Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice

Subaru ABS motor runs all the time

Rick — Sun, 20 May 2012 20:01:52 +0000

Subaru has issued a technical service bulletin for an ABS motor that continues to run after the key has been turned off. The problem may also be accompanied by trouble code 52 faulty hydraulic motor and/or motor relay. The problem exists on the Subaru Legacy, Subaru SVX, and Subaru Impreza.

To fix the problem, replace the ABS Hydraulic Unit Motor Relay with a newer revised part number 26735AA012

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)

ABS sensor harness repair kit

Rick — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:08:02 +0000

A break or weak connection in the ABS sensor harness can light your ABS light. It will also turn off traction control. So you get an ABS/Trac off light. The factory harness has a high failure rate, so why go back to another GM product? These harnesses are made by Standard Motor Parts, a respected name in aftermarket replacement parts

SMP Part #N15002

2001-05 Buick Century Sedan / Coupe,
2005-09 Buick Lacrosse,
2002-07 Buick Rendezvous,
2006 Buick Terraza,
2007 Cadillac CTS,
2000-05 Cadillac Deville,
2004-08 Cadillac SRX,
2005-09 Cadillac STS,
2007 Cadillac XLR,
2007-09 and 2000-05 and 2010 Chevrolet Impala,
2000-05 Chevrolet Monte Carlo,
2004-05 Chevrolet Venture,
2006-09 Chevrolet Light Truck Uplander,
2007 Hummer H2,
2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette,
2001-05 Pontiac Aztek,
2004-09 Pontiac Montana,
2007 Saturn Relay

SMP Part #N15003

2001-04 Buick Century Sedan / Coupe,
2005 Chevrolet Corvette,
2000-06 Chevrolet Impala,
2000-05 Chevrolet Monte Carlo,
2000-02 Oldsmobile Intrigue,
2000-05 Pontiac Grand Prix

Gas nozzle shuts off Kia Sorento

Rick — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:47:36 +0000

Owners of 2003-06 Kia Sorento vehicles may find that the gas nozzle shuts off early and prevent them from filling their tank all the way. If you haven’t done your recommended maintenance you may be causing the problem yourself. Your maintenance manual advises you to change the fuel tank air filter every 30,000 miles. Have you done that? If not, point the finger at yourself.

The fuel tank air filter prevents dirt from entering the gas tank when the engine computer commands a charcoal canister air purge. Kia makes two filters for this vehicle (Part Nos. 31450 3E000 and 31453 26300), depending on the application. Contact your Kia dealer for a new filter.

Rough idle on Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable

Rick — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:41:13 +0000

If you own a 2002-05 Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable and are experiencing a rough idle when the outside temps are above 80F and A/C on, chances are you have an out of balance fan.

Here’s how to check: Find and remove the coolant temperature sensor. Then start the engine. Removing the sensor tells the computer to switch the electric fans to high speed. If you then feel a vibration or hear a booming sound, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Ford has redesigned the fans. Here are the new part numbers: Part No. 3F1Z-8C607-HA for the right side, 3F1Z-8C607-GA for the left side.

If you don’t want to spend the big bucks for a genuine Ford fan, click here for an aftermarket fan (usually made by the same company that makes them for Ford). Just make sure you double check to see if it fits your vehicle.

P2181 Cooling System Performance Trouble Code on Chrysler Vehicles

Rick — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:15:10 +0000

If your check engine light comes on and you get a P2181 cooling system performance trouble code, don’t panic. The code can come up on 2007-09 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger with the 2.7 and 3.5L engines, as well as 2008-09 Town & Country and Grand Voyager vans with the 3.3, 3.8, and 4.0L engines, plus the 2009 Dodge Journey and Challenger with the 2.7 and 3.5L engines, and the 2007-10 Chrysler Magnum with the 2.7 and 3.5L engines.

First check cooling system operation. If the cooling fans are working, the system is full, and you haven’t seen an overheat light, the problem is due to faulty computer code. To fix the problem permanently, have the shop perform a flash update to your vehicles’ PCM.

Chevrolet Malibu Stalls and RPM Drops

Rick — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:32:28 +0000

If you’ve got a 2004-’05 Chevrolet Malibu with the 2.2L engine and notice severe hesitation or a drop in RPM or stalling, this may be the fix. The problem can occur if you’re doing parking lot maneuvers or during a deceleration. The cause is a voltage spike from the radiator fan that scrambles the electronic ignition controls. Don’t waste your time replacing the crankshaft sensor—it won’t help. Instead, install a diode protected jumper harness (P/N 15242641). Splice it in into the cooling fan circuit using the following instructions.
1. Unplug the right fan plug and open the clip holding conduit at the fan.
2. Remove the clip from the jumper harness.
3. Connect the jumper harness to the fan connection.
4. Connect the harness connector to the jumper harness.
5. Place the jumper in the existing clip and close the clip.
6. Without straining the wiring, gently gather the excess wiring harness and attach it to the fan motor support below the connector with an appropriate wire tie. Trim off any excess wire tie. The wiring should not be able to become entangled in the accessory drive

AWD System Inoperative on GM SUVs

Rick — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:34:37 +0000

AWD System Inoperative on GM SUVs

A low battery condition can lead to all kinds of problems. In fact, if you have a low battery on a 2007-11 GM SUV (2007-09 Pontiac Torrent, 2007-11 Chevy Equinox, GMC Acadia, 2008-11 Buick Enclave, and 2009-11 Chevy Traverse and GMC Terrain)
it may cause problems with the AWD system. In addition, the Service AWD bulb may light up.
The low battery can also cause a “no-crank” or “slow to start cranking” condition.
If you check the vehicle with a scan tool, it may show trouble codes C0550 or C056D.
Start by checking battery voltage. If it’s below 9.6 volts, go no further. Charge the battery and then run a full load test. Then clear the trouble codes and drive the vehicle. If the problems disappear, the low battery was at fault.

Ford P0456 Evaporative Emissions System – Small leak detected P0442 Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (small leak)

Rick — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:44:58 +0000

Ford P0456 Evaporative Emissions System – Small leak detected
P0442 Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (small leak)

These codes indicate that the Evaporative Emissions System has failed a leak test. To perform the test the computer energizes the vacuum management valve (VMV) vent valve. That opens the fuel system to fresh air. Then it opens the VMV purge valve. That opens the system to engine vacuum. The engine sucks fresh air into the charcoal canister to purge all the gas vapors collected inside. The computer monitors the oxygen content of the exhaust during the purge. When it see a change, it figures all the gas vapors have been sucked out of the charcoal canister. It then closes the VMV vent valve and starts pulling a vacuum on the entire fuel system. The fuel tank pressure sensor tells the computer when the system has reached the proper vacuum level. The computer then de-energizes the VMV purge valve to shut off the flow of vacuum.

Next, the computer watches the reading from the fuel tank pressure sensor. If there’s a leak, the computer measures how quickly the vacuum depletes. If it’s a small leak, it sets a P0456 or P0442 trouble code. The first thing you should check is the gas cap. Yes, it should be tight. But in addition, you should check the condition of the O-ring gasket and the condition of the gas filler neck. If you see worn rubber or rust on the filler neck, that could be your problem.

If the gas cap and filler neck check out, here are several other possibilities for setting a P0456 or P0442 trouble code. Either the vent or purge VMV valves may be faulty and leaking. Or, the fuel tank pressure sensor could be bad. However, there’s another possibility—a cracked vacuum hose. I’d start by looking for ANY cracks in the vacuum hoses between the charcoal canister and the VMV valves.

Finally, if everything else checks out, a bad fuel pump O-ring could leak, causing these exact same symptoms. Of course, you’d have to drop the tank and remove the pump to check for that.

Engine overheats

Rick — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:06:38 +0000

I can’t tell you how many times I see forum participants write in and explain how their engine overheated and they drove it home. Sure, they pulled over and let it cool down along the way. But now they’ve got a car in their driveway that won’t crank, or will crank but not start, or now has coolant in the oil.

With aluminum engines and heads, the Number One Rule when it comes to overheating is PULL OVER. TURN IT OFF. CALL A TOW TRUCK. GET IT IN TO A SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT.

DO NOT KEEP DRIVING AN OVERHEATED ENGINE.

Once a cylinder head overheats, repeated cycles of running/cool down, running/cool down can actually cause more damage. So, if you try to save the lousy $100 on a tow, I can just about guarantee you that it’s gonna cost you a few thousand for a new engine.

Guys, it’s not like the old days where you could get away with driving a cast iron engine. Aluminum is a whole new ballgame. GET IT TOWED.

How to replace a window regulator on Dodge Caravan, Chrylser Town and Country, and Plymouth Voyager vans.

Rick — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:28:33 +0000

Here’s a really good video on How to replace a window regulator on Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country, and Plymouth Voyager vans.

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