Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Dec 27, 2012

Join Now

Prev	Professional Automotive Repair Technical Discussions for December 27, 2012 International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN) - Members Only	Next
(Also Available: All, Asian, Chrysler, European, Ford, GM.)
Vehicle Owners: If you are seeking an automotive repair professional to service your vehicle, visit the iATN Repair Shop Finder.

Open Help Requests for All Makes and Models

	Help Request	Answers
	2002 Audi Allroad Quattro 2.7L engine VIN: WA1YD54B82 Car has a bad oil leak coming out unused bolt hole on lower right side of bellhousing. It is not leaking directly under rear main and does not leak at idle. Can not find any leak on top at lines or intake. Has anyone seen this and can you advise me before I pu...	View
	2005 Audi TT 1.8L k line short to ground VIN: TRUTC28NX5 Hello folks I'm stuck here I have this 2005 Audi TT that will not communacate with any scan tool. I use vag com. I have pulled up on Mitchell a data line circut diagram. I have disconnected the following and are still disconnected. eng ecm, auto trans ecm, abs...	View
	2006 BMW 750Li 4.8L engine VIN: WBAHN83546 Hi folks. I have this BMW with HUGE amounts of vacuum in the crankcase. It is using about a quart of oil every two weeks. I cannot discern how the pcv system works or if the two pressure regulators on the back of the intake are part of that system. BMW told th...	View
	2006 BMW 330i 3.0L electric coolant pump VIN: WBAVB33586 This bmw has no power to the electric coolant pump. I have been unable to find wiring diagram on mitchell. all the fuses I found are good .I have ground at pump.	View
	1998 Buick Skylark Custom 3.1L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G4NJ52MXW This is my brother in-laws car. It has a p1441 stored. I smoke checked the evap system and replaced the leaking gas cap. I cleared codes and seemed ok for a few weeks. Then light came back on with the same code. I do not have a scan that will perform active co... Trouble codes: P1441	View
	2006 Cadillac Escalade 6.0L Air Temp VIN: 1GYEC63N66 Customer complaint is there is no temp controll other than full hot or full cold no in between.air stays cold until temp dial is 89 or 90 then its gets hot, anything under 89 and its cold	View
	1994 Chevrolet K2500 6.5L Mounting bolts VIN: 1GCGK24F3R The inboard bolt on the starter has broken off again (see repair history). We have checked for runout on the flywheel and have found none. This is an ongoing problem that dates back to 2009. The starter mounting area on the engine block is flat and in good sha...	View
	1994 Chevrolet K2500 7.4L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1GCGK29N7R This is a new purchase for a good custumer and and he wanted it tune up hopeing to fix problem, the vehical will intermitaintly stall at idle or when comeing to a stop I found one code 42 mabe due to tune up checked timing, Checked all my baces found nothing o... Trouble codes: 42 (EST problem)	View
	1995 Chevrolet S10 LS 4.3L Hydraulic VIN: 1GCDT19W1S customer came in complianing that the brake pedal falls to the floor at a stop. also states if you pump pedal it will return to the top. test drop truck to verify issue, line locked all the wheel and pedal slowly fell to floor. bench bled and installed a reman...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Express 2500 4.8L Misfire Hello fellow techs. I need some suggestions on this van, custs complaint light blinks after driving on highway for a while. sure enough drive @ highway speeds usually 70 mph check engine light blinks. whats odd is you can't feel mis. check codes p0300 random m... Trouble codes: P0300, P0122, P0174	View
	2006 Chevrolet Impala SS 5.3L trans VIN: 2G1WD58C66 hi fellow techs,this one has me stumped.just got finished installing reman trans and no-start.looks like the buss is down. i did disconnect bat.placed starter to the side out of the way.disconnected ebcm,3 grounds.now i don't have a prndl,power to starter,or ...	View
	2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT 6.6L No Start, Cuts out VIN: 1GBHC29627 hello everyone have a problem here, we do not do a lot of disel work here and when we do its usally ford related . have a 6.6 that came in for routine serv , message was on in dash for needing fuel filter replaced , we replaced with a delco filter and some oth...	View
	2002 Dodge Caravan Sport 3.3L No Start I cleared the pcm and now the engine will not start. I have no dash function at all. no wiper control. I have replaced the ignition switch, pcm and body control module.	View
	1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 5.4L overcharge/flicker VIN: 1FTNX21L9X Several months ago we replaced the alternator with a rebuilt Quality brand alternator. It was for a no charge condition. Some time later the customer was back because the lights were flickering. We replaced the alternator again. It did not improve. We put the ...	View
	1999 Ford F-150 Lariat 5.4L No Start VIN: 2FTRX18L4X Towed in as a crank, no start. Unable to communicate with PCM, can communicate with all other modules. Had 20 memory codes in all modules. Ran tests, found faulty PCM, installed customer supplied used PCM (not available from Ford anymore). Now have communicati... Trouble codes: B1342 (Faulty Control Module), P1260 (Theft Detect Engine Disabled)	View
	2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L No heat VIN: 1FMZU73K43 Heater works fine when driving car , come to stop and idle ,starts to blow cold air. Step on accelerator and heat comes back, no leaks,coolant full	View
	2004 Ford Explorer XLS 4.0L Poor Idle Quality, Surge, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FMZU72K54 On cold start-up engine will idle @ 1,200 rpm then drop to 650 rpm's within a min. or so. The engine has a slightly rough idle/shake and when throttled up from idle to 2,500 and allowed to idle down there are two instances in that rpm range where the engine wi... Trouble codes: P0506 (Solus defined Lower then normal idle observed.)	View
	2006 Ford F-150 XLT 5.4L cilinders VIN: 1FTPX12586 multible misfires that moving around to different cilinders.I have replaced the crank sensor,& i have ck the fuel for water.none found.I have a crank code & a cam code & I don't beleave in just keep replacing parts. so if any one has seen this please help. Tha...	View
	2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4.6L Shudder VIN: 1FMEU53827 Hello fellow techs and thank you in advanse for any help givin. We have this sport trac 4X4 that has a shudder @ 42-44 mph. This happens while driving @ a steady speed and will also hapen SOMETIMES when you lightly press on the acc pedal. It feels like a dri...	View
	1992 Honda Accord LX 2.2L poor performance This 92 Honda Accord runs terrible unless you clamp off the fuel return hose. Then it runs great. I have replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, and fuel pressure regulator. All to no avail. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Tim	View
	2003 Honda Pilot EX 3.5L Heating VIN: 2HKHF185X3 Pilot came in with underheating problem. Coolant temp unable to reach 180. Temp gauge stayed in center scale. Replaced thermostat with oe and the problem is still there. On a test drive the temp dropped further. We have good flow through heater core. Help !!!	View
	2006 Hyundai Sonata GL 2.4L Front lower control arm VIN: KMHET46C96 I'm replacing the lower control arm bushings but can't get the rear bolt out. It must be rusted to the center spacer in the bushing. I got the nut off but when I turn the head of the bolt on the other side with a wrench, the control arm moves with it. Impact w...	View
	2001 Infiniti QX4 3.5L No Start VIN: JNRDR09Y81 Hi, I have this vehicle that won't start. We pulled codes and the code we get is p1610 and p1612. We cleared the codes and the code p1610 won't clear. We try to intialize the Nats system but it won't let us. We also tried to do the Un-lock procedure by cycling... Trouble codes: P1610 (Nats lock mode malfunction), P1612 (No communication)	View
	2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.0L front suspension VIN: 1J4GW485S4 Vehicle came in with a wondering problem and severe shake when any bump is hit at 40 mph and up.replaced worn out balljoints and tie rods. tire balance and steering stabilizer shock check good.caster was + 1 degree both sides, camber - 1/2 degree, toe 1/16". t...	View
	2004 Land Rover Discovery S 4.6L Fluid VIN: SALTL19UX4 Grab a cup of java Rover techs, this one defies all logic and is just plain baffling! This Rover does NOT have ACE. We are using synthetic P/S fluid from BG. The tech working on this has 13 years working on Rovers at dealer & independent garage. Original compl...	View
	2000 Lexus LX470 4.7L power door lock VIN: JT6HT00W4Y All door locks inop with master and pass. switches. All locks ok with key fob. Associated fuses ok. Thank you for your answer if you've come across this situation before.	View
	2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 3.2L Won't shift past 3rd gear VIN: WDBJF65J11 Hello MB Techs. This E320 will occasionally only shift up to 3rd gear with normal acceleration. I can be doing 60MPH but it won't go past 3rd gear. Come to stop and take off again and it's fine. I also noticed that if I manually upshift (move the shift lever t...	View
	2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 2.6L shifts VIN: WDBRF61J13 We replaced the conductor plate and wiring harness bushing a little over a year and approx. 7,000 miles ago. Problem at that time was of erratic shifting and sticking in gear. Codes were not recorded, but they were consistent with a bad conductor plate. Filter...	View
	2007 Mercedes-Benz CL600 5.5L Torque converter clutch VIN: WDDEJ76X77 Experienced MB techs only please. M275 engine with 722.6 transmission. Been watching this problem getting worse for a few months now, and about to dive in. When vehicle driven from stone cold, torque converter clutch will cause vigorous shudder when shifting i...	View
	1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport LS 3.0L moniters not setting VIN: JA4MT31P1W I have this vehical and I cannot get any readiness moniter to set.I know this 98 model computer is not programable and it also has a strict type evap system on it cust has put over 1500 miles on vehical with no luck on moniters. I have seen a service bulletin ...	View
	2009 Subaru Forester X 2.5L Steering angle sensor VIN: JF2SH64619 Vehicle came in with a intermittent code C0071 steering angle sensor. We took a gamble and replaced sensor. Using a Snappy Solus we recalibrated angle sns. with the yaw rate& lateral G sns. The code then became a hard code. performed circuit tests to VDCCM and...	View
	2009 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited 2.5L Air Bag,Blower,Radio,Cluster Goes Dead VIN: 4S3BL62629 Intermittently the air bag light will come on,the gauges will zero out,the radio will go to full volume,and the blower goes to high speed. When this happens the radio cannot be turned down or the channel changed. When the car is turned off then restarted syste...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L No Start VIN: WVWMA23B7Y I need some direction on this one from all you VW techs. I have a 2000 Jetta 1.8L Turbo that will not start. There is no spark or injector pulse. I have checked all the fuses and the test good. I'm beginning to think PCM but I want to be sure before I go that ... Trouble codes: P0601, 16985	View
	2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0L Brake lights VIN: 3VWSA69M44 Just want to see if anyone has seen this problem before: Customer brought car in stating that brake lights don't work "at times". (They work ok at this time) What I did notice is that with the key on, the brake lights stay on very dimly, even with the brake li...	View
	2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0L No Start car towed for no start good signal to pump no run installed factorty pump ran test 60 lbs filled with gas and returned to customer car went 138 miles no issues stalled next day on highway let set 10 minutes abel to restart go another 20 or so miles and another...	View
	2005 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 2.0L 4th 5th 6th Gear VIN: 3VWCK31C25 Has anyone ran into this problem on the 09g transmission? shifts good through 3rd gear after warm but will not shift above that.	View
	2002 Volvo V40 1.9L Unknown VIN: YV1VW29582 Towed the car in for no start, engine wont crank, check codes found only transmission codes 602 software error, my question is that will cause no cranking signal to the starter , Thanks	View
	2005 Volvo XC90 V8 4.4L shifter interlock VIN: YV1CZ85285 This XC90 AWD randomly will not release the shifter interlock mechanism. Only does it when cold, will eventually release if the car is left running for five minutes or so. We are uable to duplicate the problem in the shop; cleaning and lubing the mechanism did...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2004 Audi A8 Quattro L 4.2L Suspension VIN: WAUML44EX4 Thank you for your sugestions, I should have mentioned that I tryed soaking them twice a week for 3 weeks before I attemted to remove them, no help. I have worked on cars in the salt belt for 37 years and can usually come up with a plan to make a job profitab...	4
	2003 BMW 330i 3.0L Hesitation, MIL Lamp on VIN: WBAEV53453 Sorry for taking so long the owner does not have money for now, so we are waiting, nothing is been done sense I posted the help request, as far as the connectors that were lose couldnt go in the wrong place they only fit one way second it is not a transmission...	6
	2004 Buick Century Custom 3.1L Instrument panel VIN: 2G4WS52J14 The general consensous is pointing towards the ignition switch or the Instrumnet Cluster. The client has not returned as of yet, nor has she called to let us know that she is having any issues. So for now, I am going to close this help request out Thank you ...	10
	2003 Cadillac CTS 3.2L steering rack VIN: 1G6DM57N43 Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately, the customer picked the car up for the weekend and was happy with the steering effort. So, it ends up not being a learning experience, just a bad experience. The following is a summary of all the info I got. Josh, Lon...	19
	1997 Chevrolet K3500 6.5L No Start VIN: 1GBJK34FXV I Replaced And Relocated PDM All Fixed. Drove For Two Days No Problem. Thank Everyone.	11
	1998 Chevrolet S10 2.2L Excessive Emissions VIN: 1GCC144X1W Well customer has decided to pull the plug. After checking everything and checking it twice ( feeling like Santa ) the customer has decided enough. The only thing left that I feel could be the issue was timing chain. Customer said they will let us know. Th...	25
	2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Z71 5.3L cluster intemitant VIN: 1GNFK16Z04 Thanks everyone!! There was allot of good info and thanks for the reminders to check the basic. My main concern was the lack of communication before I condemned the cluster. Justin [...] was right about a module crashing the network. I reset the BCM as Gordon ...	19
	2008 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LTZ 5.3L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3GNFK16378 WELL GUYS THIS ONE BEAT US UP BADLY. WE HAD 24 REPLIES, ALL GOOD , WE DID EVERY TESY SUGGESTED. WE DID EVERY TEST WE ALREADY KNEW , ENDED UP CHANGEING #6 INJECTOR, STILL CONTINUOUS MISFIRE FROM IDLE ON , ON #6 CYLINDER. WE'RE GONNA SEND IT TO THE DEALER , SUSP... Trouble codes: P0306.	24
	2008 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ 5.3L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GNFK13018 This Tahoe got a Jasper engine with a nice shiny warranty. I wasn't crazy about replacing cam and all lifters. I didn't want any trouble in the future. Thanks for all the help! Trouble codes: P0306.	9
	2001 Dodge Dakota Sport 4.7L Misfire VIN: 1B7GG22N21 most replys were right timing was off. Timing chains were installed properly, parts came from oem. I think that from now on we are going to take a pair of calibers an measure the windows on cam sensor wheel before installing .New cam sensor wheel was [...]... Trouble codes: P1391.	8
	2006 Dodge Charger SXT 3.5L Front Washer VIN: 2B3KA43G36 No fault codes stored - all other inputs from the switch could be seen on the scan tool - a multifunction switch fixed it	6
	2007 Dodge Sprinter 2500 3.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: WD0PE74657 Well, after going through the pinpoint test and looking for common problems that might cause both camshaft actuator / sensors to fail at the same time without a performance issue and not finding any problems at this time and the fact this is a new vehicle for ... Trouble codes: 60 (Camshaft position actuator 1/2 target performance), 64 (Camshaft position actuator 2/2 target performance).	6
	2000 Ford Taurus SE 4-Valve 3.0L No Start, Misfire VIN: 1FAFP5659Y Thanks to all the technicians that responded to my request. I wish that iatn would have let me post more than one update to my request, as we could have provided some real important information after the first update. After the engine dried out inside the gara... Trouble codes: P0302, P0306.	20
	2000 Ford F-150 Lariat 5.4L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1FTRX17L9Y Sorry it took so long to get back. We were closed for Christmas. Troy, I checked all powers and grounds at pcm and they were all good. Pin checked all other circuits coming into pcm also. They all showed proper within specs. Dan, I did the bulb check to make...	11
	2002 Ford Focus ZX3 2.0L fuel gauge, temp gauge, interior lights VIN: 3FAFP31342 I want to thank everyone who offered advice. I'm ashamed to say I fell victim to what I tell everyone else not to - skipping the basics. Most of the advice I received centered around looking for a bad ground. I was leaning in that direction but for some reason...	11
	2006 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT 6.0L keyless entry doorpad VIN: 1FTWW33PX6 Thanks everyone for the quick replies. They were a mix of retrieving the manufacturers code with an ids and calling in the vin. The customer traded in the truck before i got to apply any of the suggestions. Again thanks for the speedy replies.	10
	2001 Infiniti QX4 3.5L dead battery VIN: JNRDR09X61 I decided to remove the after market stereo and see if that was the source of the drain. I found that someone had cut all the climate control wires and spliced them back in with crimp connectors.When i unplugged the climate control panel the drain goes away. T...	8
	2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7L Surge, Cuts out, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1J4GW58N1Y thanks to all for the help after checking and rechecking and replacing the cam sensor with 3 after market sensors from other suppliers the fix was o.e. sensor from the dealer lesson learned do not use after market sensors . Trouble codes: P1391.	7
	2003 Kia Spectra GS 1.8L Headlamps VIN: KNAFB16193 I have the head lamps working at the moment. The way i resolved the weird and changing problem was with a 20amp mini circuit breaker. I had many good suggestions, such as using an old style head lamp bulb in place of the 25 amp fuse. I never got to do this as ...	12
	2002 Land Rover Discovery Series II SD 4.0L No Start, MIL Lamp on VIN: SALTL15482 Its looks as though this one will need to be reprogrammed. Snap-on has a pass thru pro 2 that will hook up to the manufactures websites to reprogram. It will cost me more to tow it and have it done than to buy this tool, and will be able to do other cars in th... Trouble codes: P1673 (Manufactures output signal).	10
	1992 Mercedes-Benz 300SE 3.2L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire VIN: WDBGA32E7N Well, the case is indeed closed on this vehicle. The final answer is a puzzeling as the problem! I've been able to make the vehicle start, run, and idle by isolating the base module,ASR, and LH from everything else on the car. Had I looked further I would have... Trouble codes: 11 (DI code Reference Resistor R16/2 Defective), 010 (Base Module code N16/1 fuse F2 open circuit), 8 (LH code Camshaft Position Sensor L5/1 open circuit), 9 (Base Module code Voltage supply for LH module interrupted), 17 (LH code No data transmission with EA N4/1), 18 (LH code No data transmission with EZL N1/3).	10
	2007 Mercedes-Benz C230 Sport 2.5L Starting VIN: WDBRF52HX7 Ordered another key and yes that was the problem. Also learned that switch could be checked without key turning. Thanks guys.	5
	2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350 3.5L Engine VIN: 4JGBB86E38 Fixed? Yes, cause never broken. Seems Elvir and I are the only folks who have seen this, and we both conclude that this must be due to the oil pump pressure relief valve sticking. Since there has never been a customer complaint we will just wait and see...	4
	2001 Saab 9-3 Viggen 2.3L Surge, Misfire VIN: YS3DP75011 it was the ignition casset, the one we put in was defective, i ordered another one from Worldpac & the car ran like a Champ, thank to everyone who reply to. Happy Holiday	12
	2000 Subaru Impreza Outback 2.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1F1GF485XV thanks to all after getting oem sensor vechstill hassame problem have to disect wireharness to find what is really wrong oem sensor changeed the time it takesfor light to comeon before sensor replacement instantly light returns now takes about 1 hr for light ... Trouble codes: P1133.	8
	2005 Subaru Forester XT 2.5L Mechanical VIN: JF1SG69615 There was not a unanimous answer on this qestion,so we decided to contact colorado componet rebuiders,they rebuilt the heads for us.They recommended torquing to center bolts to (80ft lb) and the outer 4 bolts to (72 ft lb)they have used this procedure with no ...	7
	2007 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 2.5L Battery VIN: 4S4BP62CX7 The back up fuse supplies b+ to memories,radio presets,clock,ECM,etc...not the reverse lights. The draw was internal to the radio/hvac assembly. $300.00 list price for a reman exchange from Subaru. Now the draw through that fuse is 6ma instead of 320ma. ...	7
	2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX 2.5L engine VIN: JS3TD62V51 Thanks to everyone that responded to my problem. The customer picked up the vehicle and may decide to bring it back in the new year for repairs. Most said that the timing cover is a common leak but I am sure this one is leaking from the left side of the block....	7
	2006 Toyota Sequoia SR5 4.7L MIL Lamp on, Hard Start VIN: 5TDZT34A86 First of all I want to say thank you to everyone that took the time to reply. As always the fix turned out to be pretty simple. I was the third person to try and fix this problem and what I found was apparently the pins came out of the pigtail connector to the... Trouble codes: P1340 (Camshaft position sensor A).	5

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