Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice » By Symptom

No Start – Jeep

Rick — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:15:02 +0000

Several people have posted questions on help forums about their Jeeps not starting. Here are some of the top reasons. Since there are several Jeep models and different designs over the years, this is just a summary. If you want detailed information on YOUR system, buy a subscription to AlldataDIY or eautorepair.net from the links below

You turn the key and lights come on, but starter does not start cranking

Ignition Switch

Jeep is experiencing cracked/split ignition switch/lock cylinder

Jeep ignition switch

related failures. In some cases a plastic tab breaks off the switch and allows it to flex/twist or move slightly. In others, the lock cylinder housing cracks. The switch moves enough to supply power to the lighting contacts, but not enough to power up the starter. Check the switch. If the lock cylinder housing is cracked, you’ll need a new steering column. Start checking the junk yards.

Linkage between lock cylinder and ignition switch

Linkage from lock cylinder to ignition switch breaks

Neutral safety switch

The PCM must see that the vehicle is in Park or Neutral. Some

Neutral safety switch

of these safety switches are know failure points. The switch is located on top of the valve body and is called the transmission range selector (TRS). Try starting the vehicle in neutral rather than park. If that does it, the TRS is either out of adjustment or corroded. Plug the connector apart and look for green corrosion. If you find it, treat it with Stabilant 22

Security Light is on

There’s a problem with the SKIM security module

No Check Engine Light

The Check Engine Light should ALWAYS come on

Powertrain Control Module (PCM/ECM)

when you first turn the key. It’s doing a “bulb check.” If you’ve checked the bulb and it’s ok, you’ve got connection or PCM problems.

For more information on this repair or any others for your vehicle, buy an online subscription to either Alldatadiy.com or eautorepair.net. Click on this link to compare the two services: Compare Alldata and Eautorepair.

If you just need information for a single repair and want to save money,eautorepair offers a lower price 1-week subscription for only $11.99. Or, if you’ll be working on this vehicle in the future, you can buy a 1-year subscription (Alldatadiy.com for $26.99, or eautorepair.net $29.99)

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!

Intermittent problems on GM vehicles

Rick — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:23:07 +0000

GM vehicles from the mid ’90′s to the present are known for faulty ignition switches. The problems are almost always intermittent. Intermittent starting, dying while driving, A/C to start blowing warm air or for the blower fan to stop (depending on which GM model we’re talking about), along with an ABS light. In fact, any time you see erratic or intermittent problems that could be electtrical in nature on a GM vehicle, you should immediately suspect the ignition switch. Always test the igntion switch during an intermittent problem to see if the switch is providing power (use a meter).Or, wiggle the wires going to the switch. GM techs replace so many of these that it’s almost automatic for them to head there first

In the case of the A/C the problem is usually the ignition switch heating up and not providing power to the A/C clutch and the ABS computer. If you want to diagnose the problem, buy a wiring diagram for your vehicle form eautorepair.net or alldata.com (there are way to many GM models to list their wiring diagrams here) and test for power at the switched terminals when the problem happens. Or, just replace the ignition switch.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

A/C doesn’t work and ABS light on

Rick — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:53:39 +0000

GM vehicles are known for faulty ignition switches. The problems are almost always intermittent. One common symptom is for the A/C to start blowing warm air or for the blower fan to stop (depending on which GM model we’re talking about), along with an ABS light. The problem is usually the ignition switch heating up and not providing power to the A/C clutch and the ABS computer. If you want to diagnose the problem, buy a wiring diagram for your vehicle form eautorepair.net or alldata.com (there are way to many GM models to list their wiring diagrams here) and test for power at the switched terminals when the problem happens. Or, just replace the ignition switch.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Lights dim, warning lights flash, car stalls

Rick — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 16:44:32 +0000

Happened to you? That’s the sign of a dead battery. Normal battery voltage should be between 12.25 and 12.75 volts. You need that much to start a vehicle. But if the alternator isn’t working and the battery starts to drain, voltage falls. Once it goes below 10-volts, strange electrical behavior starts. In fact, the computer will shut off completely at 9.6-volts.

So before you start looking for shorts or bad ground wires, charge the battery and then check the alternator. Click here to see how to do that.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Cannot shift into or out of Park

Rick — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 20:51:41 +0000

As a safety precaution auto makers require you to step on the brake pedal before shifting into or out of PARK. Stepping on the brake activates a small solenoid in the steering column (or in the console on floor shifter models). The solenoid retracts a locking pin, allowing the shifter to move.

When the shift interlock solenoid fails, you cannot move the shifter. The cause can be a burned out fuse or a bad solenoid. If the fuse is burned, suspect either a shorted solenoid OR chafing in the wiring harness. However, if the fuse is good and the solenoid operates, then check for spilled soda or hot chocolate that’s worked its way down the steering column and gummed up the works.

Every manufacturer provides a mechanical release mechanism for emergencies where the shift interlock fails. The mechanical bypass is described in your owner’s manual.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Ford F-150 blows fuse

Rick — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:28:17 +0000

Shops report that 1997-03 Ford F-150 trucks can blow fuse #29 repeatedly. The fuse powers the overdrive cancel switch located in the steering column at the end of the shift lever. The problem is most likely a short in the red/yellow wire that goes up the steering column. To repair, remove the shrouds on the column and check for the short.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Engine surge at highway speed – Chevrolet Impala

Rick — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:54:47 +0000

Chevrolet Impala 1999-01 may experience a surge at highway speed. While this may be an air fuel related problem, it can also be caused by a slipping torque converter clutch. This happens when the torque converter clutch (TCC) is not fully applied. GM refers to this as a slip/stick condition. The TCC is applied with fluid pressure from a solenoid valve in the transmission valve body. The solenoid is pulsed by the PCM. In this particular model, Chevrolet has experienced some electronics failures where the pulsing is not correct. The result is a slipping TCC that can burn the transmission fluid and destroy the torque converter.

If you experience a surge at highway speeds above 40MPH, first check the transmission fluid to make sure the level is ok. Then check the fluid color. If it is dark brown and smells burned, you may have to pull the transmission and have it rebuild. But that’s not the full repair. You must also replace the PCM with an updated unit to prevent this from happening again. Chevrolet fixed the problem in the 2002 model year.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Key won’t come out of ignition switch – GM vehicles

Rick — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:44:23 +0000

Believe it or not, this is related to a rash of bad ignition switches in GM vehicles. When the switch fails in the open position, it doesn’t provide battery power to the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) fuse. The BTSI system consists of the brake pedal switch and a solenoid on the shifting mechanism. The BTSI prevents you from shifting into and out of park unless your foot is pressing on the brake pedal. Unfortunately, when the ignition switch fails, the BTSI system also prevents you from completely shifting into park and removing the key. To confirm that this is the cause of the problem, check for battery voltage at the BTSI fuse in the fuse box with the ignition turned OFF. If you don’t get voltage at the fuse, move to the ignition switch. Check for battery voltage at the B+ terminal. It should read within 1 volt of battery voltage. If not, replace the ignition switch For more information on this repair or any others for your vehicle, buy an online subscription to either Alldatadiy.com or eautorepair.net. Click on this link to compare the two services: Compare Alldata and Eautorepair. If you just need information for a single repair and want to save money,eautorepair offers a lower price 1-week subscription for only $11.99. Or, if you’ll be working on this vehicle in the future, you can buy a 1-year subscription (Alldatadiy.com for $26.99, or eautorepair.net $29.99) © 2007 Rick Muscoplat

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

No instrument panel, HVAC controls dead, blower motor dead, flashers dead, GM vehicles

Rick — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:36:08 +0000

Bad ground TSB for GM vehicles

GM has issued a TSB #04-08-45-010 covering 2004-05 Buick Rainier, 2002-05 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2002-05 GMC Envoy, and 2002-03 Oldsmobile Bravada.

The bad ground connection can cause the instrument panel lights to be inoperative, HVAC controls inoperative, blower motor inoperative, radio inoperative, flashers inoperative, and transfer case controls inoperative. The cause has been found to be a poor ground at a splice area G201 located on the right side of the front console area.

To fix the problem, you must remove the center floor console. Then remove the 4 screws that hold the instrument panel lower closeout carpet panel to the instrument panel. Next, remove the panel.

Remove the splice pack bolt. If the bolt is corroded, clean it with a wire brush. Remove any carpet that was trapped during assembly. Clean the ground surface with emery cloth. Reassemble the panel and console.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I’ve written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you’ve had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use

Engine flush

Firing order, cylinder layout, finding #1 cylinder

MAF or MAP sensor

Oxygen sensors, How they work, How to change, How to test

PassLock or Passkey

Thermostat issues

Transmission flush

Serpentine belt diagrams

Window issues, power window motor, replace window regulator, glass adhesive

Warning lights on even when vehicle is off – Ford Focus

Rick — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:02:21 +0000

Shops are reporting problems with late model Ford Focus vehicles where the warning lights stay on even when the vehicle is off, or flicker while driving. This can happen to the oil light, brake light, ABS light individually, in combination, or all of them.

Here’s the fix:

Remove the instrument cluster and clean the printed circuit board with rubbing alcohol. Then coat the entire circuit board with di-electric grease. Ford is finding that mold growth on the circuit board bridges the circuits together and causes these symptoms.

Alldatadiy.com

eautorepair.net

Both Alldata and Eautorepair offer professional grade shop manuals at a price you can afford. Check them out!.

Hover your mouse over the REPAIR ARTICLES tab at the top of the page. The click on DIAGNOSTICS to search by SYMPTOM, TROUBLE CODE, or read TECH TIPS on how to diagnose a problem

Click on MAKE an MODEL to see all the articles I’ve written for your vehicle
Click on REPAIR TOPICS to read individual articles written for specific automotive systems

If you’ve had your car scanned and know the trouble code go to TROUBLE CODES

Here are some quick links to speed up your research

Click on the link below for speedy navigation:

ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes

Airbag issues or SRS light on

Alternator issues or how to test

Belt diagram or serpentine belt issues

Blower motor

Blower motor resistor

Brakes, brake issues, what kind of brake parts to buy, ABS issues

Car Alarms or Antitheft systems

Cooling system, Water pump, What type of coolant to use