Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Mar 28, 2014

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	Help Request	Answers
	2001 BMW 325i 2.5L No Start VIN: WBAAN37421 We replaced crank case vent valve, and replaced oil filter housing seal, every thing went fine. No start. It cranks over fine no start. Went back through all. When we unplug iac fires right up. We can unplug all except iac no fire, then as soon as its unplugge...	View
	2006 Cadillac CTS 2.8L Power steering VIN: 1G6DM57T16 This power steering system is pushing fluid out of the fluid tank. I have test drove and test drove and test drove this vehicle and have not been able to actually see this phenomena happen. I will top off the fluid and send him on his way and a few days later ...	View
	2006 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 5.3L First,second, third, and drive. Reverse works VIN: 1GNEK13T16 Vehicle has no codes. Trans only works in reverse but sometimes if it's in drive in will try to move forward and bucks a little like it's locking up. Just want to see if you guys think there is anything I should check first before I call a trans. Was also low ...	View
	2007 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.9L A/C Control Head Compressor VIN: 2G1WU58RX7 AS usual, THANKS for any posted answers. Car came in and complaint was no heat at Idle. Checked under hood,and saw coolant leak. No coolant in overflow, and removed pressure cap revealing no discernible coolant in system. Pressure test, and found water pump le...	View
	2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LTZ 6.6L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: 1GCJC33688 Came in with a knocking engine, replaced long block. A code P0087 showed up and the engine was cutting out at 2200 rpm. fuel pressures were not matching so replaced wix fuel filter with ac delco. Fuel pressures matched but still got the same code when engine s... Trouble codes: P0087 (Low rail pressure previously)	View
	2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L all electrical VIN: 2D4GP24R85 Elderly owner purchased Van New from dealership. Complained to dealer while under warranty that battery would randomly go dead after van sat for a few days, Dealer could not find a problem but replaced the battery anyway. This problem persisted for years; some...	View
	1988 Ford Bronco Custom 5.0L starter VIN: 1FMEU15NXJ week after replacing neutral switch starter stayed engauged and tore it up. After replaceing starter checked and found about 8 volts at s wire at starter solenoid. when tracing wires I found at the clutch switch bypass cap that there is 12 volts on the grey ye...	View
	1995 Ford F-250 XL 5.8L Cluster Question VIN: 1FTHF25H8S Is factory cluster with tach compatible in truck that had no tach option? Programmable Speedometer/Odometer Module (PSOM) causes stalling when PSOM outputs corrupted 100+MPH VSS signal to PCM, especially shifting to Reverse. This diagnosis is complete and con...	View
	2000 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FMZU73X6Y Thanks to all in advance, truck came in with codes p0302, 303,304 and codes p0171 and p0174 system lean both banks. so we cleared codes and check misfire counter and at idle cylinder #3 has a misfire all the time but when i raise rpm to 2000 no more misfire we... Trouble codes: P0302 (Cylinder 3 misfire)	View
	2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Pedal Sinks VIN: 1FTNW20FX1 Have this 2001 Ford F250 7.3 Lt Turbo Diesel that when the brakes are applied it engages but starts traveling down afterwards. Replaced Master Cylinder, Bled all wheel manually and with the scanner. Pinches off brake lines as well	View
	2004 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4L convertor VIN: 1FTPW14534 Customer came in with a complaint of shutter under light load at around 40-50 MPH. Test drove vehicle to verify complaint. At about 42 MPH while cruising and then applying a light load the vehicle would shutter momentarily. The feeling is more like a sharp sho...	View
	2004 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L B2 Catalytic Converter VIN: 1FAFP58U84 This vehicle came in to the shop at 101,287 miles with MIL on and DTC P0420. Performed all of the above mentioned tests and determined that B1 cat was bad. Replaced both cats as an assembly with Bosal cats. Vehicle came back to the shop 667 miles later with MI...	View
	2005 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L battery goes dead VIN: 1FMZU74W05 This car has a 250 milliamp draw after leaving the meter on for over 2 hours. When I pull fuse F1-15 it goes down to 29 milliamps. this fuse powers the cluster, pcm and atc control head. I disconnected one a a time and when I unplug the cluster draw is gone. Y...	View
	2006 Ford E-250 5.4L Cuts out VIN: 1FTNE24L06 The wiring repair showed no melted wiring, but separated wires and taped over harness with insulated material. Still, cold runs fine, after 30 minutes at idle, road trip, sometimes does fine, but get back to shop, will miss intermittently in reverse and in dri... Trouble codes: P0351 (p0356-), P0356 (testing and results)	View
	2006 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT 6.0L blows injector oring VIN: 1FTWW31P56 Came in overheating, diagnosed with cracked heads, sent heads off to be fixed, replaced gaskets, studs, egr cooler,and engine oil cooler. Customer requested we replace all injectors as a couple were bad, we replaced all injectors, installed an aftermarket fuel...	View
	1996 Geo Tracker 1.6L convertor VIN: 2CNBE1862T car came in po740 tcc solenoid circuit open tried to engage lockup solenoid manualy at relay does not engage dropped pan checked tcc solenoid with power probe does not operate installed new tcc solenoid checked operation at relay will lock up torque convertor ...	View
	1993 GMC Jimmy SLE 4.3L No Start, Stall VIN: 1GKDT13W5P This was towed. Cranking but no start. In the shop, suddenly it had spark, and eng was running, but stalled after 20 minutes. Replaced the ignition module. Samething happened. Stalled after 20 minutes. Replaced ignition coil. It did not stall anymore. After 1 ...	View
	1999 Honda Accord EX 2.3L monitors won't pass VIN: JHMCG5655X Thanks upfront guys,OK had a 99 Accord with a 2.3 VTEC engine with a problem and code with the valve/switch assembly (for the VETEC). I did the dagnosis and found that the valve/switch was bad. The valve/switch was replaced and all is well. I took the vehicle ...	View
	2000 Infiniti G20 2.0L Poor Idle Quality, unstable off idle VIN: JNKCP11A3Y Engine runs okay until engine gets warm and engine does not idle rough but engine will almost stall out at times while idling and engine RPM will go up and down just off of idle but will be smooth when throttle is opened up a little more. Exhaust smells rich a... Trouble codes: P0340 (camshaft sensor malfunction)	View
	1993 Jeep Wrangler S 2.5L Starting VIN: 1J4FY19P0P when I try to start jeep cranks for 30 seconds and won't start then the shift light and check engine lights come on and it starts. checked and cleaned grounds, wiring, right when check engine light comes on I hear relays clicking for 3 seconds.	View
	2002 Kia Sportage 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: KNDJA72392 Code po442 shows up int. Every few weeks. Trouble codes: P0442	View
	2007 Lexus IS350 3.5L valves VIN: JTHBE26247 Hello everyone. My customer brought his car in for a tune up because it was skipping. Verified with code P0304. On startup skip was not noticable until cel started flashing and ecm disabled injector. Same result every time it was restarted. I inspected the s...	View
	2005 Mazda Tribute S 3.0L Hesitation, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 4F2CZ941X5 Customer is a used car lot. This is a problem child car. The main complant is the car fall flat on its face when accelerating from a stop. It also gets horable fuel economy. It also has a very long cranking time before starting. Car runs fine one you get it u...	View
	1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430 4.3L compressor VIN: 4JGAB72E1X Have a 99 ML430, A/C had low charge, recovered & recharged with proper level, but comopressor wont engage, no codes in PCM, had history code in AAM for shorted/open clutch, cleared code, hasnt reset & tested cluch for short/open, ok. Can command compressor to ...	View
	2000 Mercury Villager Estate 3.3L No Start VIN: 4M2XV14T9Y Hello Everyone We have this 2000 Mercury Villager van (Nissan Quest) really giving us a hard time. It came in on the hook as a no-start, and quick tests showed no ignition spark, and no codes stored, and fuel pump and pressure are good. Further inspection fou...	View
	2004 Mini Cooper 1.6L alternator Wondering if anyone has any tips on getting the alternator out without removing the intake manifold. Alldata says this needs to be removed to do the job. Alt. has battery light on and is making noise internally. Thanks for the help.	View
	2000 Nissan Xterra SE 3.3L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Stall VIN: 5N1ED28Y8Y I'm going bald over this car. Vehicle came in for head gasket replacement due to oil leaks. My tech forgot to tighten down the camshaft pulley and we ended up replacing the camshaft after the head gaskets were replaced. Vehicle now stumbles when cold and when ...	View
	2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.4L Engine VIN: WP0AA29941 Our used car business owns a 2001 Porsche Carrera 4. We bought the car a year ago and it has been driven very sparingly. The coolant overflow bottle broke several months ago and was replaced (pretty big job for a coolant bottle!), no problem noted at the time....	View
	2003 Subaru Forester XS 2.5L tcc solenoid VIN: JF1SG65673 Customer hit a big rock with transmission pan and check engine and Tran fluid temp lite came on flashing. I removed the pan to find the blue tcc solenoid broken.since I'm way out in th sticks I soldered a new connector to the solenoid and tested for continuity...	View
	2006 Volvo S60 2.5T 2.5L Hesitation, MIL Lamp on VIN: YV1RH59276 This customer's car has had repeat problems with fuel pressure codes.We originaly found the fuel pump was bad.Problem came back a couple weeks later and we replaced the pem and the fuel pressure sensor.Again ok for a little while.Now the vehicle is back with f... Trouble codes: P0089, P0087	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2001 BMW 325i 2.5L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation VIN: WBAAN37421 I still need help! When I disconnect iac it fires up! I can unplug every thing we touched. No good until I unplug iac? There's no way to cross vanos inlet connector and cam. The CKS sensor is hard wired into distribution box. I need a wiring distribution diagr... Trouble codes: 227 (O2 bank 1 control deviation), 228 (O2 bank 2 control deviation), 243 (misfire cyl 6), 21 (vanos inlet).	10
	2004 Cadillac CTS 3.6L MIL Lamp on, Reduced Power Mode VIN: 1G6DM57754 Thanks for the 7 replies-the fault was a rubbed through harness at the top of the bell housing on the passenger side causing an intermittant short to ground.Barely able to see up there but a slow,close inspection found it.No volt meter,scan tool or lab scope c... Trouble codes: P2121 (APP Sensor 1 Performance-Circuit Low).	8
	1998 Chevrolet K1500 Cheyenne 5.7L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 2GCEK19R0W thanks to all that replyed,pulled intake off tonight and sure enough intake gaskets bad ,they were actually sagged down in the middle on both sides,#5 was close if not leaking also.. Trouble codes: P0306.	33
	2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.8L Mechanical VIN: 1GCEC19V05 Thanks for everyone's input. We replaced the pushrod, turned it over by hand to compare lift/extension of pushrod before installing rocker arm and again after. Lift appeared same as other valves. After reinstalling everything else cranked and have test driven ...	15
	2008 Chevrolet Cobalt LS 2.2L Mechanical VIN: 1G1AK58F88 CUSTOMER DECLINED REPAIRS. SI is complete erroneous on this job requires dash removal ETC. THANKS GUYS I CALLED CUSTOMER with what I suspected and forgot to close the ticket...	5
	2009 Chevrolet Malibu LT 2.4L Cuts out, Stall, Bucks VIN: 1G1ZJ57B09 Let me start by explaining the set conditions for these codes, GM states that when the control module detects an incorrect or lack of voltage on the injector circuit for more than 6 seconds to set the DTC for the appropriate cylinder. The odds of all four inje... Trouble codes: P0201 (Injector 1 control circuit), P0202 (Injector 2 control circuit), P0203 (Injector 3 control circuit), P0204 (Injector 4 control circuit).	14
	2007 Chrysler 300 Limited 3.5L No Start VIN: 2C3KA53G37 thanks for the help it was a simple timing belt don't understand the no spark problem water pump leaked on timing belt belt was off by 6 teeth	13
	2003 Ford Focus ZX3 2.0L Air Bag VIN: 3FAFP31373 I had a bent pin in the small connector lol. Straightened the pin and bam it performs diagnostic and stays off! So for anyone wondering if they have to be programmed out the junkyard the answer is no IF you get the EXACT same part#. Thanks goin out to Benjamin...	2
	2004 Ford F-550 Super Duty Lariat 6.0L oil in coolant VIN: 1FDAF57P44 Thank you all I used Dawn Than Palmolive than alot of fresh water seems nice and clean.Thanks Again!	13
	2005 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4L No Start VIN: 1FTPX04585 Issue resolved by chaning both heads with camshafts & VCT gears as noted from the contributions from the guys that replied to our help request, the pins on the VCT camshaft got broken we found the pedestals on the LH head damaged and camshaft bent both new...	13
	2009 Ford Escape XLT 2.5L Exhaust valve VIN: 1FMCU93769 A big THANK YOU for you seven that replied!Here's the details. To fix the head (valve), I didn't send it to a machine shop because a reman head with valves (which was brand new), was only $400.00. The block didn't have any cracks that I could see, so I conti...	7
	2009 Honda CR-V LX 2.4L engine stalls VIN: 5J6RE48349 This one is fixed. Advice was all good as usual. Problem was in the PCM. I had the software checked and it was up to date. All the wiring checked out the PCM was causing the converter to lock up. New PCM and all is good. Many thanks again for the help. Custom...	5
	2011 Kia Sorento 2.4L throwout bearing VIN: 5XYKT3A15B Thanks to all for taking the time to help with this issue, We finally got it out of the shop, after making close measurements with some homemade tools we determined that there was in fact plenty of travel of the throwout bearing, What was causing the problem w...	5
	1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 3.2L Stall, MIL Lamp on WE believe this car is finally fixed. Remember we said we have put a brand new instrument cluster? Well, we took the car to the dealership as our 38pin lead was faulty at that time, well it turns out they did not even fit the new cluster at all! I was still co...	9
	2001 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi 3.8L epc pressure VIN: 1G2HZ54101 Well I wanted to just make an update and recap with what I've learned but this is the only way I can add info, I plan on adding a fix eventually though. Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate the willingness to help! I know there are many people on here ...	16
	2006 Pontiac Pursuit GT 2.4L TCM Communication VIN: 1G2AN15B16 Well shopkey replied telling me that the Cobalt SS is the match to this Canadian Pursuit GT. Perfect. I confirmed no power to the B+ at the TCM pin 32 red/wht. This power comes from the ECM/TCM fuse in the RH side center console (it's good and has power) from ...	4
	2008 Porsche Cayenne S 4.8L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, MIL Lamp on VIN: WP1AB29P68 Eric had the fix, the Oldham coupler fell out and dropped down on to the exhaust. Found it and reinstalled, vehicle works great! Thanks Guys. Trouble codes: P1026.	4
	2004 Saturn Vue Red Line 3.5L unknown VIN: 5GZCZ63414 Thanks to all who replied. Replaced motor mounts 1st, engine had lots of movement when under load. That fixed the motor movement issue but not vibration. The CV shaft were recently replaced else where, but we decided that could be the only thing left. So we re...	11
	2007 Scion tC 2.4L engine noise VIN: JTKDE167X7 removed oil pan found bearing material. thanks for the help	3
	2000 Toyota Corolla VE 1.8L MIL Lamp on, P0171, New MAF VIN: 1NXBR12E2Y Fuel injectors fixed this car. I replaced intake gasket as some suggested since it is indeed only a five minute job. No help, of course. (FTR, I disagree with those who say intake leaks cannot be pinpointed with propane. You must be doing differently. I us... Trouble codes: P0171.	28
	2001 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L tach, warning lights VIN: 4T1BG22K91 Hi, everyone. I didnt actually fix this car because customer declined repairs but the problem was in the reverse lite circuit. the problem was somewhere in the harness between firewall and junction block on pass side. What I did was unplug the reverse lite swi...	6
	2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport 3.5L Ecu, abs VIN: JTMBK32V96 We replaced the coil for cyl. 5 and erased codes. It has been driven about 60 miles and no codes have returned. The C1201 was an 'engine control system malfunction'. We fixed the PO355 with the coil and seems to have fixed all other codes. Thanks for the help...	3
	2006 Toyota Highlander 2.4L Module VIN: JTEGD21A36 WAS CORODED COMNECTOR AT ABS MODULE CLEANED AND LIGHT HAS STAYED OFF	1
	2000 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: WVWNA23B7Y It ended up being a turbo bypass valve sucking air from a bad diaphragm also not holding vacuum and a bad Evap purge solenoid getting stuck open, Thanks to all those who responded. Trouble codes: P1136 (Bank 1 System too lean).	5
	2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L Hesitation VIN: WVWSE61J92 So, technically its not "fixed" because the customer declined to do the repair but we have a weak fuel pump here. When we hooked up the fuel pressure gauge and drove the car, we looked at the pressure when it started bogging down and it dropped to ~[20psi. We... Trouble codes: P1200.	4

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