Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Mar 15, 2008

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	Help Request	Answers
	2004 Audi A8 Quattro L 4.2L Steering pump VIN: WAUML44E54 This A8 has a stiff steering condition at idle and slow speeds. The condition improves with engine speed. We replaced the fluid that was dark but felt and smelled fine and showed no metallic content. We suspect the pump, however we service a few of these new b...	View
	2000 BMW 740iL 4.4L Noisey VIN: WBAGH8340Y Hello everyone, I have the Bimmer that the fuel pump makes noise all the time. Sometimes louder then others but always there. I replace the pump, same noise maybe louder. Any thoughts? The pressures are correct according to Alldata.	View
	1994 Buick Century Special 3.1L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G4AG55M5R The car had no code when it came in for a leaking head gasket. Changed the head gasket, started the car and the code came on I have no idea what caused it to come on. The car runs good, has no driveability problem but the light comes on and then it goes off an... Trouble codes: P1640 (Computor code)	View
	1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.8L No Start VIN: 1GCEC14V8X Have a nasty one people. The truck had a motor installed at another garage. The truck had a miss and ran poorly. We had to redo the intake and plugs. We also installed a crankshaft sensor and did a relearn. Truck is back and no start. W checked powers and grou... Trouble codes: P0336	View
	1999 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7L No Start VIN: 1G1YY22G2X Hi techs, My question today is regarding car's modification for car racing. I am working on this chevy corvette 1999 to modify it and get it ruled for car racing. The removal of the antilock brake system is part of the rules to get the car conform for that ra...	View
	2003 Chevrolet Malibu LS 3.1L cruise control VIN: 1G1NE52J83 I have a 2003 chevy malibu with 61000 miles on it. The problem is that when you turn the cruise control on or off it makes a clunking noise from the right front corner of the car. It does not do this with just using the pedal and brakes so it rules out all but...	View
	1994 Chrysler LeBaron GTC 3.0L transmission goes into limp mode VIN: 1C3EU4533R Transmission will work fine for 1/2 day, then go into limp mode and stay there. Sometimes Car goes into limp a second after you start the car. Scan for codes none present Live data shows Trans. temp is at 1024 and trans state is Cold. Engine temp runs in the n...	View
	2000 Ford Taurus SE 4-Valve 3.0L Poor Idle Quality, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1FAFP55S8Y Hello all. Have a nice head scratcher here. 00 tore-ass that only upon idle in drive (or with e-brake on) feels like 1 COP or injector does not fire. Completely random. It'll purr like a kitten for 8 seconds max and the BUMP, purrrrrr, BUMP, purrrrrrr. Know wh...	View
	2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 6.0L Trailer electric brake VIN: 1FTSX21P15 Hi techs, This truck came to my shop for an ipc message telling to "check trailer" when the vehicle is pulling a trailer. The truck is equipped with a Ford integrated brake control module. This message turns on intermittently when the driver applies the brake...	View
	2005 Ford Five Hundred 3.0L Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on i have been at this job shortly i have all the records for this vehicle they are as follows 1 previous tech installed for this problem fuel filter /pump / pressure sensor / relay . 2 ford installed for this concern, fuel pump / reflash pcm / pressure sensor. 3... Trouble codes: P0191	View
	2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 SLE 5.3L MIL Lamp on truck came in with mil on. code po125 stored. replaced t-stat cleared code and all was fine for a few months. came in for lof and noticed mil back on. same code. cust. said it just came back on. dealer told us to replace t-stat housing, so we did. came back wi... Trouble codes: P0125	View
	2001 Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.5L drl and dash lights VIN: KMHWF25VX1 Hello fellow techs.We have a 01 hyundai snotta,4dr.The problem we have with it is the drl light fuse will blow,and cause the dash lights to go out.We can replace the fuse,sometimes we get 2 days,the last time we got 2 weeks before the fuse blows.We have tested...	View
	2004 Land Rover Discovery SE 4.6L power steering VIN: SALTY19414 This vehicle came in with a feed hose leaking(from resevoir to pump) and a whine type noise. We replaced the one feed line and bled system as per ALLDATA.Before I closed it up I ran a hose from bleed on top steering gearbox back to resevoir and had someone go ...	View
	2000 Lincoln LS 3.9L No Start, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1LNHM87A3Y Hello All you Ford/Lincoln Techs. I have a real problem car here. Took this car in after it was recently took to a collision center for body damage at Driver Side Front Fender, Door & A-Pillar. After Car was picked up at Body Shop the owner of the shop had sta...	View
	2000 Mazda B2500 SE 2.5L No Start VIN: 4F4YR12C9Y Hi, Mazda b2500 (FORD RANGER) Truck cranks fine,Fuel pump not running,no spark. Scan tool will not read data. Checked all fuses relays, Exchanged horn relay for power relay-Ect. 12volts present at data port. Checked all grounds. I suspect bad ecu,but wondered ...	View
	2001 Nissan Xterra SE 3.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 5N1ED28Y81 I checked the codes and called the part store for a knock sensor, they stocked 4 of them. so I bought one and than decided not onley do i not know where it is to change it, I do not know if that will fix it and so I GOT ON iATN to ask you guys what to do. so m... Trouble codes: P0325, P0430	View
	1985 Pontiac Fiero GT 2.8L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G2PG3791F This Fiero was in a few months back for a no start. The fuel pump relay and the oil pressure switch were both bad. The vehicle breaks down on a road trip and tech says the ECU won't turn on the fuel pump and installs a toggle switch to get my customer home. A...	View
	2001 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.1L Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out VIN: 1G2WK52J21 vehicle stumbles on light acc.Power braking it runs great.Only accurs when front axle is turning.Oxygen sensor goes into open loop .runs great when stepping on the brake and immediately goes into closed loop.Thanks in advance if you can help	View
	1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L Trans Range Sensor VIN: 1G8ZH5283X PROBLEM: Error Code P0706 - Adjusted transmission ranger sensor as per Alldata. (Alldata says adjust switch in Drive until continuity exists} We successfully installed a aftermarket new trans range sensor. We successfully adjusted it to continuity in Drive (t...	View
	1992 Toyota 4Runner SR5 3.0L Surge, Misfire, fishbite VIN: JT3VN39WXN vehicle is 1 owner,she loves it to death, bought it brand new. shop owner told me her complaint was loss of power. initial test drive felt pretty good to me for 200k vehicle. return to shop and remove spark plugs. all cylinders fouled white with slight build-u...	View
	1998 Volvo V70 2.4L starter VIN: YV2LW5573W 4 months ago I posted about this car. Customer heard a strange sound. Turned off car and when he went to restart,the starter was dead. At that time I ended up replacing the starter and after exhaustive searching, could not find the cause of the problem which I...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2003 BMW 745Li 4.4L Tilt Steering VIN: WBAGM63473 Sent to dealer, I think it is the switch assembly. Just not 100% sure. Thanks for the input.	3
	2001 Chevrolet Venture LS 3.4L No Start, Cuts out VIN: 1GNDU03E71 THANK YOU EVERY ONE THAT EMAIL ME. NAILED IT 2 CRANK SENSORS .REPLACED 2ND THE VAN STARTED . Trouble codes: P0463.	6
	2002 Chrysler Sebring LXi 2.7L timing VIN: 1C3EL56R42 thank you for all the help. i changed the tone wheel to the correct style and all is good. it was frustrating but i learned alot about the 2.7 motor thank you again	10
	1995 Dodge Neon 2.0L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: 1P3ES42C6S Thanks to all who replied. The fix is in. Just as I suspected the PCM is required to adjust to the car's actual TPS reading(all throttle bodies are not created equal). Flight Systems(Mopar reman)couldn't give me an answer and requested 1 of the PCM's and after...	7
	1996 Dodge Dakota 3.9L 4x4 VIN: 1B7GG23X7T Thanks for the replies, We have not fixed the truck yet but I do not want to keep you guys hanging. Most reccomendations included checking U joints and CV joints. This truck apparenthy has trouble with the inner CV joints binding and causing the drive shaft...	10
	2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 3.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2D4GP44L95 Hello and thank everyone for their opinions! 90% of those who replied leaned toward a broken or cracked flexplate. Others suggested replacing problematic crank sensors, carbon buildup, or that it simply could have jumpped timing. Trans was removed and i was a... Trouble codes: P0016 (Crank/Cam misalignment - Out of Synch).	10
	1996 Ford Contour GL 2.0L ignition fuse VIN: 1FALP6539T Thanks for the help guys. I found this one today. I connected a light bulb into the fuse socket and began to unplug the components protected by that fuse. The short was there even after all the plugs were disconnected, so started looking for loose wiring or bu...	4
	2005 Ford E-250 5.4L MIL Lamp on, low power VIN: 1FTNS24L45 The problem was poor desighn. the wire harness going to the engine was ran along the to of the egr tube. The heat had burnt thru the loom and two wires. one being to the trottle acuator. We repaired wires and rerouted the harness away from tube. van drives g... Trouble codes: P2107, P2110.	6
	2006 Honda Civic EX 1.8L shifting VIN: 2HGFA168X6 Found internal damage in transmission possibly due to collision or misuse of the vehicle. Case is closed. Thanks everyone.	2
	1996 Infiniti I30 3.0L Misfire, Hard Starting VIN: JNKCA21DXT Yahoo!! This car is fixed. Gary from Nevada hit it on the head: the starter motor was sending voltage spikes out that were effecting the crank sensor signal to the ECU. Gary also specified a Nissan starter- Hitachi. Purchased a Hitachi from IMC and put it in, ...	5
	1999 Isuzu Trooper S 3.5L Lighting VIN: JACDJ58X8X unfortunately were were unable to duplicate our customer problem,we suggested replacment of the combination switch as the most likely fix,but customer declined at this time.we will update if have any new information,thanks to all that offered their help,tony.	6
	2003 Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.4L A/C Blower fan VIN: SALME11473 A/c final stage resistor under glove box area repaired this problem. I think there is also a problem with the ignition switch electric element but at this time the a/c is working and customer has truck.	3
	1999 Mercury Grand Marquis GS 4.6L park lamps circuit VIN: 2MEF74W5XX I removed the dash to find nothing. I found a shorted wire in the front near the right front fender. Thanks to all.	6
	2003 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L Wheel Bearing Noise VIN: 5Y2SL62833 The fix for this vehicle was a transmission overhaul. Dennis hit the nail on the head, the noise was coming from the differential. The strange part was that the noise changed pitch when swerving which would make you believe it was a wheel bearing, the left one...	5
	1997 Saturn SL1 1.9L Ignition VIN: 1G8ZH5283V Rechecked all wiring to confirm that everything was sound...this morning I figured I'd take the plunge and replace the PCM in the car with the extra unit supplied by the other shop...unhooked the battery, pulled the dash and swapped PCM's, reinstalled everythi...	3
	2001 Skoda Octavia 1800CC 4 wheel drive VIN: TMBKL21U42 Still waiting for the vehicle to return. I suspect that as the vehicle was driving perfectly normally when it left the workshop with no MIL illuminated that the owner is happy to keep driving. No doubt he will return should a further problem arise. Thanks for ...	3
	2000 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L instrument cluster VIN: 3VWCD21C2Y Looks like it's time to shell out $8000 for a VAS5052.My 1552 is becoming obsolete.Thanks alot VW!I had to take it to the dealer of course...rob	9

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