Vehicle: 2011 Ford Truck F-450, 2WD, Super Duty V8-6.7L DSL Turbo, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 131,190

Problem: The owner had his Ford F-450 towed to the shop because the column shifter was stuck in Park and would not release.

Vehicle: 2008 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan (1K2), L5-2.5L (CBTA), Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 178,433

Problem: The vehicle owner brought the car to the shop because the air conditioner (A/C) was blowing warm air.

Vehicle:  2008 Ford Crown Victoria, V8-4.6L, Flex Fuel, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 192,446

Problem: The vehicle was towed into the shop because the transmission could not be shifted out of Park.

Vehicle: 2006 Dodge Durango, 2WD, V6-3.7L, VIN K, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 236,009

Problem: This vehicle was towed in because the engine would crank over but not start.

Vehicle: 2007 Ford F-150, 4WD, V8-5.4L, VIN 5, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 242,302

Problem: This F150 was brought in for a rough idle and lack of power concern. The owner also noticed black smoke coming from the exhaust and it smelled like fuel.

Vehicle: 2010 Volkswagen Routan (7B1), V6-4.0L (CGVA), Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 162,232

Problem: Customer stated that the engine would intermittently stall when releasing the accelerator pedal mostly when it was wet or raining. It stalled on dry days too but not as often. The malfunction indicator light (MIL) was not ON.

Vehicle:  2011 Mazda CX-7, AWD, 2.3Turbo, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 132,446

Problem: The vehicle was dropped off at the shop because the driver’s side window would not operate.

Vehicle: 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan, V6-3.6L, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 113,661

Problem: The vehicle was towed in for a “crank/no start” problem. According to the owner, it started as an intermittent “hard start/extended crank” issue, which eventually turned into the “crank/no start” problem, and at that point, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) came on.

Vehicle: 2008 Saturn Aura, V6-3.5L, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 148,990

Problem: The owner brought this vehicle to the shop because, if the engine was turned off when it was at full operating temperature, it would not crank over when trying to restart. After cooling down for a while, the engine would crank and start normally.

Vehicle:  2005 Ford F-350, 4WD, Super Duty, V8-6.0L DSL Turbo, VIN P, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 235,867

Problem: While checking the lights on his trailer before a trip, the owner found that the parking lamps didn’t work. He brought the truck and trailer in to have it checked out.

Vehicle: 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, L4-2.5L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 107,854

Problem: This Chevy Malibu was towed to the shop with a "no crank" condition. The vehicle owner had replaced the battery. Immediately afterwards, the engine started up and ran but quickly died and the engine would not crank over.

Vehicle:  2005 Ford Focus, L4-2.0L, VIN N, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 221,093

Problem: This Ford Focus, equipped with the 4F27E transmission, arrived at a transmission specialty shop with an inoperative third gear.

Vehicle: 2011 Kia Rio, L4-1.6L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 145,009

Problem: This vehicle arrived at the shop with valve damage after breaking a timing belt while the engine was running. The vehicle owner didn’t realize that the timing belt had broken and replaced the fuel pump, hoping that would fix the problem. When that didn’t work, he brought the car in to the shop.

Vehicle: 2011 Mini Cooper S (R56), L4-1.6L Turbo (N18), Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

Mileage: 138,437

Problem: The vehicle came in for a crank but no-start condition.

Vehicle: 2003 BMW Z4 Roadster (E85), L6-3.0L (M54), Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 192,557

Problem: The vehicle was in the shop to fix an inoperative convertible top issue.

Vehicle: 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4WD, V8-4.7L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 188,602

Problem: The owner was concerned that the transmission had developed a harsh bang when shifting into gear and while shifting between gears on acceleration. In addition to the noise, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) was on.

Vehicle: 2014 Dodge Ram 1500, 4WD, V6-3.0L Turbo DSL, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 125,996

Problem: The owner brought his truck to the shop because the engine would intermittently stall while driving at any speed. It would also sometimes crank over but not start. The malfunction indicator light was not on.

Vehicle: 2011 Ford Taurus FWD V6-3.5L

Mileage: 187,990

Problem: The vehicle owner brought the vehicle to the shop because sometimes the water temperature gauge read too high, especially with the A/C on.

Vehicle: 2006 Honda Civic, L4-1.8L

Mileage: 226,509

Problem: After the transmission was replaced, the speedometer read 10 MPH with the engine idling and the transmission in “Park”. Another issue was that the transmission could not be shifted from “Park” to “Reverse”, but it could be shifted from “Drive” to “Reverse”.

Vehicle: 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, V6-3.6L

Mileage: 15,667

Problem: The vehicle was in a body shop having repairs done to the left front area. After the body repairs were completed, the engine hesitated, bogged on acceleration and the malfunction indicator light (MIL) was On.

Vehicle: 2002 Ford F150, 4WD, V8-5.4L SOHC, VIN L

Mileage: 165,802

Problem: This vehicle was brought to the shop because the A/C would not blow cold. The owner noticed that the A/C compressor would not engage.

Vehicle: 2007 Dodge Sprinter 2500, V6-3.0L DSL Turbo, VIN 45, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 169,995

Problem: The engine stays running with the key off. The malfunction indicator light is on with 38 DTCs present ...

Vehicle: 2009 Mazda Tribute, 4WD, V6-3.0L

Mileage: 189,005

Problem: The owner was concerned with a recent lack of power under hard acceleration onto the freeway or up steep hills. The malfunction indicator light (MIL) was not on.

Vehicle: 2003 Chevy K1500, 4WD, V8-4.8L, VIN V

Mileage: 238,782

Problem: The vehicle was dropped off at the shop because the turn signals would operate at standard speed only when no other lights were in use. If the brakes were applied or if the headlights were on, the turn signals began flashing much faster than normal.

Vehicle: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, V6-3.8L

Mileage: 196,002

Problem: The repair shop rebuilt the Grand Caravan’s automatic transmission. After the repairs, the transmission would intermittently slip in third and fourth gears. The technician checked the ATF level and found that it was two quarts over-filled. After setting the fluid to the correct level, the issue remained. A quick scan revealed the following diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs):

Vehicle: 2003 Ford Expedition, 4WD, V8-5.4L SOHC, VIN L

Mileage: 178,262

Problem: This vehicle was brought to the shop because the malfunction indicator light (MIL) and the air bag warning light was on.

Vehicle: 2008 Mercedes Benz E 350 Sedan (211.056), V6-3.5L (272.964)

Mileage: 189,005

Problem: The E 350 sedan was brought to the shop because a red warning message regarding the charging system was intermittently being displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC).

Vehicle: 2004 Nissan Altima, L4-2.5L (QR25DE)

Mileage: 198,234

Problem: This Altima originally came into the shop because the battery light was ON. The technician diagnosed the problem as a bad alternator and replaced it. When he started the engine to test the charging system, the new alternator quickly became very hot. He replaced the alternator again assuming the first one was defective. The second alternator did the same thing (A hand-held digital temperature sensor read 190°F).

Vehicle: 2009 Chevrolet Aveo, L4-1.6L

Mileage: 98,266

Problem: The vehicle was brought to the shop because the A/C was not working.

Vehicle: 2010 Chevy Equinox, AWD, L4-2.4L

Mileage: 96,002

Problem: This vehicle was towed in because the power steering was working one day, and when the owner got in to drive it the next morning, the power steering didn’t work.

Vehicle: 2007 Hyundai Tucson, FWD, L4-2.0L

Mileage: 211,021

Problem: The vehicle owner’s concern was that the anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light was on.

Vehicle: 2014 Ford Fusion, FWD, L4-1.5L Turbo

Mileage: 78,950

Problem: This vehicle was brought to the shop because the A/C was blowing hot air from all vents.

Vehicle: 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, V8-4.6L Flex Fuel

Mileage: 141,009

Problem: The vehicle was brought to the shop because the engine would intermittently stall during various driving conditions and the malfunction indicator light (MIL) was on.

Vehicle: 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 2WD, L4-2.0L, Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 51,004

Problem: The vehicle owner complained that the air conditioner was not cold enough.

Details: The technician verified that the vehicle was equipped with a dual-zone system. The air was cold coming out of the passenger side vents, but not on the driver’s side. He connected a scan tool and found no diagnostic trouble codes. A quick call to ALLDATA Tech-Assist resulted in some interesting experience-based advice.

Vehicle: 2010 Mini Cooper S Clubman, L4-1.6L Turbo (N14), Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 105,393

Problem: A customer brought his Mini Cooper to the shop because the malfunction indicator light was on. The problem was a bad catalytic converter. After the converter was replaced and the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) cleared, the evaporative (EVAP) emissions monitor would not run to completion.

Vehicle: 2007 BMW 760Li (E66), V12-6.0L (N73TU), Automatic Transmission

Mileage: 128,554

Problem: The vehicle owner asked the shop to replace the coolant and thermostat using the aftermarket part he provided. The technician installed the thermostat and replaced the coolant, but after the job was completed, the engine became hard to start and the malfunction indicator light (MIL) came on.

Vehicle: 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, L4-2.2L, VIN F, Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 162,692

Problem: The owner brought his Sunfire to the shop because the exterior lights were dim, and the windshield wipers ran slow, even when the high-speed setting was selected.

Vehicle: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan, V6-3.3L, VIN R, Automatic Transaxle

Mileage: 197,093

Problem: While the owner was driving around town, the engine suddenly died. When she tried to restart it, the starter would not crank the engine over. Additionally, she heard clicking noises from under the hood.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic it is still important to maintain a sense of humor, in light of that we presnt our April Fools’ Day Tech Tips. Three of our Tech Tips are true …

Vehicle: 2015 Nissan-Datsun Versa Sedan, L4-1.6L, CVT Transaxle

Mileage: 76,098

Problem: This vehicle was brought to the shop because the malfunction indicator lamp was on. The customer also mentioned that the engine would hesitate when she shifted the transmission into reverse.