Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice » SUVs Crossovers

P0405 EGR code on Chrysler Products

Rick — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:44:27 +0000

Many Chrysler products use EGR transducer to detect the actual movement of the EGR valve. The computer commands the EGR valve to open a certain amount. Then, the transducer measures exactly how far the valve actually opened. This transducer sensor has a very high failure rate. In most cases a P0405 EGR Sensor A Circuit Low is caused by a bad sensor. There are two way to go about this fix. You can buy a new EGR valve with sensor, or you can buy just the transducer. Buying just the transducer will save you money. Unfortunately, not many parts stores carry them. But you can give it a shot. First go here to find the transducer part number. Then call the parts store to see if they stock it. If not, go here to buy the entire EGR valve.

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Chrysler Heater A/C Control Calibration Routine

Rick — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:33:41 +0000

The blend and mode doors on late model Chrysler vehicles are driven by DC servo motors. If the motors get out of synchronization, the control head doesn’t know where they are. That can result in cold air when you command heat and vice versa. It can also screw up where the air blows.

Here’s how to perform a calibration routine on Caravan, Voyager, and Town and Country. It works on many other Chrysler products as well.

1. Turn Ignition switch to ON

2) Press both the POWER and RECIRCULATE buttons at the SAME time and HOLD for at least 5 seconds.

3) The POWER and RECIRCULATION lights will flash

4) Calibration should take about about 2 minutes to complete if you have heater control and about 20-seconds if you have Automatic Temp Control system.

5) If lights continue to flash AFTER 3 minutes (manual system) or 20-seconds (Auto system), the control unit has detected a failure. You need a scan tool to pull the trouble codes (Thanks Chrysler). If there’s a trouble code stored, the lights will CONTINUE to flash until the unit completes a successful calibration OR until the vehicle has driven 8 miles.

If your Chrysler vehicle doesn’t have this setup, contact me and I’ll look up the procedure for your particular vehicle.

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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

Headlights flicker on vehicle with daytime running lights

Rick — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:02:10 +0000

Every manufacturer has their share of problems with daytime running lights. Basically the system senses that the vehicle is running and the headlight switch is off. Programmed conclusion? Must be daylight, otherwise the driver would turn on the headlights. Other systems have light sensors. The Chrysler Daytime Running Light system gets screwed up by corrosion in the intelligent power module. Some GM vehicles fail due to a cracked Daytime Running Light resistor (computer provides power to the headlights, but runs it through a resistor to cut down on the headlamp brightness). Still another GM system runs the headlight commands through Daytime Running Lamp Module located behind the left side of the instrument panel. This module contains a diode that has a high failure rate. The module sends a command to the Daytime Running Lamps Relay located in the convenience center (firewall passenger side).

If you have the latter system, remove the relay and insert a jumper wire across the power terminals. See Relay Layout. If that fixes the problem, replace the relay. If it doesn’t, replace the Daytime Running Lamp Module.

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eautorepair.net

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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

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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

Speedometer needle on wrong side of peg – Caravan

Rick — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:03:22 +0000

Drivers may find that the speedometer needle is on the wrong side of the stop peg after charging or changing the battery or cleaning the battery terminals.

You do NOT need to remove the instrument cluster to fix this problem.

Insert the key in the ignition. Then press and hold the trip odometer reset button until you see “Sof” appear along with a software version number (like Sof 3.2). The cluster will then display any trouble codes and when it’s done, the word “end” will appear. The cluster will then initiate a series of tests than include sweeping the needles side to side. When the testing is done, the needle will be on the correct side of the peg.

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

P1494 EVAP Leak Detection Pump Switch or Mechanical Fault

Rick — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:49:13 +0000

To diagnose this problem, follow this procedure:

Turn the key to the ON position. Check for battery voltage on the power supply wire (pink/grey)at the 3-way connector located on the Leak Detection Pump. If you detect battery voltage on more than 1 wire, the wire harness is shorted and must be repaired before proceeding with other tests.

If you find battery voltage on the power supply wire, reconnect the connector. Use your computer-safe test light to backprobe the the LDP “sense circuit” (purple/white) at the connector. You should see power on this wire at key ON. Use a jumper wire to quickly backprobe the purple/blue (solenoid) wire and touch the other end to ground. The test light should go out when the solenoid operates. When you remove the ground wire, the light should go on again. If you don’t get this result, either you have a short to ground in the wiring harness “sense” circuit, or the LDP is bad.

Next, disconnect the connector at the PCM and the LDP and check the wiring harness for a short to ground on the sense circuit.

If all the electrical repairs check out, the problem is a vacuum leak.

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

Load moaning sound on cold start – Chrysler vehicles

Rick — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 01:37:27 +0000

The power steering reservoirs on these Chrysler vehicles have a fine mesh screen in the bottom. As the ATF fluid breaks down it plugs the screen. The return line from the rack is located right at screen level and swirls the fluid around the screen (see photo). When you start these babies cold, the PS pumps are starved for fluid. They make a terrible (and LOUD) moaning sound. As the PS fluid heats up, it swirls around the screen and gets the sediment back in suspension. There is NO WAY to clean out this reservoir. (I’ve tried). Save yourself the time and aggravation and just buy a new one from the dealer. They’re about $25. Then refill the system with ATF+4 fluid. You have to use a vacuum pump to bleed the air out of the system.

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

Blower Motor Resistor Location PT Cruiser

Rick — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0000

A reader wrote to me asking for the location of a blower motor resistor on a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Normally I don’t answer specific reader questions (because I really do have a full time job and this blog is my hobby), but they asked so nicely I couldn’t resist (Bad, bad pun).

The blower motor resistor is located under the dash on the right hand (passenger) side. It’s near the firewall, just below the windshield. So it’s pretty high up there. Follow the duct work because the resistor block is always mounted on a duct. It needs airflow to cool it off.

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

Chrysler Flex Fuel Vehicles–how they work

Rick — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:20:00 +0000

Flex fuel vehicles run on E-85, which is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. They can also run on straight gasoline. To determine if your vehicle can run on E-85, look for a yellow sticker on the fuel door that identifies it as a flex fuel vehicle.

The engine computer uses the same sensors for E-85 as for gasoline, but uses them differently for each fuel. Chrysler vehicles do NOT have a sensor that detects E85. It has to interpret its readings to deduce that it has E-85 in it.

First, the computer monitors the fuel level gauge to detect when you’ve added at least three gallons of fuel. That’s known as a “refueling event.” If the computer see fuel level rise, it wait until you’ve driven at least five miles before monitoring the oxygen sensors to detect a change in fuel. The computer is checking to see if the oxygen sensors are reaching rich or lean. If lean, the computer adds fuel by increasing the fuel injector “on” time (also known as injector pulse width). If the sensor shows rich, it reduces injector pulse width. Based on how much it had to add or subtract, it can calculate the percentage of ethanol in the mix. If you attach a scan tool, it will read out the percentage as long as it’s above 30%.

Gasoline vehicle computers always monitor oxygen levels and adjust fuel delivery. If an engine consistently needs more or less fuel, the computer makes either a long term or short term modification to its base fuel calculations. This is known as “fuel trim, or adaptive fuel trim.” For example, if a vehicle accumulates 100,000 miles and is no longer as fuel efficient as when it was new and the computer is consistently adding 25% more fuel in the short-term fuel trim calculations, it will move conclude that this is a permanent condition and move the fuel calculation over to the long-term fuel trim memory area.

Flex fuel vehicles are no different, except that the long term adaptive fuel trim is referred to as EAdp.

In gasoline vehicles, the computer also monitors for cylinder misfires, catalytic converter efficiency, and exhaust gas recirculation. However, in a flex fuel vehicle, if the computer determines that the tank holds more than 30% ethanol, it disables these monitors. It continues to disable the monitors for up to five refills of fuel. That’s why flex fuel owners are warned not to refuel with a different fuel if they have less than ¼ tank. It’s too difficult for the fuel management system to make those quick modifications.

If you switch from E-85 to gasoline, it’s not uncommon for the engine to run lean until the computer can recalculate the new ethanol percentage and update itself. This can take up to five miles of driving after refueling.

Another difference in flex fuel vehicles is the type of oil you must use. Ethanol produces more water during combustion and a special engine oil is required to keep the oil, water and alcohol mixed in the crankcase. If regular oils are used, the water and alcohol will separate and reduce lubrication, resulting in engine failure. Make sure your oil is rated as AFV or FFV. Also look for a GF-4 rating, as well as an SM rating. Chrysler recommends 5W30 in all flex fuel vehicles.

Be aware that Ethanol does not have as much energy per gallon of fuel as gasoline. Because of the reduced energy content, you can expect a mileage drop of around 30% when using E-85. In addition, a flex fuel vehicle running on E-85 will be harder to start in cold weather and may have driveability issues in hot weather, when the temps are above 90°F. From 0° to 32°, you may experience hesitation on acceleration.

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

P0401 EGR position sensor code – Chrysler Minivan

Rick — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:46:00 +0000

Late model Chrysler Minivans are known to post EGR position sensor codes P0401-P0408. The EGR valve is like an electronic solenoid that pulls the pintel off its seat. A position sensor at the top of the valve measures how far the pintel shaft has actually moved versus how much the computer commanded it to move. It’s the position sensor that goes bad (see plunger in photo). The problem may be in the sensor, but the fix is in replacing the entire EGR valve. The sensor cannot be serviced separatelyely. Make sure you purchase the gasket that goes between the valve and the intake air tube—that gasket does NOT come with the new valve.

The installation is easy. Wait until the engine is cool though. Unplug the electrical connector. Remove the two bolts holding the intake air tube to the top of the valve. Then remove the two bolts that hold the valve to the cylinder head. The bottom bolt is a little tricky to remove because it appears that the alternator is in the way. But you can get the bolt out without removing the alternator. Simply switch to ¼-in drive sockets and an extension and slip it in over the bolt head.

Install the new valve with the metal stainless steel gasket and tighten to spec with a torque wrench. Then attach the intake tube to the top.

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

P0442 EVAP Leak Chrysler Vehicles

Rick — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 03:59:00 +0000

Many shops are reporting problems with P0442 EVAP small leaks in Chrysler vehicles. The computer puts the system into a leak detection mode and pulls a vacuum on the gas tank, venting hoses, and charcoal canister. Then it watches a vacuum sensor to figure out whether the leak is a large or small one. The most common small leak is found right in the rubber hoses right at the charcoal canister. To diagnose, lower the canister and check the condition of the rubber hoses. If you see ANY cracks, replace the hoses. It will take the computer a while to run the test again before it will clear the code and turn off the check engine light.

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