Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Jun 19, 2013

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	Help Request	Answers
	1996 Acura TL 3.2L cooling system VIN: JH4UA3650T This car came in with a blown motor, found coolant in all cylinders with borescope, I replaced the engine (3.2 V6) hooked everything up, engine ran very nicely, however it will slowly warm up to overhear temp, i replaced the thermostat twice, removed the therm...	View
	2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet 2.0L MIL Lamp on VIN: WAUAF48H27 Well this one for the Audi guys out there.The vehicle came with the MIL on and the two codes came up . My experience with Audi is very limited so I'd like to know if the most likely culprit is the intake manifold runner motor , the manifold or if they are to b... Trouble codes: P2008 (Intake manifold runner control circuit open bank 1), P2115 (Intake manifold runner sensor/circuit perfomance)	View
	2004 BMW X5 4.4i 4.4L oil fitler VIN: 5UXFB53544 just doing a easy oil change wrong. took oil filter, found a spring and a cup with slots in it.had dealer fax me parts picture does not show spring and cup with slots. went to euro shop with parts.thay said it goes up in parts that goes inside oil fiter. they ...	View
	2006 BMW 325i 3.0L Vanos VIN: WBAVB13526 After having cam adjusters off to replace the short aluminum head bolts at front of engine, the following codes set: P1553 (2A99) and P1554 (2A98)Intake and exhaust cam correlation. I used the proper cam and crank lock tools and did not mix up in and ex cam sp...	View
	2000 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L compressor VIN: 1G4CW52K6Y okay need help guys. this car came n from a used bye here pay here lot n town. had a lot of comm codes n it. the a/c system was low. so I charged it, and still the compressor would not come on. started 2 do some checkn on it and the hvac wasn't working properl...	View
	2003 Cadillac DeVille 4.6L Brake Fluid Level VIN: 1G6KD54Y63 Will here we go.got a 2003 cady deville.brake light on dash. Check brake fluid level on message center.when we unplug the sensor the light goes out and so does the message on the message center. If we keep the sensor plugged in and remove it from the master cy...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Classic LS 2.2L No Start VIN: 1G1ND52F94 At the ignition module intermdiate connector (this is where the module hooks to the coil tower) the noid light either doesn't flash or is dim and will not run. If the light is bright it runs. The issue seems to be the control (ground) ciruit for the coils is n... Trouble codes: B1379 (device ign 3 circuit), U1000 (loss of serial data for class 2), U1088 (loss of SRS/SDM comm)	View
	2006 Chevrolet Impala LS 3.5L Rotor VIN: 2G1WB58K36 Came in with no pads left on the driver side (both sides were done within a year). We did: Front rotors, pads, and calipers - still weird shutter/vibration when braking, and left side is smoking. Did brakes hoses, bled ABS with a scanner, checked rear brakes. ...	View
	2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ 5.3L No Blower at any speed using A/C or Heat VIN: 3GNEC12007 Checked inputs to blower control module-Good except pulsed ground is present even when key is removed. Figured this would cause parasitic draw and drain BATT, but owner says NO. Jumped 12Vdc and ground to blower connector-Blower works fine. Replaced blower con...	View
	2007 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LTZ 5.3L engine VIN: 1GNFK16317 Hey folks. This is the bosses vehicle. The oil pressure gauge will go to zero or fluctuate from zero to normal pressure. Replaced the oil pressure switch 1st. The result was it had a good pressure reading for a few days. When the is occurring the scanner follo...	View
	2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited 2.4L a/c compresser circuits VIN: 3A8FY58B17 this pt loser has been an ongoing problem for the past month or so. data stream reading in tipm keeps reading 580 psi no matter if pcm,hi and low a/c switches are unplugged. Pcm was replaced with new one from Chrysler and flashed with latest software. When we ...	View
	1998 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 5.9L Hesitation, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 3B7HF13Z0W Customer just bought truck used came to me with several issues. First was a hissing noise from the dash area. Low power, rough idle, the trans shifting a lot, and misfire under load. There are no codes. I started with the hissing noise. I checked all the vac l...	View
	2002 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 4.7L MIL Lamp on VIN: 3D7HU18N02 Truck came in for a hard to start when cold, could not duplicate the problem but i did find it had bad heads. when i pulled the heads sure enough they were cracked. so i replaced them with remanufactured ones also i was on some what of a small budget for this ... Trouble codes: P1391	View
	2004 Dodge Durango SLT 5.7L 4-? downshift VIN: 1D4HB48D54 Good Day Fellow Wrench Turners. This 2004 Durango is beating me up. It will momentarily downshift from 4 to ? just after it upshifts from 3 to 4 a highway speeds around 55mph. I have recorded data, monitored TPS's and APP sensors, input, output and engine spe...	View
	2011 Dodge Charger SE 5.7L Many VIN: 2B3CL1CT8B Car can in with TPMS flashing on dash, ABS and TCS loss of steering assist, Red steering wheel light flashing on dash. Codes checked with factory tool Ytesc. has u0100 U0126 U0002-88 U0200-00 U0199-00 u0212-00 u0121-00 u0011-00 u0002-00 U0212-00 U0140 U0002-00...	View
	1998 Ford Contour GL 2.0L 4th speed overdrive VIN: 1FAFP6538W My own personal vehicle with 194500 on the odometer and there is a remanufactured CD4E four-speed transmission with 28k miles on the trans since the October, 2012 installation. On my way to work this morning on the highway around 70 MPH - the transmission drop...	View
	2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L Charging VIN: 1FTSW31F82 This truck came into our shop with a charging problem. We checked alternator output (11.3v) at idle for 2 minutes and then we hear a stumble and alt. Output jumps to 13.2v also new batteries go dead in 2 days. We checked amp draw with key off and found 4.5amp ...	View
	2003 Ford F-150 XLT 4.6L Pcm Program VIN: 1FTRW07663 4.6/4R70W swapped to 5.4/E40D...can anybody help with info on whether or not the pcm in the truck can just be reflashed to run the 5.4/E40D or do i need to get another pcm to start with,if so any ideas on a good part # for a pcm.truck runs now but i no the tra...	View
	2003 Ford Ranger Edge 4.0L Misfire VIN: 1FTZR45E93 truck came in cust thinking was not shifting right found that #3 cyl was missing under load and even feels like misses at idle slightly checked coil plugs wires cam sensor it has a steady 18 to 20 inch vacuum 62 pounds fuel pressure cleaned mass air flow senor... Trouble codes: P0303	View
	2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat 5.4L hydraulic VIN: 1FTSX215X5 Vehicle was at another shop for the same problem .They did front Brakes [pads] and a brake fluid flush. Truck has poor brakes and low pedal.Creeps to floor only with engine running. Replaced front calipers [Seized pins] and Master cylinder.Serviced rear brakes...	View
	2006 Ford Freestar SE 3.9L Bearing Need some help on this 06' Ford Freestar. It is just a front wheel drive. Replaced R/F axle and got a new retaining nut from dealer. My literature sources for axle nut torque is all over the place and has me wondering which is correct. One book says 259-350 ft...	View
	1996 GMC K3500 Sierra SL 7.4L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1GTHK33J9T Need help on this one.This truck keeps setting p0102 and p0175 code maf low volts and rich bank 2. when I first got the truck i found the maf sensor very dirty and a very dirty k & n. Cleaned filter and replaced maf sensor with denso unit. The light came back ... Trouble codes: P0102, P0175	View
	2005 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLE 6.6L Excessive Emissions, Surge, Misfire, Poor Fuel Economy, Black/white smoke VIN: 1GTHK23245 Thanks in advance for the help. Pulling my hair out on this one. we don't do a lot of diesel work here but enough. Mostly 6.0 Fords and Sprinter fleet work. This is my first real experience with a Duramax and its turning into a doozie. Truck is owned by a reti... Trouble codes: P0305 (Misfire), P0303, P0404, P0401 (EGR flow insufficent)	View
	2007 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3L Hard start VIN: 1GKFK13087 Hi, this is my Bosses wifes vehicle and it is driving us nuts. The complaint was hard starting. I found it hard to start only when you shut it off hot then tried to restart a half hour later. Sounded flooded, seemed to crank real fast as if the cylinders were ...	View
	1996 Jaguar XJ6 4.0L Brake hydraulics VIN: SAJHX1742T Good morning. Have an issue with low brake pedal. Came in very low,car had "some brake work" done before current owner purchased. Pressure bleeding helped a lot, replaced master cylinder and that helped a little too. Right now if you do an ABS stop the brake p...	View
	1999 Jaguar XK8 4.0L Latch VIN: SAJGX2046X After new hydraulic hose installation, and before all the interior trim was installed, we tested the conv. top operation and topped up the hydraulic oil reservoir. The top goes up and down but there id a problem with the latch. It starts to close before the to...	View
	2000 Lexus RX300 3.0L abs VIN: JT6HF10U4Y vehicle came in with abs light on and when at almost a complete stop the abs activates. pulled code 41: voltage to abs ecu under 9.6v. the abs ecu was previously replaced. followed the flow chart for this code which, seems to be missing some steps, that is in ...	View
	2007 Maserati Quattroporte Sport Gt 4.2L Mechanical VIN: ZAMCE39A67 does anyone know how much freon this thing takes.	View
	2008 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2L Mechanical VIN: ZAMGJ45A98 Hello, I am going to replace the cam variators on this car and am needing some assistance. Can someone please send me some procedures, or send me a link with the service manual to perform this task. I have done this on porches, ferrari, and lambo. So I'm not a...	View
	2004 Mazda 3 S 2.3L starting VIN: JM1BK14314 this mazda is 2004, and i am replacing the engine with 2006 mazda 3, i find some few things which were different for instance, the pcm for 2004 is large in size but same socket plug, 2006 is smaller in size for the pcm... now i want to know if i can use 2006 ...	View
	1976 Mercedes-Benz 300D 3.0L Brake lights VIN: 1151141204 I have this old Mercedes Benz that has no stop lights. All fuses are good, at the stop light switch I have no power to the black/ red violet wire. If I take a power probe & feed power to the black/red wire on the stop light switch connector the pass. side stop...	View
	2001 Mercury Sable GS 3.0L cruise control VIN: 1MEFM55S61 Customer complaind of no cruise control Light flashes once on start up On board diag from shopkey will not work will not flash codes Tried a used tranducer with same result snapon solus pro does not offer an option to see if cruise is being requested any thoug...	View
	2003 Nissan Murano SE 3.5L steering VIN: JN8AZ08WX3 Thanks in advance for any help/info offered. Customer came in with a complaint of severe vehicle/steering wheel vibration when you get close to the lock position (sharp turns) in either direction. Upon initial inspection found severe vibration/movement at both...	View
	2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4.0L No Start VIN: JTEZU17R83 good afternoon fellow techs 03 4runner 4.0 auto 4 speed. cel inop and no communcation with ecm confirmed power and ground and ign circuts.i have one key however immoblizer seem to work meaning red car light with key flashes with key out. insert key in ign on a...	View
	2004 Toyota Prius 1.5L No Start VIN: JTDKB20U74 Car has a problem getting into “ready" mode.Intermittently, more first thing in the morning when it’s cold and wet, it won’t go into ready mode, customers says it won’t start. The customer has noticed that when the problem is there, the square box around the P... Trouble codes: P3102 (Transmission control ECU malfunction), P5000 (Vehicle speed sensor A), C2315 (HV System), B1421 (Solar sensor circuit passenger side)	View
	2007 Toyota RAV4 3.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: JTMBK33V87 Hi all...Let me tell you everything so it is clear. My wife got out of vehicle - not running - and still in reverse at her jobs parking lot. Front drivers door and rear pass door were opened and vehicle started rolling. It rolled back about 100ft and clipped t... Trouble codes: C1336 (Vsc)	View
	1997 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L no power VIN: 3VWRF81H4V I have the 97 VW TDI that has no power and no boost. It will set the low boost code within 3 minutes of driving the vehicle. I pressure checked the air intake system with 15 PSI air. No leaks found. Found the turbo leaking oil severely and the shaft very loose... Trouble codes: 00575 (map correlation error)	View
	2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 2.5L Turnsignal switch VIN: 3VWSF71KX6 Hey, I have this Volkswagen Jetta in to replace broken turn signal switch (handle broke). I'm up to removing the clock spring, but in order to remove the clock spring you need to remove module under steering column. Small torx screw is removed in front but can...	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	2003 Acura MDX Touring 3.5L Electronic VIN: 2HNYD18983 Sorry Guys, Customer declined any further repairs and pulled vehicle out of here. I wish we had a donor vehicle to swap parts with but Oh Well .	4
	2009 Audi S5 4.2L Oil system VIN: WAURV78T39 Hello to all and thanks for the tips. We told the customer that we would like to see the car again, but he ahs not responded. So thought it best to close this post. We were going to pull the plugs and use a bore scope to look for any sign's of cylinder damage....	6
	1999 BMW 323i 2.5L Lighting Hi thanks for all the replyies. This was inded a faulty ignition switch..I replace the switch plate and all is well. Thanks.	16
	2000 Buick LeSabre Custom 3.8L windows VIN: 1G4HP54K1Y We removed the driver's seat and pulled the carpet back. We found wetness under the carpet and corrosion on the splice for the four BUS lines. We repaired the splice and all power windows and power locks now function. Thank you all for your help, it was gre...	11
	2000 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1L high idle VIN: 1G1NE53J7Y Well I beleive this one is fixed. Finally replaced IAC and pigtail and all seems to be well. As many suggested I never really did see anything out of the ordinary as far as data pids. Any way calling it fixed. Thank you to all.	16
	2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD 8.1L Poor Fuel Economy VIN: 1GCHK23G31 i put a thermostat in the truck, i thought it may have been running a little cool. customer called and said hes run 2 tanks through it and its getting about 9 mpg and hes happy. thank you for all the replies. keith	28
	2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 6.0L Misfire VIN: 1GCHK29U54 I believe this truck is fixed but the customer has not returned my follow-up phone call. I switched around the fuel injectors after being assured that the spark plug and plug wire and ignition coil swaps did not change anything. My misfire counts were very l... Trouble codes: P0300 (Random Cylinder Misfire Detected 1-40595 8-3015 all others 200), P0654 (Eng Spd Output Ckt Problem - Code is due to Inst. Clust. out for repair).	10
	2005 Chrysler 300 C 5.7L Shift interlock, Parktronic system VIN: 2C3AA63H75 Tracing out the grounds in the vehicle related to the ESM, Alldata had an error in the location for the ESM ground, listing it as under the RCM. The actual ground is under the passenger side seat, G301. Found heavy oxidation and corrosion on the ground, compro...	2
	1999 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 5.9L Surge, Cuts out VIN: 3B7HC13Z9X Well this one is fixed. Originally this truck came in for dieing while driving and no buss showing on the odometer. Otherwise it ran well. We replaced the crank sensor with a Standard ignition part for a possible cause for the dieing. The crank sensor did not ...	9
	1986 Ford F-350 XL 7.5L TPS reading wrong VIN: 2FTJW35L0G I obtained a "new" EEC-V box with the proper hardware code of ML1-441. I had similar problems flashing it in the vehicle. Did a bench flash of the original EEC and it runs fine. Recently (yesterday evening) heard back from the author of the software. After fla... Trouble codes: P0122 (Low TP), P0144 (Bank 1 Sensor 2 HEGO heater), P0385 (Crank sensor B), P0452 (Purge system pressure sensor).	1
	1997 Ford Contour GL 2.0L Blower motor VIN: 3FALP6533V Well guys it was the I/P fuse box, although when I was checking the engine compartment fuse box I found that the big red wires going to the 80 amp fuse were melted down. Needs a wiring harness and 2 fuse boxs. Bottom line is car isn't worth fixing. I've seen t...	12
	1999 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L lambda VIN: 2FMDA5149X Customer took it to another shop. He was ok with it. understood that sometimes we (techs) can be stumped. he said he would let me know if he got it fixed and what fixed it... He said Lower intake manifold gaskets. still bummed on this one. I had checked the lo...	29
	2001 Ford F-150 King Ranch 5.4L 3-4 shift VIN: 1FTRW08L31 Thanks for all the help. The ecm isn't reading line pressure correctly. We load tested the power and grounds again and put a mechanical gauge on it and found the ecm reading and actual line pressure were off by 40 psi in gear give or take. koeo reading on line...	5
	2003 Ford E-350 5.4L Right side cataylic converter VIN: 1FTSE34LX3 I appreciate everyones input, you have sent me into the right direction. I had a overly rich condition caused by a dry rotten hose from the throttle body to the the Vapor canister purge valve. The 3/8 diameter hose was conneted to mainfold vacuum. I replaced...	10
	2009 Ford F-350 Super Duty FX4 6.4L MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FTWW31R79 This wonderful piece of engineering is repaired. I checked for the reflash option and found that it had the latest already installed. So I went ahead with the new pump and harness. The work was performed with the cab on, it appeared to be about the same pain e... Trouble codes: P0088.	9
	2005 Honda Pilot EX 3.5L MIL Lamp on VIN: 5FNYF18485 I smoked the intake system again on this vehicle and was only able to see smoke coming from the EGR valve of all places. I replaced the EGR valve then smoke tested the intake system again. No smoke with the new EGR valve. Then I let the vehicle idle in the s... Trouble codes: P2276 (Intake air system leak).	15
	2004 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L Charging VIN: SAJEA51C24 I appreciate all the help and tip! I did get a call from a gentleman named Lewie, and he walked me through the pin-out of the regulator and the testing that needed to be done there. The bottom line is, after all the testing, it is in fact a bad alternator. T...	6
	2005 Jeep Liberty Sport 2.4L Misfire VIN: 1J4GL48175 After going through everything else and even confirming that timing was correct we did the cylinder leak-down test and found a greater than 10% leak in the cylinders. Advised customer and replaced the engine to repair the problem. Thank you all for you help. Trouble codes: P0300 (random ignition misfire).	8
	2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.7L not shutting off VIN: 1J4GR48K95 Thanks for the info you guys are great. I found the Jeep has a remote starter and I disconnected it and reconnected it and it must have reset it and it shuts off now. The customer is taking the car to a shop that installs them to have it replaced.	8
	2007 Kia Rondo EX 2.4L fuel door release VIN: KNAFG52597 The tech who worked on this plugged the main speaker wire in the harness to the fuel door switch and the fuel wire to the speaker. For whatever reason they are the exact same connector. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.	2
	2005 Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG 5.5L Suspension VIN: WDBNG74J55 well, this one is fixed. i replaced the valve block under left front side and replace the pressure switch that controls the rear shocks. test drove and system ok. thanks all who replied and helped.	11
	2010 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Bluetec 4Matic 3.0L injection pump VIN: 4JGBB2FB4A I appreciate the time you took to reply Aleksandar and Barry, but thanks in a large part to the ineptness of the dealership, this is not fixed..I took the injection pump back off, after testing for injector leakdown and whiffing some start fluid into it, and h...	3
	2000 Mercury Grand Marquis LS 4.6L MIL Lamp on VIN: 2MEFM75W4Y yes! the used pcm reprogramed with no problem..had a little trouble relearning the pats key...finally took... 2 keys required, cycle each key 5 times,ignition off to run 3 seconds in each position.. thank you for the replies..	6
	2002 Mitsubishi Lancer ES 2.0L engine VIN: JA3AJ26E22 Thank you for the replies. Further checking found that the shutter vane on the end of the camshaft was wrong for the car. Mitsubishi changed the shutter vane in 2002. Apparently the reman head we got is an older head. The shutter vane for the newer car will no...	5
	1991 Nissan 300ZX 2 2 3.0L Upper Intake VIN: JN1RZ26H0M Many Thanks to all the members that took the time to help me out with your valuable knowledge. Removed all the injectors again to find that 1 of the lower injector o-rings was cut. Replaced all of them again. This time it works. Fuel pressure stays at a steady...	15
	2000 Other European rover 2400CC engine VIN: SARRJZLLZY greetings to all an before i begin thanks alot to Matthew from United Kingdom Jeremy from Pennsylvania Tim from Pennsylvania Nicolas from Mexico Bruce from Australia Eddie from United Kingdom Jason from South Carolina for their great help in fixing this...	7
	1998 Other GM Fleetwood 454CID Compressor inop VIN: 1GBKP37J5W Thank you for your help. Tried disconnecting the battery. Jumped all three switches. Still no fix. Had to rewire the power supply to relay. Works good.	5
	2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6L Check engine light VIN: WP0AA29953 I turned off the "check engine" light and sent the customer on his way. A week went by and the light has not come back on. Bing of California sent 3 replies with the last one referencing a Porsche TSB. I believe that hit the nail right on the head. I forwarded...	5
	2000 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0L Window Switch VIN: 4T1BF28B0Y WELL THE CUSTOMER IS GOING TO LIVE WITH IT FOR NOW BUT I DID FIND OUT THAT THE SWITCHS WON'T INTERCHANGE ACORDING TO TOYOTA SO LOOKS LIKE IT WILL HAVE TO BE THE BIG BUCKS, REASON I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF A USED ONE IS CAUSE ALL THE JUNKYARDS I TALKED TO CAN'T TELL...	7
	2002 Toyota Camry LE 3.0L Unknown VIN: 4T1BF32K32 sorry for not closing this on time and thanks to all who help out with this one. what fixed this one; got one software update at toyota, replaced o rings in all 3 servos with thicker o rings, and cleaned valve body with bench buddy brushes. thanks again.	3
	2003 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L Timing chain tensioner cover VIN: 1NXBR38E43 I ended up pulling the valve cover which needed a gasket anyway. I held the tensioner shoe by wedging something in there to hold it while servicing the tensioner. I mistakenly thought the tensioner had a cover over it, but it is one complete assembly. I rep...	8

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