Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Nov 29, 2012

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	Help Request	Answers
	2005 Audi A6 Quattro 3.2L Abs VIN: WAUDG74F7S Vehicle came in with ABS light on.Found intermittent code 01435;Brake pressure sender 1-G201 implausible signal stored in the ABS control module memory.Also found intermittent code P1653 read fault memory of;ABS control unit implausible.stored in engine electr...	View
	2004 BMW X5 4.4i 4.4L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Misfire VIN: 5UXFB53554 Ok here we go. fist came in with #5 misfire replaced plugs NGK correct for n62. no change,moved coils no change, moved injectors no change. Did injector flush no change. Checked compression 180psi all about the same. Did bmw recall for intermeedit leavers in v...	View
	2004 BMW 330Ci 3.0L Adaptive Headlights VIN: WBABW53404 Hi Guys, We are having problems coding the adaptive Xenon headlamp on this 2004 E46. The Right Xenon Adaptive Headlamp is new along with the two modules(SMC and the XENON control)on the lamp assembly. We are getting 4 fault codes in the LIGHT SWITCHING CENTER ...	View
	2000 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L No Start, Stall VIN: 1G4CW54K0Y veh was brought in on a chain wld start and die wld come up to 1200 rpms for a sec or so and die once i get started it will run for about 6 miles and quit found intake gaskets leaking replaced lower intake gaskets and upper plenum and pcv valve changed oil roa... Trouble codes: P0101	View
	1993 Cadillac DeVille 4.9L distributor gear VIN: 1G6CD53B8P Hello Fellow IATN Techs, This lovely Cadillac has returned to me once again! Two years ago almost to this day this Caddy came to me with a bad fuel regulator and stalling at idle in gear issue. I replaced the regulator, oil and filter and checked codes, code 4...	View
	1999 Chevrolet Blazer 4.3L 2-3 shift VIN: 1GNDT13WXX Came in for multiple transmission codes.Problem started after engine replacemnt at another shop. P0785,p0758,p0753. Found broken wire at transmission connector - replaced still have same problems...a transmission shop replaced wiring harness and solinoids - re...	View
	2000 Chevrolet Blazer LS 4.3L No Spark VIN: 1GNDT13W0Y Hello i have a 200o blazer with 4.3 vin w... We cant figure out why this truck will not start if the outside temp drops below 37 degrees but if you wait tell the outside temp goes to 39 to 40 degrees the truck will start with out a problem... We have check all...	View
	2001 Chevrolet Tracker ZR2 2.5L engine VIN: 2CNBJ73411 this vehilcle has haunted my shop far too long and the timing nightmare that the engineer has designed has vague timing referece marks. furthermore tdc is apparently not actually tdc as far as i can decifer. i don't wish to reassemble this monstrousity without...	View
	2001 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L Prndl VIN: 1GNEK13T81 Thanks for your time! I replaced the switch on the transmission because the dash indicator was reading wrong. Park and reverse were pretty reliable but if I moved pass R, it would stay on R. If I shift into drive, the indicator may change a couple of minutes l...	View
	2002 Chevrolet Express 1500 5.7L Misfire VIN: 1GBFG15R72 I have been over and over this vehicle. Replaced distributor cap, distributor, checked vacuum from oil dipstick tube with pcv blocked and found no vacuum to rule out intake leak. Misses on random cylinders, if distributor cam sensor is unplugged the tech 2 wil... Trouble codes: P0300 (Misfire)	View
	2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Van 5.9L Hesitation, Stall VIN: 2B7JB21Z02 We have this Dodge van. Put a long block in it. It will start and idle and sometimes stall at idle. It will always stall as soon as you try to accelerate pops through intake. It only has 8" of vacuum. Really seems to me that the timing is way retarded. We put ...	View
	2003 Dodge Stratus R/T 3.0L Misfire, MIL Lamp on Anyone have a knowen good cam/crank waveform Trouble codes: P0335, P0340	View
	2004 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 5.7L trans case hi guys and gals...upon entering vin iATN was hanging up with "transmission" selection...VIN is [...]...04 dodge ram 1500 Laramie, 5.7, automatic...AWD...thats the big part...AWD... My own vehicle. Driving to work today, step on the gas, GRIND , W...	View
	2000 Ford Contour SE 2.0L No Start VIN: 3FAFP6638Y I am having repeat fuel pump failures (Ford pumps) and would appreciate some input if anyone else has run accross this. Tapping on the fuel pump seems to get the pump running. I have some scope captures, here are links: This one the vehicle is cranked and th...	View
	2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4.6L Surge, High idle VIN: 1FMDU73W53 This 4.6 Explorer has an intermittent high idle issue which is most noticeable and irritating when slowing to come to a stop. You will notice the vehicle is pulling, fighting you, still trying to accelerate while you try to slow it down. Popping it into Neutra...	View
	2005 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4L Unknown VIN: 1FTPW14565 I have the truck coming for whinding noise only step down gas padal between 45mph - 55mph. Can hear right at transmission,could not known where come from.I ask anyone out there had seen this or Techs ford knewn about this. Please reply to me any good idea,Than...	View
	2006 Ford F-150 XLT 5.4L 4wd light on VIN: 1FTPX14566 hello everyone i need a little help this truck has a manual tranfer case and the 4wd high light stays on replaced the switch on t-case no help' you can put it in low and the low ind comes on truck goes in and out of 4wd properly no dtc's and pids look normal a...	View
	2006 Ford Freestar Limited 4.2L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire VIN: 2FMZA56246 This van was brought in with ignition wires chewed by mice. Scan for codes 3 codes present po300 and po306 also an O2 codes B2S2 . Replace ignition wires and plugs and O2 sensor B2S2. No change in van running. Rescan and the 2 cylinder misfire codes returned. ... Trouble codes: P0300, P0306	View
	2008 Ford Crown Victoria 4.6L Interior lighting VIN: 2FAFP71V78 We've bought a Crown cop car which has police dome light but no power to center one. I've heard of a so-called 'dark car' option which disables this light from the LCM. If so, I can't find any active command w/ my IDS for this module. Can anyone lead me throug...	View
	2008 Ford F-150 Lariat 5.4L Timing Chain VIN: 1FTPW14V48 This truck had a rattle when warm just above idle while driving and stopped and at times it would run rough and knock and rattle very loudly until engine rpm increased. We traced the noise to the cam phasers and replacecd them,now the light rattle is gone but ...	View
	2008 Ford Edge SEL 3.5L CD player VIN: 2FMDK48C38 This vehicle belongs to a sometimes customer. His battery was bad and he had his vehicle jumped several times before having the battery replaced. He came to me because his CD player doesn't work properly, actually not at all. Whenever you open a door the CD pl...	View
	2009 Ford E-350 Super Duty 6.0L runs poor when cold Myself and and other ambulance agencys are having this problem with our trucks and Ford dealers are lost and won't help. Can someone give me a direction to go in!!!	View
	1996 Geo Metro LSi 1.3L Temp gauge Hi, I have this Geo that the temp gauge will drop to cold when the car is up to operating temp and sometimes when the car is cold the temp gauge won't come up and when it finally does it just pops right up to half way, sometimes it could be hours the customer ...	View
	2003 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L Transfercase VIN: 2GTEK19TX3 This truck has the AUTO 4X4. So the switch on the dash with the indicator lights works just fine. The encoder motor switches into all the ranges. When shifted into AUTO 4X4 it works perfectly. When in 4X4 HI or 4X4 LOW the front prop shaft does not engage. The...	View
	2004 GMC Sierra 2500 SLE 6.0L Gauges VIN: 1GTHC23U34 No scan tool communication/ and the 4 gauges on the instrument panel are not working, fuel, oil, volts,temp. On the scan tool communication issue... pins 4/5 have good grounds, pin 16 has battery voltage...Pin 2 is the only other pin in the connector, and i w...	View
	1999 Honda Accord LX 2.3L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1HGCG6652X Vehicle came in with a check engine light and surging idle all the time. Had code p0505 - (idle control system). Found intake manifold gasket leaking, replaced gasket and bled cooling system. This took care of the surging in idle while in drive, but now after ... Trouble codes: P0505	View
	2005 Honda Odyssey LX 3.5L gauges VIN: 5FNRL382X5 Ok so the customer is driving down the road and the radio power will cut in and out. Then the gauges will join in and go out then back in. The vehicle has no drivability issue and no codes. Any ideas on this one? I cannot get it to happen. Thanks	View
	2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 3.5L SRS system VIN: 5FNYF4H53B Vehicle has a code 11-11 stored in SRS module which will not clear. Disconnected air bag harness at steering wheel area (four wire connector) attempting to put in 2 ohm resistors to check response from controller. No additional codes stored after disconnect an...	View
	2006 Hummer H3 3.5L rear main VIN: 5GTDN13L46 we have changed the rear main 3 times , still leaking. we called hummer and they sold us a timing plate cover with seal and said that the rear main seals that we were getting were defective , i put the timing cover plate with seal in and drove it for 5 miles ,...	View
	2006 Hyundai Accent GLS 1.6L Park Brake Indicator VIN: KMHCG35C36 The short story is that I need to find the DRL module, because my faulty diode should be mounted right beside it. Here's the longer version: The warning light works with bulb check and with brake fluid level switch. The park brake switch works and turns the D...	View
	1984 Jeep Cherokee 2.5L Excessive Emissions VIN: 1JCUC7811E i'm in the process of puting the jeep together enough to get it through emission's. the wires to the mixture controll solenoid are missing. any tricks to make this run leaner would be a big help. customer is running out of money thanks herb	View
	2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L Up shift VIN: 1J4GW48S42 Customer brought in Jeep that when you start off driving it goes into gear fine. But it will not shift until 4-5000 RPM's. Then it seems like it jumped to 4th or 5th gear. When you slow down it goes back to first gear and repeats every time. Fluid look good or...	View
	2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7L Door Locks VIN: 1J8HR58N45 Rerplaced door latch to attempt to repair door lock. Alarm is not arming or dis arming. I figured that latch was not ativating system. Diagram is not very informative of how system works. Vehicle also has factory remote start system added on... HELP	View
	2006 Lincoln Mark LT 5.4L vent temp VIN: 5LTPW18536 Customer's complaint: After driving for 10 or 20 minutes must turn temperature to max to receive heat. After driving for a long period of time he can adjust heat by the automatic climate control. Temperature gauge normal. Heater core temperature good. Two wee...	View
	2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 5.0L Brake Pedal VIN: WDBUF70J03 Mercedes Techs... Please help with this: Car came to me in April, almost Metal to metal. Replaced Brake Pads and Rotors all way around. About 2 months later, she called Frantic, said that the ESP light came on and Light came on that Said STOP NOW! After that, ...	View
	2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 3.5L battery light on VIN: WDBUF56J86 i have this m/b that has come in for service with several lights on and a dtc for coolant. repaired coolant dtc but can't understand the system for the battery message. check etm and wiring, confirmed all fuses good, battery load test good. no corrosions on ei...	View
	1996 Mercury Cougar XR-7 3.8L No Start VIN: 1MELM624XT Ok Gents have this 1996 Mercury Cougar. Came in as a no start. Vehicle will start but intermittently would not. Found that I have no communication with the PCM when vehicle will not start. The check engine light is on when this occurs indicating that i have po...	View
	2002 Mercury Sable LS Premium 3.0L Flashing Trans light VIN: 1MEHM55S22 Owner reports transmission light started flashing yesterday, and then a bit later we got the MIL. Vehicle does not show any signs of running poorly, or shifting irregularly. Possible slight Tach variation at speed (slipping?) PCM codes indicate a possible main...	View
	2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport LS 3.0L Unknown VIN: JA4LS31H3Y When driving this vehicle at cruise, in my case @40 - 45 mph level road, it starts to slow down as if you let off accelerator. Tach starts to drop slowly consistant with the speed drop. Maintaining accel. Pedal position this drop will continue. The slightest i... Trouble codes: P0400 (Egr flow issue)	View
	2001 Mitsubishi Galant ES 2.4L high beams, hi speed wipers VIN: 4A3AA46G71 No high beams, hi speed wipers, fog lights	View
	2004 Nissan Quest SL 3.5L mileage display VIN: 5N1BV28444 Van calm in with a high draw on the battery with the van shut off. Trace the problem to the brake control module not going into sleep mode. fix that now i have no draw, but the mileage does not show the correct mileage. it shows -10 3 1. How do i fix this?	View
	1992 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.1L No Start VIN: 1G2WJ14TXN Car came in hook , no fire no injector pulse, kept blowing dis fuse, found short in modcule, replaced modcule crank sensor, the fuse, now have spark and injector pulse , fuse no longer blowing, but car will not start. Acts like plug wires crossed back fires th...	View
	1974 Porsche 914 2.0L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation I got suckered into putting a rebuilt fuel pump into this car. Was not told that it runs poorly. It has a bad hesitation above idle and barely runs at lite throttle, at 1/4 throttle and above it has good power. I have the ECU set for max richness, go a couple ...	View
	2003 Saab 9-5 Linear 2.3L DI, injector VIN: YS3EB49393 This car had a flat tire and was towed to a local Firestone store. Customer says the car was running fine beforehand. The car's owner somehow managed to lose the key and it was towed to my shop. I sent the TWICE to ClearCom Tech in Utah, they recoded it and se...	View
	2005 Saab 9-3 Arc 2.0L A/C Condensor VIN: YS3FD49Y75 Hey everybody. This is my first post ever. I have a 2005 saab 9-3 aero that has 122,000 mi oni it. It came in from the body shop next door for a/c inop after a small collision to rf fender. We diagnosed that the a/c compressor had 12v but would not engage clut...	View
	2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T 2.0L cranks , no start VIN: YS3FB59Y48 owner claims the car starts when in a warm climate ,They live in California , now in central New York. Cranks 20 seconds for many extended attempts to start.She pumps the throttle and it finally starts and smells from gas . It would'nt start overnight inside t...	View
	2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder 1.8L no start \crank VIN: JTDFR32023 This MR2 Spyder with the rare Sequential Manual Transmission(no clutch pedal)was towed in with a no crank condition. found no cel with key on .Found no ecm ground for the starter relay. It now has the two codes, the CAN communication code resets immediatly. No...	View
	2010 Toyota Camry SE 2.5L radio, blower motor, lights on dash VIN: 4T4BF3EK7A Customer came in complaining he had to jump the car to get it started and the dash was lit up. Found out blower motor was stuck on when car is off. Ended up replacing the battery cause it tested bad and blower motor unit and now everything is fine except the r...	View
	2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L Wipers VIN: 3VWSP69M23 Wipers will not operate on intermittent and low speed setting at times. It will work when lever in pushed down and held, where it runs at low speed, works and parks ok. High speed works fine. Also when in the intermittent mode and not working, the time adjustm...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2008 Audi A6 Quattro 3.2L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: WAUDH74F38 So far so good. Car has been gone for several days with no concerns. We did a full tune up and a fuel induction service suspecting some carbon concerns. Because it is direct injection it is not the most effective induction service but we think that the port... Trouble codes: P0304 (Misfire 4 cyl.), P0272 (4 fuel injector contribution balance fault).	3
	2006 BMW X5 4.4i 4.4L Left Headlight VIN: 5UXFB535X6 Thank you for all the replies. We disassembled both front headlights, inspected the wiring- all good. Reassembled both headlights and it began working. Customer has picked up vehicle and headlights continue to work properly. Not completely sure what was done t...	7
	2005 Chevrolet Aveo LS 1.6L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Misfire VIN: KL1TD52675 The customer never returned after bird day for the diagnosis. It is probably in need of a valve job.	13
	2007 Chevrolet HHR LS 2.2L Mechanical VIN: 3GNDA13DX7 It ended up being a small crack in the head around the exhaust port, crazy, never seen one crack like that.	13
	2010 Chevrolet Traverse LT 3.6L multiple door locks, heating, lights, blown fuses, VIN: 1GNLVFEDXA Thanks to all who replied. The dealerhip replaced two transmission control modules and that seems to have fixed the problem.	7
	1999 Chrysler 300M 3.5L Unknown VIN: 2C3HE66G5X I replaced the blend door actuator and the system works better. Still has a glitch (voltage reading)in it's travel on occasion but is definitely better. The blend door was free and stopped at both ends of its travel. This job is a treat especially if you ha...	5
	2006 Chrysler Pacifica 3.5L ABS/Brake & tach. erratic VIN: 2A8GM48486 Thank you guys again, This problem was fixed just by replacing the battery cable ends, the positive cable was in deed getting hot do to high resistance. Physically it looked good. The dealer would not sell just the battery cables, they want to sell them as pa...	4
	2007 Chrysler Sebring Touring 2.4L Heater VIN: 1C3LC56K37 I apologize for the delay of closing the request. I did a recalibration on the heater controls. The problem never happened again for me after that. So the customer took it and has not returned or called to say that there is a problem.	5
	1996 Dodge Dakota 3.9L Mechanical Replacing the metering valve fixed the problem. Must have been seized because bleeding the front would not bring it back to center. Thanks so much to all the excellent replies.	15
	2004 Dodge Neon SXT 2.0L right side dim light VIN: 1B3ES56C64 well i got the lights to work 17 replies on that one,that's awesome . after much testing and thinking something high thec is going here i cut the purple and red wire from fuse 18 in left side of dash to low beam on right dim light and run a new wire on that ...	18
	2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L Tcs VIN: 2D8HN44H78 Thank everyone that gave me advice. Everyone is really helpful. I replace the Steering Angle Senor and everything is fine. According to Mitchell diagnostic flow chart, it say to replace ABS Module. Long from Texas, and Barry from Virginia are right on the ...	6
	1994 Ford Ranger STX 2.3L Hard start VIN: 1FTCR10A2R We removed the spout connector and timing was solid as a rock and the truck actually ran pretty well on fixed timing - plugged it back in and timing was all over the map. We replaced the PCM and the Ranger ran perfect. Thanks to all!	5
	1995 Ford Contour GL 2.0L Cruise Control VIN: 3FALP6531S Since this car is rarely driven the customer has no interest in further diagnosis. She took it and hasn't brought it back for me to look at. I just wanted to add that there were no ABS codes or PCM codes and according to the wiring diagram the cruise control ...	3
	1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Injection VIN: 1FTNW21F9X Thanks to all who replied. Suggestions were mostly related to the valve cover gaskets and connectors. One suggested a cam sensor. I replaced the valve cover gaskets, inside harness, and connectors on the outside harness to both gaskets. So far no complaints fr...	9
	2002 Ford Explorer Postal 4.0L compressor VIN: 1FMZU62E72 Problem Was compressor. Customer declined to replaced the compressor. Thanks for help	26
	2002 Ford Escape XLT 3.0L Suspension VIN: 1EMYU04122 car is fixed, i appreciate all the responses i got, turns out lower ball joints were to blame. was able to inject small amounts of grease into the boot, noise was reduce, there were also the original ball joints. install lower ball joints, no more noise. thank...	12
	2004 Ford Mustang 3.8L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FAFP40414 thanks too all that replied. I changed out the intake gaskets like most had said to do even after smoke testing again with no resaults and it took care of the problem. When looking at the gaskets there was only discoloration on the gasket and was not blown out... Trouble codes: P0171, P0174.	18
	2002 GMC Envoy SLE 4.2L Stall VIN: 1GKDT13S02 Sorry for posting so late. thanks for all your replies. I thought the problem was as most of you said. I was trying to prove to customer and back it up. Again thanks to you guys customer finally gave in and returned. I cleaned out the throttle body and all is ... Trouble codes: P0105.	13
	1999 Honda Accord LX 2.3L Steering VIN: 1HGCG5647X WANTED TO CLOSE THIS BEFORE I FORGET CUSTOMER HAS TO MAKE UP HIS MIND NOW WE DID FIND SOME MOVEMENT THAT I DON'T LIKE ON 2 OF THE FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS NOT ALOT MIND YOU BUT COULD BE,ANYWAY ENOUGH THAT ITS NOT RITE ALSO LITTLE MOVEMENT ON INNER TIE ROD ON LEFT SID...	14
	1999 Honda Civic EX 1.6L Fan VIN: 1HGEJ8242X First I apologize for asking for help on something so stupid. It ended up being a relay. I jumped the switch like everyone said and the fan kicked on. When I said that the relay was good it was because of the way I tested it. I just swapped relays with the a/c...	16
	2003 Honda Pilot EX 3.5L countershaft speed sensor VIN: 2HKYF18623 thanks to all who replied, esp. aric and benjamin, who said put a scope on it, this was the procedure I was missing. So with the scope on it there was still no signal even when using a known good sensor, and knowing the ref wires and gnd wire were good. Upon...	5
	2002 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L No Start, MIL Lamp on, Ign. Switch VIN: SAJGA51C72 Thanks for the comments guys. I didn't want to post to soon in case it came back. Christopher from Iowa had the best idea about checking voltage from the ignition switch. We were able to get the problem to come and go by tapping on the ignition switch. It took... Trouble codes: P1638 (CAN ECM/INST network malfunction.).	6
	2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade 3.7L No Start VIN: 1J4GL38K15 Thank you to all that replied, however as stated there was no power to the injectors or dis coils and the auto shutdown relay triggered codes immediately.I checked the harness near the radiator support and it was good and the plastic square covering was intact... Trouble codes: P0688, P0685.	8
	2007 Mazda 3 S 2.3L No Start, Stall VIN: JM1BK32367 Eddie from Virginia hit the nail on the head. Thank you all for your help.The fuel didn't smell like desiel or stale at all, had a redish brown and slightly oilly look to it, but the car wouldn't run on it. I double checked the cam timing, but it looks like th...	8
	1986 Porsche 944 Turbo 2.5L Rear VIN: WP0AA0952G This one will get fixed, but not until next spring as the owner wanted to get it into storage before it snows. I did inspect the wheel bearing and checked for proper torque, shock mounts, and trans axle mounts per your suggestions. Thanks so much for your inpu...	8
	2004 Porsche Cayenne 3.2L Stall VIN: WP1AB29P94 Thank you all for your insightful assistance. It was the primary pump that was bad. We replaced it and it took care of the problem. Point of information, while trying to troubleshoot this problem, we found that if you take the primary pump relay out , the...	13
	2000 Toyota Tundra SR5 4.7L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 5TBRT3414Y Well, we finally caught this gremlin in the act. The problem was so intermittent that we couldn't "see" it when it would stall. After purchasing a relay testing kit, when it died, we were able to see that the fuel relay was just shutting off randomly and of co...	6
	1998 Volvo S70 2.4L Starting VIN: YV1LS5537W First I would like to thank everyone who responded to my request; I have read & considered each and everyone of them. Turns out though that there is a question of wether or not a 1998 volvo S70 non-turbo has a ignition key antenna ring intalled around the igni...	32
	2005 Volvo XC90 2.5T 2.5L Battery VIN: YV1CZ59255 Thank you, to all who responded. I don't like to fall back on "sending them to the dealer". However, I informed the customer of the situation, and that the bulletin EXACTLY describes his concern. At this point he is happy with going to the dealer, and very h...	4

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