Vehicle: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, V6-3.8L

Mileage: 196,002

Problem: The repair shop rebuilt the Grand Caravan’s automatic transmission. After the repairs, the transmission would intermittently slip in third and fourth gears. The technician checked the ATF level and found that it was two quarts over-filled. After setting the fluid to the correct level, the issue remained. A quick scan revealed the following diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs):

Vehicle: 2003 Ford Expedition, 4WD, V8-5.4L SOHC, VIN L

Mileage: 178,262

Problem: This vehicle was brought to the shop because the malfunction indicator light (MIL) and the air bag warning light was on.

Vehicle: 2008 Mercedes Benz E 350 Sedan (211.056), V6-3.5L (272.964)

Mileage: 189,005

Problem: The E 350 sedan was brought to the shop because a red warning message regarding the charging system was intermittently being displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC).

Vehicle: 2004 Nissan Altima, L4-2.5L (QR25DE)

Mileage: 198,234

Problem: This Altima originally came into the shop because the battery light was ON. The technician diagnosed the problem as a bad alternator and replaced it. When he started the engine to test the charging system, the new alternator quickly became very hot. He replaced the alternator again assuming the first one was defective. The second alternator did the same thing (A hand-held digital temperature sensor read 190°F).

Vehicle: 2009 Chevrolet Aveo, L4-1.6L

Mileage: 98,266

Problem: The vehicle was brought to the shop because the A/C was not working.

Vehicle: 2010 Chevy Equinox, AWD, L4-2.4L

Mileage: 96,002

Problem: This vehicle was towed in because the power steering was working one day, and when the owner got in to drive it the next morning, the power steering didn’t work.

Vehicle: 2007 Hyundai Tucson, FWD, L4-2.0L

Mileage: 211,021

Problem: The vehicle owner’s concern was that the anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light was on.

Vehicle: 2014 Ford Fusion, FWD, L4-1.5L Turbo

Mileage: 78,950

Problem: This vehicle was brought to the shop because the A/C was blowing hot air from all vents.

Vehicle: 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, V8-4.6L Flex Fuel

Mileage: 141,009

Problem: The vehicle was brought to the shop because the engine would intermittently stall during various driving conditions and the malfunction indicator light (MIL) was on.

Vehicle: 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 2WD, L4-2.0L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 51,004

Problem: The vehicle owner complained that the air conditioner was not cold enough.

Details: The technician verified that the vehicle was equipped with a dual-zone system. The air was cold coming out of the passenger side vents, but not on the driver’s side. He connected a scan tool and found no diagnostic trouble codes. A quick call to ALLDATA Tech-Assist resulted in some interesting experience-based advice.

Vehicle: 2010 Mini Cooper S Clubman, L4-1.6L Turbo (N14), Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 105,393

Problem: A customer brought his Mini Cooper to the shop because the malfunction indicator light was on. The problem was a bad catalytic converter. After the converter was replaced and the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) cleared, the evaporative (EVAP) emissions monitor would not run to completion.

Vehicle: 2007 BMW 760Li (E66), V12-6.0L (N73TU), Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 128,554

Problem: The vehicle owner asked the shop to replace the coolant and thermostat using the aftermarket part he provided. The technician installed the thermostat and replaced the coolant, but after the job was completed, the engine became hard to start and the malfunction indicator light (MIL) came on.

Vehicle: 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, L4-2.2L, VIN F, Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 162,692

Problem: The owner brought his Sunfire to the shop because the exterior lights were dim, and the windshield wipers ran slow, even when the high-speed setting was selected.

Vehicle: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan, V6-3.3L, VIN R, Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 197,093

Problem: While the owner was driving around town, the engine suddenly died. When she tried to restart it, the starter would not crank the engine over. Additionally, she heard clicking noises from under the hood.

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Vehicle: 2015 Nissan-Datsun Versa Sedan, L4-1.6L, CVT Transaxle

Mileage: 76,098

Problem: This vehicle was brought to the shop because the malfunction indicator lamp was on. The customer also mentioned that the engine would hesitate when she shifted the transmission into reverse.

Vehicle: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, L4-1.5L, CVT Transmission

Mileage: 106,988

Problem: This vehicle was towed to the shop because the engine died at a stop light then the engine would not crank over.

Vehicle: 2008 Ford F250, 4WD, Super Duty, V8-6.4L DSL Turbo, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 168,994

Problem: The shop got a Ford F250 in because the radio didn’t work, the PRNDL gear indicator light was out and there was no instrument panel operation unless the engine was revved to about 1500 rpm.

Vehicle: 2014 Chevrolet Camaro, V6-3.6L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 68,663

Problem: This vehicle came to the shop because the malfunction indicator light was on and the engine exhibited a significant loss of power.

Vehicle: 2006 Chrysler 300, V6-2.7L, VIN R, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 168,992

Problem: The vehicle owner stated the oil pressure warning lamp lights up while making left or right turns. The malfunction indicator light (MIL) would come on intermittently.

Vehicle: 2017 Honda Civic Sedan, L4-1.5L Turbo (L15B7), Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 23,668

Problem: A 2017 Honda Civic was in a minor collision but sat for months in the Collision shop awaiting authorization for repairs. The vehicle was finally repaired but the battery had gone dead in the interim. After the battery was replaced, the Civic started and ran fine but numerous diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) were discovered in the “post-scan” of the vehicle. The “Pre-scan” had revealed no DTCs. The technician retrieved the following codes:

Vehicle: 2007 Toyota RAV4, 4WD, V6-3.5L (2GR-FE), Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 190,668

Problem: The vehicle was brought to the shop because the A/C compressor would shut off intermittently, and when it did, the A/C button light flashed.

Vehicle: 2004 Mercedes Benz SL 500 (230.475), V8-5.0L (113.963), Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 198,009

Problem: The engine fails to crank over when the ignition is switched to the START position.

Vehicle: 2013 Nissan Versa Sedan, L4-1.6L

Mileage: 68,452

Problem: The vehicle came in to the shop because the engine would continue to run 4-5 seconds after pressing the Start/Stop button; it used to shut off right away.

Vehicle: 2011 Ford E 350, V8-5.4L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 86,002

Problem: This vehicle was towed into the shop because the engine would crank over but not start. There were no diagnostic trouble codes.

Vehicle: 2003 Toyota Camry Sedan, V6-3.0L (1MZ-FE), Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 199,996

Problem: The customer brought this vehicle to the shop because the climate-controlled air conditioning (A/C) wasn’t working.

Vehicle: 2007 Ford Expedition, 4WD, V8-5.4L,  Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 188,998

Problem: The vehicle was brought to the shop because the power windows were inoperative. They were all down about 2” and would not go up or down. The customers stated that they could hear a buzzing from the master switch.

Vehicle: 2005 GMC Sierra 2500, 4WD, V8-6.6L DSL, Turbo VIN 2, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 205,998

Problem: The truck was towed to the shop because, while holding the key in the Start position, the starter would begin cranking the engine over, then stop cranking before the engine started.

Vehicle: 2004 Mercedes Benz S 430 (220.170), V8-4.3L (113.941), Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 199,776

Problem: The vehicle was towed in because the key would not turn on the Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS).

Vehicle: 2012 Nissan Sentra, L4-2.0L (MR20DE), CVT Transmission

Mileage: 46,002

Problem: The customer stated that none of the power door locks were functioning. At first it was just one door, then another, then another until none of them were working. It didn’t matter if she used the key fob or the switches in the doors.

Vehicle: 2013 Chrysler Town & Country, V6-3.6L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 77,675

Problem: This vehicle came in with the malfunction indicator light on. It didn’t seem to have any drivability issues.

Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Camry, L4-2.4L (2AZ-FE), Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 207,009

Problem: The vehicle was towed in for a crank, no start condition.

Vehicle: 2000 Dodge Durango, 4WD, V8-4.7L, VIN N, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 148,667

Problem: The vehicle was brought to the shop because the HVAC would only blow though the floor vents. The problem had started a few days prior, and seemed to start happening overnight.

Vehicle: 2011 Ford Fusion, AWD, V6-3.0L, Flex Fuel, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 96,554

Problem: The vehicle came in to the shop for a new key to be programmed. The vehicle owner had the original spare key and a new key from the dealer.

Vehicle: 2000 Porsche Boxster S (986), V6-3.2L, Manual Transmission

Mileage: 128,009

Problem: The vehicle was brought to the shop because the anti-lock brake system (ABS) Light was flashing.

Vehicle: 2003 Chevorlet K 1500, 4WD, V8-4.8L, VIN V, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 215,675

Problem: The truck came in because the malfunction indicator lamp was (MIL) ON.

Vehicle: 2002 Ford Excursion, 4WD, V8-5.4L SOHC, VIN L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 185,003

Problem: The vehicle would not pass a state smog inspection.

Vehicle: 2004 Ford Explorer, 4WD, V6-4.0L, VIN E, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 149,998

Problem: The vehicle came into the shop because it was running poorly below 2,000 rpm and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) was ON.

Vehicle: 2010 BMW X5, 3.0i (E70), L6-3.0L (N52K), Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 98,445

Problem: The customer came in because the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light would come on intermittently.

Vehicle: 2007 Chevrolet Aveo, L4-1.6L, Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 165,778

Problem: The vehicle was brought to the shop because it was overheating only on short trips around town. It was fine on the freeway. The shop replaced the thermostat, radiator and coolant. The cooling fans were operating correctly. After all the repairs, the engine was still overheating.