Tech Tip: Solving Transmission Delayed Shift Condition on Dodge Durango
While leaving the airport, Paul put the truck in reverse, but it didn’t move for a few seconds. I asked him to bring the Durango in so we could determine the problem, since the truck hadn’t had any issues before we serviced it. The complaint involves a transmission delayed shift condition that may occur following the replacement of the internal cooler return filter ….
Tech Tip: Customer Recently Complained about Moaning Noise in His 1998 Cadillac DeVille
Customers may comment on a steering vibration, shudder or "moan" during low speed turning/parking maneuvers. This condition may be due to the steering system frequencies being transmitted through the power steering pressure (inlet) hose assembly. An improved power steering pressure (inlet) hose assembly is available from GMSPO. To replace the steering pressure hose ….
Tech Feature: Worn Steering and Suspension Parts are Often Overlooked
It’s a little known fact that many cars and trucks that end up in junkyards have never had any major steering or suspension parts replaced. They still have the original equipment shocks and struts, springs, ball joints, tie rod ends and steering racks. So does this mean junkyards all across America are full of perfectly good parts? Not these parts ….
Tech Tip: Fuel Pump Failures Can Set in with Little or No Warning, and Can Happen for any Number of Reasons
The fuel pump is the heart of the fuel system. Most late-model vehicles have an electric pump mounted inside the fuel tank. If the fuel pump stops working for any reason, the flow of fuel to the engine stops and the engine dies. Fuel pump failures tend to be sudden and unpredictable, with few symptoms to warn the motorist that trouble is brewing. And the higher the mileage on the vehicle, the greater the risk of ….
Saturn Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Cracked Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
Customers may comment about various driveability and/or engine operating concerns including: hard start, erratic idle, rough running, engine overheating, low and/or leaking coolant and/or Service Engine Soon lamp illuminated on 1991-2001 Saturn S-Series vehicles. This condition may be caused by a cracked engine coolant temperature sensor. You’ll need to replace the engine coolant temperature sensor, inspect and, if necessary, replace the sensor harness connector ….
Tech Tip: Inspect the Spring-Loaded Automatic Belt Tensioner when Replacing Serpentine Belt
Most late-model engines have serpentine belt drives for the engine-driven accessories. And most people know that belts are a maintenance item and eventually have to be replaced. But many don’t know the spring-loaded automatic tensioner that keeps a serpentine belt tight is also a wear item. Consequently, the automatic tensioner may also have to be replaced when the time comes to change the belt.
Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Cylinder that is Misfiring
A flashing Check Engine light and a P0301 to P0312 diagnostic trouble code are sure-fire indicators that one or more cylinders are misfiring. Occasional misfires may pass unnoticed, but a steady misfire is hard to miss. The engine usually feels rough, lacks power and uses more gas than usual. Sometimes a misfire may feel like a vibration. A misfire also will cause a huge increase in hydrocarbon (HC) emissions out the tailpipe, which can cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
Tech Tip: Inspecting the Spring-Loaded Automatic Belt Tensioner
The automatic tensioner has a coil spring inside that applies just the right amount of force against the belt to keep it tight. The tensioner also provides a little "give" so it can absorb and cushion shock loads on the belt that occur when the A/C compressor clutch cycles on and off. What’s more, the tensioner automatically compensates for wear and keeps the belt under constant tension.
Tech Tip: Driveability Concerns Revolve Around Saturn’s Cooling System
Customers may comment about various driveability and/or engine operating concerns including: hard start, erratic idle, rough running, engine overheating, low and/or leaking coolant and/or Service Engine Soon lamp illuminated on 1991-2001 Saturn S-Series vehicles. This condition may be caused by a cracked engine coolant temperature sensor. You’ll need to replace the engine coolant temperature sensor, inspect and, if necessary, replace the sensor harness connector.
Tech Tip: Replacing 2WD Front Wheel Speed Sensor on Isuzu Vehicles
If front wheel speed sensor diagnosis leads to replacement of the sensor with a related DTC, do not replace the complete hub assembly. A front wheel speed sensor is available for individual installation. Refer to the following service procedure when performing this repair.
Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Slow Cranking Starter or No Crank at All
A slow cranking starter or no crank at all may be caused by a faulty ground that prevents full voltage to the starter motor. Most people assume the starter is grounded because it is bolted to the engine. However, that does not mean it’s grounded properly. The combination of road dirt, salt corrosion, engine heat and vehicle age can prevent a good starter-to-engine ground (metal-to-metal contact).
Ford Tech Tip: Diagnosing 6.0L Engine Misfire, Lack of Power or No Start
Some 6.0L vehicles may exhibit a misfire, lack of power, buck/jerk, excessive smoke or crank/no start. There are several potential causes for these symptoms. If normal diagnostics lead to an injector concern, use the following diagnostics to confirm the cause of injector failure and/or to rule out other conditions which may cause the same symptoms as a failed injector.