Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Jan 18, 2013

Join Now

Prev	Professional Automotive Repair Technical Discussions for January 18, 2013 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
	1999 Cadillac Escalade 5.7L turning VIN: 1GYEK13R2X when turning sharp either left or right vehicle feels like its binding not a crow hop but an actual bind steering stops look ok	View
	1997 Chevrolet K1500 5.7L Rear Brakes VIN: 1GCEK14R8V Brake pedal goes to the floor. We can run the truck in the air in gear and can not make the rear wheels stop until the pedal hits the floor with quite a lot of pressure. Repair history since this vehicle came into our shop about a month ago. Replaced master c...	View
	2000 Chevrolet C2500 5.7L cng system VIN: 1GCGC24R2Y 2000 chevy c2500 with dual fuel cng/gas .Truck starts and idles on cng as soon as I accelerate past 1100 rpms it switches over to gas. Iv read the manual on the cng system,so Im familiar with the system.The fuel switch light dosent come on at all. I did replac...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Express 2500 4.8L No Start VIN: 1GCGG25V74 Hi & thank you for taking time to look at this request for help. Vehicle was towed to shop. Concern stated to us was the dash warning lights go on & off. Vehicle will crank over but will not start. Visual inspection of vehicle found no SES light when key was o... Trouble codes: B0951 (Headlight on indicator), B2625 (Display driving pwm output circuit malfuntion), U1016 (Lost communication with engine control module), U1096 (Lost com with driver imformation display), U1041 (Loss of comunication ebcm), U1000 (Loss of class 2 serial communication)	View
	2007 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.9L High idle VIN: 2G1WU58R77 Okay G.M. guys. Customer complaint check engine light and engine surge. We noticed that idle will climb to 2,200 rpm if! you touch the gas pedal. Bring it down by shifting into drive while holding your foot on the brake. Cleaned throttle, performed idle relear... Trouble codes: P0121 (p2119-), P2119	View
	2008 Chevrolet Aveo LS 1.6L oil pressure VIN: KL1TD66668 After driving about 10 miles the oil pressure light comes on and the engine gets noisey,checked the oil and it was low, let it sit and cool and the oil came up, let cool down,noise goes away until driven again, we have cleaned the top end and cleaned the oil p...	View
	2001 Chrysler Town & Country Limited 3.8L battery VIN: 2C8GT64L21 Customer brought in this van after replacing the battery and alternator because it would go dead (usually overnight). I tested the battery and alternator, both are strong. When the vehicle is parked for 30-60 minutes all the modules go to sleep and there is un...	View
	1998 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 5.2L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Surge VIN: 3B7HF13Y4W Here it goes,engine runs ok for a truck with almost 200k on the odometer,but if i connect the tps back on the engine will run like crap.Tps volts look ok on the scanner,0.70v at idle all the way to 3.75v at wot with no glitches.I removed the intake manifold to...	View
	2004 Dodge Ram 2500 ST 5.7L Excessive Emissions, MIL Lamp on, Rich VIN: 1D7KU28D14 This Dodge Hemi is a tough one! The customer called that the truck was running pig rich, enough that it makes your eyes water, and pushing black smoke. I asked if the Check Engine light was on, and he said yes. Shouldn't be too tough, I thought. I wish. I hoo... Trouble codes: P0171 (Bank 1 lean), P0174 (Bank 2 lean)	View
	1997 Ford Ranger Splash 3.0L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTCR10U0V Hey everyone, I have a Ranger thats giving me a hard time. Has +25% LTFT on one bank and -25% LTFT on the other. Runs really rough at idle. Using IDS did relative compression and looks good and compression test shows shows all at 155psi +-5psi. The plugs on th...	View
	2004 Ford F650 6.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3FRWF65L44 Need to replace the IDM,but there is no one that i know,who can program the IDM for me over in Europe I do have the tool to scan and read,but i don't have the program option in it Is there someone who can flas my IDM? ECM : [...] Trouble codes: 427 (cyl 7 low side to high side open), 426 (cyl 6 low side to high side open), 424 (cyl 4 low side to high side open), 421 (cyl 1 low side to high side open)	View
	2004 Ford F-150 STX 4.6L MIL Lamp on, Throttle inop VIN: 1FTRF12W54 Customer had a "dead battery". He went to Autobone and had them install a new one. Started up the truck and the accelerator pedal would not work. Truck will only idle. Press the gas pedal and nothing happens. The two codes for a stuck throttle appeared and the... Trouble codes: 2104 (Throttle Actuator Control System Forced Idle), 2112 (Throttle Actuator Control System Stuck Closed)	View
	2004 Ford F-550 Super Duty Lariat 6.8L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1FDAF56S24 This all started at the Exh. shop. Installing new Cat, to get the Tk. on the road. Engine would start, but no throttle response. It will die with any throttle. Will restart. I gave it a lobotomy, and that got me going, back to the shop. Exh. welder told me the...	View
	2004 Ford F-250 Super Duty King Ranch 6.8L Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on, erratic shift VIN: 1FTNW20S24 This Vehicle Intermitenly Will Have A VSS Signal That Will Float Between 0 And 128 MPH When It Goes Above 106MPH It Shuts The Fuel Off And It Will Stall Also When It Starts This The Trans Shifts Erraticly Because It Does Not Know The Actual Road Speed The P072... Trouble codes: P0720 (OSS circuit fault), P0722 (OSS No Signal)	View
	2009 Ford F-150 XL 4.6L passenger compartment VIN: 1FTRW148X9 It seems that in the winter this truck develops a really bad odor. It almost smells like something burning. We have had it in several times trying to locate the cause of this odor. It appears that when the engine and exhaust develop a layer of road salt, calci...	View
	2010 Ford F-150 XL 4.6L Hesitation VIN: 1FTEW1E80A I am posting this to hopefully help the next poor guy that has this. The customer brought in his 2010 f150 with 41000 kms on it for regular maintenance. The engine had a code for running lean ( i think?),we looked around and found out the air intake tube from ... Trouble codes: P0171	View
	1996 Geo Tracker 1.6L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 2CNBJ1865T Vehicle was towed in . Had to crank several times to start,had low fuel pressure. Pulled tank to replace pump, but found hole in hose to pump .replaced hose.vehicle hadn't been driven for 1 1/2 yrs . Drained old gas added new gas installed tank. Starts on firs...	View
	2002 GMC Sierra 2500 SL 6.0L Hesitation, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GTGK29U22 when it acts up ,running rough ,misfiring, there is about 9 volts @ the 5volt reference wire from pcm to tps.Note (this is a throttle cable truck not fly by wire).When tps is disconnected it straigtens out and doesnt act up.I've traced the wire back to pcm,and... Trouble codes: P0122 (Tp/app sensor 1 circuit open/short.), P0332 (Knock sensor2 signal short/low.), P1122 (Tp circuit intermittent low voltage.), P1639 (5v reference bor tcm a/d fault.)	View
	2003 GMC Sierra 3500 SLE 6.6L oil pressure VIN: 1GTJK33103 The truck came in they say it has low oil pressure looked at the gauges shows low oil pressure on the cluster .I pulled the sending unit out hooked up a master gauge found to have 45 psi when cold drops below 14 at idle when warm the spec is 14 when warm it ha...	View
	2005 GMC C5500 Topkick C5C042 6.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GDE5C32X5 My mitchell is quite limited and I am going off of a cab and chassis as closest description with a 6.6L AS mentioned this is a Medium duty GMC TOPkick 5500 that I am not well versed on. This truck belongs to my brother who just got bent over for an $1800 rea... Trouble codes: P0046	View
	2006 GMC W4500 Forward W4S042 5.2L Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire, no throttle response VIN: J8DC4B1677 Thank you for taking the time to help me here. I don't do a lot of diesel work but this is a really good customer and I need to help him. The truck was purchased at auction in June of 2012 and has run pretty well for the 15K miles since the purchase. It has ha... Trouble codes: P0301, P0303	View
	2003 Honda Civic EX 1.7L egr flow VIN: 1HGEM21993 I tried to run a speedo cable down exhaust port but it wont go far. Iam currently soaking it with induction cleaner. Has anyone ever seen this? Thank You	View
	2007 Honda Odyssey LX 3.5L Audio FM VIN: 5FNRL38217 Hello gang, I have looked and talked to my local Honda dealership and TSBs with no luck. I hope I have better luck here. I hear the 2006 touring models have read had similar issues but most were just complaints rather than solutions. The issues is the radio ...	View
	2000 Hyundai Elantra GLS 2.0L Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: KMHJF35F4Y came in for check engine lite on and runs rough did pinpiont tests on tps and found all circuits ok idles fine but as soon as you depress gas pedal bogs out and almost dies replaced tps no change replaced idle air motor no change reset ecm by disconnecting neg... Trouble codes: P0121	View
	2003 Jaguar X-Type 2.5L No Start VIN: SAJEA51D63 Instrument cluster says: pecus error e, engine system fault, gearbox fault. Throttle position voltage and percentage is right- 9% and 1.62 volts. Adding propane makes no difference. Has spark and injector pulse on the front 3 cylinders at least. It sounds norm... Trouble codes: P1582 (Flight recorder data is stored), P1573 (Throttle position not available), P1601 (Ecm/tcm serial communications fault)	View
	2004 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L Mechanical VIN: SAJEA51C74 to all jaguar gurus out there. got this x type that's AWD. my question is, how do u open that 13mm bolt by the transfer case without removing the transfer case. am trying to replace the oil pan gasket and was wondering if it's possible to do that without messi...	View
	2006 Jeep Commander Limited 5.7L transmission temperature high alert VIN: 1J8HG58246 after driving vehicle for awhile the instrument panel will say transmission temperature high. i installed a separate temperature probe down the dipstick tube and drove with scanner hooked up also. the highest the temperature reached on my external probe was 13...	View
	1988 Lincoln Continental Signature 3.8L cooling system VIN: 1LNBM9846J Hello:I have this Lincoln here that came in needing head gaskets replaced coolant in #3&#4 cylinders.Sent heads to machine shop for resurface and pressure test,Installed new gaskets and new head bolts.Replaced thermostat as a precaution.The problem with it now...	View
	1998 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC 4.6L leaks around oil filter VIN: 1LNFM92V9W car came in month ago with oil leak. Sometimes had big puddle. Looked to be from oil filter or oil filter housing at block. Cleaned up mess and ran engine on lift, dripping from filter. Replaced filter and then no leaks. After month noticed oil on ground again...	View
	2003 Mazda Tribute LX 3.0L No Start VIN: 4F2CZ94103 hey guys i have a 2003 tribute and the customer is complaining about extended crank on cold mornings. we found that it only started when you let off the key. i have checked fuel pressure when cold and key on was 60 psi. we have tried the iac[replaced]-cleaned...	View
	2006 Mazda 3 i 2.0L Car Vibration VIN: JM1BK12F96 HELP !!! We have this Mazda that has been to several shops of a few year span for different vibration problems . We started with a new set of Uniroyal tires and did a bulseeye balance with the hunter balancer this fixed most of the guys problems at of slow spe...	View
	2006 Mazda 3 i 2.0L headlight switch VIN: JM1BK12G76 my uncle car got problem with lowbeam inop. headlight , some shop estimate 1800,00 dallor to replace the fuse box and whole wire set. i need your help . iam a new member, please give me some advice, i really appreciate your deep time.	View
	2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 4.3L power seat VIN: WDBLJ70G32 How do I move the driver's seat fore and aft manually to remove it from the car to check the motor/wiring? Thanks.	View
	2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 5.5L Mechanical VIN: WDDNG86X17 car towed in-front propshaft u/j broken in two & seized, old one removed (in two pieces), does not appear enough space to fit new shaft, have sheilds and right front pipe/converter removed-but not the manifold, hoping someone has expeirence of replacing this s...	View
	2004 Mercury Grand Marquis GS 4.6L interior lights, horn, headlights VIN: 2MEFM74W14 Vehicle came into shop with blinking headlights and interior lights only when the driver door is open. Special note the blinking lights only happen when the car is started and running. It will be normal if the key is on and not running. First place I looked wa...	View
	2001 Nissan Frontier SE 3.3L Spring Plate VIN: 1N6ED27Y21 If you're having a bad day read on, your problems might pale in comparison. We did a rear main seal on this 4X4 Nissan and now the torque converter threaded holes don't line up with the spring plate holes. It looks like the spring plate got smaller or the torq...	View
	2002 Nissan Altima S 2.5L timing VIN: 1N4AL11E82 This car came here with head and chain install wrong.I replaced headgasket without pulling timing cover and set cam on painted links on chain turned over by hand fine but no start 90 percent of time.so i tore it all down to find crank mark off so i reset the m...	View
	2000 Toyota Tundra Limited 4.7L Mechanical VIN: 5TBBT481XY thanx for any help on this one in advance this Tundra 4x4 is getting an engine swap 4.7 here's the deal production date is 7/99 the engine we are putting in is 2004 4.7 some people say this will work if we swap intakes we sit the complete engines side by side ...	View
	2003 Toyota Tundra SR5 3.4L High idle VIN: 5TBBN44153 Greetings! Vehicle idles at approx 1600 rpm - hot or cold. No apparent vacuum leaks. No codes. Coolant temp correct through scanner. TPS reads 15% when at idle. If you press on the lower side of throttle plate it will move and reading goes down to 12%. This do...	View
	1996 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0L Unknown VIN: 3VWSA81H5T Hi everyone i have a 1996 vw jetta 2.0-L i need to change the ecm with a used one and i need some advice to code the computer and the login codes if anybody have them. thank everyone	View
	2002 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L No Start VIN: WVWPD63B42 Tow in, crank no-start. Instrument cluster lights up although radio display is inop. No spark detected. Tested for power at the ECM relay and measured voltage on terminals 30 and 86a but I do not get a ground signal from the processor during crank to energize ...	View
	2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 2.5L No Start, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 3VWRF31K06 Hi everyone, car came in with fuel pump fuse blown, SB33 in the under hood fuse panel (15amp). we replaced the fuel pump and the fuel pump relay. Customer came back again with fuse blown. The customer states that the fuse will blow while driving every 3 to 4 d...	View
	1999 Volvo V70 2.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: YV1LW55A8X no codes are stored in transmission control module and light does clear and has not returned. the abs light is on all the time and the pump faulty code is only one that does return. i have driven vehicle so many times and keep dropping communication with abs m... Trouble codes: P0722	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2003 Audi A4 Quattro 3.0L Air Bag VIN: WAULT68E63 All replies indicated the tool was not necessary. We disconnected battery, grounded seat and our self and did both seats. Came out good.	6
	2004 Buick Regal LS 3.8L turn lever VIN: 2G4WB52K64 To all of the 33 replies that I received thank you very much.. the ignition switch was the fix.. Most of you were right. I appreciate ALL the requests though because it gives me more information to look ahead on other possibilities in the future. Thanks agai...	33
	2007 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1GYFK63807 THANK YOU GUYS FOT THE HELP THE TRUCK IS FIX I RE FLASH THE ECM AND THE IDLE WAS OK . I HAVE THE TIS AND I REFLASH THANK ALL OF U GUYS	19
	2000 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: 1G1YY22G1Y Thank you for all the help guys. This vehicle ended up having a traction control issue. I was able to narrow it down to being a probable EBTCM. The module had good power and good ground, tested with a headlight. All the inputs were consistant with known good. ...	8
	2006 Chevrolet Impala SS 5.3L Stall VIN: 2G1WD58C16 Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Discussed situation with owner, explained that ecm may not be needed. He decided to go with new ecm on dealer advice. Myself next time if a weak battery was involved I think a reprogram will cure. Thanks again for all your gr... Trouble codes: P0601.	12
	2005 Chrysler Town & Country Limited 3.3L door locks VIN: 1C4GP45R25 I havent been able to get the customer back yet but I heres my plan thanks to the replies I got Long from texas Disconnect the BCM connector C2 and check for continuity to ground at pin 11 (Tan/Gray) and pin 27 (Tan/Light Blue). If less than 1,000 Ohms, repair...	7
	2007 Chrysler Town & Country Touring 3.8L Generator VIN: 2A4GP54L77 Well we ordered three new bolts from the dealer and installed the generator again.Have been driving it and letting it run.Could not find a bad pulley or mount etc.	3
	2010 Chrysler Town & Country Touring 4.0L Brake Pads VIN: 2A4RR5DX6A Thank you for all the replies but none of this worked and referred customer to dealer. We figure it has to be in abs and hoped they might get some assistance under warranty. Thanks again everyone	11
	2008 Dodge Nitro SLT 3.7L heating system VIN: 1D8GU58K68 Thanks for all the help from everyone. we performed a coolant flush twice. back flushed the heater core and replaced the thermostat. not you can fry an egg on the dash from the heat :) dave	4
	2008 Dodge Avenger SE 2.4L Right Dash Vent VIN: 1B3LC46K08 flushed heater core did not help heater .remove heater box did not find any thig loos or missing .ck actuators all woorking ok.reinstall heater box not hot at right top vent .did find that the heater cors are on back order do not know why .sent car to dodge de...	5
	2003 Ford Escape XLT 3.0L No power VIN: 1FMYU93123 Thanks guys for all the help. Yes plugged cat. I pulled the 02s and it runs great. Really after talking to every on i put my hand over the tail pipe and knew what is was. thank again	17
	2003 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L Electronic VIN: 2FMZA51483 I still don't understand it but its fixed-We found that if we unplugged the abs module the erratic speed signal went away-found that if we unplugged the front wheel speed sensors the problem went away and the speedo quit working-found rt front sensor way out o...	6
	2006 Ford F-150 XLT 5.4L cilinders VIN: 1FTPX12586 as it came about the intake gasket had sucked in & the truck had a vacuum leak in 3 places.i thank every one who helped me. charles	29
	2011 Ford F-550 Super Duty XLT 6.7L No Start, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FD0X5HT7B Ididnt get any replies on this one but time was the cure for this one, there must be some lock out when the truck thinks the "def" is overheated come morning I was able to start the truck up and clear the codes I then replaced the faulty egt, and all is well Trouble codes: P200C, P246E, P247B, P200E.	3
	2011 Ford F-150 FX2 5.0L door locks VIN: 1FTFW1CF1B First of all, Thanks for the responses. Well I went out on a limb and ordered a new smart justion box from ford [inexpensive]. After I installed it we had several areas that had to be programmed but as of now the problem is fixed. We test dorve and allowed to ...	8
	2007 GMC W4500 Forward W4S042 5.2L Stall, power loss VIN: J8DC4B1677 I need to close this request because the problem is not fuel related. It is a temperature alarm that goes off, not water in fuel alarm as the customer stated. It has progressively gotten worse and now will only run for about 2 minutes before shutting the engin...	5
	2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1J4GW58N01 this was a wierd one but it is fixed the cooling fan solenoid was shorted out on the hydrallic fan assy which is also wired into the o2 sensor circuit causing all the o2 codes. replaced fan assy and it is fixed. thanks for all the help Trouble codes: P0136, P1499.	7
	1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Kompressor 2.3L No Start, Cuts out, Stall VIN: WDBKK47F6X Hi all, Sorry for the late reply. Thank you very much for everyone's responses. Took me 200 miles of driving to get this thing to act up. Robert was dead on. The K40 relay in the back left corner of the engine bay was the issue. Taking it out of its holder ...	8
	2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport 3.5L eis VIN: WDDGF56X08 So the car is now fixed, everything's good. Again I want to thank everyone for there input which was helpful. As for a complete description on what happened: The car when it came in, the steering was unlocked, and the key wouldn't do anything other than the ...	10
	2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic 4.6L interior power VIN: WDDNG9EB0C Well, Not much help on this one. I bit the bullet and ordered and entire wiring harness for this one. Once I had the seats out the CAN jucntion blocks on both sides were completely corroded as well as numerous other connectors. Incidentally, This guy does have...	4
	1999 Subaru Legacy L 2.5L Speeometer To Fast VIN: 4S3BG6854X Sorry for delay, We ran the new harness from the top of the transmision (instead of from the drivers side) witch reversed the back two sensors. Every works as it should !!! Thanks for the Help.. Trouble codes: P0500, P1547 (VSS malfunction).	5
	1989 Toyota Cressida Luxury 3.0L Cam Seals VIN: JT2MX83EXK Customer is a snowbird and will be bringing the vehicle back next year. Thank you for everything. Did take note that the cams do not have to be removed. Thanks again	15
	1998 Toyota Tacoma Limited 3.4L Rear axle seals VIN: 4TAWN74N7W Thanks for all the help. Got all the tools in I needed and it is back together and going to be picked up on Monday. Thanks again, Stan.	14
	1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited 2.7L moniter not ready VIN: JT3HM84R7X thank you to the six members who replied to my help request I replaced the A/F sensor cleared the codes and sent the owner on a long road trip on the highway when he returned I checked moniter settings and sent him to have the truck retested he came back all s...	7
	2001 Toyota Tundra 3.4L Unknown VIN: 5TBJN32191 Like I explained of what I would try about a heating up the computer with a heat gun "Blow Torch", Well as soon as I felt it getting a little bit warm it Died and Took computer into Shop's Fridge and let it sit for awhile and bam vehicle started right up proce...	8
	2006 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5 2.5L convertable top VIN: 3VWRF31Y96 well guys got this one figured out kind of stumbled on the fix.It was the left rear latch lock motor i decided to check all switches manrally and i found by tapping on the rear left latch motor it would start working closed the top lowerd the top bam would go...	3

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