Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Apr 10, 2013

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	Help Request	Answers
	2007 Acura TL Type-S 3.5L rear toe adjustment VIN: 19UUA76557 Car came in shop after going to front end shop for an alignment. The rear toe adjustment cam bolts were rusted and could not be turned for adjust to the rear toe. I tried every rust busting chemical on the planet, and could not move the bolts. I can't heat the...	View
	1992 Chevrolet S10 Blazer Sport 4.3L compressor VIN: 1GNCS13W8N I would like to replace compressor with after market 1 like on hotrods. Anyone know where or if anyone makes a kit, brackets, ect for sanden type compressor? Thanks in advance. This is my personal vehicle & I plan to keep it forever.	View
	2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.6L Stall, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCHK232X5 This Truck will run fine for about 5 miles then start running rough and die if you pump the primer it will start an go another 5 miles or so I ran the air leak test on the fuel supply side and cam to replace the injection pump I am a ford tech and do lots of w... Trouble codes: P0300, P0202, P1294, P2149	View
	2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 5.3L Hesitation VIN: 3GNEC12TX5 Customer came in with a failed transmission. Replaced it with a Gm rebuilt. On Cold start[Has to be a very cold morning] truck will now hesitate bad until engine warms up. Only happens occasionally but if weather is very cold it will most likely act up. The fe...	View
	2006 Chevrolet HHR LT 2.4L eps VIN: 3GNDA23P86 vehicle brought to us for check over,brakes/alignment due complaint of drift/pull to the left.our b tech inspected and noticed all the new parts.had our a tech check alignment and corrected serious camber issiues front and rear.no signs of accident damage(car ...	View
	2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring 2.4L ignition system VIN: 3C4FY58B33 I suspect a wiring issue here, and hope that someone has seen this before. This car came into my shop about 4 months ago with engine misfire codes, and a complaint of severe power loss, as if it were running on 2 cylinders. I did verify that codes were present...	View
	2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT 2.4L No Start, MIL Lamp on, VIN: 3C8FY78G14 Customer drove to vegas, on the way back, check eng light came on, no driveability conplaints. Brought back to shop. Scan, and po340/p0335 returned. Checked circuitry, good., came to the conclusion pcm is the problem., install new computer, have vehicled progr... Trouble codes: P0340 (Cam sensor malf), P0335	View
	2007 Chrysler Sebring 2.4L Transmission VIN: 1C3LC46K57 Car came in and could not remove ignition key and transmission in limp mode. Found bad shifter assembly and can now get key out. Check engine light and limp mode due to code P0768 UD solenoid circuit failure. Tested wiring and solenoid. All test fine. Issue ha...	View
	2002 Dodge Durango SLT Plus 4.7L ambient temp gauge VIN: 1B4HS58N72 we replaced the PCM with used, had the dealer reprogram the PCM to fix an evap failure, that problem is gone. Truck left and came back several days later because the light was flashing on the a/c button. Found on IATN that it needed to be reset with a DRB, too...	View
	2003 Dodge Ram 2500 5.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1D7KU28D03 Day after doining oil change customer came back with check engine light on. Code Po131 circuit voltage too low 02 sensor. Replaced with denso o2 sensor. I now have a new code Po171 system too lean. Replaced 02 sensor with bosch this time . Still have code Po17... Trouble codes: P0131 (o2 upstream circuit voltage low), P0171 (fuel system lean)	View
	1993 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L Front seal VIN: 1FMDU34X5P Vehicle came in with the front seal leaking and transmission fried. We replaced the transmission with a used one and used the same torque converter that came with the used tranny. 3 weeks later it came back with the front seal leaking again. We removed the tra...	View
	1995 Ford Escort LX 1.9L Cylinder head and pistons VIN: 1FASP15J5S Car ran fine, went to start it up and heard a rattling noise and then the engine stalled. Disassembled the engine and found the combustion chamber area was badly chipped away (not where the valves or spark plugs are), the pistons were chipped too. Looked like ...	View
	1997 Ford Ranger Splash 2.3L No Start, Misfire VIN: 1FTCR10A3V This truck had a head replaced and then sat for over a year. At times when you try to start the truck it wants to backfire and not start acts like it is out of time. when the truck does start it runs fine for a while until you turn it off. Only happens sometim...	View
	2000 Ford Ranger XL 3.0L Unknown VIN: 1FTZR15V3Y Where to start? truck came in ac inop. Vacum, install dye,recharge. System empty in 5 minutes. Check for leaks with tracer light and glasses cannot find dye leaking any where outside. Open evap case no dye there either, where is it going? help!	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 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4L Engine perf VIN: 1FTPW145X5 The customer is complaining that between 45-60mph there is a vibration that feels like an engine misfire, he said everything in the cab starts shaking. He said if you drive 70-80 it goes away. We cannot duplicate the concern. We pulled the p2600 code: it was l...	View
	2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty FX4 5.4L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1FTNF21545 Customer brought vehicle in stating vehicle looses power intermittently. I disconnected camshaft solenoids and it does not make a difference. I watched the camshaft sensors on a lab scope and there patterns differ. I switched the camshaft sensors and I still g... Trouble codes: P0022 (Timing over retarded Bank 2), P0171 (Lean), P0174 (Lean), P0300 (Multiple Cylinder Misfires), P0316 (Misfire at start up)	View
	2006 Ford Fusion SE 3.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3FAFP07136 This vehicle needs bank 2 cam solenoid replaced, I have removed it and found it is broken just above valve portion. The replacement from ford comes with the housing. Question is, does anyone know if you can just use the solenoid without replacing the whole hou... Trouble codes: P0022 (Variable Camshaft Timing Bank 2 Solenoid)	View
	2006 Ford Expedition XLT 5.4L No Start VIN: 1FMPU16596 Need some Ford Tech help. The vehicle has had intermitent no starts and now there is a no start all the time. Engine cranks good, may fire two or three times now and then. I am not too familiar with this security system to know what to do next. Would appreciat... Trouble codes: B1602 (PATS received invalid FMT/ key CD)	View
	2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty XLT 6.0L No Start VIN: 1FTSX21P16 Hello all, i'm working on my uncles truck. Got an 06 f250 6.0 with no start. Truck was parked and has not started since it was overnight.Data is giving me around 200 psi on the icp at cranking. I unplugged the sensor, and spiked the pressure but still no start...	View
	2007 Ford Taurus SEL 3.0L Excessive Emissions, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FAHP56U77 Smoked upper intake. Found PCV connector MELTED at the rear face downstream from the "O" ring that is supposed to seal the connector from vacuum leaks. The connector fits between PCV tube running from PCV valve to the upper intake manifold where it is held in ... Trouble codes: P0171 (Lean Bank 1), P0174 (Lean Bank 2)	View
	2008 Ford E-350 Super Duty XL 6.0L engine runability VIN: 1FD3E35P78 I have a 08 e350 cutaway (minibus)with the 6.0 D-I turbo diesel.With the engine running,cold or warm,it has a muffled pop or backfire through the intake.Its intermittent and happens every few seconds.Less at higher rpms.Ford suggested that it could be the turb...	View
	2004 GMC Savana 3500 6.0L Oil pressure VIN: 1GDJG31U84 Oil pressure gauge reading about 15 psi and engine making what sounds like a lifter noise. About 500 miles ago the fuel pump and filter was change, the fuel tank washed out, and the lines blown out do to a large amount of water and sugar in the tank. The oil w...	View
	2006 GMC Envoy SLT 4.2L mode doors VIN: 1GKDT13S46 all mode doors work but no floor	View
	2006 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLT 6.6L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 1GTHK23D46 Hello to all you techs I have this customer who wants to replace all his injectors on this Duramax he is going to supply the new injectors, how much time should I get for labor and also his concern once I replace the injectors do we need to reprogram the PCM t...	View
	2002 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2.7L fluid VIN: KM8SC13D42 vehicle driven for a few miles then power steering starts to whine and slightly stiffen up . check fluid and foamy and airated. let sit or bleed out air and fine again until driven for a few miles again . cleaned screen in resevoir, flushed system, and changed...	View
	2001 Lexus RX300 3.0L Poor Idle Quality VIN: JTJHF10U41 I am not sure about this one,so help would be greatly appreciated. Customer states car would start and die out unless he held gas pedal. I tested car and other than poor or sometimes no idle it runs fine.No vacuum leaks,fuel trims good and no codes stored. Cle...	View
	2002 Lexus RX300 3.0L Noise in rev, 1,&2 VIN: JTJHF10412 This RX had knock sensor codes inhibit overdrive, customer now says they drove it 700 miles at 70 MPH like this. The problem is the fluid is getting dark/burnt, and on our test drive we noted a whine/light growl in 1,2, & reverse. No codes, pulled pan metal on...	View
	2004 Lincoln Navigator 5.4L Cooling Systems VIN: 5LMFU27R44 Ok so here goes this car cam in with a possible over heating problem , i let it run for 30 min and it was fine so i test drove. My test drive was to be 8 miles long and half way through it over heated, when i got back to the shop i tested it for a head gasket ...	View
	1975 Mercedes-Benz 280 2.8L No Start, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1140601211 This is a pretty decent old Benz but I am having a hard time tracking down where the spark is being lost. Vehicle came in with the points loose, using 17 thousandths as a base I set the points and it ran for 1 or 2 minutes then died. I see the dwell controller...	View
	2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 3.2L alarm control module VIN: WDBLK65G8Y hi everyone i am looking for the location of the alarm control module i am having a hard time finding its location also what is the abrieviation for it...thanks	View
	2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR 2.0L transmission VIN: JA3AH86C16 The vehicle will start every time, but would not go when you put it in any gear. Check shift cable and shift fork, they shift normal (new shift cable). The thing is that when I put it in first gear without starting, the car still roll when pushed. It should no...	View
	1997 Nissan Pickup SE 2.4L Speedometer VIN: 1N6SD16Y4V Hello Friends I have this 1997 Nissan PU king cab, 4x4 standard transmission, 2.4 LT. The speedo works sometimes. I had the PU in here a month ago with the same problem, also the check engine light was on. Scanned and found a code for the speed sensor. I ohme...	View
	2008 Nissan Titan XE 5.6L Starter VIN: 1N6AA06F78 No start/ no crank, cooling fan on with key on, no starter signal coming out of ipdm. Can communicate with TCM but not with ECM or BCM, u1000 code in tcm and some other minor modules. 61 ohms between pin 6 and 14 with batt off. Replaced ipdm, suspected bad sta...	View
	2013 Other Ford transit 2.0L Stall VIN: NM0KS9BN0D This is a CNG and Gas vehicle and at idle it will stall while setting at a stop light. This is intermittent and only happens when operating on CNG fuel.Driver states that he heard what sounded like a vac leak or belt squeek. No codes found we were able to dupl...	View
	2001 Saab 9-5 2.3t 2.3L poor acceleration VIN: YS3ED45EX1 Car was towed in for a no start. we diagnosed it as a bad ignition cassette. replaced the cassette and now it starts but, has no boost. throws the p1105 fault. we checked the waste gate. it works. chekced the bypass valve. it holds vacuum. check. unbolted the ... Trouble codes: P1105	View
	2004 Saturn Vue Red Line 3.5L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 5GZCZ63424 i have checked timing marks twice, checked valve adjustment,install denso iridium plugs, and still check engine light for misfire Trouble codes: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305	View
	2006 Saturn Ion-3 2.2L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G8AL55F96 I inherited this from another tech here iin the shop. Twice(!!!) it has misfired on cylinder 2 & 3. No rhyme or reason. Shut the car off, count to 12, and it runs fine. Now I have it. The only odd thing I have seen is the cooling fan. All if fine up to abou...	View
	2006 Saturn Ion-3 2.2L Starter VIN: 1G8AL55F26 This Ion came in with a customer described intermittent no start condition. Customer replaced battery, verified battery is good with load test. We had the car several hours and could not verify concern until we went to park it. Starter solenoid rapidly clicks ...	View
	2001 Suzuki Swift GA 1.3L Timing belt VIN: 2S2AB21H21 Oh what fun. Car comes in for a rountine timing belt service. Now it won't start. My guy did not pay attention to the E and I on the cam gear. He had the dowel pin in I hole while using the E alignment mark for the belt installation. I tried the I and I combin...	View
	1998 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L No Start VIN: 2T1BR18E8W Hello all and thank you in advance for any help provided. 1998 Toyota Corrola 1.8L. Customer is having an intermitent no start issue. The car will crank but not start. This intermitent issue is now happening always. Came in on a hook and we found that spark, i...	View
	2004 Toyota Matrix 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2T1KR32E24 Now that the head is back on the car runs fine but it will keep setting a code for p0016 cam and crank correltation. I have found some issue with the timing chain stretching. I also wonder if there could be an issue with taking off to much material on the head... Trouble codes: P0016 (Ckp/cmp correlation bank 1 sensor a)	View
	2000 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L brakes VIN: 3VWSF29M9Y hey everyone i have a 2000 volkswagon jetta that i have in where the customer did his own brakes including rear calipers and master cylinder with hoses. the complaint is now that he did the brakes they have been locking up on all four tires. i pulled the maste...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 2.0L Cuts out, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3VWCA21C9Y Vehicle came in with intermittent no start problems. Found it was security issue. Sent vehicle to dealer. Dealer had vehicle for several weeks. They tried four used(new not avaiable)instrument clusters. They had done all they could do and could not fix it. Whe... Trouble codes: P1579, P1565	View
	2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L power fuel door, power door locks, power mirrors VIN: 3VWSE69M33 These are my concerns fuel door inop, power door locks inop, power mirrors inop. If anybody has the wiring diagrams for these components and could email them to me I'd really appreciate [...]	View
	2006 Volvo S60 2.5T 2.5L No Start, Stall VIN: YV1RH59266 Vehicle engine stalls intermittently. When stall occurs, it will start & stall immediately, repetatively. Can get engine to run fine by cranking at WOT. Once running, must hold it at 1500-2000 RPM for about 10 seconds before it will hold idle & not stall. Vehi...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2004 Acura TL 3.2L Hvac Controls VIN: 19UUA66244 The customer became impatient with us and ask that we send this out to the dealer. Once it arrived at the dealer they had their top "2" diag techs working on this car for 8 hours. The 2 techs alongside Acura Electrical Engineering support department determin...	7
	2005 BMW 645Ci 4.4L Starting VIN: WBAEK73495 well I couldn't duplicate the problem after hooking up voltmeter in the circuit. Since other shop said that the new alternator was overcharging and most of you thought that the ivm module was the culprit, I opened it up and saw a lot of oxidation on the circu...	4
	2007 BMW 328i 3.0L No crank VIN: WBAVA37567 Thanks for all the replies and information. As suspected it was the starter. After replacing it the 3rd time, the third starter was good. All starters were new. Again thanks for all the replies.	13
	2008 BMW X5 3.0si 3.0L AUX input VIN: 5UXFE435X8 Customer did not want to pay for further diagnostic time, and will live without IPOD support for now. I suspect the CCC module was to blaim. I have the Fiber optic loop, may purchase the optical interface for my autologic if i see more MOST problems. Thanks ...	4
	1991 Buick Riviera Luxury 3.8L idle VIN: 1G4EZ13L3M As someone replied I belive the code was from not having the grounding lug on the DLC connected. AS for the stall removed the throttle body and cleaned no more stall. Thanks to everyone who replied.	13
	1998 Chevrolet Express 3500 LS 5.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GBJG31R9W Turns out this engine had been rebuilt, apparently one full degree advanced. It was making me pull out what little hair I had left. Finally figured that out and got it in time after much trial and error. Thanks for all the suggestions. Trouble codes: P1345.	33
	2002 Chevrolet Astro LS 4.3L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: 1GNDM19X42 Thanks for all of the suggestions but we figured it out kind of by accident. The mechanic took the dog house off (again) and while he was poking around in there he got zapped by the coil wire. I guess it was arcing on the metal insulation on the dog house when...	24
	2008 Chevrolet Uplander LS 3.9L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GNDV23W38 IHAD SEVERAL REPLIES TO REPROGRAM ECM.WE SENT THE VAN TO THE DEALER FOR REPROGRAM AND ALL SEEMS WELL. Trouble codes: P0172.	5
	2009 Chevrolet Aveo LT 1.6L Misfire, limited power i appreciate everyone that took time to offer help. the fix was to replace the throttle body. was told by customer that "throttle sensor" had been replaced - don't know about that. i checked the tps signal (both) w/lab scope. signals were perfect - no glit... Trouble codes: P2176.	12
	2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4L No Start VIN: 3C4FY48B32 Well, my original hunch that the ECU was blown was right. Triple checked all inputs and outputs as was suggested by several replies. Apparently when the ground wire to the crank sensor was cut by the axle,it shorted against the alternator harness even though...	5
	2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6L Surge, Stall VIN: 1FAFP42X74 well... like everyone kept saying.. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr aftermarket idle control... also pcv... customer tried 4 different idle controls.. had him bring two of them to me.. they were bought off ebay.. first one was from way down south and after close review it...	32
	2005 Ford Escape Limited 3.0L Unknown VIN: 1FMYU94165 Hello, I have fixed this vehicle. I replaced the pcm, 4 coils and spark plugs Thank for all of the great replies. Jeff	15
	2008 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L Rear Hatch VIN: 1FMEU74E38 SORRY FOR THE LATE REPLY. THANK YOU BRIAN FROM MICHIGAN, GAVE GREAT DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM OPERATION AND LIKELY FAULTS. WE FOLLOWED HIS ADVICE AND UNPLUGGED SWITCH FOR SOME TIME, THEN REPLACED SWITCH AND GAVE VEHICLE BACK TO OWNER.	3
	1999 GMC C1500 Suburban 5.7L Misfire VIN: 3GKEC16R1X thanks to all the replies, all very good info, we tried new delco cap and rechecked compression it was at 180 psi all cyls, cyl, #5 would miss at 72 mph only if i drove at 70 mph no miss fire, in the end we concluded fuel pressure was to low at 55 psi specs sh... Trouble codes: P0300.	22
	2007 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L hard downshifts Well I tried flushing the fluid twice to no avail after a few weeks of driving it. I am thinking the problem could be in the valve body. I wish i had better info but i will never know what the actual problem is. I think she may be getting rid of it. Thanks for...	9
	1995 Hyundai Accent 1.5L No Start VIN: KMHVF11N4S Vehicle has been put on back burner by customer. Received 10 replys and two were for testing the sensor imformation at the ECM. That will be our starting point when the car returns. Thanks for all the help. Trouble codes: 3153 (tps or harness failure), 3145 (coolent temp sensor or harness failure).	10
	2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4.7L Tpms VIN: 1J8GW68J23 Thanks greatly for your help. This was a a very easy but well hidden fix. Most of you hit it on the head. Although there where no code in evic, I cleared and issue went away. Thanks again for your help.	6
	2002 Kia Sportage 2.0L No Start VIN: KNDJA723X2 I got thje Kia running . I wanted to check for fuel Pressure but I could not get the lines apart , the fuel pump is accessable from the inside of the vehicle , tip the seat forward and there is an acess panel. At the fuel pump they just use a spring clamp so I...	5
	1990 Land Rover Range Rover 3.9L booster VIN: SALHV1243L Installed new pump(1400.+). Pump came with pressure sensor. Most replies asked if pump was running and yes it was but must have been intermittently slowing down and not building enough pressure. when brake boost would fail pump would never shut off and I thoug...	9
	2004 Land Rover Discovery SE 4.6L Oil pressure VIN: SALTY19484 The engine is completely back together and ready for the owner to pick up but unfortunately the noise is only minimally, if at all, improved. The help I received was almost totally unanimous in suggesting a more serious or at least deeper problem within the en...	8
	2004 Mazda 6 S 3.0L Hesitation, Surge, Stall Hi guys checked the pump circuit again in the morning and found the used pump had green corrosion on the pins at the power supply to the pump. ( should have checked it over better). Cleaned connections and greased road tested no more problems. Thanks again Tr... Trouble codes: P0171.	6
	2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor LS 3.8L turn signals VIN: 4A4MN21S15 found wire under drivers side wheel cover just hanging on by one thread. Resistance was good but not good enough to carry load.	4
	2007 Nissan Quest SL 3.5L Speedometer VIN: 5N1BV28U17 Thanks for all the replies. Turned out cluster was the culprit. Only took Nissan two times to get me the right cluster. Even though I gave them entire vin number before I had them to order.	4
	2011 Nissan Altima 2.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1N4AL2AP1B thank-you to all, we sent veh out for a reprogram, has been driven for a week and looks like it is fixed. thanks again to all who replied. Trouble codes: P0101.	7
	1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera 3.1L alternator VIN: 1G3AG55M3R Thanks for all the replies. I ended up tearing apart the entire wiring harness throughout the engine compartment. I mistakenly called the fuse that was blowing the fuel pump fuse. It really supplied several things (including the PCM battery terminals.) I found...	13
	2006 Scion xB 1.5L engine VIN: JTLKT32406 Thank you muchly Tanner, John, Rob, Timothy, Emerson, Ryan, Daryl, and Frank. Based off yall's wisdom, I am going to replace this engine with a used unit. I also learned from other people(co workers) that you can never ever remove the head bolts with an impact...	8

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