Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Feb 21, 2013

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	Help Request	Answers
	2001 Acura MDX 3.5L air bag VIN: 2HNYD18291 We are trying to clear air bag codes on this MDX. It says to use tool 07paz-0010100 and do not use a jumper. My question is does it have a resistance to it and if you have one can you measure the value so I can get the codes cleared by making my own based on r...	View
	2001 Audi A6 Quattro 4.2L No Start VIN: WAUZL54B81 Vehicle came in with cranks won,t start. Found no cel with koeo and no communication with pcm. Inspected multiple circuits and determined pcm was not grounding main relay or fuel pump relay. Causing no voltage at injector/coils/others. Following wiring diagram...	View
	2001 Audi S4 Avant 2.7L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: WAUXD68D11 The vehicle came to us with a huge oil leak, coolant leak, and CEL has been on and off for a while. We found that the Aux W/P was leaking, Cam Tens. gaskets leaking, plugs worn and vac check valve broken/leaking. Also vehicle had a 16688/16684 codes stored, so... Trouble codes: 16688 (Cylinder 4 Misfire), 16684 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected), 17866 (Exhaust Gas Temp Sensor 2 Short to Ground Intermittent)	View
	2002 Audi A6 Quattro 3.0L module VIN: WAULT64B62 Hi, We replaced the abs module in this vehicle and are not able to code the new module. The login code from the standard charts will not work with either the sanpon scanner or the autolandscientech scanner. I can plug the harness into the old module but the co...	View
	2004 Audi A6 Quattro 3.0L Headlamp Adjustment VIN: WAULT64B64 We really need some Audi expert assistance, and thank anyone in advance for their help. We have this 2004 Audi A6 Quattro where the customer has installed factory original 2001 Audi A6 Xenon Headlamps, front bumper and hood onto this 2004 Audi A6. The original...	View
	2009 Audi S5 4.2L MIL Lamp on, over heating VIN: WAURV78T89 vehicle over heats after driving for a little while scanned car found era code p0597, but it also seems to go into a fail safe when it does this im assuming. it doesnt want to shift it stays in low gear. i didnt scan the transmission for codes. i did look for ... Trouble codes: P0597, P1575	View
	2000 BMW 528i 2.8L Drivers window inop sometimes VIN: WBADM5347Y after 2 days battery fully discharged. customer states drivers window works sometimes and all others work sometimes but never together. removed all fuses and still has draw(test light test).	View
	1993 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 4.6L Trip Computer VIN: 1G6EL1299P The Store/Recall and Information Button are inoperative Therefor Codes shown on "banner" (below Speedo/Tach)cannot be reset/deleted. Display On/Off and Eng/Met buttons do work (Same Cluster) Climate part works too	View
	2000 Chevrolet Venture 3.4L Cooling fans VIN: 1GNDX03E7Y Please help. The cooling fans are not working. The coolant temp is going up to 225+ then I cycle the fans to not cause other problems. The PCM has a correct temp signal but will not ground the relays. I can cycle the low and high speed fans with my Verus so th...	View
	2003 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1L Battery VIN: 1G1ND52J53 This vehicles battery goes dead after sitting for 2 days. I tested for a parasitic draw and found 198 mA draw. I traced down to BCM and Cluster. If I umplug each item or the fuse for it the draw drops to 96 mA and if I unplug both the cluster and BCM the draw ...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Venture LT 3.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GNDX13E84 keeps running lean, what am i missing, o2's appear to be working properly. have smoked for leaks and only smoke seen is coming from base of egr out of the vent slots Trouble codes: P0171	View
	2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LT 5.3L Electronic VIN: 3GNEC12J47 brake light stays on on instrument cluster and chimes the whole time you are driving.scanner says ebrake is applied.disconnected wire at ebrake pedal, light stays on.have checked brake fluid level sensor and booster vacuum sensor.you can turn key on, dim headl...	View
	2001 Chrysler Town & Country LX 3.3L dash VIN: 2C8GP44331 Checked cables for voltage drop. It was started with a jumper pack. Have disconnected cables and tried again to no luck. Dash is dead.	View
	1998 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 3.0L gauges VIN: 2B4GP4431W Thanks in adavance for your advice: Customer complaint is entire dash is inoperative. No power locks, no wipers, no headlights, no horn, scan tool won't communicate with the instrument cluster and BCM, but vehicle starts & drives. After sitting ahwile vehicle ...	View
	2007 Dodge Durango SXT 5.7L Master Cylinder VIN: 1D8HB48247 Customer Installed their own Front Disc Pads and rotors. In the process of collapsing the Driver side caliper he broke the seal. He then installed a new caliper.HE attempted to bleed brake system. Since his attempted repair and brake Bleed his Pedal fails on f...	View
	2008 Dodge Ram 4500 ST 6.7L Engine VIN: 3D6WC66A68 Hello, I am working on a 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 with a 6.7 liter Cummins. This engine is losing power and starts to smoke (white sometimes black). It has a dtc p0087 for which fuel filters were replaced and codes cleared. It ran fine for a little bit then started...	View
	2008 Dodge Charger SE 3.5L cranking VIN: 2B3KA43G18 When starting vehicle, there is a delay of approx 1-2 seconds between turning key(fob) before starter relay is activated. Checking with scan tool I can see when key is turned to crank position it immediatley recognizes start key position, however there is a de...	View
	1988 Ford F-150 Custom 5.0L Stall VIN: 1FTEF15N3J this truck stalls when warmed up, it will restart but you have to turn the switch off first, it has no spark if you just try to start it without turning the switch off first, customer had this problem after some one put a new switch in it because customer coul...	View
	1996 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8L Check Engine Light VIN: 1FALP6247T Have this car that came to me awhile ago with a p0340 cmp code. Ended up replacing the cmp sensor the syncro was still good. Now it has a intermit check engine light with the p0340 in it. Once cleared could be good for a day or a week. Checking all ckts to and... Trouble codes: P0340 (Cmp Sensor Ckt)	View
	1999 Ford Expedition XLT 4.6L Hesitation, Misfire VIN: 1FMRU1863X We have not spent much time on this vehicle as of yet and I am already stuck on which direction to take because there are many. Under acceleration and sometimes at idle the pcm shuts off 2 injectors at a time for exactly 4 seconds. The cylinders are random and...	View
	2000 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L engine VIN: 1FTNX21F1Y This truck will run fine for a few days then it acts up and will barely run. Mil will only come on when it acts up. The only code that is there is p1316. If you wait awhile and try it the truck will run fine. It is very intermintent. I have checked grounds and...	View
	2001 Ford F-150 King Ranch 5.4L exhaust VIN: 1FTRW08L21 this f150 has broken exhaust studs on the right manifold .going to replace all studs & nuts .has any one done this job & do i need to remove the head ?.	View
	2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4.6L Noise VIN: 1FMZU73W73 The suv has a chatter when warmed up and on accelaration or higher rpms. It sounds like a flex plate but not sure. havent seen a flex plate go out in years on newer vehicles. anyone else had a problem with these?	View
	2003 Ford Focus SE 2.0L No 3rd Gear VIN: 1FAFP34353 No third gear. Checked codes nothing so seams pretty simple replaced trans but still no third. Also found that when we turn of od it shifts to second. Any trans people that have an idea i would like to thank you ahead of time for your help.	View
	2005 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L Cuts out, Stall, Misfire VIN: 1FMFU18555 The customer states that every now & then this truck will just die. It does not matter whether it is doing 70 mph or 30 mph.The message center flashes engine fail safe mode. It has a #2 misfire code,but other than that everything looks normal.I did a fuel pres... Trouble codes: P0304 (2 misfire)	View
	2005 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L p0732, p0733 VIN: 1FAFP53U45 Transmission slips going into 2nd and third. Check transmission light comes on. Vehicle than shifts fine from ist to second skips third and than goes into fourth gear. Removed transmission and found intermediate clutch melted. Replaced all clutches, seals,. Ai...	View
	2005 Ford Five Hundred SE 3.0L shifting VIN: 1FAFP23105 Thanks for your taking time to read this. Checking vehicle for 2nd opinion. I am not a trans shop, but I do advanced drivability and told customer I would try to determine if this was a control problem or mechanical trans problem. Previous shop told him $1600....	View
	2006 Ford Focus ZX4 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FAFP34NX6 Hello, We have a IMRC system failure that we are struggling with. P2008 sets pending after a few throttle actuations and goes hard fault along with P2006 and sometimes a P2004 eventually. A previous shop replaced the IMRC actuator and it works. The intake valv... Trouble codes: P2008 (IMRC Fault), P2006 (Imrc), P2004 (Imrc)	View
	2007 Ford F-350 Super Duty XL 6.0L Misfire VIN: 1FDWF36P97 truck came in with eng miss. has ran fine until now. has eng miss, p0300. Cyl 5 at 17% relative compression and 7 at 9% relative compression. we did replace 1 rocker when doing repaires in december. any ideas would be great. thanks in advance. Trouble codes: P0300	View
	1996 Honda Civic EX 1.6L headlights VIN: 1HGEJ8148T OK guys So customer came in had a complaint about his Car constantly dying , later to determine his battery was bad and had it replaced, he then went off and about a month now, he came back saying that his lights dim when in gear and later put to neutral , I w...	View
	2003 Honda Civic Hybrid 1.3L Engine Replacement VIN: JHMES95653 HI there everyone and thanks for the help on this one. I have a bad engine on this 1.3 Hybrid Civic and need to install a low mileaged used one. For safety reasons, I would like some guidance about the safest and best way to get the engine in and out, it is a ...	View
	2007 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.4L MIL Lamp on, Lean VIN: 5NPET46C47 Need some other's insight on this one. Car original came in with a check engine light on. Found 2 lean codes and a cylinder 1 misfire code. We found a bad intake gasket. Informed the customer but they didnt want to do the repair at the time. They brought the c... Trouble codes: P2096 (Post Catalyst Fuel Trim System Too Lean)	View
	2004 Jaguar XJ8 4.2L Electronic VIN: SAJWA71C34 Transmission light comes on , driver pulls over , shuts it off then re-starts and car is o.k. Scanned it for fault codes and retrieved . P0782 - Gear Load 2-3. We cleared faults and a couple of weeks later it is back with same fault.Fluid level is perfect , sm...	View
	1993 Land Rover Range Rover County LWB 4.2L Speedometer VIN: SALHC1349P Is anyone familiar with these old classic Rover speedos? The cable to the transducer is good and spinning. I'm getting power to the the transducer, what kind of signal should I be getting from this unit to the speedo? I've checked with an ohm meter, open circu...	View
	2003 Mazda Protege5 2.0L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Surge, MIL Lamp on VIN: JM1BJ24523 Got a Mazda [...] here with an interesting problem. I get tons of lean codes, but hardly ever find rich codes in cars these days. This one has a p0172:system rich bank 1. Fuel trims are way negative: LT= -25%, short term fluctuates between -12% and -20%. Fu... Trouble codes: P0172	View
	1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SL 5.0L No Start VIN: WDBFA66E9M Hello, sorry for the long post, really just need some input. This vehicle came in running rough, idling high, then low and would intermittent die, intermittent severe lag on acceleration. This car has only one o2 sensor. EHA was leaking fuel. On smoke test, se...	View
	1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 2.3L Poor Idle Quality VIN: WDBHA23E9V I have this fly by wire throttle system that only happens on a cold engine.The idle drops to the point where engine shakes when coming to a stop.Here is the kicker.I have tried the throttle relearn a bunch of times.Scanner will show's YES on relearn.But whene ...	View
	1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 5.0L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, Misfire VIN: WDBFA67F3W Hopeing someone can give me some advice where to go from here. Thank you in advance!	View
	2004 Mercedes-Benz S430 4.3L trunk/doors VIN: WDBNG70J44 Thanks in advance , the power locks ,trunk was operating fine until the trunk lid did not want to open . i could not open it even with manual key (it was stuck ) eventually with the help PB Blaster i was able to open it with the key. When the trunk was not ope...	View
	2000 Nissan Maxima GLE 3.0L No Start VIN: JN1CA31D8Y Vehicle came in with a no start condition so replaced the starter with OEM from Nissan. Now cranks but long crank. Once it cranked all other cranks were fine till it sat. I ended up cleaning the ground and moving the ground to one of the starter bolts no diffe...	View
	1997 Pontiac Trans Sport 3.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GMDX03E6V Failed state inspection for p1651 and I can't seem to find any information on that code number? Tried clearing the code but it comes right back. Did have the same code number on a buick a while back but cleared it and it hasn't returned.Was hoping to get some ... Trouble codes: P1651 (manufactures control auxiliary inputs auxiliary outputs)	View
	2002 Saab 9-3 SE 2.0L Stall VIN: YS3DF55K62 Vehicle runs fine... until it dies (mazin how that works). I have labscoped my coil command, my injector command and my CKP signal. This thing comes to stop fast, sometimes litterally screeching to a stop, some times its just like you turned the key off (no po...	View
	1996 Subaru Legacy LS 2.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4S3BK4553T I am hoping somebody out there may be able to give me some kind of insight on this code.I pulled this P1401 trouble code today.There isn't any documentation in Mitchell,Identifix only gives me a definition of (fuel tank pressure control system performance);pos... Trouble codes: P1401	View
	1994 Toyota Corolla DX 1.8L starter VIN: 1NXAE09B1R Phone quote on a starter installed. Customer showed up we installed a new starter. Tested starter multipal times, all ok. Customer called this morning from a store. She is hearing a loud noise going in reverse. Get car to shop discover that with the car starte...	View
	1997 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0L engine VIN: 4T1BF12B3V the car will not accelerate unless you really feather the gas slowly , its acting like its starving for fuel but has good fuel pressure , checked the timing and it was right on , took the exhaust apart to see if CAT. was clogged , it wasnt , we checked fuel fi...	View
	1998 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 4T1BF18B7W Ok I have code P0664 EVAP Vent Control Fault. Can anyone tell me exactly how this system is suppost to work? Mitchells information Leaves me with more questions than answers. Commanded VSV on and no change in flow through VSV. Flow through VSV all the time.did... Trouble codes: P0446 (EVAP Vent Control Fault)	View
	2004 Toyota Land Cruiser 4.7L Noise VIN: JTEHT05J54 This 4.7 has a high pitched whistle when running at idle. We pulled the drive belt and the noise is still there. Also checked for vacuum leaks because the noise is similar to a vacuum leak. We believe the noise is coming from under the timing belt cover. It is...	View
	2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L lack of power VIN: 3VWSE69MX3 Hello fellow VW tech's. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. This car ended up becoming mine after the customer found ou that the cylinder head needed replaced from the camshaft siezing up in it. Now it is my problem. I found a junk yard head with 65...	View
	2005 Volvo S80 2.5T 2.5L Mechanical hi i need VVT timing reset procedure when we remove center bolt 1 guy holding the cam 1 guy holding cam sprocket when the bolt come out the cam sprocket move out of the mark now we do not know how to set it back to spec please help all data inf is not clear th...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2003 Acura MDX Touring 3.5L Mechanical VIN: 2HNYD18803 Thanks for all the repys. Matt steered us into the right direction. After pulling the transmission apart again, we found all the secondary shaft bearings shot and the friction discs cooked. I also asked the mechanic if he torqued the nuts and he said no. We bo...	3
	2007 Audi A6 Quattro 3.2L Voice Control VIN: WAUDH74F57 Microphone and voice control is now fixed: When car arrived initially, we never looked in to the issue of the voice control, since the complaint was: “Cell phone does not pair with vehicle blue-tooth!” After talking to customer he claimed Voice Control was wor...	3
	2004 Buick Rendezvous CX 3.4L No Start VIN: 3G5DB03E24 Thanks for all the help guys!!! This vehicle has contaminated gas. Pulled a sample and its pretty bad looking stuff... Thanks again for all the help. by the way you do not need a cam signal to make this vehicle run. Trouble codes: P0420 (Cat eff code), P1819 (internal mode switch).	24
	2006 Chevrolet Express 2500 4.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCGG25V56 First off thanks to everyone for the solid advice. It's been a week sic I changed the purge valve and everything is fine. Thanks again for all the support Trouble codes: P0455 (p0300-), P0300 (p0440-), P0440.	6
	2008 Chevrolet Aveo LS 1.6L engine VIN: KL1TD65638 Thanks for all the help, we installed a new tensioner and idlers and made sure to do the two step procedure when installing the new belt.	9
	2008 Chevrolet Cobalt LT 2.2L air bag VIN: 1G1AL15F48 Mathew from California nailed it. It has a really goffy way of getting to the problem. The code 23 which flashes on the air bag lights (off passenger airbag ligtht flashes 2x, on light flashes 3x) They flash after you check codes with the scanner on the passen...	10
	2010 Chevrolet Express 2500 4.8L No Start VIN: 1GCZGGBA0A I've replaced the solenoid pack and programmed it everything is working great thanks for all the helpful hints Trouble codes: P182E, P1915 (Ims no parl//neutral sig during startsymptom 00).	4
	2005 Chrysler Town & Country Limited 3.3L Lights VIN: 1C4GP45R35 I will close this request for now because the customer has not returned, it is not a big problem for him at this time. He will eventually come in for sure and I will update with the repairs then. Thank You, Bob	18
	2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport 3.3L Misfire, bucks VIN: 2B4GP44381 well we figured it out but what a hair puller , it was a broken wire in the harness , it was a 5 volt feed out of computer was gettting 12v sometimes and sometimes nothing , which messed with tps and map and computer , so stilll not sure why it had to he...	20
	2008 Dodge Sprinter 2500 3.0L battery VIN: WD0PE84538 Thanks for all the replies. It turns out the driver of the truck had left the headlights on multiple times for several hours at a time after charging the battery and having her drive it for the day all seems to be well.Still a little concerned that ecm is call...	4
	2007 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT 6.0L No Start VIN: 1FTWW31P77 this one is fixed. (accuratediesel.com sells oring kits for these injectors while ford wants you to replace the injector= big$$) much easier to remove the injector and hold it in a vice to replace the o rings, there is just not enough room to remove the clips ...	16
	2008 Ford E-350 Super Duty XLT 5.4L Safety VIN: 1FBSS31L28 Thanks for the replies. We found no evidence of water intrusion. Customer had to take vehicle. I called him to follow up. He stated the problem became intermitent. He took it to the dealer and they "ran a test" and told him they found no problem. I suspect the...	5
	2001 Honda Prelude 2.2L Hesitation, Surge VIN: JHMBB61401 Thank you all for trying to help me. I have advise customer to took it to dealer. I will post it when I know what's the fix. Trouble codes: P0505 (Idle Control System Malfunction).	12
	2003 Honda Civic EX 1.7L Vtec VIN: 1HGEM21943 Does dumb ass qualify as a problem? Since the problem was not present prior to replacement of the headgasket I knew it should be related. Pulled the valve cover and found at the rear of the rocker assembly a plug had fallen out. When I took the assembly out in...	6
	2003 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2.7L Timing Belt VIN: KM8SC13D93 Thank you to all that replied we removed the front valve cover and loosened the cams, then put air into the cylinders the valves are bent.	19
	2006 Jaguar XKR Victory Edition 4.2L Dsc VIN: SAJDA42B86 Steven of Indiana was the only one to reply to this request, and for that I am grateful. He stated that there is a routine for calibration and clarified that it is part of the ABS module configuration routine, not a standalone utility. Now for the repair, ...	2
	2003 Land Rover Discovery SE 4.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: SALTY164X3 Well this turned out to be easy; I just overcomplicated it. The fix was replacing the vacuum solenoid that would open briefly when energized but did not stay open when system was active. I have so far only been able to establish the fact that the system onl... Trouble codes: P1412 (Secondary Air Bank 1), P1415 (Secondary Air Bank 2).	5
	2007 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged 4.2L Mechanical VIN: SALMF13447 it was the junction box ( fuse box ) Passenger side under the hood. Part # [...]. No power was going to the Brake vacuum pump, after replacing the fuse box, brake are fine & the pump cycles on & off as it need it	5
	2003 Lincoln LS 3.0L acceleration VIN: 1LNHM86S73 thanks to everyone who replied,most of you were on the right track,it ended up being a bad throttle body assy. thanks again for al the suggestions.IATN is the best.	11
	1995 Mazda MX-6 LS 2.5L No Start VIN: 1YVGE31D7S I really appreciate all the advise you guys gave me. Everything has been tried and retried. I stopped working on the car for several weeks cause we've been to busy with other cars so three days ago when it was 38 degrees out I tried it and the engine started r...	20
	1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E 4.2L Cuts out, Stall VIN: WDBEA34E4N Hello all and to whom it may concern, this is my third time closing this request. Thanks you again to all who replied. It was a fuel pump that was restricting fuel flow after running until warmed up. Fuel pressure guage attached and watched until stall reveale... Trouble codes: 17 (Crank position Sensor), 22 (o2 Sensor heater), 30 (input signal front right central lock open circuit).	9
	2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500 5.0L esp,bas,abs VIN: 4JGAB75E53 well, Ron came by with a demo Scanner- an I-scan wt, did a quick look-see, the code pulled with my Solus, P0500, vehicle speed sensor 'A', was the same as the one it pulled, referring to the L/R sensor- but in this case, not the the sensor itself.this one has ...	7
	2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI 3.2L Engine VIN: WDBUF26J55 Well I have to give up on this car and send it to the dealer. Suspected pressure control valve, or computer problem. Will update if i hear from the customer. Thank you everyone's help.	7
	1980 Nissan 280ZX 2.8L High idle VIN: HS13020573 ok found intake manifold leaking,&tightened bolts,customer pulled car out.i did get some control of idle.it still had more problems customer didn't want to hear that.thanx for your input folks.	11
	1997 Saab 900 SE Turbo 2.0L ecm VIN: YS3DF55N2V Well guys im sorry I wasted your time I have no excuses.I had no information on Mitchel on my Vantage pro or my Solis Pro on this car as far as what voltage the crank senser should produce.The only info I had was on Identi-Fix.It said 500 mvac and I should hav...	7
	2001 Saab 9-5 SE 3.0L Heat VIN: YS3EF48Z11 It looks like I won't be able to fix this one before I have to close this request. The owner is still hesitant to spend many thousands on this and I can't blame him. Thanks for the replies, some talking about the broken shaft fix or bad motors, of which we hav...	8
	2002 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0L Gas Pedal VIN: 4T1BF28BX2 I took the advice that was offered on this vehicle and did clean the throttle body as suggested and the tips were right on target.Problem solved. Thanks a million guys!	22
	2002 Volkswagen EuroVan MV 2.8L Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: WV2NB47012 HI there everyone and thanks for the help on this one. I took a shot at it and cleaned the throttle body..it was terribly filthy..and I re adapted the throttle settings and it has ran great since. Thanks for all the help on this one. ROn Trouble codes: P0725.	4
	2002 Volvo V70 X/C 2.4L rear struts VIN: YV1SZ58D92 Thanks to Gregory he hit it. I took a cam a long to pull down the lower control arm,just enough that the strut will clear the suspension.	2

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