Northwest Herald 03/09/2012
"Dr. Gizmo"
By Phil Arendt
Trans Suffers From Abrupt Shift
Question
1
Recently,
I took my 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL to a dealership because after the initial start
of the day the transmission abruptly shifts from first to second gear and
sometimes from second to third gear. My
LaCrosse has 17,500 miles and a 3.0-liter engine.
A
dealership technician performed tests but could not find a problem. I plan to keep a close eye on the problem and
document my concerns with Buick and General Motors.
My
fear is that when the vehicle has 70 or 80,000 miles the transmission will fail
and I will have to pay for it at my expense.
When the trouble occurs will it prove anything if I shut off the engine
and restart? Also, should I return to
the dealer and insist they install new parts?
R.J., e-mail
Answer
1
Check your owner’s guide warranty
information. More than likely the
powertrain warranty coverage is five years or 100,000 miles. If it is, if the transmission fails within
the coverage period the cost of repair should be absorbed under the factory
warranty. Additionally, you can purchase
an extended warranty from your dealer or aftermarket source.
As for returning to a dealer
to insist they replace parts, there is a problem. Under their agreement with General Motors
they have to prove there is a faulty part before they can replace it under the
terms of the factory warranty. You can
insist that they replace parts but if it does not fail tests you will pay for
the replacement.
As for turning off the
engine and restarting, it may show that a module resets indicating that a
module has an internal fault or there is a fault in a circuit such as a loose,
damaged or corroded terminal. It’s worth
a try and may give a technician a clue as to the cause of the trouble.
Clapping
Sound Upon Cold Start
Question
2
Every
morning when I start my 2007 Dodge Caravan I hear a clapping sound from the
passenger side. After this the car runs
fine. It only happens when my van is
cold.
I
have had it checked by two mechanics.
One mechanic said it might be caused by the catalytic converter. The other mechanic who is a certified
technician did a computer analysis and ruled out the catalytic converter as the
cause.
Do
you know what’s wrong? O.G., Marengo, IL
Answer
2
Many
years ago I owned a Rambler American. It
had many problems and if it started I clapped.
This obviously is not the trouble with your car. The noise may be related to a worn engine
mount, out of align exhaust pipe or a body panel that shifts a little when you
start the engine. A check of these
conditions is in order.
It
is also possible ice trapped in a body panel such as the right wheel house or
inside the door is the cause of the sound.
If this is true the noise will stop with the help of Mother Nature.
If
you are so inclined leave the vehicle with your favorite technician
overnight. In the morning when
conditions are right for the sound to occur start the vehicle while your
technician examines the area of concern for the source of the sound. If the noise appears your technician should
be able to determine the cause.
Solenoid
Replacement No Easy Task
Question
3
There
is oil leaking from my Jeep Commander with a 5.7-liter engine. For about a month I’ve seen drips on my
garage floor. The other day I was having
the oil changed at a quick lube and asked the service person if he knew what
was leaking. He said it looked like a
MDS was leaking. He showed me where it
is. There is no doubt that’s what is
leaking. It’s leaking pretty bad.
I
have a pretty good set of tools. Is this
something I can replace or should I take this problem to a repair shop? D.F., e-mail
Answer
3
If
you are an experienced do-it-yourselfer you can probably handle the task. Your engine is equipped with a computer
controlled Multi Displacement System. As
you probably know your vehicle is equipped with an 8-cylinder engine. To improve fuel economy engine power can be
reduced by powering the car with only four cylinders. To do this four valve deactivation solenoids
close the valves in cylinders one, four, six and seven. When you need more power to accelerate or the
engine is under a heavy load the solenoids activate the valves so all eight
cylinders produce power.
The
solenoids have seals on them and there are internal seals. They can fail and leak. To access the leaky solenoid it is likely the
intake manifold and all its related plumbing and circuitry need removal. Once the intake manifold is out of the way
removing a solenoid is rather simple.
The part is secured in the engine with a bolt and clamp plus the wiring
needs to be unplugged.
It
is up to you to decide to tackle the task but I suggest you first obtain a
repair manual. Read the steps and
procedures to accomplish the task and make sure you have all the tools, replacement
parts and seals to complete the work.
Also, sometimes the solenoids stick in the engine. If this occurs be prepared to enlist the help
of an experienced technician as a repair manual does not offer steps on
removing the part if it is stuck in the engine.
Impediment
In Software Hinders Repair
Question
4
The
antilock brake light illuminated in my 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. I took it to a trustworthy independent repair
shop where a mechanic did some tests. He
found a code that he said was a false code.
He said that he had to reprogram the control module to stop the false
code that was turning on the light. He
did the programming but about half way through the process the reprogramming
stopped giving him an error. Now he
thinks he has a problem with the module because it will not communicate with
his equipment. He thinks replacing the
module will cure the trouble.
Is
there such a thing as a false code? Does
any of this make sense to you? N.H.,
e-mail
Answer
4
Yes
it does. It is possible for a false code
to set in a system module. Often
reprogramming the module resolves the trouble.
Unfortunately, most independent shops purchase equipment that is not
manufacturer specific such as the tools that are found at a dealer shop. Independent shops purchase generic equipment
that communicates with many different makes and model vehicles. Because of this sometimes there are glitches
in the software that can cause problems such as your technician is experiencing
right now.
At
this point ask your technician to consider sending the vehicle to a dealership
to have the module programmed. Odds are
favorable that their equipment will communicate with the module and programming
will be successful. If this turns out to
be true, it will not be necessary replace the module.
Clearing
Confusion Over Replacement Parts Myth
Question
5
The
air blowing from my heater only blows from the defroster vents in my 2004
Jaguar X-Type. I took the car to a local
repair shop where my mechanic determined that a door in the duct is broken. He called the local dealership to order the
part but was told that it is not available.
They said that even if he ordered the complete duct system the unit does
not come with the door that my car needs.
My mechanic says the only alternative is to attempt to repair the break
with tape or get a door from a salvage yard.
How
is it possible for a manufacturer not to have replacement parts available for
their cars? Isn’t it law that they have
to make replacement parts for at least 10 years? M.K., e-mail
Answer
5
Unfortunately,
vehicle manufacturers are not required by a law to make parts or have parts
available for 10 years. It is required
for them to have replacement parts or some sort of repair available during the
factory warranty period.
Since
no parts are available from the manufacturer or dealership, it appears your
technician is seeking a lasting resolution by purchasing a used part from a
salvage yard.
Engine
Sludge Creates Controversy
Question
6
Recently,
I took my 2002 Toyota Camry with a 3.0 engine to my local shop because it is using
more oil than normal. My mechanic
checked the engine over and suggested that we do an oil consumption test. He changed the oil and filter and filled the
engine to the full mark on the dipstick.
He told me to return in 500 miles and he would measure the oil on the
dipstick. I returned after 500 miles of
driving. My mechanic found the oil level
down by a little more than a quart. With
this he removed a valve cover to look at the valves. What he found was sludge on the springs and
other parts on top of the engine. He
said the sludge is probably causing the increase in oil use. He says to fix the trouble might require a
complete overhaul. I did not authorize
the work.
At
home I did some checking and learned from a neighbor that Toyota fixes cars
with this condition. When I called my
dealer about this I was told that they will be happy to repair the trouble but
I will have to pay. When I told them
about what I had learned they said my neighbor is mistaken. I even called Toyota customer service but was
told to take the car to a dealer where the situation can be evaluated but the
manufacture representative told me that they don’t pay for problems caused by
sludge.
My
neighbor insists Toyota does pick up the tab for sludge related repairs. He recalls reading an article about the
problem and how Toyota is paying for repairs.
What do you suggest I do next?
M.M., e-mail
Answer
6
Many
years ago Toyota did repair engines suffering from sludge related
ailments. Back in 2002 they issued a
statement that the trouble is caused by extended oil change intervals and not
engine design. Despite this they offered
to repair engines suffering from the effects of sludge up to eight years from
the original vehicle purchase date. I am
not aware of any Toyota policy stating they extended the offer they made in
2002. Since this likely is the case,
your car is not covered under the special policy due to the fact the offer
expired in 2010. Consider contacting the
manufacturer again and ask for special consideration but don’t have high
expectations they will fix your car for free.
Dr.
Gizmo can’t wait to answer more.
Phil Arendt is a columnist, consultant and
A.S.E.-Certified Master Technician.
Readers may send questions to Dr. Gizmo at P.O. Box 548, Cary, IL. 60013
or e-mail address drgizmo@drgizmo.ws. ® DR. GIZMO © 1989-2012
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