Pages

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Dr. Gizmo Column

 "Dr. Gizmo"
By Phil Arendt

Electronic Devices Plus Rain Equal Trouble
Question 1
I left the sunroof open in my 2006 Audi A6 while it was parked outside.  You guessed it, it rained buckets.  The interior was soaked.  I could kick myself for not remembering to close it.  I raised the carpeting and blew a fan under it until it was dry.  Now everything is dry.

The trouble is the radio and air conditioner do not work and there are warning lights on in the dash.  What do you think is wrong?  T.T., email

Answer 1
Wow.  Don’t beat yourself up too much.  I know of a person who thought he was pulling into a flooded parking lot with his Lexus and ended up driving straight into a deep pond adjacent to the lot entrance completely submerging the SUV with him in it.  Witnesses rescued him.  He’s fine but the car has gone to a salvage yard.

The trouble in your car likely is caused by a failed multimedia module in the center console.  It likely was soaked by the rain and now needs replacement and programming.  Ask your favorite repair shop to consider this suggestion.

Pay Attention To Odors
Question 2
I enjoy your column.  Recently, you addressed a hot oil odor from one of your readers.  My car had that.  When I looked under the hood I found that the shop that did the last oil change forgot to replace the oil cap.  Could this be the reason there is an odor in the other reader’s car?  P.T., email

 
Answer 2
You bring up a good point.  Certainly leaving the oil cap off could cause oil to escape.  Oil on a hot engine can produce an oily odor.  And certainly a servicing technician could forget to reinstall the oil cap during an oil change service.  Of course 99.99 percent of the time a technician will remember to reinstall the cap.  All motorists should take a moment to check under the hood especially when your nose detects something out of the ordinary.  The odor might be the result of gasoline, transmission, engine oil or coolant leaks.  Even an excessively worn drive belt can emit an odor.

Of course the odor of gasoline is quite familiar to most motorists as most everyone has pumped gasoline.  Engine oil, transmission and power steering fluids smell oily.   Engine coolant has a sweet odor.  A slipping drive belt smells similar to rubber.    

In the case of the motorist to whom you refer, after much searching a shop did not find any fluid leaks.  To this day, the source of the odor remains undetermined.

 
Broken Bag Impairs A/C
Question 3
The air conditioner in my 1996 Jaguar XJ6 quit.  I went to a repair shop where they found that all the Freon had leaked.  They recharged the system and the air conditioner still did not work.  I needed my car so I could not leave it with them to do more diagnostic work.

My shop says everything including the compressor seems to be working normally.  They think there might be a problem in a receiver that is causing all the trouble.  They said since my car is old their test equipment can’t communicate with older systems so they are not sure if replacing the receiver will cure the trouble.  What’s your opinion?  G.R., email

Answer 3
It’s possible the receiver/dryer is the cause of the trouble.  An experienced technician can make that determination by checking system pressures and touching the refrigerant lines for temperature. 

Inside the receiver/dryer is a bag that contains desiccant.  Sometimes the bag breaks and the granules clog the system.  To find out the receiver/dryer needs removal and examination.  Replacement might be the cure.

 
Many Parts Replaced But No Repair
Question 4
I have a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with a 3.4-liter motor.  It has 132,000 miles.  The motor misses badly and the check engine light is on.  My shop has checked for trouble codes.  They say all the cylinders misfire.  They replaced the spark plugs, wires and coils.  They tested the cylinder pressure and fuel trims.  They also replaced the map and egr sensors.  Now they say everything is within specifications but the engine continues to misfire. 

I’ve owned the car since it was new.  It’s in great condition and I follow the factory maintenance schedule to the letter.  The only trouble I had with it was in 2005 when something in the fuel pressure system was causing a problem. 

Repairs costs are mounting without a repair.  My shop has been repairing our family vehicles for many years and I trust they know what they are doing.   Do you have any suggestions?  K.B.G., email

 
Answer 4
The shop appears to be guessing what is causing the trouble.  Many parts have been replaced without a successful repair.  Be this as it may the misfire could be caused by a faulty electrical connection such as a poor ground connection.  Perhaps the servicing technician should consider this. 

Also, since it’s possible the fuel pressure regulator was replaced back in 2005 it might be a good idea to look at it again.  Some fuel pressure regulators were covered by a recall due to leaks.  Perhaps this might be something to investigate, too.

 
Body Repairs Lead to More Problems
Question 5
My 2006 Infinity M35 was in a minor collision with damage to the driver’s side front fender.  I reported the accident to my insurance company.  They suggested a preferred body shop.  A few days later I drove to the body shop where they wrote an estimate and I scheduled an appointment to have the damage repaired.  Last week I took the car in for repair.

Yesterday, I received a call from the body shop.  They requested that I bring another key to the shop.  They said the car won’t start.  I brought my wife’s key as requested.  Later I received a call from the body shop manager.  He said there is a problem with the keys.  The car would not start.  He said the body repairs are completed but he needs to send the car to a dealership to have the keys programmed.  He said the problem is not due to the accident and I will have to pay for the repairs.
I contacted my insurance company.  They said the body shop had contacted them about the trouble.  They said the repairs to the keys are not covered by my policy because they did not work before the accident.  I disputed their statement because I drove the car over a hundred miles during the week and a half between the accident and appointment at the body shop. 
Is it possible to drive my car when the keys do not work? D.L., email

 
Answer 5
Since you drove the car for a week plus after the collision something has gone awry at the repair shop.  It’s not possible to start the vehicle without functioning key fobs.  More than likely during the course of repair the antitheft system has failed.  This might be due to a wiring issue near the area of collision damage or the control module for the system has failed or needs programming. 

Contact your insurance company again.  Explain that everything was working normally before the shop began working on the car.  They should contact the shop and settle the dispute. 

Additional Action Required To Move Transmission Shifter
Question 6
I have a 2005 Honda Accord.  In order to move the transmission from park to drive I have to place a key in the slot by the shifter to move it.  Once the shifter is placed in drive or reverse the car operates fine.

What would cause this kind of trouble?  P.R.G., email

Answer 6
There are many causes for this condition.  Obviously, if you are not firmly planting your foot on the brake pedal before moving the shift lever it will not budge.   If this is not the trouble, consider taking the car to your favorite shop as there might be problems in the brake light switch, engine control module, wiring, carbon on the throttle body or several other issues could cause the condition.

Thank you for all the 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 mailto:drgizmo@hotmail.com. 10/14/2013 ® DR. GIZMO © 1989 - Present

Recall Recap For The Week Of November 18, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

I'm not one who supports government intruding in our lives but one agency I can be thankful for is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  My opinion is that without them vehicles may not be as safe as they are today.

I remember the days way back in the stone age when my parents car was not equipped with safety belts. Id sit between them on a front bench seat with no air bags to stop me from going through the windshield in an accident.  Times sure have changed.
       
Since the government shut down, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seems they have been up to their elbows in recalls.  Last week was no different. 

Issues this week include shorted wiring, corrosion that could affect vehicle control, engines that stall in emergency vehicles, inoperable door locks, cracked wheels, improper gas gauge calibration, cracked welds, battery equalizer fires, hot exhaust that causes fires and more.

Please review the list of recalls.  If your vehicle is affected please have the issues repaired before injury or worse occurs.    

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :
CHEVROLET / 2014
Subject :
Windshield Defrost Inoperative/FMVSS 103
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :
CHEVROLET / 2013
Subject :
Power Seat Wiring Harness may Chafe and Short
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc
Make / Model Years :
HYUNDAI / 2007-2008
Subject :
Front Lower Control Arm Corrosion
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Kia Motors Corporation
Make / Model Years :
KIA / 2006-2012
Subject :
Front Lower Control Arm Corrosion
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years :
FORD / 2011-2012
Subject :
Ambulance Engine Stall
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years :
FORD / 2012-2014
Subject :
Sudden Loss of Motive Power
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Northwood Manufacturing, Inc.
Make / Model Years :
ARCTIC FOX / 2007-2014
DESERT FOX / 2007-2014
FOX CREEK / 2011-2012
FOX MOUNTAIN / 2011-2014
NASH / 2007-2014
SNOW RIVER / 2011-2014
WOLF CREEK / 2011-2014
Subject :
Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Outdoors RV Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :
BACK COUNTRY / 2010-2014
BLACK ROCK / 2014
BLACK STONE / 2012-2014
TAMARACK TRAILS / 2010-2012
TIMBER RIDGE / 2010-2014
WIND RIVER / 2010-2014
Subject :
Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
IRBIT MOTORWORKS OF AMERICA
Make / Model Years :
URAL / 2012
Subject :
Aluminum Rim may Crack and/or Break
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :
PORSCHE / 2013-2014
Subject :
Gas Guage Calibration
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :
TOYOTA / 2013-2014
Subject :
Wiper Switch May Fail/FMVSS 104
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :
PORSCHE / 2014
Subject :
Deactivation of Passenger Frontal Air Bags
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Cheetah Chassis Corporation
Make / Model Years :
CHEETAH / 2010-2014
Subject :
Weld Fracture at Locating Pins
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Neo Manufacturing Inc. LLC
Make / Model Years :
NEO TRAILERS / 2010-2011
Subject :
Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Motor Coach Industries
Make / Model Years :
MCI / 2000-2012
Subject :
Battery Equalizers-Possible Fire
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Fontaine Modification
Make / Model Years :
VOLVO / 2011-2013
Subject :
Heat from Exhaust Diffuser may result in Fire
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Make / Model Years :
TOYOTA / 2012-2013
Subject :
Spare Wheel Lug Nuts

Monday, November 18, 2013

Recall Recap For The Week Of November 11, 2013

Hello everyone,

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued their list of recall from last week.  Since returning to work after the government shut down, they have been busy as bees.

This week's issues, failing steering parts, fires in electrical devices, door lock actuators that fail, flip seats that can pinch appendages, emergency vehicles that might stop dead, parking brake parts that can cause failures in the brake system, and wheel hubs that could separate.  All of these issues cause safety issues.

If your vehicle is affected, please have the condition repaired as soon as possible.

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Elite Trailers, Inc.
Make / Model Years :
ELITE / 2006-2013
Subject :
Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Chrysler Group LLC
Make / Model Years :
DODGE / 2008-2012
Subject :
Failure of the Left Tie Rod Assembly
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Chrysler Group LLC
Make / Model Years :
DODGE / 2003-2008
Subject :
Failure of the Left Tie Rod Assembly
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Turtle Top
Make / Model Years :
TURTLE TOP / 2009
Subject :
Electric Door Actuator May cause Fire
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Glaval Bus Division
Make / Model Years :
GLAVAL / 2009-2010
Subject :
Electric Door Actuator May cause Fire
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Outlaw Conversions
Make / Model Years :
4-STAR / 2006-2013
HART / 2006-2013
PLATINUM / 2006-2013
Subject :
Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
A-Z Bus Sales, Inc.
Make / Model Years :
BLUE BIRD / 2005-2013
Subject :
Flip Seat/Possible Toe or foot pinch
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Daimler Trucks North America
Make / Model Years :
FREIGHTLINER / 2014
Subject :
Emergency Vehicles may Shut Down
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Spartan Motors, Inc.
Make / Model Years :
SPARTAN MOTORS / 2011-2013
Subject :
Park Brake Cable may Rub against Brake Line
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Mack Trucks, Inc.
Make / Model Years :
MACK / 2014
Subject :
Steering Shaft May Loosen
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Mack Trucks, Inc.
Make / Model Years :
MACK / 2013-2014
Subject :
Loose Spindle Nuts may cause Hub Separation
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
KZRV, L.P.
Make / Model Years :
KZRV / 2006-2013
Subject :
Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
New Flyer Industries Ltd.
Make / Model Years :
NEW FLYER / 2013
Subject :
Brake Circuit Supply Lines Installation/FMVSS 121
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Vintage Trailers Ltd.
Make / Model Years :
VINTAGE / 2007-2013
Subject :
Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :
Manufacturer :
Shadow Trailers, Inc.
Make / Model Years :
SHADOW / 2006-2012
Subject :
Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable