Thump! Oh crap, another one. PDR can Fix it!

This week Pat Goss gives us another take on what PDR is (Paintless Dent Repair)and how it only works on dents where the metal isn’t stretched or creased and where the paint isn’t scratched. Listen now by clicking the audio clip below.

Quickie: 002

2002 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3

The complaint is an MIL on. The first step to find what causes an MIL is to get the stored trouble code. This one is P0456. A small leak detected in the evaporative system.

Where would you start? You start with an inspection of the gas cap and check the gas cap seal for cracks. Underhood you should inspect the evap hoses for cracks, especially any rubber hoses that fasten to plastic or steel tubing. There, near the throttle body is a small leak in the rubber hose where it fastens to the plastic tube. Under car look for the same sort of cracks. Another hose was cracked near the canister.

It only takes some careful inspection.

Kenneth Hayes
deranger@ipa.net

Quickie: 001

1998 Buick Century 3.1M

The complaint is long crank time on a start, black smoke once started and stalling at low engine speeds.

Where would you start?

Pull the vacuum hose from the pressure regulator and look for signs of fuel. There should be no sign of fuel at the vacuum port. If there is fuel the regulator is bad and extra fuel is being pulled into the engine.

The MIL is also on so trouble codes should be checked. If caused by the fuel problem they can be cleared after the repair.

P0172 indicates a rich fuel condition

P0300 indicates rough engine running

P1133 indicates too little activity from the O2 sensor

All those were probably set by the fuel problem but we should watch the O2 activity after the repair to verify the sensor is good.

That is about as easy as it gets.

Kenneth Hayes

deranger@ipa.net

GM Flashing 3

GM and the Snapon Pass Thru Pro II

We'll continue from our previous posts on flashing GM. In part 1 we established an account and subscription on the GM server. In part 2 we used that subscription, an IBM Thinkpad laptop and the Cardone Flash2 All-Makes Reprogrammer to perform a PCM calibration update on a 2002 Chevy Malibu. In part 3 we'll replace a faulty PCM with a remanufactured unit and do a fresh programming install using the Snapon Pass Thru Pro II.

I have the Snapon software installed on a Toshiba laptop running Vista. Make sure the Snapon J2534 device is connected to the pc. Test the vehicle battery. Replace or charge as needed. Remember the battery needs to remain between 12.5 and 14 volts during the process. Connect the Pass Thru Pro II to the OBDII connector under the dash and open the flash program on the pc. Choose "flashing" and GM. Choose "GM J2534 Website" and log on to your account. Read the terms and conditions and choose "accept". Choose "service and programming information". Choose "TIS2 Web Service Programming". You will probably see the news available message. Click "ok". Choose "Service Programming System". Click "start SPS" and cross your fingers. Hah, it worked! Click "skip". Choose the tool you are using. In this case, J2534 PassThruPro. Choose "replace and program ECU". Now even if you are going to replace a module other than a PCM don't let ECU throw you off. You would still make this choice. Choose "next". Follow the instructions, turn the key on. Click "next". "Chevrolet", "2004", "LD Truck", "Trailblazer EXT", "5.3". Click "next". You should see the vin retrieved. This one did not retrieve so we will enter the vin. Be sure it is entered correctly. The next screen then shows you all the possible modules you can "replace and program". So lets choose "next".

Now choose PCM, Normal and "Next". Turn off the key and replace the PCM. I turn the charger off at this time as well. I like to get the PCM up into an area where I have good access and that is possible here without too much trouble. These things are buried sometimes.

Loosen the hex head bolts in the center of each connector and you can remove the wire connectors from the PCM. There are weather seals at each connector and they tend to stay with the PCM so be sure you put them back on the connectors before fastening them to the new computer. Speaking of weather sealers... when I disconnected the wiring from the PCM I noticed a drop of water. You should always give things a closer look so:

There is water standing in the area around the PCM pins and a lot of corrosion damage. Now I am not surprised the vin could not be retrieved. The fault causing me to replace the PCM was that it could not read the correct O2 sensor output for Bank1 Sensor1. I'm surprised now that it could do much of anything correctly. Now we'll want to clean the female terminals in the connectors very carefully before installing them on the replacement PCM. We don't want any of the corrosion to remain. We'll also need to figure out what allowed the water in and what we can do to prevent this happening again.

Now before we put the connectors onto the replacement PCM we want to look at all the pins to make sure they are all straight and in good condition. A pin slightly bent can quickly become broken when you push a connector in place and pull it down with the hex bolt. This looks good so lets get it installed.

Ok, charger back on. Key on. Click "next" and hope I haven't timed out my GM server connection. Looks good. A calibration for the new PCM shows up. Select that and click "next". A description of the programming about to be installed.

Click "next". Instruction to remove #19 and #51 fuses from the rear fuse block. Ok. Click "next". We are programming. Done. We may have to relearn crankshaft position. We need to turn off the key and put the fuses back in. Exit the Snapon software. Make sure I am clear under the hood for an engine start. Turn off the charger. Disconnect the J2534 device from the vehicle.

The engine starts but there is a security light and service engine light. Now I remember there could be a code for the crank relearn but there isn't. There is a U0107 for a data problem between the PCM and the Throttle Control. There is a P1626 security code. When I clear the codes the truck will not restart. We can do a security relearn and should get a start. It goes like this:

Turn the key on, engine is off. Turn the key to start and release to on. The truck won't start. When the security light goes OFF, turn the key off. Wait 5 seconds and do all that again exactly the same way two more times. After the third time the key is off and you have waited the 5 seconds it should start on the next crank.

It worked except I finally gave up on the security light going off that third time and tried it anyway. I cleared codes and no lights have returned. I just need to test drive tomorrow after getting the PCM back in place. If no more lights pop on I'll wrap it up by seeing what I can do to prevent any more water damage.

Whew! I love my job!

Kenneth Hayes

AKA Deranger

GM Flashing 2

Cardone Flash2 All-Makes Reprogrammer and GM

We'll continue the GM Flashing from part 1. You should now have a GM server account and a current subscription. You'll need those to access the GM software to allow the flash to be done. Your pc will link you to GM and your J2534 device will link your pc to the GM vehicle. There are minimum pc requirements for the GM applications and the Cardone Flash2. You should check that your pc meets those. I'm using an old IBM Thinkpad w/XP Pro that works fine. I was happy to see that because it was an ebay purchase for $200. A very inexpensive investment.

The Cardone Flash2 software comes with installation instructions and I'd say it is idiot proof since I had no particular problem with it.

I do remember that after the software install I had problems with the Flash2 being recognized by the pc until I realized the Flash2 must be powered up (connected to the car obdII connector or to the a/c adapter) before opening the Flash2 program.

Now once you get the pc ready and the J2534 device ready, you have to get the car ready. You must have a good battery on the car and it must be fully charged. Test the battery. If it is bad, replace it. If it needs a charge, charge it. It has been my own experience that even with a good, fully charged battery most cars won't maintain voltage in the correct range throughout the programming process without some help. Many technicians use a booster pack connected to the battery and have good results with that. I've had better results with a charger connected and running at low charge. I should say at this point that the Cardone Flash2 instructions say do not leave the charger connected to the vehicle. I commonly get several interruptions during a flash session that extend the key on time. I also find complications arise in the process itself that extend key on time. Using a battery with a booster and no charger left me aborting the flash several times in a session to recharge the battery. Weighing the options I decided to start leaving the charger on low and have never had a problem from that. I can't say every charger would be fine to use. I suspect some would be a bad idea. Take a look at this 2002 Malibu charging system noise with engine running and alternator doing the work:

Now look at this from the shop charger on the 2 amp maintainer setting:

The 10 amp setting has about twice the a/c noise as the alternator output but this 2 amp setting keeps the battery up and is a very clean output. Does any of that matter? I'm not sure but it does work so I'm staying with it.

Now lets get started making all this work together. I'll turn the charger on the 2 amp maintainer setting. The pc is up and running. You should cancel automatic updates and any automatic shutdown you may have set. It is best to have your reprogramming pc do only that. You don't want it to be doing software updates, checking email or running other activities at the same time as you are performing a flash.

Make sure the usb cable from the Flash2 is connected to the pc. Connect the Flash2 data cable to the car's OBDII connector under the dash. Double-click the Flash2 icon on the desktop. The disclaimer screen will come up. If you agree to not hold Cardone responsible for anything you tear up then you click "agree". Click the GM icon in the OEM Reprogramming section.

At the next screen choose Flash2 Reprogramming.

On the next screen there is a choice to do the flash on-car or off-car. If you have purchased the extra leads you can flash an ecm with no car involved. I use the off-car for the convenience of other shops. They can bring me the ecm they need flashed and keep the car in their own shop. As long as the ecm is the same part number I can even reprogram a used module to work on a different vehicle. It is very easily done with most GM vehicles. For my own non-professional customers I prefer to do a flash on-car. Sometimes you need to be able to access more than one module and sometimes other issues arise such as security relearns. I think of it like this, I used to repair and overhaul carburetors. Actually I still do but it isn't very often any more. When a customer brings in only the carb for repair they can't get a complete job. With the complete car I can see that the carburetor is properly removed, installed, make adjustments and address any issues the car may have that affect the carb operation such as a misfire or vacuum leak. An off-car ecm flash is similar to that, the job can need further work to be complete.

Our volunteer vehicle for the example will be a 2002 Malibu w/3.1 engine. We'll choose on-car reprogramming. The next screen contains warnings such as no charger connected, disable popup blocker, close other programs, check connections, etc. Pay attention to the warnings and use good judgement. Click "next" when ready and you will be asked to turn the ignition on. Click "ok" when that is done. The next screen will allow a battery test to determine if voltage is in range for the flash procedure. The test can be skipped but I recommend it. The battery should be at least 12.5 volts and no more than 14 volts. The test will give the voltage reading and a pass or fail result. Because the car has automatic headlamps and they are on with the ignition key we get a "fail" message.

If I disable the automatic headlamps and wait a couple of minutes I get a "pass" but the voltage is at the minimum allowed.

Now I could crank the charger up a notch but since it is a controversial issue anyway I chose to add a booster pack to the mix. With the charger on 2 amp, a booster pack connected and the auto headlamps disabled I have a 12.8 volt battery test result so we'll click "next". A few more important instructions to read through and then we'll click "next" again. Choose GM or Saturn. We'll choose GM. Choose cd/dvd or web link. We are using the web link. After clicking "next" the GM server screen will come up and you can enter your user name and password. Scroll to the bottom of the "terms and conditions", choose "accept" and click "continue". Click "service and programming information". Click "TIS2 Web Service Programming". I always get a message popup that says there is unread news. Click "ok". Choose Service Programming System on the left of the next screen. Another popup, whatever is a current news message. Click "ok". Now always read your instructions that come up on each screen, especially when you are new to the process. On this next screen click "start sps".

SPS is a java program so make sure you have a late version of java installed. If your version is too old it won't work. Sometimes it doesn't work anyway.

I could dress this all up but it would be dishonest. The truth is that flashing can be very frustrating and is not for the faint of heart. Occasionally things go very smoothly, more often they do not. Now this could be a java error or a problem with my own computer. It could be a problem with the GM side of the application. "Details" is meaningless jargon to me so first a reboot is tried with no help. Next a system restore to a couple days earlier. That didn't work either. Uninstalling Java and then reinstalling Java did the trick.

Once the SDS application loads you will be offered an installation for Tech2 GM scan tool, skip that step. Select the J2534 device and choose either to reprogram an existing module or to replace and reprogram a different module. If you choose the first option you can only reprogram if an update exists. The second option allows programming over any current program.

In this case we will be updating a current module.

In the next few screens we'll select make, model year, vehicle type and make. The pc will communicate with the ecm and determine the vin. Check that the vin stored and communicated matches the vin of the car. The pc will check with the GM server and return a list of modules you can access. In this case it is only the PCM. Select programming type "normal" and click "next". A wealth of information is on the next screen. You can see the current PCM calibration is 12218554. You can see several calibration updates in history and what those updates were for. You can see that an update is available for the car. Update calibration 12588232 is to correct a misfire at 70 mph.

Select 12588232 and click "next". You'll see a brief summary of the situation.

What you see next is a visual of the reprogramming process. The update has been downloaded from the GM server to the pc and now the pc is loading the updated programming into the ECU through the J2534 Flash2 device. It is a very critical time. I had the pc lock up once during this process and destroy a PCM. I had to replace it. The programming had not proceeded far enough that the PCM would re-establish communication.

Once the programming is complete you'll see any specific instructions that may apply to the system. This one may need crankshaft variation relearned or set code P1336/P0315. If on restart I see this code then I will know to perform a crankshaft relearn.





We are done with the GM server and can cancel, returning to the Flash2 pc software to exit. The Flash2 software will ask us to leave the J2534 device connected for 30 seconds for a final burn of the new programming. Just follow the instructions. Now before exiting the software completely we can verify the new programming calibration using "analyze" mode.

Notice the calibration is now 12588232 or the most current available at this time. We have verified the flash was successful. We aren't done yet. Let's turn off the charger, disconnect the booster pack, replace those automatic headlamp relays and see if the car starts. Eureka! Sometimes a security relearn has to be done before the car will start. This one started fine so we want to notice if the Service Engine light is off. Remember we were warned there may be a crankshaft relearn to be done. Not in this case. The light is off and we are finished. There that wasn't so bad. It always feels good when you are done. I hope this gave you a good idea of what is involved in a flash session and what can happen. Next we'll cover a GM flash using the Snapon J2534 device, Pass Thru Pro II if there is interest.

Kenneth Hayes

AKA Deranger

Preventative Maintenence-do you do it based on miles or hours or both?

This week Pat Goss discusses why Preventative maintenence should be done based on Time and not Mileage. Listen to the audio clip below.

GM Flashing

GM Flashing with Cardone Flash2 All Makes Reprogrammer

You'll need to set up an account on the GM server and then get a current TIS2 Web subscription. Go to http://www.acdelcotds.com/acdelco/action/subscribehome

The Cardone Flash2 is a J2534 device so choose subscribe now under that option.

I should mention that no matter what brand of J2534 device you use you will need to use these steps to establish the GM TIS2 Web account and flash GM vehicles. After the Subscribe Now you'll be sent to the login page. If you have no account then choose "click here" and follow instructions to set up an account. Login and password are case-sensitive so be aware of that.

Once the account is setup you'll get an email to verify and then can access your new account from the Login page. After the login you'll be directed to the "terms and conditions of use" page. If you scroll, at the bottom is a choice to accept and then to continue. Now that you have an account you'll need a subscription. If you accepted the use terms and clicked on continue you should be at a page that allows you to choose "Service Information" (GM may make changes to the site so this can only be a guide at best). Choose "Subscribe Now" for J2534 reprogramming, choose your subscription type and follow the instructions. You'll get a confirmation email. Once the subscription is current you are ready to use the Flash2 or other J2534 device.

Watch for part 2 in this series. We'll need to get the Flash2 up and running.

Kenneth Hayes

AKA Deranger

Alignments- What you need to know about them.

This week pat Goss talks about alignments, when you need them, what type and maybe you don't need one when you think you do. Learn how to shop smart when looking for  a good alignment. Listen to the audio clip below as he explains all this.

Hey Look! I found the Loose Nut!

This week on the lighter side of Automotive repair we have an interview that Pat Goss did with the author of the book"Hey Look! I found the Loose Nut!" In this book the author Scott "Gonzo" Weaver Gives us a humorous look at what goes on at a repair shop. This book will make you take a second look at how you've been treating your automobile repairman. "Gonzo" runs a repair shop in Oklahoma and is  seen in his very own chat room found off his web page at http://gonzostoolbox.com/ on Sunday evenings 7:00pm CDT.

BTW: Gonzo has joined our mailing list here on carfix_online a few weeks ago.

Lauren Fix at CES(Consumers Electronics Show)

More Gadgets from Lauren Fix "The Car Coach" !

Chrysler's new Transmission the "Turboencabulator"

Just announced today in breaking news, Chrysler has introduced a new type of transmission. Data is very sketchy right now (data sheet picture on left)but reports say it will use the "modial interaction of magneto-reluctance and capacitive directance". A variation of a magnetically controlled transmission.

Allen-Bradley will manufacture controls. Dodge Power Transmission manufactures the gears and bearings. Reliance Electric will manufacture the motors, and Rockwell Software a division of Rockwell Automation the firmware.

The video below goes on to explain what is the"differential girdle spring" and "dingle arm" the terminology that describes how it will function.