Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Mar 25, 2013

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	Help Request	Answers
	1996 Acura TL 2.5L Engine VIN: JH4UA2640T i need some help with this one, customer came complaining about vibration wit car in gear, either drive or reverse. We checked engine mounts and they where broken. We replaced them with original acura parts, but the vibration still there. Nothing seems to be t...	View
	2004 Acura TL 3.2L Hvac Controls VIN: 19UUA66244 Good Afternoon, This Acura is driving us bonkers. Original customer complaint was auto hvac system was not responsive to voice or manual control. This vehicle has the navigation system with control box in trunk When tech first tested car we found hvac system ...	View
	2003 Audi A6 Quattro Avant 3.0L sticks VIN: WAUVT54B73 The cust states the throttle likes to stick on this v6. We have never seen or heard of this problem. Because of the law suit that could happen if we touch this without any repair could be very wallet flushing . We couldnt ride with cust today. Because of the w...	View
	2003 BMW 325i 2.5L service VIN: WBAEN33473 I have a customer that moved to Birmingham Ala. She is looking for a independent Automotive shop that works on BMW's. Her family always liked to use the small business when possible...nothing against dealerships at all,they go there when they need to. E46 is i...	View
	2004 BMW 325i 2.5L Misfire VIN: WBAET37414 vehicle came in with coolant tank leak and complaint of misfire when going uphill had misfire codes and airflow codes secondary air code. found air tube taped up replaced still misfires on hard accelerations .kicks p0305 p0306 and air flow codes. replaced spar... Trouble codes: P0305, P0306, P0300	View
	1991 Buick Riviera Luxury 3.8L idle VIN: 1G4EZ13L3M intermitten idle stall hook up modis go to read codes or data insterment cluster goes blank and says error swap out modis for an old brick same thing now with error message on dash can read codes and data but not sure I can trust it. About ready to throw a idl...	View
	2005 Cadillac CTS 3.6L starter VIN: 1G6DP56745 vehicle came in with a supposed intermittant no start condition. during diagnosis, you can turn the key to the crank position and the starter will engage as normal. engine starts but the starter keeps running intermittantly. you can then turn the key off and t...	View
	1995 Chevrolet K1500 5.7L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on, possible misfire VIN: 2GCEK19K2S Sorry for the short data readings. I have a 1995 chevy 1500 in the shop 1995 has a stumble at idle and will stall out.This problem seems to happen when its cold or hot. Sometimes is worse when at normal operating temp and when starting first thing in the morni... Trouble codes: 33 (Map Sensor to High)	View
	2002 Chevrolet Impala 3.4L power steering rack VIN: 2G1WF52E12 Vehicle first came in with the steering wheel hard to turn and the power steering pump making a lot of noise. Replaced the pump and it was better but the customer said the steering was getting hard again. We told him that we need to change the rack and pinion....	View
	2005 Chevrolet Colorado Sport LS 3.5L No Start VIN: 1GCDS19695 Customer called with no start.It would crank and not start and if you remove the gas cap and wait a few minutes it starts.It seem to happen after getting gas.This is one of my best customers daughters truck.I havent seen the vehicle but they wondered if I coul...	View
	2007 Chevrolet Aveo LS 1.6L Misfire VIN: KL1TD65657 So this Aveo is a used car on the lot. Didn't run good when we first got it but was low on fuel and then ran fine. So it sat on the lot for a while then sold it but noticed coolant leak before it got picked up. So we changed the timing belt and water pump. So ... Trouble codes: P0300 (Random cylinder misfire), P0301 (Cyl 1 misfire detected), P0304 (Cyl 4 misfire detected)	View
	2005 Chrysler Sebring Limited 2.7L cluster VIN: 1C3EL65R55 customer states that she used the remote to unlock car,once she got in the car starts fine but nothing on the instrument cluster works except for the gear indicator and oil light...also the wipers dont work..the odometer also shows 0 miles...i have an autel sc...	View
	1994 Dodge Dakota 3.9L Starter motor VIN: 1B7GG23X1R Vehicle towed in. Brand new (Bosch) starter (installed by customer) just 'whirs'. We checked the basics (battery charge, voltage drop on + and - sides, etc.) and then tried another new starter. Same thing. Something seems to be stopping the drive-gear from mov...	View
	1998 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 5.9L TransferCase VIN: 1B7HF13Z6W Greetings fellow techs, Got one to run by you guys. Got a 1997 Dodge Ram 150 4-wheel drive pick-up in today with a 4 wheel drive issue. Customer stated that when in 4 wheel drive and the truck is turning (either way) the front end really jumps and shudders. Br...	View
	1999 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1B7MC3363X cleared codes and p1286 comes back right away Tested and found 7.90 volts at apps from ecm with connector unplugged(should be 5V), so i cut apps supply voltage wire about an inch from ecm and still have 7.90 volts. so that rules out a short to power on that c... Trouble codes: P1286 (APPS Supply volts too high)	View
	1999 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L Unknown VIN: 3B7KF2369X hi all need some help customer complant when the truck is started that it has no throttle responce just idols shut truck off and restart then throttle works the warmer the truck gets the worse the problem also truck sets no codes that the drb will pick up. cus...	View
	2001 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 3.3L Electronic VIN: 2B4GP44R91 I have a caravan that is going into limp mode, here is what I got, no communication with tcm, and p1698 in pcm. Insterment module, no front control module bus message received. Body module, tcm message not received. I seen there is a lot of problems with bad w...	View
	1999 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L Instrument Cluster VIN: 2FMZA5141X Any one with a good explanation of how this system operates would be great information to have. Could a PCM cause this, or do I need to re flash the VIC first(no codes indicating a PCM vs VIC mismatch)?	View
	2002 Ford Mustang 3.8L No Start VIN: 1FAFP40472 Hi Guys, I have a ford mustang we replaced the PCM to to ignition control problem. We are unable to program the keys. I called a locksmith that specializes in automotive and has programmed Ford keys for me before. Is there some other step needed when replacein...	View
	2002 Ford E-150 Econoline 4.2L 2-3 Shift Bind VIN: 1FTRE14292 Just throwing this out there to see if any of you tranny guys have ever seen this. I just finished building a 4R70W and i now have a binding condition when it shifts to third gear. My 1-2 shift is great, and the trans actually shifts to third, but when it does...	View
	2004 Ford Focus ZTW 2.3L Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 1FAFP35Z24 Since installation of the new intake and pcv hose, when engine is cold or cool, when engine is started, idle speed will surge up to 2000 rpm, an audible noise is heard in intake, then engine will make a sound like a vacuum leak, then stall. Vehicle will restar... Trouble codes: P0507 (Idle speed higher than expected)	View
	2005 GMC Envoy XL Denali 5.3L Oil pressure gauge VIN: 1GKES16M75 I have had this vehicle multiple times. Customer states that the oil gauge fluctuates at times and doesn't hear any engine noise. This has not happened to me as of yet and will be driving it for the week.I did a oil pressure test and all is in order. Any insig...	View
	2008 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3L cam shaft &lifter VIN: 1GKFK13098 Vehicle came in with a rough idle and misfire, Code P0300, check over throttle body, Iac valve, and mas, map sensor, cleaned found reading with in parameters. Found a bad lobe & roller @ #3 cylinder. Installed new cam shaft,cam bolt,lifter,cam bearings, checke...	View
	2006 Honda Ridgeline RT 3.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2HJYK16216 Honda gurus, vehicle has been to local Honda shop numerous times for problem. Owner frustrated- arrived with multiple misfire codes, replaced plugs, clean throttle body and decarbon due to mileage- vehicle returned 2 weeks later with #6 misfire and multiple mi... Trouble codes: P0306, P0300	View
	2012 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5L Eng./ drivel VIN: 5FNYF4H96C Hi all, i am posting regarding my own vehicle looking for others experiences with these. I have a shudder/ vibration through the body only at partial throttle while cruising mainly at approx 50-70 kms/hr, and eng rpm between 1200- 2000, when the VCM or "eco" l...	View
	2006 Hyundai Tucson GLS 2.7L Hesitation, Surge, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: KM8JN12D76 We had replaced both upstream oxygen sensor based on proir codes for the heater circuts. Once we had a pair of operational oxygen sensors the they both started throwing lean codes. We then smoke tested for vacuum leaks and found the plenum to have leaks at the... Trouble codes: P0171 (Lean Bank one), P0174 (Lean Bank two)	View
	2001 Infiniti I30 3.0L Poor Idle Quality VIN: JNKCA31A31 This Infinity had a shorted IAC motor and burned the driver and circuit board in the ECU so bad it can't be repaired. The customer doesn't want to spend 1K+ for a new ECU. The question is, must we use one wth the same mfg. part #? We have an A56-P70-Z62, soft ... Trouble codes: P0505 (AIC circuit)	View
	1990 Isuzu Pickup LS 2.6L No Start VIN: JAACL16E3L Hello all, and thank you in advance for your help. We are having a hard time with this Isuzu pickup truck. It's a No start issue that we have chasing with this one. We have no spark. Looking further into it, We found no ground pulse on the primary side of the ...	View
	2001 Jaguar S-Type 3.0L No Start, Battery drain VIN: SAJDA01N01 I have a battery drain of 400 MA. I have traced it to the instrument cluster. When the power wire is cut at the instrument cluster ( orange/blue-pin 3 ), the drain drops to 20 MA. There are no codes fron the cluster. I have tryed another ( used ) cluster but t...	View
	1996 Land Rover Range Rover SE 4.0L Engine VIN: SALPE1247T Vehicle came in with no start condition. Things already done Ignition wires Spark plugs Crank sensor Charged battery Cleaned combustion chamber and put a little ATF in cylinders Tested with Used air meter Removed ECU and checked boards and harness for corros...	View
	1941 Lincoln Zephyr 292CID Internal engine oil squirter Posting for our machine shop. This 1941 V-12 Lincoln engine was dropped off in several boxes. He's managed to repair/reassemble all but this (what he describes as an) oiler. Apparently it has a passage through the inside that terminates at 2 "squirter" hol...	View
	2004 Lincoln Aviator 4.6L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall VIN: 5LMEU88H84 Vehicle came in with the complaint of intermittant stall. When checked vehicle runs a little rough at idle but otherwise is setting no codes and datastream reading(fuel trim, Tps, ect, Maf) all look good. when driving if you get on the throttle a little hard i...	View
	2002 Mercedes-Benz SL500 5.0L Roll Bar VIN: WDBFA68F62 Customer drove in with the complaint the convertible top would no longer operate fully. Rear bow latches do not lock, I have scanned the codes and followed the diagnostics for the codes and from what I can discern the time is too long for the sequences so the ...	View
	1999 Mercury Mountaineer 4.0L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Misfire VIN: 4M2ZU54E4X Hello everyone. Have this mountaineer Im trying to sort out for our alignment man here at the shop. He put all parts listed on it and still not fixed. He says very intermittently while driving at 30 or above the power just drops off and misfires and sputters t... Trouble codes: P0171 (Bank 1 lean), P0174 (Bank 2 lean)	View
	1977 MG Midget MK IV 1.5L Hydraulics VIN: GAN6UH1965 Let me start by saying that these cars are not foreign to me; I worked on them when they were new at an MG dealership. However, that was a LONG time ago. This car is difficult to shift, but only sometimes. I've only driven it a bit but probably 20% of the time...	View
	2002 Nissan P12 PRIMERA 2000CC 1-2 shift I carried out a diagnostic scan on the vehicle's entire system, cleared all codes and test drove the vehicle, and this is the problem found, no shift from 1-2. The car doesn't shift out of 1st gear, reverse is good. When i scanned it again I found the above me...	View
	2003 Saturn Vue 3.0L antifreeze VIN: 5GZCZ63B83 on 1-16-2013 We changed the inter cooler and all seals and gaskets due to oil in the antifreeze, since then he has come back twice with 1-2 8th in. of oil on the top in his overflow bottle and milky foam at the oil fill neck. The oil is ok on the stick and in ...	View
	2005 Saturn Vue 2.2L No Start, MIL Lamp on VIN: 5GZCZ43D55 Good afternoon. 2005 Saturn Vue 2.2 Ecotec Auto. Vehicle cranks with no start. Check engine and wrench light on. Multiple U2105 codes present and stored. Gas gauge reads empty and fuel light on. Added 5 gallons of fuel. Checked all grounding locations 1. At EC... Trouble codes: U2105	View
	2007 Saturn Outlook XR 3.6L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Stall VIN: 5GZER33707 I am at a loss... This vehicle came to me with a MIL light on and running very poor (misfire code and code for cylinder 2 fuel injector). But IT WAS running. Found a little rodent damage under the intake plenum and the wires to the connector for cylinder 2 fue...	View
	2002 Toyota Camry LE 3.0L not releasing VIN: 4T1BF32KX2 This is kind of a strange one for me, what I have is brakes getting hot. Sounds simple I know, but nothing is making sense. On a 5 mile test drive, the LR rotor will get all the way to 500 degrees. The RF is getting hot too, but only 50 degrees more than LF. W...	View
	2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L battery VIN: 5TFRV54187 hello techs. have a 2007 toyota tundra that the customer installed the battery backwords, will start but wont revup wont shift into drive and all the lights on the dash are on checked the power on the big wire coming out of the fuse box and has no power i thin...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1999 BMW 323i 2.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: WBAAM3336X Customer has decided to sell the vehicle. Thanks to everyone who took time to reply. Trouble codes: P0601, P0120.	7
	2003 BMW 745Li 4.4L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on Well, this car is not exactly fixed. I disconnected the eccentric sensor on bank 1 and the misfire went away. This must be because the valves go to full lift mode. I was able to drive the car like that and the cusstomer said he would take it like that. Check e...	12
	1993 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L Stall VIN: 1G4HP53L6P Most everyone pointed to the key resistor or the VATS module even though the security light would not flash. Turns out it was the ECM, the customer replaced it with a used computer that was bad also. One big disadvantage of salvage yard parts. We wired in two ...	20
	2007 Cadillac SRX 3.6L MIL Lamp on, Low power mode VIN: 1GYEE63757 We have NOT yet fixed this Vehicle, although all of the responses pertaining to wiring were followed up on. One thing we have narrowed it down to, is that using the throttle pedal, the problem happens often. Using the Cruise control, the problem never occures.... Trouble codes: 2138.	17
	2001 Chevrolet Impala 3.4L Starting VIN: 2G1WF52E01 Sorry for late closing.We ended up replacing the bcm again its fine now.It was an ac delco new part.I guess there can be bad bcm from delco.I have always had good luck with delco.	18
	2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS 5.3L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3GNEC16ZX4 Thanks for all the replies and help. There was 2 main themes for the repair on this Suburban. First was the intake manifold leak. It was indicated that it would show up worse when the motor was cold and either go away or get better after warmed up. I could... Trouble codes: P0171 (Lean bank 1), P0300 (Miss).	33
	2006 Chevrolet Cobalt LT 2.2L Engine Vibration VIN: 1G1AL15F16 thanks for all input. the final fix on this was we replaced both trany mounts and motor mount. the timing issue was rechecked by us because other shop had been in there. (why?) all was good in this area. in turn we regrouped and proceded, found mounts were the...	4
	2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS 4.8L Pcm bcm VIN: 1GCRKREA7C Talked to customer, he doesn't want any aftermarket stuff on there, so he is just going to live with it..	12
	2005 Chrysler 300 Limited 3.5L navigation system VIN: 2C3JA53G65 I have ordered a new navigation CD a couple techs suggested that might repair the issue. I tried a CD cleaning disc but it just spit it back out when inserting it. I did locate several aftermaket head units to replace the very expensive OEM unit, if the new ...	3
	1998 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 5.2L Torque converter code VIN: 3B7HF13Y3W Id like to thank everyone who replied. The vehicle has not been repaired, the replies seem to agree that there is a problem with the torque converter, one of the replies helped clear it up a little more (Brian from Georgia) stating the PRM drop should be about...	9
	2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L engine VIN: 1FTNX21F41 CLEAN THE SREEN IN THE SENDING UINT AFTER THAT FUEL PSI WAS 59PSI. ALSO FOUND STUCK BUTTERFLY VALVE ON FREE THAT AND SEEM TO GET ALL THE POWER BACK. THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERYONES HELP	13
	2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Classic SL 4.8L 1st Gear VIN: 3GTEK14V67 Thanks guy's problem was in the transmission, pulled it and tore it down, the pinion gears on the planetary set were all chipped and coming apart, nothing a Remanufactured trans won't cure.	8
	1999 Honda Accord LX 2.3L 2-3,3-4 shift VIN: 1HGCG5643X For whatever reason, this trans wont shift on the lift. Road tested and shifted perfectly.	11
	2003 Hyundai Elantra GLS 2.0L Check engine VIN: KMHDN45DX3 Thanks for all the replies. We did find a bad connection at the main relay and replaced the relay. But it did not take care of the problem. The problem ended up being the alternator. it had too much AC Current. After we replaced the alternator. the problem nev...	8
	2009 Jeep Compass Sport 2.0L ride control VIN: 1J4FT47A49 Thanks for the replies regarding suspension and tires. We triple checked the alignment and all was in the green. Thrust angle and steering angle of inclination ok. This was hit very lightly in a driveway while parked. Myself and 2 other techs went for a drive ...	8
	2007 Saturn Vue 2.2L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 5GZCZ33D27 ok thank you guys for the help tim from wisconsin nailed it on the head we had a common ground for wiper relay/fuel pump relay/power window relay that is located under L/frt headlamp capsule that was causing our grief after cleaning even though it didnt look b... Trouble codes: B2470 (Comm code antennae missing), B2752 (Horn), B3718 (Wiper relay high), B3722 (Wiper low), B2600 (Drl relay), B3703 (Wiper washer).	7
	2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Luxury 2.7L No Start VIN: JS3TD94796 The second ecm was blown. The evap connector was corroded and was shorting the 5 volt ref to the 12 power supply blowing the ecm. Fixed the connector and replaced the ecm started right up and all is good. Thanks for the help. Dan Trouble codes: U1100, C1091.	5
	2001 Toyota Sienna LE 3.0L Unwarranted ABS activation VIN: 4T3ZF13C41 Thanks for all the replies, What a trip on scoping all WSS & then driving to duplicate the issue. All sensors mirrored each other & never dropped out early. The only differance was that the RF sensor had a 1.5v higher peak to peak wave. Replaced the sensor & w...	10
	2003 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.7L Mechanical VIN: JTEBT14R03 I'm sorry to say that this thing was missing one of the alignment dowells-2 different master techs with over 15 yrs experience each both missed it-one installed the engine without one-the other replaced the 1st flywheel and didn't catch it-both apparantly stri...	7
	2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L Misfire VIN: 3VWDT71K06 after looking at cam and valve action looked good compression test was good switched #1and #2 injector no change . What we found was a small hole in top of lifter.This kept vale from fully opening. As this was the first one these we had seen took aittle more t...	12
	2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L engine VIN: 3VWHP7AT1C so this issue was escalated to a qtm contact. after he spoke with the manufacturer back in germany he contacted me. the intermittant high kv levels may not cause a check engine lamp, which i can concur with, since in 72 miles the vehicle never registered a mis...	3
	2000 Volvo S70 GLT SE 2.4L speed sensors all VIN: YV1LS56D1Y Coustomer has failed to return for ferther testing. I will be using allof your advice for when he filaly arrives. Thanke for the assisstance.	6

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