Service Slants

GM

Noise from front suspension. Some 1998-99 full-size GM cars built prior to 4/1/99 can produce a clunking, metallic sound from the front end on rough, undulating roads, especially in colder temperatures. One likely cause for the noise, says the General, is the stabilizer bar bushing "walking out" of its position on the engine subfraine. Installing a piece of self-adhesive antislip tape such as 3M SAFETY-WALK (Part No. 19221) onto the subfraine should keep the bushing in place and help eliminate the noise.

Start the job by getting the vehicle up ou a lift. Next, remove the stabilizer bar bushing clamp bolts and clamp, followed by the bushing itself. Clean the engine subframe with brake cleaner to remove road debris and grease. Now cut a 2-in. piece of the tape and remove the paper backing. Using the illustration at right as a guide, install the tape onto the subframe, making sure it's positioned fore-and-aft ou the frame, as shown. Reinstall the bushing, clamp and clamp bolts. Repeat the procedure at the other end of the stabilizer bar, lower the vehicle, then take to the road to verify that the front end noise is gone.

Vehicles that are susceptible to the problem and can benefit from the fix described are 1998-99 Buick Park Avenues & Rivieras; Cadillac Eldorados, DeVilles & Sevilles; and Oldsmobile Auroras.

Ford Truck

Hard start or no-start. Some 2003-04 Excursion SUVs and F-Super Duty pickups with the 6.0 diesel engine may have difficulty starting or may not start at all. According to Ford, one possible cause is a corroded or damaged connector at the glow plug control module (GPCM).

There are actually two connectors at the GPCM-green and black. Inspect the pins in both for corrosion or moisture intrusion. You'll also want to make sure that the pins aren't bent, loose or pulling out of either connector half. If you notice corrosion or pin damage, order up a GPCM Connector Kit, which goes by Part No. 4C3Z-12B5R8-AA. The kit contains a replacement connector with a pigtail that can be easily spliced into the existing harness. Full installation instructions are included.

Jeep

Power steering whine. Some 2005-06 5.7L Grand Cherokees and 2006 3.0L Commanders (all built prior to 10/29/05) may produce a whining sound from the power steering system on initial start-up.

According to Jeep, the noise is most obvious when temperatures are below freezing, increases in intensity the colder the outside temperature gets and usually dissipates rather quickly as the engine warms. Insufficient fluid flow through the system is the most likely cause of the whining sound. Installing a new-design power steering reservoir (Part No. 52124317AA) should quiet the noise immediately. In case you're interested, the new reservoir is identical to the original on the outside, hut has internal design changes that promote better fluid flow through the system in colder temperatures.

Dodge Truck

Vibration from steering column and/or pedal. Owners of 2003 Ram Trucks with the 5.9L diesel may complain of vibration from the steering column and/or accelerator pedal. According to Dodge, the bad vibes are most noticeable between 2000 and 2200 rpm with the a/c on, and are due to a buildup of harmonic pulses within the power steering pressure hose.

Installing a new-design pressure hose (Part No. 52113926AF) between the steering pump and hydraulic booster should eradicate the problem immediately. For your information, the updated hose has an integral vibration damper to absorb the pulses. When installing the new hose, make sure it's routed away from sharp edges or other components.

Toyota

Front end noise. Owners of 1997-99 Avalons or 1997-2000 Camrys may come into your shop complaining of a rubbing or squeaking sound from the front suspension when the vehicle is driven over rough, washboard-type road surfaces.

Toyota attributes the noise to a poorly designed rubber bushing in the front strut bearing assemblies. Installing updated strut bearings should eliminate the racket immediately. For Avalou models, order Part No. 48603-33010 for the right-side strut, 48609-33110 for the left-side strut. For Camrvs, go with Part No. 4860333021 for the right-side strut, 48609-33121 for the left side.

After the parts swap is complete, don't forget to put the car on an alignment rack and adjust front toe-in and camber.

GM

Transmission slippage, no Reverse. Owners of 1999 2.2L Chevy Cavaliers and Pontiac Sunfires may come into your shop complaining that the transmission slips when shifting, or that it won't engage Reverse gear. According to CM, the problems are limited to vehicles with 3T40 transaxles built before 4/9/99, and are most likely the result of a slightly oversized Low/Reverse clutch piston. The oversized piston tends to hang up in the clutch housing. This limits its travel in the bore, which leads to the slipping condition or loss of Reverse.

To make a definitive diagnosis, open up the box and measure the outside diameter of the Low/Reverse piston with a dial caliper. The diameter shouldn't exceed 5.346 in. If it's within spec, continue looking for the source of the shift difficulties. If the diameter exceeds the above value, replace the Low/Reverse piston with an upgraded component (Part No. 08666659).

Ford

Oil leakage. Some 1999 Ford Escorts and Mercury Tracers with the 2.0l SPI engine (build date through 2/28/99) may leak oil from the side of the engine when the temperature is below freezing. One likely cause, for the leak, says Ford, is a frozen PCV system. The blocked-off system causes crankcase gases to vent at the point of least resistance-the dipstick tube. This results in the dipstick unseating from the tube base, which allows oil to migrate up the tube and onto the side of the block. Installing a new PCV Service Kit (Part No. XU2Z-6A603-AA) should stem the tide of lube immediately.

Saab

Buck, miss, stall; possible MIL illumination. Some 1985-98 9000 models with the 4-cylinder engine may suffer from myriad problems, including a buck, miss or stall. Saab says the driveability woes may be accompanied by an illuminated MIL, and are most likely the result of an inferior dual-lug ground connection at the intake manifold. Cleaning up the lugs, then reattaching them to the manifold using special screws (Part No. 30509332, two required) and washers (Part No. 30546304, four required) should eliminate the problems immediately. The dual-washer setup helps compensate for the longer threads of the new screws.

Cadillac

Finicky climate control head. Some 1997-98 Catera models (built after VIN breakpoint VR138045 and before WR233088) may experience a situation in which the ECC head goes blank and stops functioning. Cadillac says the problem usually occurs intermittently, and may be accompanied by a Twilight Sentinel System that delays turning on the headlights for 8 to 10 seconds after system activation.

According to Cadillac, the control head issue is due to an "internal processor reset" in the head itself. The delayed headlight activation, meanwhile, is the result of a software change made to the control head when it was redesigned for the 1997 model year.

The good news is that both problems can be rectified by installing a new-design control head (Part No. 9138299). Note that the new head includes updated software that keeps the heater control valve closed when the ECC system is off, to prevent warm air from entering the passenger compartment.

GM

Creaking or squeaking noise from doors. Some 2001-05 midsize CM cars (complete list below) may produce a creaking or squeaking sound when the doors are opened or closed. According to CM, the most likely cause of the noise is a dry door check link spring saddle. Lubricating the saddle with a spray can of CM Lnbriplate (Part No. 89021668) should eliminate the annoyance in short order.

Begin the job by sliding back the check link grommet to give you an open shot at the saddle. Now install the straw-type nozzle onto the spray can and insert the nozzle into the opening above the check link arm. Don't insert the nozzle too deeply into the door or you'll go past the spring saddle. Once you've got the nozzle positioned correctly, spray the saddle liberally using a back-and-forth motion. To complete the fix, open and close the affected door until the creaking or squeaking noise is gone, then reposition the check link grommet. Repeat the procedure on any remaining doors, as necessary.

Vehicles prone to the door noise that can benefit from the lube job are 2001-03 Chevy Malibus, 2001-04 Olds Aleros, 2001-05 Pontiac Grand Ams and 2004-05 Chevy Classics.

Jeep

MIL on, ignition coil DTC(s) stored. Some 2005 Liberty and Cherokee models with the 3.7L engine built prior to 2/13/05 may turn on the MIL and store one or more of the following DTCs in PCM memory: P2302, P2305, P2308, P2311, P2314 and/or P2317.

Each of these codes signifies "insufficient ionization" in the secondary circuits of the six coils on the truck, with P2302 indicating problems with coil No. 1, P2305 indicating problems with coil No. 2, and so on. The code(s) usually sets when the engine is running at high rpin or under heavy loading.

If there are no driveability symptoms present when the MIL illuminates, chances are the coil DTCs are bogus, says Jeep. Reprogramming the PCM with updated software should turn off the light permanently. You'll find the flash files on DealerCONNECT via the Internet.

Honda

Buzzing noise from engine bay. Owners of 2000-01 Odyssey minivans may complain about a bu/x.ing sound from the engine compartment when the engine is idling with the a/c system on. According to Honda, one likely cause for the noise is the material used in the alternator/compressor drive belt, which tends to amplify the resonant frequencies of the alternator as it turns. Installing a new-design belt (Part No. 38920-P8F-A02) with a different rubber compound should quiet things down (mite nicely.

To make a definitive diagnosis, look for the manufacturer's name or part number on the old belt. If you see the word "Bando" or the part number is 38920-P8F-A04, swap the new belt for the old no questions asked. If you can't make out the manufacturers name or the part number, that's okay. Just start the engine and allow it to get good and hot (cooling fan cycles twice). Now turn on the a/c, set the blower speed to Low and let the engine idle. When the compressor clutch engages, listen for the buzzing noise from the alternator (a stethoscope or ultrasonic diagnostic tool makes the job a lot easier). If you've nailed the alternator as the culprit, replace the belt with the newer design. If not, continue your troubleshooting until you've found the source of the noise.

Note: Before installing the new belt, loosen the 8mm and 10mm mounting bolts at the alternator, then immediately retighten them to 16 ft.-lbs. and 32 ft.-lbs., respectively. These revised torque values are set up specifically for problems arising from drive belt noise. For all other work, use the conventional torque specs from a repair manual or your repair information system.

Chrysler

MIL illuminated, bogus DTC stored. Chrysler reports that some 2003 Neon and SX models with the 2.0L engine may illuminate the MIL and store DTC P0137 (low O2 sensor voltage) in computer memory. If there are no other codes stored and no driveability symptoms present when the DTC set, look up the build date of the vehicle. If it's prior to 1/2/03, says Chrysler, the code is bogus.

Flashing the PCM with a new software files should turn off the MIL and eliminate the code instantaneously. You'll find the updated software files on TechCONNECT. Look for software operating at level CIS CD2127 or higher. After reprogramming, fill out an Authorized Modification Label and affix it near the VECL label.

Lexus

Engine vibration. Some 2002-04 SC 430 coupes may produce a vibration from the engine when the vehicle is in gear and stationary. According to Lexus, the problem is most likely caused by a prematurely worn engine mount stabilizer and/or engine mount insulator, but dissipates once the engine is under load above idle.

If a visual inspection reveals cracketl or torn rubber at either mount, replace both the stabilizer and insulator with sturdier, redesigned units (Part Nos. 12381-50140 and 12361-50151, respectively). Coupes built at or after VLN JTHFN4#Y#4()056830 already have had the upgraded mounts installed on the assembly line.

Copyright Hearst Business Publishing Feb 2007
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