Automotive Technicians Technical Discussion and Fixes for Jul 23, 2013

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	Help Request	Answers
	1993 Acura Vigor GS 2.5L Starter flex plate VIN: JH4CC2661P Hope someone experienced this before. Came in for the starter free spinning on crank. Found out the Flex plate (Gear for starter engagement) mounted on crank shaft flange had broken at the center ring and was free spinning. Replaced with new genuine Acura flex...	View
	2002 Acura MDX Touring 3.5L 1st Gear VIN: 2HNYD18682 Hello Guys, I have a 2001 MDX in shop. After 15 to 20 miles of driving, It will violently bang (Felt like another car hit me)during a slow gradual acceleration from a stop light. It is very intermittent. FOLLOWING WAS ALREADY DONE: Trans was already rebuilt fo...	View
	2008 Audi A4 Quattro 2.0L A/C performance VIN: WAUDF78E28 Sometimes A/C doesn't blow cold air. P0480 Cooling fan 1 control circuit fault is stored in ECM. The fans only kick on for about 6 seconds and off. Probably 30 seconds between the next cycle. Recovered 300g of R134a. I charged 500g. Test relay and check fuse. ...	View
	2004 BMW 325i 2.5L Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: WBAEV33414 I have a question for any BMW guys. Can a misfire cause a TCC lock up concern and set a TCC code? I have checked the TCC sol. and have found no problems. My BMW knowledge and information is very limited.. Trouble codes: P0301 (Cylinder 1 misfire), P0741 (TCC Sol. circuit performance or stuck off)	View
	2006 BMW 525xi 3.0L Accessories VIN: WBANF33546 Car Came In with the CID Not Lighting up, Customer said the dealer told him need new CID ( The one in the center) display car info & navigation, anyway i install used good one swap it from different car & I reprogram it with auto logic still dont light up or w...	View
	2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L compressor VIN: 2GCEK19T33 Customer brought in a couple of weeks ago same B0159 code replaced temp switch and repaired plug. Still set code replaced control head still set same code. All parts replaced were GM factory parts. We also tried new ac pressure switch knowing GM had problem wi...	View
	2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L Hesitation VIN: 1GCEK19T04 hey techs, this chevy came in with mulitple missfires on bank 2. found o2 reading about 1100mv at start up and voltage would slowly drop down below 450mv and finally start to fluctuate and vehicle would run better. i install new 02 sensor and got same results.... Trouble codes: P0300	View
	2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT 6.6L Tcm VIN: 1GCHK23D86 Original TCM was replaced because of what we thought was a voltage spike, truck wouldn't crank. First new TCM solved starting problem but left trans in limp and no PRNDL. Sent to dealer to have TCM flashed, dealer sent it back said couldn't communicate with TC...	View
	2005 Chrysler Town & Country Limited 3.3L Air Bag VIN: 2C4GP44R65 Hello Techs, I've got this 05 Chrysler Minivan in the shop with an airbag light and a flashing/dinging seat belt indicator light. Car belongs to a good friend, trying to help him out. I have no communication with either the OCM (occupant classification module...	View
	2008 Chrysler Town & Country Touring 3.8L remote fab VIN: 2A8HR54P08 good evening, have this 08 chry t/c van. battery went dead last night. custumer charge battrey and got to shop, we check battery and was bad, installed new battery. customer stated after battery dead and chaged when got to shop nothing on key remote worked. we...	View
	2002 Dodge Durango Sport 4.7L compressor VIN: 1B4HR38N22 Gentlemen I need help a/c system at idle low 42 high 150 ambient temp 100 vent temp 60deg. 1500 rpm low 30 high 130 vent temp 50deg, I believe compressor is the problem. Any thoughts would be helpful. Notice no rear a/c on this vehicle. added 1.7 lbs of freon,...	View
	1992 Ford F-150 Custom 5.0L Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Misfire VIN: 1FTEF14N8N Vehicle was towed in 2 weeks ago with no start. Was checked out and PCM was replaced. Vehicle started and ran ok until test drive. Then it has intermittent what feels like a slight miss, sometimes hard miss. Like a plug or wire would do. When it does act up wh...	View
	1997 Ford F-350 Lariat 7.3L No Start, Stall VIN: 1FTJW36F8V This vehicle has been a strange one. at first it would just stall out when hot or cold shifting from drive to reverse while turning. had the p0340. changed sensor and wiring.. performed corresponding tests for electrical circuit. no appearent issue. replaced w... Trouble codes: P1211, P0340	View
	1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Cool Coupe 2.0L Cooling Fan VIN: 3FALP1136W Good morning Techs This vehile has no cooling fan operation. If I hotwire the fan it works on both high and low speed.If I hotwire the fan at the ccrm terminals, I have high and low fan operation. I have battery voltage at pins 3 and 4 at the ccrm. If I ground...	View
	2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L Differential VIN: 1FMZU77E41 Have a question for you techs out there. This explorer sport trac ran out of gear oil leak from rotten rear cover need to replace entire diff will any explorer with 4.10 gears swap over to this one i know i will have to swap drum brakes over can only find a re...	View
	2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L Key Pad LOCATION VIN: 1FMZU74EX3 GOOD MORNING EVERYONE I look for the location of the key pad number location on my 2003 ford explorer thanks	View
	2006 Ford E-350 Super Duty 5.4L Suspension Apologize for no VIN as I'm writing from home. This is a friends van that he uses in his flooring business. At highway speeds(55-70mph) the van serves up a rough shaking that can be felt in the seat of the pants and in the steering wheel (shimmy) When the prob...	View
	2007 Ford Fusion SE 2.3L fan motor VIN: 3FAHP07Z67 This car came in with the complant that the radiator cooling fan is on all the time and runs the battery dead. Well they are right and I can't seem to figure the right way to go at it. The fan is controlled by ground which I have of course but when I hook up t...	View
	2008 Ford F-150 XL 4.6L Light on all the time VIN: 1FTRX12W18 This a reopen of the request I close because I did not know when i would get the truck back. OK all this is what I have today. Have removed the seats and center console. Have unplugged the seats and RCM and the fuse does not blow. Plugged the RCM back in and t...	View
	2008 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L Poor Idle Quality, MIL Lamp on VIN: 1FMEU73E08 This truck came in for low power check engine light on. Pulled codes check readings on scanner all looked good problem not present. Finally gave in and threw a throttle body at it test drive great same as before. Customer comes to pick up and it acts up same c... Trouble codes: P2110 (p2107-), P2107	View
	1998 Honda Civic EX 1.6L compressor VIN: 1HGEJ8249W the compressor does not cycle at all, I evacuated it and charged again at 75% through the low side. The charge drove the compressor for a while and balanced out again at 400/160. I evacuated it again and charged it to 60% through the high side. The compressor ...	View
	2002 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L Poor Idle Quality, Surge VIN: 2HKRL18952 Howdy all. This Honda will surge lightly, about a couple hundred rpms, at idle in drive. Mainly with the AC on but doesn't have to be. And sometimes placing in neutral it doesn't always calm down. Really only shows up after the throttle had been opened, either...	View
	2007 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5L Engine VIN: 5FNRL38657 Vehicle came to us for a routine maintenance timing belt job with 115.4K miles. We installed a full Delco timing belt kit including belt, water pump, hydraulic tensioner (had an Aisin brand) and both pulleys and new Honda front cam/crank seals. We always mark ...	View
	2006 Infiniti M45 Sport 4.5L Hesitation, Cuts out VIN: JNKBY01E16 Hi members, I think I need help on this monster. Customer brought car with MIL on, and said car sometimes stalls out when driving not on stop sign, especilly when weather is hot. After engine dies out he has to wait about 20 minutes to start back up. I checked... Trouble codes: P0340 (Cam position sensor 1)	View
	1995 Lexus ES300 3.0L No Start, Stall, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: JT8GK13T5S This 1995 Lexus ES300 came to me with the complaint that it would intermittently stall and would not restart until it cooled for 20-30 minutes (this has been confirmed and duplicated) . DTCs are P1300 ,P0325, and P330. The P1300 does not occur until the issue ... Trouble codes: P1300, P0325, P0330	View
	2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 3.2L fan operation VIN: WDBTK65G94 Morning techs! I seem to only have to post here when i get a mercedez or bmw but i appreciate any help in advance. We have a tow in for an overheat and I looks as if the fan is not working checked all powers and grounds, fuses. They seem to be good but i can't...	View
	2004 Mercury Grand Marquis GS 4.6L abs VIN: 2MEFM74W84 I have this marquee driving me crazy. IT keeps throwing abs code c1165. Vehicle first came in 3 months ago for the same code. At that time it got a new motorcraft abs sensor for the right rear to no avail. Reaplaced abs module with new motorcraft. Vehicle was ...	View
	2007 Mini Cooper 1.6L cooling fan VIN: WMWMF33587 Cooling fan will come on at the proper temp (108 deg) but does not turn off unless the car is shut off and restarted. The coolant temp on the scanner goes down to 86 or so, but the fan still runs, even with AC/Defrost off. Car came in for over heating. Found ...	View
	2003 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.8L Poor Idle Quality VIN: 3N1CB51D73 Now new maf installed, every 30 seconds the idle slows as if under load for 5 seconds, installed new coils again, no change. No codes, no other drivabilty issues. Trouble codes: P0302	View
	1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula 5.7L Clutch VIN: 2G2FV22P2V First time customer, vehicle towed in. Clutch in pieces and flywheel had severe hot spots. Refaced flywheel, New AMS clutch kit, trans mount, new flywheel bolts, fluid change. On roadtest, detected noticeable clutch shudder on acceleration. We weren't satisifi...	View
	1998 Pontiac Sunfire GT 2.2L Hesitation, Misfire VIN: 4G2JB3247W This vehicle came in complaining of a misfire. Mostly on highway cruising speeds. Sometimes when taking off it will hesitate. Ive only felt it on the highway and it feels like a strong ignition misfire. Very intermittent. I replaced all plugs, wires, both igni...	View
	2003 Pontiac Aztek 3.4L cv axle VIN: 3G7DB03E03 car cam in with growl noise.i was told to replace rear axle tourque tube and rr cv axle.Noise was gone. I found out later the rr cv axle has been changed before by another shop. so car came back 2000 miles later rear diff is whinning. so we replaced that also ...	View
	2003 Pontiac Sunfire SE 2.2L Odometer VIN: 1G2JB12F73 Hello everyone, we have this Pontiac that came in with a dead cluster. All the gauges were inop, no scan tool communication. Checked power and grounds, replaced cluster with used. Everything worked but no odometer . Thought we had a bad one so we tried another...	View
	2002 Subaru Impreza WRX 2.0L Poor Idle Quality, Misfire, MIL Lamp on VIN: JF1GG29662 hello everyone, vehicle is front Colorado complaint id idle is rough, check engine light flashes. pulled code p0303. got to looking around and ended up swapping coils and plugs, didn't help. miss will go away when revved up to 2 grand. fuel trim short term at ... Trouble codes: P0303	View
	2002 Toyota Prius 1.5L HV battery VIN: JT2BK12U12 Howdy Boys n Girls, Got this gen 1, displays warning on dash, check engine and turtle light on. Retrieved trouble codes P3000 (hv bat malfunction(, P3106 (ecm comm malfunction). The car runs ok but wont even try to drive on the traction battery except for reve...	View
	2004 Toyota Camry XLE 2.4L Mechanical VIN: 4T1BE32K84 We have this Camry that needed to have the valve seals replaced. We removed the head and sent it to the machine shop and had them perform a valve job. (Customer requested this) After our mechanic reassembled the engine it started and ran great. He ran the engi...	View
	2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0L Misfire VIN: 3VWSC29M6Y The car presents a misfire when the A/C is turned on. Seems like its a p0300 but sometimes 2 and 3 seems to be consistent and other times 1 and 2 seem to be consistently misfiring. When the A/C is off or if you raise the RPM to about 1100 the miss disappears c... Trouble codes: P0300, P0301, P0302	View
	2002 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4 Motion 2.8L Charging VIN: WVWTH63B02 Vehicle came in with a jump pack on the battery. Did not charge at all. Checked all wiring and condemned alternator. Battery was leaking and had ton of corrosion, even though it tested out o.k. and took a charge I decided to replace. Replaced with dealer alter...	View
	2007 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T 2.0L Poor Idle Quality VIN: WVWKK73C37 Hello All, I have a car that I'm hoping someone can help me with. I have a 2007 VW Passat 2.0 with a strange problem. I only need to drive the car to closed loop (which doesn't take long) and the problem occurs at idle and at part throttle. There is a noticeab... Trouble codes: P1297 (Pressure drop between turbo and throttle valve), P1093 (Fuel measuring system 2- malfunction)	View
	2006 Volvo XC90 2.5T 2.5L Hesitation, No Power VIN: YV4CN592X6 2 months ago this car was at another shop for low oil pressure. They removed the lower oil pan and cleaned sludge from the oil pan and pick-up. A new oil filter was installed. Oil pressure came up to normal level. Over the past few months customer noticed a de... Trouble codes: 602D, 126B, 9820 (ECM Load Signal)	View

Fixes & Summaries for All Makes and Models

	Fix/Summary	Answers
	1999 Buick Regal GS 3.8L Drive-axles VIN: 2G4WB52K0X This car is fixed, thanks to the replies I got on IATN. We took down the starter and sure enough, the starter drive was apart. After replacing the starter with a new one, the noise is gone. Thanks again to IATN and the guys that took the time to respond.	16
	2004 Cadillac CTS 3.6L Hesitation VIN: 1G6DM57774 You can indeed get to the harness if you remove the upper intake and you are willing to get a few scratches on your arms. I guess the proper way would be to drop the cradle and lower the motor but in this case, removing the upper intake did the trick.	2
	2001 Chevrolet Blazer LS 4.3L Stalling VIN: 1GNDT13W01 So after letting the truck run idle for hours, with the fuel pressure gauage hooked up when putting I in drive to pull in and giving it a slight bit of gas the truck stalled and when it stalled the fuel pressure went to zero psi, I ended up installing a new fu...	18
	2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 North Face 5.3L Tcase Module VIN: 3GNEK13T23 after repeated attempts to program/ communicate with the new ATC module , we tried another MDI and the program went through on the first try. Not sure if the problem was with our MDI or our laptop at this point.	9
	2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT 6.6L transmission VIN: 1GCHK23D86 Thanks for all replies ,all good info.I did replace ignition switch and got to communicate with TCM with key on engine off or running. Thought problem was solved, so called in a private contractor we use to flashed TCM because ,I,m p...ed at dealer service dep...	5
	2001 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L No Start, Stall VIN: 1B7KF236X1 Well, replaced lift pump again it would not draw fuel from a line directly into a fuel can. Still have 0 psi now. Fuel gauge reads 1/2 tank. We put some fuel in the tank and pressure came up. pulled sending unit and inspected lines it is fine. Found level... Trouble codes: P1689.	12
	2005 Dodge Ram 1500 ST 5.7L engine VIN: 1D7HA18D65 Pulled the drives side valve cover and found one push rod bent and several rocker arms barely moving when engine spins over, I assume the timing jumped. the customer is taking it bakc to the little dealer so they can fix it and marry the cost into what he alre...	11
	2005 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT 5.7L front axle VIN: 3D7KS26D15 Thanks for all your help. I ended up doing the job after getting all the tools. I might have been able to get the seals out without the puller tool but don't think i could got the seals in place without that turnbuckle tool.	11
	2010 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L limp home when hot, intermittent shudder in revers VIN: 2D4RN5D19A Well, it turns out that Mopar wouldn't warrantee anything as Fred is the second owner (I recall my Dad 20 years ago bought a company car, and debated whether or not to pay about $400 to transfer the powertrain warantee, he didn't BTW). They wouldn't even lo...	3
	2001 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat 7.3L VSS signal VIN: 1FTNW21F81 Hello all: Well, I haven't gotten done with this thing yet. I got a "known good" ABS module and tried it. Still no change. I did try 3 good used GEM modules with same result. Since I have always suspected a bad PCM, we sent it back to BBA remanufacturing for i... Trouble codes: P0500 (vehicle speed signal).	10
	2005 Ford Escape Hybrid 2.3L abs VIN: 1FMYU95H85 Hi everybody, and I thank everybody who gave me very helpful information about this car. Unfortunately, I couldn't fix this car. Everybody said I need FORD scanner for this problem. Before we did brake job done, the ABS light was on, also I didn,t know pedal...	14
	2001 GMC Sonoma SLS 4.3L MIL Lamp on, Mystery Misfire VIN: 1GTDT13W11 Still not fixed. we have gone back over some of the old ground per your suggestions, compression pretty even, #4 which is the worst misfire has the highest at 120, range is 120 to 110 cold. We soaked in a can of BG 44K thru the pcv hose, it helped a little, ... Trouble codes: P0300 (Misfire detected), P0304 (Misfire cyl 4).	24
	2011 GMC Acadia SLE 3.6L Temp. VIN: 1GKKVPED9B Thank to all take time for me. Many of you gentlemen hit the trouble. Problem is very dirty betwen rad and cond. Yes this Acadia have 170,000 km, the owner is manager big road contruction compagnie all the time on road. Many thing to dissasemble to see rad-con...	13
	2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 3.7L back of jeep VIN: 1J4GL58K92 It was dirty gear oil changed the fluid and all is well. Thanks for all the help	6
	2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L engine dies VIN: 1J4GX48S03 Got back to it this morning to find the vehicle has finally thrown a code! P0601 new PCM here we come. Thank you everyone for the replys.	9
	2003 Kia Sedona EX 3.5L refrigerant VIN: KNDUP13173 Most of the replies tended toward suspecting one of the evaporators, usually the front evaporator. Several replies said to let the vehicle sit in the sun with engine off, and then sniff the condensation drain to detect leaking R-134a. I tried this and other ...	21
	2005 Kia Amanti 3.5L No Start, Poor Idle Quality, Hesitation, Surge, Cuts out, Stall, MIL Lamp on VIN: KNALD12455 I was unable to conclusively repair this vehicle. Thank you for reading and giving me some ideas. I retested the PCM power & grounds, confirmed that I had previously replaced the main power relay & the ETS relay, tested the acceleration position sensor, added ... Trouble codes: P2108.	2
	1999 Lexus GS300 3.0L throttle acuator VIN: JT8BD68S7X Hey guys The customer did not want to replace throttle acuator with a factory part. So he said he would get another motor from the auto parts store. We installed it and all problems are solved. We did tell him that this motor may go bad soon. We suggest he get...	6
	2002 Porsche 911 GT2 3.6L Valve Lift VIN: WP0AA29932 A challenge at it's best! The question came up in the beginning can the job be done in the car?...yes it can! Do you need special tools?...yes a few, they can be bought from Baum tools. We replaced all of the lifters and found a seized intake lifter on our # 2...	3
	2005 Subaru Legacy GT 2.5L Hesitation, Surge VIN: 4S3BL68625 Thanks to Calvin. He told me that for MY 2005 legacy Gt, after reflash the calibration number will be [...]. This reflash addresses a surging on acceleration. This is the info I was looking for. I will be sending the vehicle for the update. Thanks again, Ri...	1
	2005 Toyota Camry 2.4L remote locking VIN: 4T1BE32K55 Thank you for your help. When the car first arrived, one of the remotes worked flawlessly and the other one quit after repeated attempts. We checked the battery and tried replacing it even though it was good, and the remote still would not work, until we rep...	4
	2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 4.7L starter Hello All, Time to close this out. Thanks to all who read and answered my post. I have not seen this truck since I posted. The answers I received included... holding the battery pos. and neg. cables together for a few minutes, Fuses could be in wrong, che...	12
	2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1.9L No Start VIN: 3VWSP69M01 This was a case of not having the factory tools and thinking I could fabricate something to make it work. Ended up taking to a VW dealer and they had it running and starting fine in about 30 min.	14
	2010 Volkswagen Routan SE 3.8L No Start VIN: 2V4RW3D11A Thanks to all who took the time to respond. After several weeks of unsuccessful attempts to duplicate the problem in a controlled environment, the customer has decided to take his chances on the road with it.	7

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