I plan on buying a 2003 Chevy Tahoe with 115,000 miles on it what do I need to do to check out to make sure it’s a good vehicle
RESPONSE
Jun 202016
Jun 092016
I just replaced my upstream 02 sensor and have not replaced the downstream 02 sensor just yet to see if I only needed one and I replaced upstream and ran diagnostic and the upstream that I just replaced is erroring out. Any advice?
RESPONSE
Check your wiring harness and the connections. Provide the engine trouble code you are dealing with for more information.
Jun 082016
I have a Camaro Berlinetta. I just notice my passenger and rear floorboards are wet when I left up the mats. Mats are dry on top but wet underneath. Sides are dry. I don’t smell any coolant. The car sits on level ground. What could cause the leaking?
RESPONSE
Still could be heater core leaking. Check the coolant level periodically to determine if you are loosing any coolant. The seals around the door may be leaking. Spray with water hose and see if any gets in.
Another thought may be the evaporator core drain plug is clogged.
Jun 072016
I had a blowout on my right passenger side front tire. my car now pulls left. makes a grinding noise when turning the wheel left. and the mechanic says my tires aren’t at the angles they are suppose to be. pointed inward but the passenger side is worse than the drivers side. it throws my traction dash light on every now and then. and it has ruined 7 tires on the passenger front side in 2 months. the alignment place said it needs a framing machine. then they said it needs new strut. now they are saying my strut is fine. what else could be doing this???
RESPONSE
A warn hub bearing assembly.
2011 Chevy Cruze Hub Bearing Replacement
2011-chevy-cruze-front-wheel-bearing-and-hub-replacementJun 072016
1998 Chevrolet 3/4 ton w/ 350 engine has gas and spark but won’t start. Do you have any troubleshooting suggestions?
RESPONSE
Check compression and timing along with injector pulse.
Jun 072016
Why does the motor shake and knock only when its idling
RESPONSE
A knock at idle that goes away when the engine rpm is increased is caused from main connecting rod bearing failure.
A knock that gets louder as the engine rpms are increased is caused by rod bearing failure.
Jun 062016
The blower motor in my 2008 Chevy impala 3.5 engine cuts out completely. A few swift kicks under the glove box usually gets it going again. There are no strange noises,
all speeds work, and the temperature adjusts as it should.
RESPONSE
- Check the connections at the blower motor
- Confirm battery negative and positive when the blower is not working
- Replace blower motor
The kicking under the dash is probably enough to jar the internal brushes in the motor just enough to get it to make sufficient contact. This allows the motor to operate until the next time. Replacing the blower motor would be the fix.
2008 Chevy impala Blower Motor Replacement
- Remove the right closeout insulator.
- Disconnect the blower motor electrical connector.
- Push Pin Retainer (Qty: 2)
Tip
Remove the courtesy lamp, if equipped.
Jun 022016
When my 2002 Cheverolet Silverado 1500 4WD Ext Cab LS is moving the front end rattle badly. When i put in 4wd the rattle is quite a bit quieter however the 4wd does not engage it just makes a clicking sound. I Know the front end is out of alignment and needs to be realigned , but the rattle noise and 4wd malfunction is new. What could be the problem or problems?
RESPONSE
There are many possibilities when it comes to a rattle noise or any noise for that mater. Could be something loose or worn. A hub bearing assembly going out could be at fault. Maybe an axle-shaft or universal joint going bad. Could be internal in the front differential. Possible 4WD actuator issue.
Front Drive Axle Description and Operation
Selectable Four Wheel Drive (S4WD) Front Axle Description and Operation
The Selectable Four Wheel Drive (S4WD) Front Axle consist of the following components:
| • | Differential Carrier Housing |
| • | Differential Assembly |
| • | Output Shafts (Left and Right Side) |
| • | Inner Axle Shaft Housing |
| • | Inner Axle Shaft (Right Side) |
| • | Clutch Fork |
| • | Clutch Fork Sleeve |
| • | Electric Motor Actuator |
The front axle on Selectable Four Wheel Drive model vehicles uses a central disconnect feature in order to engage and disengage the front axle. When the driver engages the 4WD system, the Transfer Case Control Module sends a signal to the electric motor actuator to energize and extend the plunger inside. The extended plunger moves the clutch fork and clutch fork sleeve across the inner axle shaft and the clutch fork shaft and locks the two shafts together. The locking of the two shafts allows the axle to operate in the same manner as a semi-floating rear axle. A propeller shaft connects the transfer case to the front axle. The differential carrier assembly uses a conventional ring and pinion gear set to transmit the driving force of the engine to the wheels. The open differential allows the wheels to turn at different rates of speed while the axle continues to transmit the driving force. This prevents tire scuffing when going around corners and premature wear on internal axle parts. The ring and pinion set and the differential are contained within the carrier. The axle identification number is located on top of the differential carrier assembly or on a label on the bottom of the right half of differential carrier assembly. The drive axles are completely flexible assemblies consisting of inner and outer constant velocity CV joints protected by thermoplastic boots and connected by a wheel drive shaft.
Full-Time Four Wheel Drive (F4WD) Front Axle Description and Operation
The Full-Time Four Wheel Drive (F4WD) Front Axle consist of the following components:
| • | Differential Carrier Housing |
| • | Differential Assembly |
| • | Output Shaft (Left Side) |
| • | Inner Axle Shaft Housing |
| • | Inner Axle Shaft (Right Side) |
The front axle on Full-Time Four Wheel Drive model vehicles does not have a central disconnect feature in order to engage and disengage the front axle. The left and right axle shafts are connected directly to the differential case assembly. This allows the axle shafts and the propeller shaft to spin continuously. The transfer case controls the amount of torque applied to the front axle. The remaining components are the same as the selectable four wheel drive axle.
May 242016
It stopped running one night on my way home from work. Like it ran out of gas. I had a New fuel pump and filter put in and still won’t run
RESPONSE
Quick test would be to spray some starting fluid in the air filter and see if it tries to start. If it does you need to concentrate on the fuel system. If it does not, check for spark next.
May 152016
Had code C0327 on my 2005 Chevy Suburban 1500 Z71. Replaced Encoder Motor Sensor. Transfer Case shifted and worked just fine for a few days, then quit working. I discovered that I had not secured the wiring harness and the drive shaft wore through a wire to the encoder motor.(green with black stripe) I repaired the wire, but now nothing happens when selecting any of the control panel buttons, none of the lights come on. All the lights will light momentarily when first turning on the key, but that’s it. They don’t light or blink when selected. I have checked all the fuses (at least in the two locations I know of. Under the hood by the battery and the left side of the dash) Did I fry the Encoder Motor Sensor or something else? Is there a voltage check that I can perform to make sure I am getting the voltage to the encoder motor? If so, could you supply me with the pins to check and the voltage to expect and maybe a wiring diagram? Continuity checks? Thanks
RESPONSE
Some customers may comment that the Service 4WD light is on, the 4WD system is inoperative or the 4WD switch indicator lights are blinking.
Code C0327
Technicians may find DTC C0327 in the Transfer Case Control Module (TCCM). This would indicate an encoder sensor malfunction.
It is also possible that the module may be in a mode that will not allow any shifts or updates for the software or calibrations. If this occurs, the TREC fuse (in the engine compartment) must be pulled and reinstalled after 30 seconds. This should allow further operation and service of the system. If a C0550 code is found, this is an unrelated concern and SI diagnostics should be followed for this concern.
The Fix:
I would just reprogram the tccs module if you haven’t already. This should eliminate the problem.
Important: Carefully handle and install the new encoder. Improper installation of the encoder could result in a repeat failure.
- Raise the vehicle.
- Disconnect the transfer case motor/encoder wiring harness.
- Remove the four bolts that secure the motor/encoder to the transfer case.
- Remove the motor/encoder from the transfer case.
- Remove the black plastic gasket/over plate from the motor/encoder.
-
Push out the two “single” locking tabs (two lower arrows in illustration above) located on the underside of the housing (motor end). 6.2. At the other end of the gasket/cover plate, place a flathead screwdriver tip (1) between the gasket/cover plate and the motor housing near the “dual” locking tabs. Twist the screwdriver clockwise/counterclockwise at both sides until the locking tabs break and the gasket/cover plate comes off. 6.3. Discard the gasket/cover plate.
- Avoiding the wire connection, take two small flathead screwdrivers (one on each side of the encoder) and rock the encoder sensor out using light pressure on each screwdriver.
- Gently remove the encoder sensor from the wire harness connector. Pry these apart by inserting a small flathead screwdriver between the terminals and the harness connector. Verify that no damage or corrosion exists on either male encoder terminals or female wiring harness terminals.
- Install the new encoder sensor by connecting to the harness and then gently sliding the encoder sensor over the motor shaft. The hex feature (3) on the encoder should face down toward the motor housing. Make sure the tab (1) on the encoder mates with the notch (2) on the shaft. If the encoder tab is not aligned with the output shaft, rotate the encoder inner ring by hand to mate properly. Press the encoder fully onto the shaft and into the housing.
Important:
| • | Make sure the encoder cover (1) is flush or below the surface of the motor housing and fully seated into place. |
| • | Ensure that the new encoder/harness assembly is fully seated to the encoder sensor. |
Install a new gasket/cover plate. This should snap into position. Make sure all the four tabs are FULLY engaged.
Install the motor/encoder onto the transfer case using four M8-1.25 X .35 flange head bolts.
Tighten
Tighten all four bolts to 13.5 to 17.6 N·m (10 to 13 lb ft).
Connect the transfer case motor/encoder wiring harness.
Following normal SPS reprogramming procedures, reprogram the transfer case control module with the latest software calibration.
Verify that the 4WD system is operational.