L E Brake VIN: 5TETX22N16 sorry I am so late truck was fixed the same day ajuster is under console back off e brake adjust shoes and adjust e brake thanks for the help	2
	1999 Volkswagen Jetta GLX 2.8L AC Compressor VIN: 3VWTD81H0X This car had a combination of problems I had to work through to get it fixed. I re checked all my splices and traced out the wiring, all ok found 2 problems with the a/c thermal cut out switch, Old style (yellow 4 pin) now updated to 4 pin blue would intermitt...	4

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