Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for May 29, 2013

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	Help Request	Answers
	2002 BMW X5 3.0i 3.0L power steering VIN: 5UXFA53582 Dear Bmw gurus, I have this x.5 3.0 no servotronic, car came in with intermitent low power steering assist. When I drove it I notice it was more so to the left even as you straighten the wheel from a right hand turn, but it is heavier than normal in both direc...	View
	2006 BMW 330i 3.0L window motor VIN: WBAVB33526 Car came in with a bad regulator on the right rear. Replaced it with a factory part. Now when the window is put up, it returns half-way down. I have tried many initialization procedures with no luck. Have tried to uninitialize it by holding the RR switch down ...	View
	1990 Buick Century Custom 3.3L No Start, Hesitation, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1G4AH54N1L Hello , This car came in our shop with history of stalling,cutting out under load. Hot or cold intermittently can run ok for 20 minutes or two minutes.has had fuel pump change, And coputer changed.This car has had these problem before they had these parts repl...	View
	1995 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7L battery VIN: 1G1YY32P5S Customer issue is that the battery will go dead after approx. 2 weeks of no use. I have tested vehicle for a parasitic draw and found that it is within normal range, 0.02amps. Has anyone come across this issue? I am thinking its a failing battery. Thanks in ad...	View
	1998 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1L Misfire VIN: 1G1ND52M1W Cylinder 4 misfire at 60-70 mph only. Fuel pressure good. Injector pressure drop good. Compression is good. Wondering if anyone has run across this or has any suggestions. Thank you! Trouble codes: P0300	View
	2002 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport 2.4L Idle VIN: 1G1JH12T72 This car came in from a guy I know to be a back yard mechanic.It was idleing at about 4000 rpm. We blocked off the throtle body so we could get it to ilde down and checked the intake and found it to be leaking so we put on an intake gasket. When we started it ...	View
	2006 Chevrolet Malibu LT 2.2L shifting and speedometer VIN: 1G1ZT51F26 I bought this car for my wife as a replacement to her 1999 Malibu. I bought it with this trans problem and Im stumped. At first I had codes for the speed sensors but now they havent come back. I had no signal from the iss and tore the tranny down and replaced ...	View
	2009 Chevrolet HHR LT 2.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3GNCA23B59 this started out as a engine and trans job because dealer said it needed them and wanted us to change them which we did he supplied motor and trans not knowing what the problem was originally but he came back a week later with a SES on and p0171 and he said th... Trouble codes: P0171 (Lean b1)	View
	2001 Chrysler Town & Country EX 3.8L driver side power sliding door VIN: 2C8GP54L41 Hello Everyone, I have a Power Sliding door on the driver side that doesn't open fully when it's only cold. When we push the sliding door switch the door pops open but will not slide open. The door is not binding and will start to work after helping the door o...	View
	2004 Chrysler Sebring LX 2.4L steering wont return VIN: 1C3EL46XX4 vehicle came in with a suspension noise and the steering wheel not returning to center. we replace lower ball joints and rack & pinion. noise is now gone but steering still does not return to center. we aligned, but tech is not here to ask about caster. any id...	View
	2004 Chrysler Pacifica 3.5L MIL Lamp on did a timing belt with napa parts. came back 2 days later with the check engine light on, P0306. owner said since it never had a tune up and 200k + miles. we did one with plugs and boot ends. coils all ohm out the same but changed coils other bank. still have ... Trouble codes: P0306 (missfire cyl 6)	View
	2001 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L Drive-axles VIN: 2B5WB35Z71 Hi all in IATN land. Thanks for taking the time to read this post. Van came from another shop. Customer compliant is a harmonic vibration that comes in at 55mph and gets worse as you go faster. I drove it and it is a harmonic vibration. I checked and corrected...	View
	1993 Eagle Talon ES 2.0L Misfire VIN: 4E3CF44E9P Hi all in IATN land. I have a real stubborn one here. Came to me from another shop. Many of the parts listed had been replaced befor it got hear. I have repaired all but one issue. There is a hard intermittent chop at idle and at cruise. Feels and sounds like ...	View
	1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L timing chain VIN: 1FMZU32E5W This truck came in with a rattling noise in the right rear cylinder head. We diagnosed the problem as the chain tensioner gone bad. Customer approved engine removal and all chains & tensioners replaced. After the work we started it up and it was quiet at first...	View
	2001 Ford Taurus SE 2-Valve 3.0L Electronic VIN: 1FAFP55U11 This car came in with a complaint that the AC does not cool. initial pressure check revealed that freon charge was slightly low. After evacuating the system and recharging, it works no better. I can adjust the high side pressures from 150 to 350 with no differ...	View
	2005 Ford Explorer Limited 4.6L Engine noise VIN: 1FMDU75W25 Hi! I hope everyone is having a better day than me. This truck came in with coolant leaking out of intake gasket on driver side filling all spark plug holes with coolant. So, what I did was replaced intake gasket, spark plugs and coils. Started up just fine...	View
	2007 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L key fobs sbj VIN: 1FAHP53U87 Key Fobs worked fine before sbj replacement (or so states customer--I don't remember using key fob to lock and unlock car). Checked pinpoint tests K, I, and F listed in shopkey. Tried programming fobs using method A for a type 5 fob. Will not take. Fobs (there...	View
	2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty XL 6.4L Excessive Emissions VIN: 1FTWW33R88 Thanks in advance for any input. Customer complaint is excessive black smoke from tailpipe. No contribution issues and no drivability issues. Fuel trim data at idle cyl 1 10.0 cyl 2 15.0 cyl 3 5.0 cyl 4 -1.0 cyl 5 -1.0 cyl 6 -5.0 cyl 7 -16.0 cyl 8 -6.0. Off id... Trouble codes: P0703, P0528	View
	2010 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor 4.6L Interior VIN: 2FABP7BV1A local village police car came in with battery going dead. also odometer numbers going out when shut off but numbers going out and turning to dashes that stay lit. unplugged # 2 power fuse to dash and draw went away ordered and replaced inst, cluster . still sa...	View
	2010 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4L Unknown VIN: 1FTFW1EV7A Hey group the customer came in with the complain that the heater -a/c works only at the driver side the passenger side blows warm air always the temp doesn't change at all. I found code b1082-00 which i think has an. I like to know where to go from here!? is t...	View
	1996 GMC C3500 Sierra SL 6.5L Hesitation VIN: 1GTHC33F0T Hello Diesel Techs, This truck came to us from another shop. Code 1218 and off idle hesitation and lack of power. So we bought a remann Injection Pump and installed it. Still has hesitation and feels like a Clogged Cat. (no cat on truck). Still code 1218. Now... Trouble codes: 1218 (Injection pump)	View
	1996 Honda Civic DX 1.6L piston & rings VIN: 2HGEJ6342T Do any of the Honda tech have experience with this engine rebuild kit offered by perfectengine.com (SAF-SEK1230 (Honda 1.6L D16Y7 Engine Rebuild Kit Civic CX/DX/LX 1996-2000) I the past I have purchased NPR pistons and rings from this company and had good re...	View
	2007 Honda Fit Sport 1.5L door locks VIN: JHMGD37677 Hi all, 2007 Honda Fit Sport; Customer has had this problem for years now and no one, including the local Honda dealer, seems to know what the problem could be.. Only when the key is left in the ignition, when the driver door is closed, all the doors will u...	View
	2002 Kia Spectra 1.8L no movement VIN: KNAFB121X2 Customer has a 2002 Kia Spectra with 57k on the odometer. Said it drove normally, until he shut it off. Now there is no movement in Drive or Reverse. You can shift through all the selector positions, but vehicle acts as if it is in Neutral. The Park Position d...	View
	1982 Mercedes-Benz 380SL 3.8L Poor Fuel Economy VIN: WDBBA45AXC 1982 MBZ 380sl running very rich.hi group have this 82 380sl.running very rich basically gas comes out of tail pipe.I think if you put a match to it the car will blow up.have adjusted the fuel dist.made no difference.some of the hoses are very old and cracked....	View
	1994 Mercedes-Benz SL500 5.0L starter VIN: WDBFA67E6R hey fellow techs, this 94 SL500 came from the benz dealership claiming it needed a starter. the customer supplied his own starter. i installed it and sure enough the car still didnt start. i checked the the power wire and it is getting 12v. the trigger wire is...	View
	2003 Mercury Marauder 4.6L Hesitation, MIL Lamp on VIN: 2MEHM75V33 When driving fuel pressure will deep as low as 15 psi under accel on the mechanical fuel gage hooked in line. Main question is while does fuel pressure change so drastically when hot even at idle? whats good fuel pressure for this car? Trouble codes: P0190 (Sets at random mostly under accel last freze frame shows fuel pressure at 27psi), P0171 (Freze frame showed long fuel trim at 28 and fuel pressure was 56psi at 17 mph. Sets at random), P0174	View
	2002 Nissan Frontier SE 3.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1N6ED27Y42 I suspect my students failed to plug the knock sensor in. Mitchell and AllData both say the sensor is located on the top rear of the engine. I have removed the plenum again and cannot locate this sensor. I have a picture of the sensor so I know what I am looki...	View
	2000 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.4L coolant temp VIN: WP0CA2994Y see above	View
	1999 Saturn SC1 1.9L Harsh engagment into Revers or Drive VIN: 1G8ZP1285X Well I just replaced the input shaft nut inside the side cover and the upper valve body for delayed engagement into reverse when hot. After installing those parts last week it drove great but of course over the weekend after the customer picked it up it starte...	View
	2008 Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5L Clutch VIN: JF1GE75658 Vehicle was towed for clutch issues. Someone had looked at it at the owners home and confirmed a slipping clutch. By their description I feel they were correct. I could not force a clutch slip but the effort required to depress the clutch is excessive. I don't...	View
	1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0L Excessive Emissions VIN: JT3VN39W7R This thing is driving me crazy. I have seen this before and thought was no big deal. First of all noticed oxygen sensor was not switching at all so replaced it. After replacement noticed oxygen sensor switching but on lean decel it would travel to negative 200...	View
	1998 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo 3.0L engine elect VIN: JT2DE82A7W Ok, I'm posting this in hopes of finding a Toyota supra expert who is willing to help me out a little bit here. The story goes that this Supra was bought new by t's owner, and at some point was taken to a speed shop for upgrades. It received stand alone fuel ...	View
	2002 Toyota RAV4 2.0L Misfire VIN: JTEGH20V82 Hello everyone and HELP! I have this 2002 Toyota RAV4 in for a P0301. It came in about 2 months ago with the same code. We were unable to duplicate the problem so we installed a new set of spark plugs and a new #1 ignition coil. We sent the vehicle out and 2...	View
	2005 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L Convertor P0741 VIN: 1NXBR32E75 Hello everyone and thanks for the help on this one. I have this 2005 Toyota Corolla in that keeps throwing the check engine light with a code P0741 stored for convertor stuck off. I am seeing more and more of this vintage of Corolla with convertor codes and am...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L Windows, Power Locks, Interior Light VIN: 3VWSF29M8Y We are at wits end with this problem. If the Convenience module is unplugged and plugged in with key ON, all systems work properly. Once vehicle is started, the problem starts and stays until module is unplugged and plugged back in. Recycling ignition does n...	View
	2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L Stall VIN: WVWPD63B63 Vehicle in customer driveway havent got in shop yet. Found multiple codes for mass air meter secondary air purge valve boost pressure valve all had codes for short to ground codes would not clear. Found defective fuel pump relay. Ordered new relay for. Dealer ...	View
	1999 Volvo V70 X/C AWD 2.4L Cvvt VIN: YV1LZ56D4X well this one has ne stumped! I am working on a 1999 Volvo v70 xc. came in with a blown head gasket (Failed Hc test and was blowing coolant out the de-gass bottle) from a leaky water pump. While doing diag test drive the car was running ok for the most part un...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2004 Audi A8 Quattro L 4.2L access start control module VIN: WAUML44E24 There is an old saying, something about not being Abel to see the forest because the tree are in the way. I began reviewing the schematic going through the wiring for the ecu and I realized that pin 45 for the ecu was for the transfer pump not the main fuel pu...	4
	1997 BMW 528i 2.8L cloumn VIN: WBADD6322V Thanks To Everyone That Provided me the Information that I can Use Right here in my shop without always having to call the dealer and wait for them to supply me with a fax and or an email RealOem is great thanks again	4
	1999 BMW 540i 4.4L Speedo Fuel Gauge VIN: WBADN5337X WELL THE FUEL GAUGE HAS A BAD GAUGE AND THE CLIENT DECIDED NOT TO REPAIR THIS. THE SPEEDO WAS A BAD CONNECTION AT THE BACK OF THE CLUSTER, TIGHTENED UP THE CONNECTOR ON THE BLUE CONNECTOR AND THE SPEEDO IS WORKING FINE	6
	2002 BMW 540i 4.4L coolant VIN: WBADN63432 Thank you for all of your replies, after running the engine long enough to get good and warm i noticed some coolant out of the corner of my eye, it was coming from the transmission cooler thermostat. the thermostat bolts on top of the trans cooler and is made ...	15
	2005 BMW 745Li 4.4L No Start VIN: WBAGN63565 Right "B" Pillar Module (aka fuel pump module) fixed the problem. The car starts up now, and now all we have to do is program the used Right "B" Pillar Module. Brand new one was special order from Germany and it was a month back order; so we recommended a used...	10
	2006 Buick Rendezvous CXL 3.5L vents VIN: 3G5DA03L76 I'm going to close this post. The vehicle is performing as designed. The difficult part was convincing the customer the insisted it wasn't like that when he purchased the vehicle new. After we had the entire dash assembly out and could watch the operation of...	6
	2006 Chevrolet Malibu LT 2.2L speed sensors VIN: 1G1ZT51F26 Thanks to everyone who helped out with this one. Michael from Florida your info was spot on. It turned out to be a bad harness inside the transmission. Replaced it and the sensor again for good measure and iss is reporting loud and clear now. Thanks again.	7
	2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4L No Start VIN: 3C8FY4BB61 I'm going to call this one fixed. Most suggested a wiring harness/ground issue causing all three sensors to read high and I agreed. Took the air cleaner assembly out and found several grounds on the left side fender well. Didn't really find a smoking gun but a... Trouble codes: P0118, P0123, P1193 (Air Inlet Temp Sensor Voltage High).	9
	2004 Dodge Ram 2500 ST 5.9L speed control VIN: 3D7KA28C74 I found that the Speed control Supply that runs from the PCM through the brake switch to the Servo is monitored by the PCM. This circuit was shorting out @ the Dump valve wich is part of the Cruise Servo.FYI BRAKE RAT means the rationality between the two brak...	5
	2004 Dodge Stratus SE 2.7L Surge, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1B3EL36T94 Sorry for not posting the fix earlier, I ordered the part from Daves source saved 70 bucks,thank you Dave your the man. I replaced the map sensor the old one came out with lots of oil on it im thinking the oil compromised the diaphragm in the sensor im thinkin... Trouble codes: P0108, P2074.	6
	2005 Dodge Neon SXT 2.0L extended crank VIN: 1B3ES56C75 First thanks to all the help, especially Eddie from Georgia, for taking time out to email me. After comparing scope patterns to know good. Finally realized was not paying close enough attention, I was looking at shape and for any drop out, and did not realize ... Trouble codes: P0344 (Cmp).	16
	2000 Ford Focus ZTS 2.0L Cuts out, Stall VIN: 1FAFP3834Y replaced maf with one out of another car this makes maf # 4 and problem seems to be fixed thanks to all who replied.	8
	2007 GMC Savana 3500 6.0L No Start, Stall VIN: 1GTHG35U67 Thank you everyone for the help. Wish I could tell you exactly what fixed it but I'll do the best I can. By the time I posted the truck was pretty much taken apart. Fuse block was out to check, ecm layed back, engine harness exposed etc. So I started with the ...	7
	2008 GMC Canyon SLT 3.7L Starting VIN: 1GTDT19E88 Thank you to all the replies!! as stated by many people it did end up needing a new ECM. I could not program it so had to send it to my local dealer	9
	1997 Honda Prelude 2.2L Harmonic balancer VIN: JHMBB614XV Job was fixed. There seems to be a issue where some times, the bolt does work its way out and this could have been a case, where the owner races the car. I put a new balancer in, and used a drop of locktight on the last threads of the bolt, so it does not make...	11
	2002 Honda CR-V LX 2.4L chassis VIN: JHLRD68452 thank you for all the replies. With some closer inspection found passenger side upper mount with some sag I did try replacement of the upper mount on the passenger side. Changing the mount did not change the vibration. Returned the vehicle to customer for a fe...	13
	2002 Honda Passport EX 3.2L No Start VIN: 4S6CK58W42 Thanks for all of the replies. We found that there was a broken wire on the wiring harness. We got it all fixed and its running great now!	10
	2009 Honda Civic Si 2.0L Current draw VIN: 2HGFA55539 Thanks for the input guys. It turned out to be the after market radio had been wired wrong. The amplifier turn on was wired hot at all times. We switched to hot with ignition on and end of problem.	7
	2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS 3.3L Electronic VIN: 5NPEU46F86 Well , we threw a used PCM at this car and had no success. Same problem. Then I back probed the connector on the output speed sensor and the ground wire had 12 ohms resistance. Rather than trace it down, I installed a redundant ground from the negitive battery...	3
	2003 Infiniti G35 3.5L fuel smell VIN: JNKCV51E53 Thanks for all the replies. I replaced the injector o-rings and the o-rings at the fuel rail. Problem is solved!	6
	1995 Jaguar XJ6 4.0L engine VIN: SAJHX1748S Thanks John and Cedric, you were exactly right! We removed the pump, found the seal had actually pushed out of its seat. Replaced the seal (EAC5721), reassembled, and the engine oil leak is now stopped. It was a pretty straight forward and simple repair, sp...	7
	2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 3.7L suspension VIN: 1J4GL58K32 I got a lot of good experienced advice on this problem Jeep. Five out of ten car doctors agree that Jeep ball joints are junk. I tested these for slack and found none, but replaced them anyway. I replaced the hubs as well. The popping persisted. Swapped the st...	13
	2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L power windows VIN: 1J4GW48S93 Well it has been five days and customer called me to say everything is fine so were calling this a fix. Chip and Charlie both nailed it. I disconnected the battery because boss does not like any electrical problem in shop overnight. Next morning hooked it b...	12
	2001 Kia Rio 1.5L Temp Gauge VIN: KNADC12391 Ended up after 2 temp sensors i went to a oem sensor and that fixed it	5
	2004 Kia Amanti 3.5L Immobilizer VIN: KNALD124X4 THANKS FOR TIPS ON KIA TSB #010 PERFORMED TEST PER TSB FOUND KEYS HAD LOST PROGRAMING, SENT VECHICLE TO DEALER TO REPROGRAM KEYS CAR STARTS AND RUNS, NO CODES BUT STILL UNABLE TO COMUNICATE WITH BODY OR IMMBOLIZER MODULES	2
	2006 Lexus GS300 3.0L Security VIN: JTHBH96S96 Had to send to dealership, as I was not able to get the keys to communicate, I think that somehow the original key was erased or failed somehow, as it would not lock the doors. Lexus has the code which I could have used to reprogram the keys, using the "all ke...	4
	1992 Mercedes-Benz 300SD 3.4L compressor VIN: WDBGB34E9N Wrong part. Replaced with Denso which had speed sensor installed in it. Thanks We were thinking it was a temp sensor and had tried wiring old sensor into the system along with first compressor.	6
	2003 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.8L Throttle VIN: 3N1CB51D93 We found a broken ground under the ECM. We fixed the ground and just because it needed an update, we reflash end the computer. So far it's been 2 weeks and no problems with the car. Thanks for all the info. You guys are the best.	6
	2006 Nissan Sentra S 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3N1CB51D16 Replacing cam sensor with oem solved the problem. I now have new problem and new code P0507 erratic idle and idle too high about 1400 rpm. Have removed and cleaned throttle body with no change. Does anyone how to do a relearn for this . Thanks for the help. Trouble codes: P0340 (camshaft sensor circuit).	14
	2003 Saturn Vue 2.2L bcm VIN: 5GZCZ43DX3 i had alot of replies thanks everyone the fix was to do the 30 min relearn i did it 3 times and everything worked out great again thanks everyone for the great info	11
	1998 Volkswagen Golf GL 2.0L No Start VIN: 3VWFA81H1W Well I don't even know where to begin! Sometimes when you are testing as much as you do, you forget where you are! I tried running off a separate fuel source, no avail. I had spark, I physically removed the intake manifold to watch fuel spray. Timing was...	25
	2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3VWSE69M73 NOT ALOT OF HELP ON THIS ONE, BUT IT ENDED UP BEING A DEFECT CRANK SENSOR. GOT ANOTHER ONE AND SO FAR IT HAS PERFORMED GREAT AND ALL CODES DISMISSED AFTER SEVERAL ROAD TEST. FIRST SENSOR WAS SATURATED IN OIL, THEN THE REPLACEMENT WAS DEFECTIVE. USED AFTERMA... Trouble codes: P1200, P1136, P0321.	3
	2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L engine VIN: WVWBD63B15 Thanks to all who replied. Removed the head and found damage to the head face between an oil return and water jacket. Sent head off for surfacing. Thanks again for all the guidance!!	23
	2008 Volkswagen Passat Turbo 2.0L fuel system VIN: WVWUK73C78 found a relay plug was pushed out of the holder ,, also the pump circuit is on several fuses ,, all is well car runs fine thank you Ron	3
	1994 Volvo 850 2.4L No Start VIN: YV1LS5529R I say that "this vehicle has been fixed" only because we are now 100% positive what the problem is... You guys are never going to believe this one! After countless hours of Diagnostics, we decided to do a fuel volume test. During the test we took some fuel out...	18

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