If you own one of the affected vehicles, please have it repaired as soon as possible.
Report Receipt Date: MAR 15, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V098000
Component(s): SEAT BELTS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 209,000
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Recalls Of The Day, March 23, 2013
Good morning. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued two recalls. One concern is the security of seat belt anchors. Another concern is a vehicle may roll away even though the transmission shifter says it is in Park.
If you own one of the affected vehicles, please have it repaired as soon as possible.
Report Receipt Date: MAR 15, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V098000
Component(s): SEAT BELTS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 209,000
If you own one of the affected vehicles, please have it repaired as soon as possible.
Report Receipt Date: MAR 15, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V098000
Component(s): SEAT BELTS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 209,000
Dr. Gizmo Column
"Dr. Gizmo"
By Phil Arendt
Former Dealer
Loaner Car Gives New Owner Trouble
Question 1
Recently, I purchased a 2012
Honda Civic LX. It was a dealership
loaner vehicle. I should not have
purchased it because too many people drive cars like this one and sometimes
abuse them.
The trouble I am having is
that sometimes the ignition key will not turn to the start position. At the same time the dash says to check the
brake system. When this happens after
two or three attempts the key turns and the engine starts.
Other than this problem I am
happy with the gas mileage. It gets 40
miles to the gallon on the highway! What
do you suggest I do about the key problem? J.M., McHenry, IL
Answer 1
Wow, 40 miles to the gallon
on the highway is fantastic! As for the
trouble turning the ignition key, before you turn it make sure your foot is
firmly planted on the brake pedal. If
this does not cure the trouble it’s time to make a trip to your dealership
where a technician might find that the trouble is due to a problem in the
transmission shifter. Perhaps someone
spilled a soft drink down on the console and now electrical problems have
developed. A technician might need to
replace the transmission shift assembly or he may find cleaning electrical
terminals cures the issue.
Technical Service Bulletin
Procedure May Fix Starting Trouble
Question 2
Two years ago the starter
failed in my 1996 Ford Taurus. The
replacement failed after a month. Six
weeks ago the starter failed again and all was fine until a week ago.
In the morning the car
cranked fine but seemed to be starving for fuel and then caught and ran fine. I went on my way and my next stop took an
hour. I went out and the car acted up
again but started. It seemed to miss or
hesitate for a split second. Then I went
to a store and when I came out half an hour later, I hardly got it started at
all. It cranked and cranked and after
maybe 30 seconds it finally started. Of
course the next morning it was fine. I
left it at my garage all morning. They
tested the fuel pump and whatever else they could and found nothing wrong. It has been fine ever since.
I never let the gas tank get
below half full. I change the oil every three
months and do whatever needs to be done according to schedule. I even named the car and talk to it
sometimes. I love this car but it's
getting to the point that it's stressful going anywhere in it. Do you have any ideas what could be going on? J.L., email
Answer 2
You are not along. I have been told by good authority that a
person living at a senior community in Woodstock has a picture of their car in
their room. The vehicle must have been
very special. Many car owners name their
cars. Also, many talk to them especially
when they don’t start.
As for the trouble, your car
has a reputation of starter trouble.
There isn’t much you can do about it.
As for now right now, since the engine starts and runs fine a technician
would have to guess why it was not starting.
It would not be cost effective for you to leave it at a shop unless the
car exhibits the symptoms.
When the symptoms surface
return to your favorite repair shop. Ask
your technician to review service bulletins.
There are at least three factory technical service bulletins for this
type of condition. They address issues
regarding the idle air control, powertrain control module calibration and fuel
pump issues. Once he reads these
bulletins he should be able to determine the cause of the trouble. With the procedures outlined in the bulletins
the condition should be corrected.
Battery Replacement Results
In Computer Module Trouble
Question 3
I hope you can help. The battery died in my 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
with a 2.5-liter engine and 107,000 miles.
I replaced it and afterwards the power windows, gas door and tailgate
are not working. I checked all the fuses
and they are fine.
A friend that knows a lot
about cars told me that sometimes a module loses its memory when the battery
dies. He told me to take the battery
cables off and tape them together. He
said this resets computers. I did what
he suggested but it did not work.
What do you suggest? Do I need to take the car to a repair
shop? D.M., email
Answer 3
Yep. Replacing a battery can cause problems. Also, in some cases holding the battery
cables together resets computer modules but as you learned not in your
car.
Before you take your car to
a repair shop there is something to try.
This time disconnect the battery cables but do not tape them
together. Just leave them off the
battery for a few hours. After time has
passed, reconnect them. The module that
controls the accessories may come back to life.
If not, visit your favorite repair shop where a technician will need to
perform tests to determine the cause of the trouble.
Repair Not As Laborious As Portrayed
Question 4
The front differential is
making noise in my 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
I’m in the process of choosing a shop to do the work. Each shop tells me that this is a big
job. They say it might be necessary to
remove the oil pan on the engine just to get a shaft out.
Is this true? If so, Chevrolet really flubbed the design on
this vehicle. S.L., email
Answer 4
Part of the differential
does pass through an opening in the engine oil pan. Many years ago when I first saw this design I
scratched my head and questioned the wisdom of the engineers who came up with
the idea and designed such a mess. While
in my humble opinion it is not the best way to build a vehicle I also
understand that auto engineers are given a budget and they need to stay within
the budget to design and build a vehicle.
This resulted in your concern. Be
this as it may it is not necessary to remove the oil pan. It’s still a pain in the neck repair but
removing the steering rack and cooling fan and loosening the engine mounts provides
the room to do all the necessary work on the front differential and axles.
Better Reconsider Tackling
Repair
Question 5
My 2006 Honda Pilot EX with
a 3.5 engine idles rough. I had the
computer tested and code PO505 appeared.
The parts store employee who did the test said that the trouble might be
in the idle air control. He suggested
that I go to a repair shop to have the trouble investigated. While I was there I purchased spark plugs and
installed them but this did not cure the rough idle. Also, installing the spark plugs was a
weekend project I never want to do again.
Is there anything I can do
about the trouble in the idle air control?
R.K., email
Answer 5
If you think replacing the
spark plugs on your vehicle is tough you might consider taking the vehicle to a
shop to have a technician tackle the other problems. Compared to other vehicles the spark plugs in
your vehicle are a snap to replace.
If you decide to tinker a
little more, cleaning the port in the throttle body might cure the rough
idle. Also, the idle air control valve
might need replacement so that’s something you might want to try. If these procedures don’t resolve the issue
there may be problems such as failed intake manifold seals or a broken vacuum
line.
If the manifold is leaking,
consider taking the car to a shop and let a pro handle the task.
Engine Stumbles, But No
Cause Is Identified
Question 6
My 2002 Nissan Quest has a
3.3-liter engine with 105,000 miles.
When the engine is idling every once in a while the engine cuts out as
if I quickly turned off the ignition and then turn it back on. The engine does not stall, it just momentarily
cuts off. When driving the engine runs
fine and does not cut off.
I took the car to a repair
shop. The problem never surfaced for
them. They did a number of tests and
found a problem with a knocking sensor.
They replaced it but the trouble is not fixed. At this time they do not know what causes the
trouble and suggest that I drive until the problem becomes worse. Worse to me means that the engine stalls and
leaves me stranded.
Do you have any
suggestions? M.K., email
Answer 6
This is the type of
condition that is difficult to diagnose.
Since it only occurs at an idle all a technician can do is run the
engine with test equipment connected, monitor patterns on a scope and wait for
the engine to falter. Once it does he
can see what occurred then he can troubleshoot the circuit that is causing the
issue. Also, a technician can wiggle
wires and tap on sensors in an attempt to induce the trouble. There may be a sensor with a poor external
connection or internal problem on a circuit board. Perhaps there is a ground connection that is
loose or impaired by corrosion.
Perhaps these suggestions
will successfully find the cause of the fault.
On the other hand there is no guarantee he will find the trouble but you
will pay for the time he spends wiggling wires and monitoring a lab scope or
other equipment. Consider limiting labor
time to an hour before he starts probing for the trouble.
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@hotmail.com 03/04/2013 ® DR. GIZMO © 1989-Present
Recalls of The Day - Friday, March 22, 2013
Hello everyone! The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been busy. They issued two recalls. One concern is over stalling engines that is caused by corrosion. The other concern is brakes could inadvertently apply without driver input on the brake pedal. Drivers of these vehicles may think gremlins are applying the brakes or turning off the ignition.
All kidding aside, if your vehicle is affected by these recalls please have it repaired as these conditions could have serious consequences including property damage, injury or death.
Report Receipt Date: MAR 15, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V093000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,253
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Ford Commercial Vehicle Lineup Expands with Industry’s Broadest Range of CNG/LPG-Ready Offerings
- Sales of Ford trucks with CNG/LPG-prepped engines have soared more than 350 percent since 2009, as gas prices continue to fluctuate and CNG cost remains stable
- Businesses are using CNG-fueled trucks to lower their operating costs, with the payback period for recouping conversion upfit cost as fast as 24 to 36 months of in-use service
- From vans to pickups to chassis, Ford offers customers the widest selection – among full-line manufacturers – of vehicles factory prepped for conversion
DEARBORN, Mich - Sales of Ford vehicles capable of running on compressed natural gas or propane autogas have reached record levels, as businesses and commercial customers seek relief from constantly fluctuating gas prices.
In response to increased customer demand for compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid propane gas (LPG) ready vehicles, Ford has expanded its portfolio of product offerings in this growing alternative-fuel market segment.
“Since 2009, we’ve seen the number of Built Ford Tough commercial vehicles sold with factory-prepped engines for CNG/LPG upfit increase by more than 350 percent,” said Jon Coleman, Ford Fleet Sustainability and Technology manager. “To expand power of choice for our commercial customers, we are offering CNG/LPG prepped engines in additional vehicle nameplates – from the Transit Connect compact van up to medium-duty F-650 models.”
As gas prices continue to rise, CNG conversion can drastically lower vehicle operating costs for fleet administrators. CNG sells for an average of $2.10 per gallon, representing a significant savings over unleaded regular fuel, selling for a national average of $3.78 per gallon according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report. As the commercial vehicle market leader, Ford aims to provide sustainable solutions for a broad spectrum of its fleet customers.
CNG is made by compressing natural gas, which is mainly composed of methane. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of 2,900 to 3,600 psi. About 85 percent of the CNG used in the United States is produced domestically. Depending on application and usage, businesses can see payback for CNG/LPG systems in as little as 24 to 36 months.
Another benefit of this alternative fuel: Cleaner emissions. CNG usage can result in up to 30 percent less greenhouse gas emissions according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Companies and fleet customers are also making long-term commitments to CNG. The city of Indianapolis, where this year’s NTEA Work Truck Show is being held, has committed to shifting its cars, heavy trucks and police cruisers to a mix of electricity and natural gas, aiming to eliminate use of conventional gas and diesel fuels by 2025.
Power of choice
Ford, the best-selling commercial vehicle brand in North America, will offer the all-new Ford Transit range of full-size vans, wagons, cutaway, and chassis cab models powered by a 3.7-liter V6 equipped with a CNG/LPG prep kit to assist customers running their vehicles with these abundant, affordable, clean fuels.
Transit joins the current compact Transit Connect® van, wagon and taxi lineup; Ford Super Duty® pickups; stripped chassis, legendary E-Series vans, wagons and cutaways; and medium-duty F-450®, F-550® and F-650® variants in offering factory-prepped engines for CNG/LPG conversion.
The next generation of the Transit Connect range will add yet another CNG-ready engine when it goes on sale later this year, offering a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that is more responsive and fuel efficient due to its use of intake-variable camshaft timing.
Each Ford engine that is factory-prepped for gaseous conversion comes equipped with hardened valves and valve seats, and Super Duty trucks equipped with the 6.2-liter V8 feature a unique bi-fuel intake manifold to accommodate these cleaner-burning fuels.
CNG/LPG engine prep from the factory costs approximately $325 before the customer chooses a partner to supply fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors. Upfits run approximately $9,500 to $12,500, depending on fuel tank capacity.
The commercial truck market is composed of many unique vocations and vehicle requirements. Ford is collaborating with qualified upfitters to deliver completed vehicles under its Qualified Vehicle Modifier program.
# # #
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 171,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
Recalls Of The Day, March 20, 2013
Hello readers! I hope all is well with you.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued three recalls. There are concerns over transmission software. Another issue is explosion and fire. The last issue is incorrect information on a vehicle certification label that could cause confusion over possible recalls.
If your vehicle is affected please have the concern repaired. After all we want you to be safe.
Report Receipt Date: MAR 15, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V097000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , POWER TRAIN
Potential Number of Units Affected: 26,582
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued three recalls. There are concerns over transmission software. Another issue is explosion and fire. The last issue is incorrect information on a vehicle certification label that could cause confusion over possible recalls.
If your vehicle is affected please have the concern repaired. After all we want you to be safe.
Report Receipt Date: MAR 15, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V097000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , POWER TRAIN
Potential Number of Units Affected: 26,582
Vehicle MakeModelModel Year(s)
SUMMARY:
CONSEQUENCE:
REMEDY:
NOTES:
Monday, March 18, 2013
Recall Recap For The Week Of March 11, 2013
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced their recall recap for last week. Please review the recalls. If you need more information click on the NHTSA ID number. Your browser will take you directly to all the details.
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Terex
South Dakota, Inc.
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
TEREX
/ 1999-2012
|
|
Subject :
|
Utility
Truck
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Ford
Motor Company
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
FORD
/ 2013
|
|
Subject :
|
Driver
Side Child Lock may not Function
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Supreme
Corporation
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
STARTRANS
/ 2009-2010
|
|
Subject :
|
Wheelchair
Lift Armored Cable Short Circuit
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
PACCAR
Incorporated
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
KENWORTH
/ 2014
|
|
Subject :
|
Seat
Belt Anchor Reinforcement may be Misinstalled
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Ford
Motor Company
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
FORD
/ 2004-2007
MERCURY / 2004-2007 |
|
Subject :
|
Corrosion
of Third Row Seat Attachment
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Great
Dane Trailers
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
GREAT
DANE / 2011
|
|
Subject :
|
Cracking
Welds may Lead to Axle Disengagement
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Subaru
of America, Inc.
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
SUBARU
/ 2012
|
|
Subject :
|
Wiper
Motor Bottom Cover Melting
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Subaru
of America, Inc.
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
SUBARU
/ 2012
|
|
Subject :
|
Moonroof
Glass - Separation/Detachment
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Terex
South Dakota, Inc.
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
TEREX
/ 2012
|
|
Subject :
|
Utility
Truck Aerial Device Leveling Arm
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Daimler
Trucks North America
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
FREIGHTLINER
/ 2012-2013
|
|
Subject :
|
Smartplex
Switch Hub Module
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Daimler
Trucks North America
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
FREIGHTLINER
/ 2011-2013
|
|
Subject :
|
Cracks
in Fuel Tank may Leak Gasoline
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Starcraft
RV, Inc.
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
STARCRAFT
/ 2013
|
|
Subject :
|
Progressive
Dynamics Power Converter Short Circuit
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Jayco,
Inc.
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
JAYCO
/ 2013
|
|
Subject :
|
Progressive
Dynamics Power Converter Short Circuit
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Nissan
North America, Inc.
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
INFINITI
/ 2013
NISSAN / 2013 |
|
Subject :
|
Occupant
Detection System May Disable Pass Air Bag
|
|
NHTSA Campaign ID
Number :
|
|
|
Manufacturer :
|
Nissan
North America, Inc.
|
|
Make / Model Years :
|
NISSAN
/ 2013
|
|
Subject :
|
Fuel
Tank may Leak when Full
|
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