Vehicle: 2004 Hyundai Sonata, V6-2.7L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 155,080

Problem: The customer brought the car in because the front brakes were smoking. The technician put the car on the rack and confirmed that the front brakes were locked-up and the front brake system was badly damaged.

Vehicle: 2011 Acura MDX, V6-3.7L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 61,209

Problem: The customer brought the vehicle in because the power window, sunroof and mirrors were not working. All three stopped working at the same time.

Vehicle: 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, L4-2.2L, VIN F, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 112,006

Problem: The customer stated that his vehicle’s tail lamps were not working. Also, when rear defroster was turned to the “On” position, the reverse lamps illuminate and the dome light intermittently came on.

Vehicle: 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, V6-3.8L, VIN K, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 138,446

Problem: This vehicle came into the shop with DTC P0404, which set right away after clearing. The customer noticed the engine stumbled on mild acceleration.

Vehicle: 2006 Dodge Ram 1500, 4WD, V8-5.7L, VIN 2, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 94,587

Problem: Vehicle had DTC faults: P0335 for crankshaft position sensor, P0642 for sensor reference voltage 1 circuit low and P2122 for APP sensor circuit. The engine also lacked power.

Vehicle: 2002 GMC Envoy, 4WD, L6-4.2L, VIN S, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 136,004

Problem: The vehicle stalled only when activating the left turn signal. The customer also noticed that the left headlight was dim. The customer replaced the headlight but there was no change. The stalling problem began to get progressively worse until it happened constantly.

Vehicle: 2004 GMC Truck Yukon Denali, 4WD, V8-5.3L, VIN T

Mileage: 139,667

Problem: The customer stated that the truck has to be jump started after sitting for a few days. Also, the dash lights remained on with the key off.

Vehicle: 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2WD, V10-6.8L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 122,690

Problem: The truck hesitates and bogs on acceleration. Malfunction Indicator Light is on.

Vehicle: 2011 Ford F-150, 4WD, V6-3.5L Turbo, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 185,009

Problem: The customer brought the truck in with the ABS lamp on.

Vehicle: 2011 Ford F 150, 4WD, V6-3.5L Turbo, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 188,993

Problem: The MIL was ON with DTCs set in ABS module: C109E – Vacuum sensor circuit fault and B1596 – Service continuous codes.

Vehicle: 1997 Buick LeSabre, V6-3.8L, VIN K, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 149,996

Problem: The customer complained that the car had no power and poor acceleration primarily in the mornings when it was cold.

Vehicle: 2003 Toyota Corolla CE Sedan, L4-1.8L (1ZZ-FE), Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 118,330

Problem: The vehicle was towed in for a no-start condition. The customer says the engine just stopped and would not start again.

Vehicle: 2004 Dodge RAM 1500, 4WD, V8-5.7L, VIN D, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 173,444

Problem: The vehicle was towed in and the customer said it will not start.

Vehicle: 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8, V8-6.1L, VIN 3, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 98,102

Problem: The customer was concerned that the engine oil warning light comes on intermittently.

Vehicle: 2006 Chevy Express 3500, V8-6.0L, VIN U, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 135,667

Problem: The customer said the heater and air conditioning blower does not work.

Vehicle: 2007 Hummer H3, L5-3.7L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 101, 998

Problem: The HVAC blower motor was not working.

Vehicle: 2007 Hyundai Elantra, L4-2.0L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 122,060

Problem: This vehicle came into the shop with the MIL illuminated. The tech retrieved three DTCs: P0171 – System too lean; P0170 – Fuel trim; and P2195 – HO2S Signal stuck lean B1S1. The Long Term Fuel Trim (LTFT) was reading +49% and the Rear O2 sensor was reading rich at all times.

Vehicle: 2001 Chevrolet Impala V6-3.8L, VIN K, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 125,360

Problem: The Customer stated that it was running fine and just would not start one morning. The tech checked for spark and injector pulse — found none. There was no B+ power to the 15A fuel injection fuse, transmission solenoid fuse and A/C relay fuse from the Ignition relay. The tech substituted a good known relay – no luck.

Vehicle: 2006 Mercury Truck Mariner 4WD L4-2.3L VIN H Hybrid Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 92,004

Problem: The shop had replaced the HCU and attempted to bleed the brakes with Ford IDS scan tool and pressure bleeder. On numerous attempts, they kept getting scan tool error “06” when bleeding last wheel (Left Front Wheel).

Vehicle: 2009 Chevy Truck Silverado 1500, 2WD, V8-4.8L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 84,120

Problem: The vehicle came in because the left turn signals were flashing faster than the right. All the bulbs seemed to be working.

Vehicle: 2006 Cadillac CTS V6-3.6L VIN 7, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 72,002

Problem: The customer stated that, no matter how low or full the tank was or how much fuel they added, the engine would crank but not start. If they let the car sit for a few minutes, the engine would start normally and run fine. The malfunction indicator light was not illuminated.

Vehicle: 1999 Chrysler LHS, 3.5L, VIN G, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 198,560

Problem: No communication with all control modules.

Vehicle: 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman, L4-1.6L Turbo, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 72,003

Problem: The horn was not working.

Vehicle: 2007 Saab 9-5 (9600) L4-2.3L Turbo Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 122,400

Problem: The low-beam headlights worked fine but the high-beams did not work. The fuses were good. It appears the light switch was working because, when using the fog lights, they go out when turning on the high-beams.

This Tech Tip is based on a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) issued by Hyundai^® and covers 2010 model-year Hyundai Tucson^® (LM) vehicles produced from December 15, 2009. TSBs describe known conditions or manufacturer-recommended changes in procedures and processes.

Vehicle: 2003 Chevy K 2500, 4WD 6.6L Turbo Diesel, VIN 1, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 136,445

Problem: The tech noticed that the fluid pressure switch “E” PID was reading “OFF” in all gear selections. It should read “ON” in Reverse, Neutral, 4th and 5th. It should read “OFF” in gears 1, 2, and 3. Shift solenoid “E” was being commanded “ON” and “OFF” properly at the ORN/WHT wire of the transmission connector (C175), which confirmed that either the pressure switch was bad or there was no pressure reaching the pressure switch through the valve body.

Vehicle: 2011 Chevy Express 3500 6.6L Turbo Diesel, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 65,000

Problem: The truck had a diagnostic trouble code, P20EE (NOx catalyst efficiency below threshold), and no other symptoms. The diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) had not become contaminated.

Vehicle: 2012 Dodge Charger RWD V6-3.6L Automatic Transmission/Transaxle (Police model)

Mileage: 178,000

Problem: The blower motor operated with ancillary power and ground provided but the blower module was not getting a signal from the HVAC module. The tech found the following communication and voltage codes in all modules: B10E8, B11C2, B210A, B210B, B210C, B210D, B210E, B2199, B21DD and U0010.

Vehicle: 2007 Land Rover LR3 (LA) V8-4.4L Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 112,003

Problem: After replacing the battery, the customer noticed the rear suspension was lower than normal. The tech retrieved a DTC C1131 – Air Spring Air Supply code from the Suspension Module.

Vehicle: 2005 GMC Truck Sierra 1500 4WD V8-5.3L VIN T Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 115,662

Problem: Truck was running fine and then one morning it would not start and the instrument cluster displayed a “Reduced Power” message. The MIL was ON.

Vehicle: 1999 Dodge Intrepid V6-2.7L VIN R Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 226,000

Problem: Vehicle will run with cam sensor disconnected – but it's rough and misfiring. Vacuum gauge needle is bouncing and vacuum is very low.

Did you hear the one about the vehicle that collided with a collision shop? No joke… It really happened in Texas in early 2014. An SUV demolished a collision shop’s wall and ended up on its roof inside a storage area. No word on whether or not that particular shop was selected for the repair.

Most vehicles probably do not enter your shop in such a dramatic fashion. But what IS dramatic is the way vehicles are being constructed these days. Cars and trucks built with new materials – advanced steels, aluminum, carbon fiber, and plastics have replaced those heavyweight steel models that used to rule the roads.

Vehicle: 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, V6-3.8L, VIN K, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 138,446

Problem: This vehicle came into the shop with DTC P0404, which sets again immediately after clearing the code. The customer noticed the engine stumbles on mild acceleration.

Vehicle: 1997 Ford Truck Ranger, 2WD, V6-3.0L, VIN U, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 198,775

Problem: Truck had DTCs P0135, P0141 & P0155. The vehicle ran well but the customer’s concerns were the MIL was on and there had been a noticeable drop in fuel economy.

Vehicle: 1996 Honda Civic Sedan, L4-1.6L SOHC (VTEC), Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 206,886

Problem: The engine cranks normally but would not start.

Vehicle: 2008 Ford F 150, 4WD, V8-5.4L Flex Fuel, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 74,332

Problem: The fuel gauge does not read the correct fuel level. DTCs B1201 and P0463 are set. The tech checked the wiring between the sending unit and instrument cluster and found no problems. The fuel gauge sending unit was replaced – same problem.

Vehicle: 2010 Kia Forte, L4-2.4L, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 35,416

Problem: The transmission will not shift out of the park position. You can’t command it to unlock with scan tool. No DTCs.

Vehicle: 1994 Ford Truck Ranger, 4WD, V6-245 4.0L, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 206,002

Problem: The cruise control will not hold a steady speed and the throttle pedal is visibly moving up and down. The truck runs smooth when not in cruise control. No DTCs.

Vehicle: 2006 Dodge Ram 1500, 4WD, V8-5.7L, VIN 2, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 94,587

Problem: Vehicle had DTC faults: P0335 for crankshaft position sensor, P0642 for sensor reference voltage 1 circuit low and P2122 for APP sensor circuit. The engine also lacked power.

Vehicle: 2006 Mini Cooper S, L4-1.6L SC, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 112,002

Problem: Vehicle had DTC P1688 (Electronic throttle control monitor level 2/3; mass air flow calculation) and low power. We found that an intake duct clamp was loose so we cleaned the throttle body and refitted the boot and tightened the clamp – no change. One of the techs found a TSB addressing the P1688 DTC, which said not to replace the DME control module without further testing of the supercharger bypass valve. The valve was good, but the TSB prompted further diagnosis.