05/11/2012
"Dr. Gizmo"
By Phil Arendt
Transmission Shift Lever Fails To Function As
Designed
Question 1
I own a 1999 Chrysler 300M
with 42,000 miles. It has a 3.5-liter engine
and automatic transmission with an AutoStick shifter. I purchased the car one and half years ago. It’s in like-new condition, runs great and up
until now has not given me a bit of trouble.
A few days ago the transmission
shifter stopped working. The
transmission works fine but only shifts as if the shift lever is in drive no
matter where the shift lever is placed.
Also, the shifter has developed more resistance than usual when moving
it from park to drive.
I took the car to a local
repair shop where a service person says it is likely the shifter needs
replacement. He will need to order parts
but he first wants one of his mechanics to check it over before he orders what
is needed. He said the car might be tied
up for a couple of days while he waits for parts.
Do you think it is necessary
to replace the shifter? Can it be
repaired at the shop? T.G., email
Answer 1
Sometimes a shift assembly becomes
contaminated with dirt or spilled beverages.
This causes all kinds of symptoms and just might be what is causing the
trouble in your car. You might not have
spilled anything but a previous owner may have accidentally spilled a beverage in
the shifter.
Once a technician
disassembles the center console he might find a thorough cleaning will fix the
trouble. It is also possible a cable is
worn, there may be linkage that needs replacement or perhaps the shift assembly
is worn and needs replacement.
Incidentally, about six
years ago a recall was issued for faulty shifters in the 300M. About 2 million vehicles were affected by the
recall. It would not hurt to check with
a dealer as your car may be affected by the recall. If so, repairs or replacement of the shifter
could be free. Also, if they need to
hold your car while they wait for replacement parts service department
personnel may be able to place you in a free loaner car until your car is
repaired under recall policy and procedures.
Loss Of Oil Pressure
Disables Vehicle
Question 2
The oil pressure light
turned on in my 2004 Pontiac Aztek with a 3.4-liter engine. When the light turned on, the engine made
ticking sounds. When I saw the light, I
immediately pulled over and shut off the engine. I checked the oil level and it was full.
The vehicle was towed to a
repair shop several miles from home where an initial assessment by a technician
determined that the engine likely is shot.
I had the vehicle towed to my local repair shop where a technician
determined that the oil pump failed. He
installed a new oil pump, but the engine still does not have any oil
pressure. Now he is at a loss.
Do you know what causes this
problem? Is the engine shot? R.L., email
Answer 2
Keep your fingers
crossed. Since you acted quickly the
engine may not be suffering from severe damage due to a lack of oil
pressure.
Since the new pump was
installed and there still is zero oil pressure it is possible that the gear
that drives the oil pump is broken or sheared. If he has not checked the drive gears it is
time to consider this as a possible cause.
Ask your technician if he examined it.
To do so it is likely he has to remove the intake plenum.
It’s also possible teeth are
missing from the camshaft. It turns the
gear for the oil pump. Since the gear on
the camshaft is made of tougher material than the gear on the oil pump more
than likely the camshaft is okay but it should be examined just to make sure
there is no damage.
Repair For Growling
Transmission May Be Free
Question 3
I hear a growling sound from
my 2009 Ford Focus. I also feel a vibration
in the steering wheel and floor that coincides with the growling sound. A gearhead friend drove the car and thinks the
noise is coming from the transmission.
We raised the front of the car.
My friend has ruled out possible problems with the front bearings. We also rotated the tires because the tread
is cupped. This did not change the
noise.
My car has 63,000
miles. Do you have any suggestions? K., email
Answer 3
The sound could be coming
from the transmission. Usually when a
transmission makes unusual noises it is not long before it fails. Since your car only has 63,000 miles,
consider taking it to a dealership for diagnosis. If indeed the transmission is the cause of
the sound and vibration, repairs more than likely will be paid under the
factory warranty.
Water In Plug Kills Engine
Control Module
Question 4
The other day my 2005 Dodge
Neon with a 2.0-liter engine would not start.
When I turned the key nothing happened, but the headlights, dash lights,
radio and other accessories worked. A
buddy hooked up a scanner but said it was not communicating with the engine
computer module. We pulled the plug off
the module. It was full of water and green/blue
corrosion. As a result, I bought a used
module from a salvage yard. After we
dried the plug and cleaned out all of the corrosion we installed the module but
the car still does not crank to start when I turn the key.
What should we look for
next? H.N., email
Answer 4
Dynamite should cure the
trouble. All kidding aside, if possible
return the used module to the salvage yard for a refund. It will not work in your car. It is programmed with information from the
salvaged vehicle that cannot be reprogrammed.
As a result, it prevents engine starts.
It is an antitheft feature.
To cure the trouble more
than likely a new set of keys and module programmed to your vehicle will cure
the trouble. Also, be absolutely sure
all terminals in the plug to the module are perfectly clean, snug and
tight. Additionally, try to determine
why water entered the plug and cure that condition as necessary. It may need replacement.
Failed Emissions Test
Uncovers Mysterious Condition
Question 5
I took my 2002 Ford Explorer
Eddie Bauer for a state emissions test.
It has a 4.6-liter engine and 64,000 miles. My vehicle failed the emissions test because
the equipment at the test station will not communicate with my engine
module. I told the guy that did the test
that the check engine light has never turned on. He said that if his equipment can’t talk to
the computer in my car, it fails the test.
He told me to get it fixed.
I took the vehicle to my
local shop where their test equipment communicated just fine with my Explorer. The technician said nothing is wrong. I returned to the test facility for another
test but again their test equipment would not communicate with my vehicle. I showed the man the receipt and test results
from my local shop but he said it did not matter. If my car doesn’t communicate with the state
approved equipment, it fails the test.
I returned to my repair shop
where the manager and a technician took my vehicle to the test facility. They were told the voltage in my car was too
low. It has to be above 7.5 volts for
the state equipment to communicate and test my car.
My technician returned to
his shop to measure the voltage. He
found it is only five volts. He checked
the wiring and found no problems. He
replaced the wiring between the connection under the dash and the computer and
a ground wire but the voltage remains a five volts. Now he suggests a new computer will cure the
trouble but he does not know for sure.
I need to get this fixed so
the vehicle passes the emission test.
Can you help? H.R., email
Answer 5
It is such a joy to visit
Illinois EPA test stations. Of course
I’m being sarcastic, but a person can have more fun during a dental or physical
examination.
At this juncture, consider
having the vehicle tested at another emission test site. Maybe the equipment will communicate with
your car and maybe it will not but it is worth a try. If the issue remains, since your technician
has replaced the wiring, installation of a new powertrain control module is the
likely cure.
Rough Road Turns Off Radio
Question 6
The radio stops playing and
the dash lights behind the climate control black out in my 2006 Acura TL. This happens as I’m driving. I noticed that they quit when I hit a
bump. When I hit another bump the lights
and radio may turn back on.
I’m pretty good when it
comes to electrical repairs such as replacing switches, outlets and ceiling
lights in my home. Is this problem
caused by a loose wire behind the radio?
Is this something I can repair?
R.D., email
Answer 6
With millions of tax dollars
allegedly spent on road repairs you should not be hitting a single bump in any
road. Therefore, your radio and lights
should not falter.
Automobile electronics are
more complex than the electrical system in your home. After all, your home does not have stability
control, antilock brakes, global positioning and computer nodes all
communicating to each other to adjust the engine, fuel consumption, emissions,
brakes, transmission and thousands of feet of wire packed into 20 feet.
You seem to have
electro-mechanical skills so you might get lucky. You might find a loose connection behind the
infotainment center and climate control within the dash. It’s also possible to find loose connections
behind the driver’s kick panel.
If you are familiar with
electrical schematics subscribe to an online repair manual or visit your local
library to view electrical diagrams of your vehicle. Schematics will reveal the locations of power
and ground circuits, connections, modules and more. This will help you find the trouble. To become aquainted with an automobile
electrical schematic visit my blog and you will find a schematic for the audio
system in your car. Repair might be as
simple as securing a ground connection or plug.
Good luck with your project!
Thanks for all of your great
questions. 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. 5/11/2012 ® DR. GIZMO © 1989-2012
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