Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Mar 1, 2012

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	Help Request	Answers
	1993 Acura Integra LS 1.8L Torque Converter VIN: JH4DA9456P We have a big ATF leak at converter seal (area) only when driving. Can idle all day with no leak. Using flexible camera, we can see inside the bellhousing that the fluid is pouring out in the area of the seal, but can't see it directly. We removed the transmis...	View
	1994 Acura Legend L 3.2L ABS Module, Master Cylinder VIN: JH4KA7655R Ok so basically this Legend came in with ABS light on. All 4 wheels are locking up. We first flushed the whole system. Noticed that the master cylinder was leaking a lot of fluid. Replaced the Master cylinder. tested the ABS module to see if it was working pro...	View
	2001 Audi A6 Quattro 2.7L Excessive Emissions, MIL Lamp on VIN: WAUED64BX1 Hello World! Had this very nice vehicle in for a check engine light...the code was P1139 and the long term trims were in the + 15 range. Smoke tested the induction...good and the frt & rear O2 sensors were also behaving. Following the suggestions in the TSBs ... Trouble codes: P1139 (Excessive long term fuel trims)	View
	2000 BMW Z3 Roadster 2.5L door VIN: WBACH9342Y This is one for you Beemer guys...2000 Z3 drivers door will only open intermittently from the exterior door handle. Customer says when it first started happening, one out of every ten times the door wouldn't open from the exterior door handle. He could go arou...	View
	2005 BMW X3 3.0i 3.0L Hesitation, Surge VIN: WBXPA93425 We are in need of some assistance on this 05 BMW X3(M54). It has a strange surge on hard accel between 3k-4k rpm. We suspect a problem in the DISA valve on the side of the intake manifold. Where does this valve get its vacuum? There is a small port on the bott...	View
	2001 Buick Regal GS 3.8L Poor Idle Quality once you hit the gas rpms shoot to 2500 rpm. checked for vacuum leaks found none. also replaced mass air flow with known good one and new iac valve.very stumped. pcv valve is free.any suggestions??? Trouble codes: P0507	View
	1997 Cadillac Eldorado ETC 4.6L Blower VIN: 1G6ET1297V Inop HVAC blower on this car. 3 wires on the blower motor. Batt, ground, and the variable voltage signal wire. Power and ground is good. There is no varied voltage from signal wire at any time, regardless of control setting or key on/off. With the fan connecto...	View
	1999 Chevrolet Malibu LS 3.1L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1G1NE52J1X Hopefully someone has experienced this and could offer some friendly advice, thanks in advance. have a 99 malibu with 3.1 J motor, fuel trims are out of wack, and sets a hard code p1133, 02 sensor 1 insufficient switching, observing data it seems to be switchi... Trouble codes: P1433	View
	2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 6.6L Oil Pressure Guage VIN: 1GCHK23184 I am looking for any techs that have possibly run into any oil pressure concerns. Customer stated oil pressure guage started reading lower in the last 2 weeks. Performed oil pressure test and pressure is 2 lbs. Lower than spec. No running problems or engine no...	View
	2006 Chevrolet Express 1500 4.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GCFG15X46 the van was bought it in the option,the problem is it not power under load at all.the van in park or nutral runing smoth and normal,raise rmp normal but when i put the car in drive or reverse no power at all,somebody cleaner catalyst both sides that why i have... Trouble codes: P0507, P0420, P0430	View
	2003 Chrysler Town & Country Limited 3.8L No Start, Cuts out, Stall VIN: 2C8GP64L33 Van will drive normally for about one hour or longer and then will stumble and quit. It usually will crank back up but will run maybe a mile, maybe 50 feet but will eventually not start at all. Van towed in twice. First time no codes so at owner's request, rep...	View
	2000 Dodge Neon ES 2.0L Excessive Emissions VIN: 1B3ES46C6Y I have thi 200 dodge neon in for diag for failed nox levels 1059 at 15mph spec is 467 vehicle has no egr no dtc's rear o2 has a very high switching rate indicating weak cat also failed c02 cranking temp a temp test a hooked up a scanner and checked mode 6 data...	View
	2003 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L Speedometer VIN: 3D7KA28C73 The speedometer will jump up and down when in park or in gear sitting still. Originally had the speedometer complaint and shifting complaint. Found code p0720 and replace out put speed sensor ( ohm high ). The transmission now shifts smooth and code has not re...	View
	1992 Ford Ranger STX 3.0L No Start VIN: 1FTCR14U6N Hello everyone, I have this car which the customer says that the vehicle at times does not crank over (when cold - and intermittently of course). As soon as customer came in we checked the fuel pressure and it is fine, the mechanic thought that we would have ...	View
	1994 Ford F-250 XL 5.8L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: 1FTHX25H1R Well thanks to all in advance. We check this truck over again and did a eoer test and it came up witn the code 173 so we checked into it and found the egr tube was broken and the egr intal valve was off to one side so we replaced both tube and egr. And we stil... Trouble codes: 173 (Egr not switching rich exaust bank 1)	View
	1997 Ford Ranger Splash 2.3L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTCR10A6V Truck runs great just a cel on and p0340 has been stored. I cleared code. Comes on every second start up same code. Customer wanted us to install new ford cam sensor. We advised him it may not be problem with truck. I installed sensor and left cover off. Sure ... Trouble codes: P0340 (Cam sensor signal)	View
	2000 Ford E-150 Econoline 4.2L Misfire VIN: 1FTRE1426Y Greetings Ford Techs, My special problem of the new year has arrived. This van acts like it is starving for gas, ( bucks, back fires thru the intake, and miss fires) at mid range acceleration. If you feather the gas pedal at low speed its. ok. And if you open ...	View
	2001 Ford Taurus LX 3.0L Mode 6 VIN: 1FAHP52U01 This vehicle came in for a emission failure. The customer stated he failed emissions a year ago for his monitors not being set. I expected to find a issue with K.A.M. but instead found a shorted purge solenoid(.06 ohms)and the PCM was unable to activate the ne...	View
	2004 Ford F-150 FX4 5.4L Misfire VIN: 1FTPW14544 vehicle was towed into shop for bad missfire checked and found random missfire codes on all cyclinders checked and found plugs still original removed and replaced all plugs with factory plugs and replaced all coils with factory coil as well. upon start up of v... Trouble codes: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0316	View
	2006 Ford F-150 XLT 5.4L Popping in Exhaust VIN: 1FTPW14536 After repairing the issue with the MIL, The vehicle was road tested to verify the exhaust noise. The only way the noise was produced is to snap accel the engine in neutral. There is a popping noise heard coming from the exhaust, the muffler was removed and ins...	View
	2009 Ford F-150 Platinum 5.4L Excessive Emissions VIN: 1FTPW14V79 Scan data when engine cold reflects proper values for ect temp air. Value for alcohol content in fuel reads 42% start engine cold and snap throtle and it blows black exhuast and chugs. Aftyer a couple of minutes it is fine. Changed mass airflow sensor with a r...	View
	2008 Isuzu N NRR 5.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: JALE5W1678 MIL Lamp On. No drivibility concerns. Do not have mid duty software here. Can clear service code but comes right back. Can somebody give me the description for this service code? Could not find anything on line. Thanks. Len Trouble codes: P160B	View
	2004 Jeep Liberty Sport 3.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1J4GK48K14 after replacing the PCM and b1s2 o2 for the above listed codes, the truck now is setting p0141, and p0138. we replaced the harness from the pcm to b1s2 o2, and still have these two codes returning. the pcm is aftermarket, the b1s2 o2 is an Oem from our jeep de... Trouble codes: P0138, P0141	View
	2006 Lexus GS430 4.3L vgs this cars is afrends of mine. had car pulled to a differnt shop due to bad alt. after alt. was replaced abs trac cotrol and brake lights started to flash pulled codes.cleared codes and c1289 is the only code that came back. michell dosnot have enough info, onl...	View
	1996 Lincoln Town Car Anniversary 4.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1LNLM82W3T This a good one here. Setting code p0171 - fuel system lean bank 1. short and long term fuel trims very high on bank 1 only. replaced bank 1 o2 sensor - sensor was black like it is actually running rich. tried mass air flow sensor. smoke tested for vacuum leak... Trouble codes: P0171	View
	2007 Mazda 6 i 2.3L 4th Gear VIN: 1YVHP80C67 Customer states that while driving the engine reved up and then could not get to shift above 3rd gear. When we checked it had these codes p0734 and p0841. We drove it with the codes and cleared codes and drove vehicle. It shifted ok with no problems. This car ...	View
	1993 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 3.0L Soft top, Roll bar VIN: WDBFA61E7P Hello! We have been fighting this for a while now. The customer came in from another shop (actually 2 shops before us) with a recently repaired soft top module that he wanted us to install and intitialize. We did, and it did not work. We performed testing on a...	View
	2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 5.0L compressor VIN: WDBUF70J23 This system with the direct drive variable displacement compressor has a "grumble" when engaged that sounds similar to the older style compressors when they are either run low on oil or just old and tired. Noise is there immediately on engagement, slowly goes ...	View
	2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 3.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: WDBTJ56J06 After we replaced the Balance shaft and timing chain on this car it is setting a P0011 code. We replaced the actuator with no change. We found that if we energize the actuator on the right intake cam it clicks but no change in the way the car idles. Any of the... Trouble codes: P0011 (0271 camshaft adjuster right intake incorrect position)	View
	2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350 3.5L Hesitation VIN: 4JGBB86E66 Customer delivered this ML350 with MIL not on but with misfire fault cyl#1, he described the condition that with misfire the injector was shut down until key was cycled and it returned to running on 6 cylinders until misfire occured again. Checked freeze frame...	View
	1997 Mercury Tracer LS 2.0L No Start VIN: 1MELM13P9V We have an intermittant problem of a no start 2 to 3 times a week, we have not been able to reproduce the problem in 4 days of testing. the customer drives the car to work or school and the car will not start after it sits a few hours, they come back 2 hours l... Trouble codes: P0231	View
	1997 Mercury Villager GS 3.0L No Start VIN: 4M2DV1117V Car was towed in. Customer states that it was running great and all of a sudden it cut out and died and would not restart. No codes stored. Has good spark and injector pulse but no fuel pressure. Checked fuel pump, no power to pump. Found relay not getting gro...	View
	2007 Mitsubishi Galant ES 2.4L turn signals dash VIN: 4A3AB56F87 has any one run acrossed this? the only thing wrong is no turns on dash.ck all power and grd ok tested all wires from frt ecu,combination meter,etacs-ecu.relay box,and column switch,been at other shop and dash was changed,no luck. can anybody give some insight...	View
	2008 Pontiac G6 GT 3.5L Air Bag System VIN: 1G2ZH57N08 Car has intermittent air bag light with codes B0083 71 and B0084 71 Mitchell and All Data say that The SDM has received invalid serial data from the front end sensors. Testing shows no problem found. Any body had this before should I replace both sensors. Cust...	View
	2005 Porsche Boxster 2.7L windows, convertible top, spoiler VIN: WP0CA29815 This vehicle is placed in storage for 2-3 months at a time as the owner does not live here full time. When in storage (his garage) he puts it on a trickle charger. While gone recently there was supposedly a power spike that ruined the charger and eventually se...	View
	1994 Subaru Justy DL 1.2L Front Water Pump/Engine Cover VIN: JF1KA7227R When vehicle first came in it was found to need a water pump. Since then we have had to warranty the water pump a few times and we have noticed the cover for this which is in the front of the pump leaks through a small weep hole.has anyone run into this before...	View
	2002 Toyota Highlander 3.0L compressor VIN: JTEGF21A92 a/c will turn on and run fine blowing 40 degrees for 10-14 minutes on regular a/c setting. Then all by itself the recirc light turns on, the blower motor increases speed and in less than 3 minutes it blows hot. If I turn the selector to high temp it gets even ...	View
	2006 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4.0L Surge VIN: JTEZU14R66 This car will have a tourque converter shutter only if you ease from dead stop and at 1500 rpm it will do it if you gas it it will not do it. Was gona try some additive but know onr around here will tell me anything or they just dont know. Thanks this is my wi...	View
	2007 Toyota Tacoma 4.0L Unknown VIN: 5TEMU52N07 Performed requested transmission flush, and gear boxes serived. Used 75-90 synthetic oil in gear boxes. Now getting a bad shuddering on turns. Has limited slip rear differential. Local Toyota dealer says they just use regualar 80-90 GL5 with no additives in th...	View
	1998 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0L Electronic VIN: 3VWBB61C5W Does anyone have a source for the transmission speed sensor harnesses part #'s [...] that are listed in TSB's 0107-16 and 0107-17? These are obsolete from VW and if I can find some I'd rather go that way than building a harness. I have a P00...	View
	2002 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 2.0L impropper shift VIN: 3VWCB21C62 One of our students hooked the battery up backwards and melted the battery fuse panel and the alternator wire. We repaired the damage and the car seemed to run and drive well, but had ECT code. After replacing the ECT the operating temp was too low which was c...	View
	2002 Volkswagen Golf GL 2.0L reverse VIN: 9BWBB61J82 some time gear stuck in reverse. chek all things looks ok clutch work fine , fluid ok	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2003 BMW X5 3.0i 3.0L oil level message VIN: 5UXFA535X3 thank you guys for your help, it did turn out to be 2 different problems. After taking the rear light boards out and replacing a few sockets the problems has not returned. I spoke the next day to the customer and he reported that the oil level message was also...	6
	2004 BMW 330Ci 3.0L unknown VIN: WBABW53434 Tensioner pulley and idler pulley were the issue.thank you for the help.	14
	1986 Buick Skylark Custom 2.5L Instruments VIN: 1G4NJ69U8G We fixed it, sort of. I found a similar problem in the archives that said to disconnect the tan wire from the headlight/ dimmer switch but we didn't have a tan wire. So we disconnected the brown wire and now the instruments work when the lights are on. The ins...	14
	1995 Chevrolet Beretta Z26 3.1L Misfire VIN: 1G1LW15M5S WELL THE CAR HAS BEED ON THE ROAD FOR A WEEK NO PROBLEM LOUS C HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WITH THE CAM SENSOR THANKYOU FOR THE PHONE CALL AND INFO, IT MADE PERFECT SENSE WHY I HAD PULSE FOR TEN SECONDS OR SO, THE CAR GROUP FIRES THE INJECTORS AT START UP AND WHE...	41
	2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L reverse VIN: 2GCEK19T0Y first off thank you for all of your help. this one is fixed and down the road. i am going to answer the questions asked first. it is not a plow truck, 4" body lift,big tires,i put an external cooler on it last time. the fluid was clean and good color,the boost...	31
	2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3L Stall, MIL Lamp on, Loss of power VIN: 1GNEC13Z83 thanks to all the replies. the replies ran the gammett, most different on everything. we pulled the wiring loom from the throttle body to the module and ohm'd and wiggled it , no problem. we did the same with the module to pedal loom, no problem. so we repl... Trouble codes: P1516 (Electronic throttle mode vs throrrle os performance), P0120, P0226, C0245, U1000 (Class 2 data link fault).	14
	2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer North Face 4.2L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GNDT13S93 Hello, I received all kinds of suggestions. Watching the actual camshaft position on the scan tool (and on a scope) the cam did change position (fully) if we put power and ground to the actuator solenoid with it running. If you left it totally unplugged and ju... Trouble codes: P0014 (p1345-), P1345.	10
	2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L blower VIN: 2GCEK19T83 blower motor was pulling to many amps thank you too every one who replied	52
	2004 Chevrolet Astro 4.3L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Cuts out, Misfire VIN: 1GCDM19X04 due to mileage and excessive crank play cust traded car in thanks to all who replied	11
	2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L Driveability VIN: 2GCEK19T34 Coolant pressure test revealed the water pump was the cause of coolant smell, pump was ok just the gaskets were leaking. Replaced the gaskets. Fixed and got vehicle back together, up to running temp (195) and put coolant pressure test back on to make sure no o...	28
	2007 Chevrolet Equinox LT 3.4L starter VIN: 2CNDL63F27 checked allthe grounds, they were clean and tight, checked battery cables and they were clean and tight. the customer decided to take the car for now, but if it comes back for this problem, i will defenetly check the rear wiper as suggested. thanks to those th...	10
	2009 Chevrolet Equinox LT 3.4L Electronic VIN: 2CNDL53F19 Hello Techs, Further testing and road tests could not make the code return. We did a relearn on the system and cut the vehicle loose. Thanks to all for your help , we [...] have this vehicle back it the problem returns.	7
	2001 Chrysler Sebring LXi 2.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1C3EL55U01 Ok most of you said to use oem sensors. We removed the aftermarket sensors and ot some oem's. Its been a week now and no return!!! Thanks everyone! Trouble codes: P0340.	9
	2005 Chrysler Town & Country Touring 3.8L engine VIN: 2C4GP54L65 we have just installed reman engine in this vehicle. Never did confirm the high oil pressure at idle 65-70 psi cold/hot. Want to thank all who made time to give us a hand on this. Ted	10
	2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport 3.3L Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 2B4GP44381 as i thought it was a computer , but when it went it aparently shorted out the 02 sensors and coil , after comp was it in had a horrible misfire we changed plugs and coil and then it ran better , but still was horrible on fuel , then we noticed on a scanner n... Trouble codes: P0601.	11
	2002 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 5.9L ABS sensor and ring VIN: 3D7HU18Z02 Thank you all for your quick responses! We are replacing the posi unit, the retainers for the posi plates were indeed broken. FYI, Randy's Ring gear and Pinion is a great and affordable source for these parts! Thanks again!	10
	1985 Ford F-150 XL 5.8L misfire VIN: 2FTEF14H8F truck not fixed.truck was runing fine and quit so it was not firing order like alot of you sujested.truck was owend buy a friend of my son and he tolk it to someone els who sead he knew what it was but wouldnt tell him.not my problem now,hate kids who know it ...	22
	2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Mechanical VIN: 1FTNW21F91 alright this one is figured out. thanks to everyone that replied espacially nat. you hit it on the head. they installed the gears wrong and it damaged the gears and the timing cover. ouch. the motor has to come back out. thanks again for all the help	15
	2005 Ford Expedition Limited 5.4L ball jints Sorry guy's could have sworn I closed this. As I could tell by the majority I was inspecting them properly, by hand. I could probably sell more work if I used a prybar to check everything. Big enough bar can move a new one Thanks for your input. PJ	12
	1993 GMC C2500 Suburban 7.4L Cuts out VIN: 1GKGC26N8P had to go back to old school,started unpluging sensors to see if ecm was functionig corectly and behold-the tps would not set a code when unplugged and had .12 volts on circut,the computor was seeing tps data but not prosessing it for proper fuel demand.the tr...	23
	1990 Honda Accord LX 2.2L Power Steering VIN: JHMCB755XL Now I know why there are 2 returns on the reservoir. The speed-related valve in trans. works properly. When running the car in gear, off the ground, the fluid flows from that return hose increasingly as wheel speed increases, then stops when stopped. The pr...	11
	1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1J4GW58SXX Thanks to all who replied. The problem was the PCM being full of oil. I have since learned that this is a common problem. We also replaced the oil pressure sending unit. Thanks Again Trouble codes: P0462 (Fuel Level Voltage Low), P0505 (Idle Air control circuit), P1762 (Governor Low Pressure Malfunction).	12
	2004 Lincoln LS 3.0L Engine VIN: 1LNHM86S24 Well gentlemen, I am gonna call this one fixed! To answer Scott from Iowa, I personally don't think it sounded like a prop. plane at all, but more like the blow-dryers at an automatic car wash. Sucker moves some air!! I installed the OE Thermostat and it n...	15
	1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SL 5.6L No Compressor Operation VIN: WDBBA480XH sorry for the late post, yes this car was fixed, what really bugs me is the fact that i still dont know what i was missing to make the system work, really the push button control was just a crap shoot, i was taking a wild ass guess, and it did the trick but st...	12
	1998 Mercedes-Benz C280 2.8L No Start VIN: WDBHA29G1W You guys are great!!! I started with our auto lodgic to see if I could see a crank signal but it blanks out when cranking so I got out my trusty actron $79 dollar palm scaner and cranked while looking at the data. You guys nailed it!!! no crank. further testin... Trouble codes: P0???.	8
	2010 Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic 5.5L Service reset Hello Everyone, sorry but the customer as not returned to the shop. His lease was up soon he must likely left it alone. I know it can be done with out a lap top from the dealer. I have seen someone doing it on a 2010 s class at another shop. I have not done it...	8
	2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2.4L master cyl. VIN: 4A3AK24F17 I'm closing this post for lack of interest on owners part.If a person says they are having trouble ,they should bring it by. Have not seen car in shop since I posted.Sorry for all wasted time.	3
	2005 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 2.5L Timing VIN: 3VWSF71K85 Yes group, Many of you hit the nail on the head. When comparing old upper chain to new one, you could see a very minor stretch in comparison. Dough it wasn't much it was stretched. Went ahead and replaced both cam pulleys, tensioner, both guides and upper c...	10
	2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L Hesitation, MIL Lamp on VIN: 3VWST71K56 Fixed! What was found was the turbo wastegate actuator had been bent on the mounting bracket at some point causing the linkage to bind and keeping wastegate open. Thanks for all the replies! Trouble codes: P0234 (Boost Pressure Regulation - Overboost Condition - Intermittent).	8
	2004 Volvo S80 2.5T AWD 2.5L rear shocks VIN: YV1TH59H14 I didn't find Nivomat to regular shock conversion kit. IPD or Volvo dealer didn't provide any help. Unless Rod from Ontario will give me more information. I quoted customer price for new Nivomat shocks and upper mounts. At this point the owner is trying to get...	6

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