How do I get to the motor without ripping apart my dash (it is behind the glove compartment)? The motor won't blow (fuses are fine) and it is starting to get cold out. Would like to see if any power is getting to the motor.
Response:
1) Try unplugging the motor and run some jumper wires from the battery to the motor. I had a Caravan and thought the motor was bad but it turned out to be the rectifier on the firewall under the hood that was the problem. If the motor is bad you will have to disassemble the glove box so you can get to the motor mounting screws. Check with the library to see if they have a manual that covers your car you can look at. I don't think they will loan them out.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
NHTSA upgrades probe of 382,000 Saturn Ion cars - electronic power steering
U.S. safety regulators have upgraded an investigation more than 382,000 Saturn Ion cars for possible steering problems.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it opened the engineering analysis after it and Saturn, a brand General Motors discontinued in 2009, received more than 4,000 complaints about sudden loss of electronic power steering assist in cars from model years 2004 through 2007.
Sixteen of the complaints said the power steering warning lamp had illuminated before or during the loss of power steering assist and the increased effort required to steer contributed to a crash, according to documents filed by NHTSA. Two of the crash claims indicated the driver was injured.
NHTSA also said GM had received 17,385 warranty claims related to the issue.
A GM spokesman said the automaker was cooperating with NHTSA.
Last year, GM recalled 1.05 million Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles to correct a defect in the electronic power steering assist motor, according to NHTSA. The defect was described as a buildup of brush debris mixed with oily material that caused the motor to stop functioning; "the same problem identified in the current subject vehicles," NHTSA said.
Previously NHTSA investigated the sudden loss of power steering assist in model year 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles.
In May 2011, GM provided safety regulators with complaint, warranty and power-steering system information for the Ion, as well as the Pontiac G6 and Chevy Malibu, according to NHTSA. In that response, GM indicated the power-steering system used in those vehicles was the same as that used in model year 2005 to 2010 Cobalts and Pontiac G5s.
NHTSA said it has duplicated the power-steering system failure in both a Cobalt and an Ion previously tested.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it opened the engineering analysis after it and Saturn, a brand General Motors discontinued in 2009, received more than 4,000 complaints about sudden loss of electronic power steering assist in cars from model years 2004 through 2007.
Sixteen of the complaints said the power steering warning lamp had illuminated before or during the loss of power steering assist and the increased effort required to steer contributed to a crash, according to documents filed by NHTSA. Two of the crash claims indicated the driver was injured.
NHTSA also said GM had received 17,385 warranty claims related to the issue.
A GM spokesman said the automaker was cooperating with NHTSA.
Last year, GM recalled 1.05 million Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles to correct a defect in the electronic power steering assist motor, according to NHTSA. The defect was described as a buildup of brush debris mixed with oily material that caused the motor to stop functioning; "the same problem identified in the current subject vehicles," NHTSA said.
Previously NHTSA investigated the sudden loss of power steering assist in model year 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles.
In May 2011, GM provided safety regulators with complaint, warranty and power-steering system information for the Ion, as well as the Pontiac G6 and Chevy Malibu, according to NHTSA. In that response, GM indicated the power-steering system used in those vehicles was the same as that used in model year 2005 to 2010 Cobalts and Pontiac G5s.
NHTSA said it has duplicated the power-steering system failure in both a Cobalt and an Ion previously tested.
Monday, October 17, 2011
General Motors, Penske join forces to bring Indy race back to the Motor City
Now that General Motors is out of bankruptcy and back in the auto sales race, another kind of race is coming back to its hometown. After a four-year absence, the Izod IndyCar Series is scheduled to return to Detroit June 1-3, 2012, to race a 2.1-mile circuit on Belle Isle, Detroit's island park in the Detroit River near downtown.
Chevrolet partnered with the Indy racing series and Penske Corp. in a three-year race deal.
"Chevrolet has a long, storied history in IndyCar racing," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. "This year we celebrated the shared centennial of Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500. We're excited to see that history continue with the help of Penske Corp. and IndyCar."
Reuss said reuniting with race team chief Roger Penske "is very personal for me." His father, Lloyd Reuss, a GM president in the early 1990s, worked with Penske on the original Chevy IndyCar program.
"I remember standing around the pit area as a boy with my dad," Reuss said, "during those glory days when Chevrolet absolutely dominated."
With GM healing from bankruptcy, Reuss said he saw the opportunity to reconnect with what he sees as "part of our corporate DNA." Reuss said he "reached out to the man who I knew could make us a powerhouse once again," and contacted Penske last year.
The Indy Car engines will be prepared by Ilmor Engineering, which Penske co-owns. The Chevrolet Indy Grand Prix presented by shopautoweek.com -- an affiliate of Automotive News -- will headline the events on the weekend after the Indy 500
Chevrolet partnered with the Indy racing series and Penske Corp. in a three-year race deal.
"Chevrolet has a long, storied history in IndyCar racing," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. "This year we celebrated the shared centennial of Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500. We're excited to see that history continue with the help of Penske Corp. and IndyCar."
Reuss said reuniting with race team chief Roger Penske "is very personal for me." His father, Lloyd Reuss, a GM president in the early 1990s, worked with Penske on the original Chevy IndyCar program.
"I remember standing around the pit area as a boy with my dad," Reuss said, "during those glory days when Chevrolet absolutely dominated."
With GM healing from bankruptcy, Reuss said he saw the opportunity to reconnect with what he sees as "part of our corporate DNA." Reuss said he "reached out to the man who I knew could make us a powerhouse once again," and contacted Penske last year.
The Indy Car engines will be prepared by Ilmor Engineering, which Penske co-owns. The Chevrolet Indy Grand Prix presented by shopautoweek.com -- an affiliate of Automotive News -- will headline the events on the weekend after the Indy 500
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Chevy to market Spark mini EV in U.S.
General Motors said today that it will introduce an electric version of its Chevrolet Spark minicar in 2013, one of several announcements touting small, fuel-saving technologies.
The Spark EV will be the first all-electric vehicle for GM, which became a leader in electrification with its electric EV-1 in the 1990s and the 2010 debut of its plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt.
The EV will come after the gasoline version of the Spark, which is slated for a U.S. launch "mid-year" 2012, Chevy spokesman Michael Albano said.
The gas-powered Spark is now sold in Korea, China and Latin America, will be slotted in Chevy's U.S. lineup below the subcompact Sonic, which went on sale in August. It will get a 1.2-liter, four-cylinder engine.
GM unveiled its EV plans to hundreds of international journalists in Detroit this week in advance of Chevy's 100th anniversary celebration on Nov. 3.
Two other announcements underscored how the Chevy brand is transcending its trucks-and-SUVs image as GM looks to grow sales globally:
• Chevrolet will introduce a new family of small-displacement gasoline engines through the end of this decade. The family will include three- and four-cylinder engines ranging from 1.0- to 1.5-liters in size. The three-cylinder versions are not currently planned for sale in the United States.
• GM said that its personal mobility concept, the EN-V, will get a Chevy badge. GM said it has begun work on the second generation of the two-seat, electric EN-V, which is short for Electric Networked-Vehicle. GM envisions the podlike concept as a long-range solution for traffic-clogged megacities.
Spark competition
GM is joining several automakers with plans to market all-electric vehicles as the U.S. government prepares to finalize tougher fuel economy requirements for light vehicles through 2025.
Tesla Motors and Nissan Motor Co. are already marketing electric vehicles.
Ford Motor Co. plans an all-electric version of the Focus compact car beginning in 2012. Toyota Motor Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Kia Motors Corp. are also readying all-electric vehicles for sale in the United States.
In January, GM CEO Dan Akerson said the automaker was developing an all-electric vehicle for the United States, giving GM another 'green' model to complement the Chevrolet Volt.
The Volt is an extended-range sedan with a gasoline engine designed to run primarily on battery power. When the battery is depleted, the gas engine recharges the battery. It went on sale in December.
In August, GM said the Cadillac Converj concept, a luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, would be produced and marketed as the ELR. The automaker said the ELR program was just getting underway and declined to provide a timetable for its U.S. rollout.
GM's electric menu
Jim Federico, head of global electric vehicles for Chevrolet, said the Spark EV would be rolled out in key countries and urban markets where low speeds and shorter distances dominate driving habits. California will be focal point in the U.S., he said.
He said GM's strategy is to offer a wide menu of electrified vehicles, ranging from pure EVs to the extended-range Volt and the light hybrid e-Assist technology, launched this summer on the Buick LaCrosse.
"We understand the path to electrification includes a full range of technologies," he said.
The small-displacement Ecotec engines that GM plans to introduce in coming years will use direct injection and turbocharging to boost fuel economy. The new family of engines will replace three engine families currently in use, Federico said.
GM said it aims to eventually sell more than 2 million of the new engines a year worldwide by the end of the decade.
The Spark EV will be the first all-electric vehicle for GM, which became a leader in electrification with its electric EV-1 in the 1990s and the 2010 debut of its plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt.
The EV will come after the gasoline version of the Spark, which is slated for a U.S. launch "mid-year" 2012, Chevy spokesman Michael Albano said.
The gas-powered Spark is now sold in Korea, China and Latin America, will be slotted in Chevy's U.S. lineup below the subcompact Sonic, which went on sale in August. It will get a 1.2-liter, four-cylinder engine.
GM unveiled its EV plans to hundreds of international journalists in Detroit this week in advance of Chevy's 100th anniversary celebration on Nov. 3.
Two other announcements underscored how the Chevy brand is transcending its trucks-and-SUVs image as GM looks to grow sales globally:
• Chevrolet will introduce a new family of small-displacement gasoline engines through the end of this decade. The family will include three- and four-cylinder engines ranging from 1.0- to 1.5-liters in size. The three-cylinder versions are not currently planned for sale in the United States.
• GM said that its personal mobility concept, the EN-V, will get a Chevy badge. GM said it has begun work on the second generation of the two-seat, electric EN-V, which is short for Electric Networked-Vehicle. GM envisions the podlike concept as a long-range solution for traffic-clogged megacities.
Spark competition
GM is joining several automakers with plans to market all-electric vehicles as the U.S. government prepares to finalize tougher fuel economy requirements for light vehicles through 2025.
Tesla Motors and Nissan Motor Co. are already marketing electric vehicles.
Ford Motor Co. plans an all-electric version of the Focus compact car beginning in 2012. Toyota Motor Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Kia Motors Corp. are also readying all-electric vehicles for sale in the United States.
In January, GM CEO Dan Akerson said the automaker was developing an all-electric vehicle for the United States, giving GM another 'green' model to complement the Chevrolet Volt.
The Volt is an extended-range sedan with a gasoline engine designed to run primarily on battery power. When the battery is depleted, the gas engine recharges the battery. It went on sale in December.
In August, GM said the Cadillac Converj concept, a luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, would be produced and marketed as the ELR. The automaker said the ELR program was just getting underway and declined to provide a timetable for its U.S. rollout.
GM's electric menu
Jim Federico, head of global electric vehicles for Chevrolet, said the Spark EV would be rolled out in key countries and urban markets where low speeds and shorter distances dominate driving habits. California will be focal point in the U.S., he said.
He said GM's strategy is to offer a wide menu of electrified vehicles, ranging from pure EVs to the extended-range Volt and the light hybrid e-Assist technology, launched this summer on the Buick LaCrosse.
"We understand the path to electrification includes a full range of technologies," he said.
The small-displacement Ecotec engines that GM plans to introduce in coming years will use direct injection and turbocharging to boost fuel economy. The new family of engines will replace three engine families currently in use, Federico said.
GM said it aims to eventually sell more than 2 million of the new engines a year worldwide by the end of the decade.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Chevy to launch new Colorado pickup in U.S.
General Motors said today that it will sell a new, mid-sized truck in the United States under the Chevrolet Colorado nameplate.
GM wouldn't release timing or product details. The company launched production of the new pickup last week in Thailand with plans to roll it out to other markets globally.
It's unclear if the truck also will be sold under the GMC brand, which currently sells Colorado's sister vehicle, the Canyon. GMC spokesman Joseph LaMuraglia said only: "We do not comment on future product plans."
The pickup is based on GM's new global, body-on-frame, rear-drive platform for mid-sized trucks.
GM didn't say today where the U.S. version would be built, but last month, the UAW disclosed that GM intends to build a new, mid-sized pickup at its Wentzville, Mo., assembly plant. GM's plan was part of the new four-year UAW contract inked last month.
In a statement, Chris Perry, Chevrolet's vice president of global marketing and strategy, said: "We think the design, capability and fuel efficiency of the new Colorado will make it attractive to U.S. customers."
The truck will be larger than the current Colorado, which is considered a compact. The vehicle lineup being launched in Thailand will include two-wheel and four-wheel drive and extended-cab and crew-cab variants.
The engine lineup includes both gas and diesel, including new 2.5-liter and 2.8-liter turbo diesel engines.
GM said it would disclose more information about the U.S., version, including engine availability, at an unspecified date. The company said engineers will "tailor the truck to meet local needs."
The fate of the Colorado and Canyon have been in doubt since 2009, when GM said it would close the Shreveport, La., plant that assembles the truck by June 2012. Many industry insiders speculated that GM might discontinue the vehicles, given their tepid sales.
The prospect of a next-generation Colorado was revived in March, when GM unveiled a next-generation concept at an auto show in Thailand.
U.S. sales of the Colorado are up 30 percent this year through September to 23,985 units. U.S. sales of the Canyon have climbed nearly 35 percent to 7,634.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
TOP TEN CAR REPAIR RIPOFFS TO WATCH OUT FOR
TOP TEN CAR REPAIR RIPOFFS TO WATCH OUT FOR
1. Flushing the engine or transmission, when it is not called for in the normal maintenance schedule. Usually, engines do not need to be flushed other than for routine coolant replacement, and the transmission only should be flushed according to the recommendations in your owner’s manual.
2. Some shops assume you need the car’s severe-use maintenance service, which typically involves changing filters and fluids more frequently than the regular schedule recommends. Again, check your owner’s manual for the recommended service intervals. If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving and short trips, you may indeed need more frequent oil changes – but again, check first.
3. Does the mechanic keep charging you to replace different parts to solve the same problem? He is probably having trouble diagnosing your car. Ask the mechanic to refund the cost of the first (probably unnecessary) repair. Multiple failures of the same part or even in the same area are rare.
4. Is the shop replacing the same part over and over? Watch for shoddy workmanship or a poor-quality part. Sometimes particular car models are prone to certain kinds of problems. Check www.nhtsa.dot.gov for automaker service bulletins and consumer complaints. If you find you need to return over and over you need a new mechanic!
5. If you’re being told that only dealerships can perform maintenance – sorry, it’s not true. Legally, you can have maintenance performed by any mechanic without affecting your warranty. Just make sure your mechanic uses the correct fluids specified for your vehicle’s model, and keep thorough records in case of a warranty claim. The only dealership-required service is warranty-related repairs and recalls.
6. Lifetime muffler promise? Be leery. Some car repair chains may offer free muffler replacements, but it gets you into their shop where they try to sell you expensive exhaust system repairs. However, a good repair shop may offer a lifetime warranty on certain parts such as alternators and water pumps, because those parts should last the life of your vehicle.
7. Some shops might fraudulently recommend work that doesn’t need to be done at all. Ask them to physically show you and demonstrate the problem part. For example, they should show you a broken fan belt, or turn on your headlights to prove that a light is out.
8. Suspiciously cheap brake repair deals. Repair shops can’t make money on a $50 brake pad replacement – not unless they use very poor quality parts. It’s likely an excuse to get you to pay for new rotors or other parts you may not need.
9. Bad attitudes. Does the shop care only about making a quick buck, or do they want to develop a long-term business relationship with you? A good shop will be honest that you don’t need a repair this time around, because they believe you’ll trust them enough to come back when your vehicle really does need help.
10. The old bait-and-switch. A common scam is to charge you for high-quality parts but actually install cheaper ones. Ask to see the new parts before the shop installs them. With tires, check the information on the sidewall. Still, without expert knowledge, it may be difficult for you to know for sure – this is why it’s so important to find a trustworthy repair shop.
Above all, don’t pay for repairs until you’re satisfied. You have every right to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Most of all, you can avoid these kinds of issues in the first place when you choose a shop that’s part of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair network. AAA inspects and approves nearly 8,000 auto repair shops in the U.S. and Canada. Approved shops meet tough professional standards for customer service, cleanliness, equipment and training. All AAA members receive a free maintenance inspection upon request in conjunction with any other paid service. Additionally, many AAA Approved Auto Repair shops participate in the AAA Show Your Card & Save program, providing discounts on repair and maintenance to AAA members. A listing of nearby approved shops is available at AAA.com/Repair.
One in four American drivers could not pay for a car repair of $2,000 if faced with one today, according to the results of a survey released in August by AAA. More than half of American drivers also said they are holding onto their older vehicle because they do not want the financial burden of a new one. And, one quarter of drivers admitted to neglecting repairs and maintenance on their vehicles in the past 12 months due to the economic climate, which AAA Automotive experts say can greatly increase the likelihood of their car needing a costly, major repair.
“Economic conditions have taken their toll on many Americans resulting in them neglecting their cars and leaving them at increased risk for very expensive repair bills,” says Lardear. “So it’s more important than ever to find a car repair shop that you trust.”
1. Flushing the engine or transmission, when it is not called for in the normal maintenance schedule. Usually, engines do not need to be flushed other than for routine coolant replacement, and the transmission only should be flushed according to the recommendations in your owner’s manual.
2. Some shops assume you need the car’s severe-use maintenance service, which typically involves changing filters and fluids more frequently than the regular schedule recommends. Again, check your owner’s manual for the recommended service intervals. If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving and short trips, you may indeed need more frequent oil changes – but again, check first.
3. Does the mechanic keep charging you to replace different parts to solve the same problem? He is probably having trouble diagnosing your car. Ask the mechanic to refund the cost of the first (probably unnecessary) repair. Multiple failures of the same part or even in the same area are rare.
4. Is the shop replacing the same part over and over? Watch for shoddy workmanship or a poor-quality part. Sometimes particular car models are prone to certain kinds of problems. Check www.nhtsa.dot.gov for automaker service bulletins and consumer complaints. If you find you need to return over and over you need a new mechanic!
5. If you’re being told that only dealerships can perform maintenance – sorry, it’s not true. Legally, you can have maintenance performed by any mechanic without affecting your warranty. Just make sure your mechanic uses the correct fluids specified for your vehicle’s model, and keep thorough records in case of a warranty claim. The only dealership-required service is warranty-related repairs and recalls.
6. Lifetime muffler promise? Be leery. Some car repair chains may offer free muffler replacements, but it gets you into their shop where they try to sell you expensive exhaust system repairs. However, a good repair shop may offer a lifetime warranty on certain parts such as alternators and water pumps, because those parts should last the life of your vehicle.
7. Some shops might fraudulently recommend work that doesn’t need to be done at all. Ask them to physically show you and demonstrate the problem part. For example, they should show you a broken fan belt, or turn on your headlights to prove that a light is out.
8. Suspiciously cheap brake repair deals. Repair shops can’t make money on a $50 brake pad replacement – not unless they use very poor quality parts. It’s likely an excuse to get you to pay for new rotors or other parts you may not need.
9. Bad attitudes. Does the shop care only about making a quick buck, or do they want to develop a long-term business relationship with you? A good shop will be honest that you don’t need a repair this time around, because they believe you’ll trust them enough to come back when your vehicle really does need help.
10. The old bait-and-switch. A common scam is to charge you for high-quality parts but actually install cheaper ones. Ask to see the new parts before the shop installs them. With tires, check the information on the sidewall. Still, without expert knowledge, it may be difficult for you to know for sure – this is why it’s so important to find a trustworthy repair shop.
Above all, don’t pay for repairs until you’re satisfied. You have every right to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Most of all, you can avoid these kinds of issues in the first place when you choose a shop that’s part of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair network. AAA inspects and approves nearly 8,000 auto repair shops in the U.S. and Canada. Approved shops meet tough professional standards for customer service, cleanliness, equipment and training. All AAA members receive a free maintenance inspection upon request in conjunction with any other paid service. Additionally, many AAA Approved Auto Repair shops participate in the AAA Show Your Card & Save program, providing discounts on repair and maintenance to AAA members. A listing of nearby approved shops is available at AAA.com/Repair.
One in four American drivers could not pay for a car repair of $2,000 if faced with one today, according to the results of a survey released in August by AAA. More than half of American drivers also said they are holding onto their older vehicle because they do not want the financial burden of a new one. And, one quarter of drivers admitted to neglecting repairs and maintenance on their vehicles in the past 12 months due to the economic climate, which AAA Automotive experts say can greatly increase the likelihood of their car needing a costly, major repair.
“Economic conditions have taken their toll on many Americans resulting in them neglecting their cars and leaving them at increased risk for very expensive repair bills,” says Lardear. “So it’s more important than ever to find a car repair shop that you trust.”
Friday, October 07, 2011
Ask Free Auto Mechanic Experts Car Questions
Ask Free Auto Mechanic Experts Car Questions
Auto Repair Questions and Answers – Auto Repair Help – Ask A Question – Freeautomechanic.com
Get your Auto Repair Questions Answered Free. Just register even with a new hotmail account and post your question. Thats all it takes and have your Car Questions answered by the Free Auto Mechanic Experts.
Auto Repair Questions and Answers – Auto Repair Help – Ask A Question – Freeautomechanic.com
Get your Auto Repair Questions Answered Free. Just register even with a new hotmail account and post your question. Thats all it takes and have your Car Questions answered by the Free Auto Mechanic Experts.
Volkswagen Group to recall 168,275 VW, Audi models to fix diesel engine defect
Volkswagen AG is recalling 168,275 VW and Audi models with diesel engines because of a defect in the fuel injection system that could cause fuel leaks, possibly creating fire hazards.
The recall affects certain 2009-12 Jetta mid-sized sedans and wagons, and some 2010-12 Golf compacts, federal regulators said today.
Some 2010-12 Audi A3 models also are affected, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its Web site.
Models subject to the recall have 2.0-liter diesel engines, NHTSA said.
VW, in documents filed with U.S. regulators, said cracks can develop in the fuel injection system and cause fuel to leak, possibly causing fires.
VW said it is unaware of any fires, accidents or injuries caused by the problem.
On certain VW diesel engines, a vibration caused by the fuel injectors can generate stress that eventually can lead to cracks in the injector fuel lines, VW said in documents filed with NHTSA.
VW will replace a fuel injector line in some models and install dampers to reduce vibration in all affected vehicles, NHTSA said. Both services will be provided free, VW said.
VW said about 20 percent of vehicles recalled have fuel injection lines with potentially faulty material, The Detroit News said.
The automaker said one supplier used a defective part in assembling fuel injectors -- and the failures only related to one of four injector lines, The News said.
The automaker began investigating the matter in March 2010 after a report of a fuel leak, NHTSA documents show.
VW told federal regulators the recall is scheduled to begin in November. The recall includes 161,144 Golf and Jetta models, and 7,131 Audi A3s.
Earlier this week, Volkswagen said about 22 percent of the VW models it sold in the U.S. market last month had diesel engines.
The recall affects certain 2009-12 Jetta mid-sized sedans and wagons, and some 2010-12 Golf compacts, federal regulators said today.
Some 2010-12 Audi A3 models also are affected, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its Web site.
Models subject to the recall have 2.0-liter diesel engines, NHTSA said.
VW, in documents filed with U.S. regulators, said cracks can develop in the fuel injection system and cause fuel to leak, possibly causing fires.
VW said it is unaware of any fires, accidents or injuries caused by the problem.
On certain VW diesel engines, a vibration caused by the fuel injectors can generate stress that eventually can lead to cracks in the injector fuel lines, VW said in documents filed with NHTSA.
VW will replace a fuel injector line in some models and install dampers to reduce vibration in all affected vehicles, NHTSA said. Both services will be provided free, VW said.
VW said about 20 percent of vehicles recalled have fuel injection lines with potentially faulty material, The Detroit News said.
The automaker said one supplier used a defective part in assembling fuel injectors -- and the failures only related to one of four injector lines, The News said.
The automaker began investigating the matter in March 2010 after a report of a fuel leak, NHTSA documents show.
VW told federal regulators the recall is scheduled to begin in November. The recall includes 161,144 Golf and Jetta models, and 7,131 Audi A3s.
Earlier this week, Volkswagen said about 22 percent of the VW models it sold in the U.S. market last month had diesel engines.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Hard braking when cold, lack of power assist
Vehicles Involved: all vehicles operating in cold climate (sub-freezing temperatures).
Condition: A hard pedal or lack of power assist in cold weather (below freezing) at initial start up when the brake pedal is depressed. Vehicles driven in cold weather and kept inside a garage overnight may experience these symptoms.
Repair: A quick test, with KOEO, depresses the brake pedal several times. This will bleed off any vacuum trapped in the booster. Apply pressure to the brake pedal and start the engine if your foot drops slightly the booster is functioning normally.
If the pedal does not drop perform the following steps; remove the power brake booster vacuum hose. It is important to check the booster operation with a vacuum gauge. A minimum of 16 inches hg (units for measuring vacuum inches of mercury) at the booster check valve connection is required to operate the booster.
If you do not have the proper vacuum, check the source, and check for obstruction in the hose. If the hose is obstructed, replace it. Check the PCV valve by shaking it. You should hear a clicking noise which indicates the valve is free. Check for any moisture or water inside the valve itself. If water is found, dry it out thoroughly. Replacement hoses should replicate the original equipment hose.
Condensation can freeze the booster diaphragm and/or check valve thus creating a hard brake pedal. Vehicles that have been driven in cold weather and are kept inside a garage overnight may experience these symptoms. Another approach to solving this problem is to let the engine warm up before driving away.
Condition: A hard pedal or lack of power assist in cold weather (below freezing) at initial start up when the brake pedal is depressed. Vehicles driven in cold weather and kept inside a garage overnight may experience these symptoms.
Repair: A quick test, with KOEO, depresses the brake pedal several times. This will bleed off any vacuum trapped in the booster. Apply pressure to the brake pedal and start the engine if your foot drops slightly the booster is functioning normally.
If the pedal does not drop perform the following steps; remove the power brake booster vacuum hose. It is important to check the booster operation with a vacuum gauge. A minimum of 16 inches hg (units for measuring vacuum inches of mercury) at the booster check valve connection is required to operate the booster.
If you do not have the proper vacuum, check the source, and check for obstruction in the hose. If the hose is obstructed, replace it. Check the PCV valve by shaking it. You should hear a clicking noise which indicates the valve is free. Check for any moisture or water inside the valve itself. If water is found, dry it out thoroughly. Replacement hoses should replicate the original equipment hose.
Condensation can freeze the booster diaphragm and/or check valve thus creating a hard brake pedal. Vehicles that have been driven in cold weather and are kept inside a garage overnight may experience these symptoms. Another approach to solving this problem is to let the engine warm up before driving away.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
NHTSA upgrades probe of 382,000 Saturn Ion cars
U.S. safety regulators have upgraded an investigation more than 382,000 Saturn Ion cars for possible steering problems.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it opened the engineering analysis after it and Saturn, a brand General Motors discontinued in 2009, received more than 4,000 complaints about sudden loss of electronic power steering assist in cars from model years 2004 through 2007.
Sixteen of the complaints said the power steering warning lamp had illuminated before or during the loss of power steering assist and the increased effort required to steer contributed to a crash, according to documents filed by NHTSA. Two of the crash claims indicated the driver was injured.
NHTSA also said GM had received 17,385 warranty claims related to the issue.
A GM spokesman said the automaker was cooperating with NHTSA.
Last year, GM recalled 1.05 million Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles to correct a defect in the electronic power steering assist motor, according to NHTSA. The defect was described as a buildup of brush debris mixed with oily material that caused the motor to stop functioning; "the same problem identified in the current subject vehicles," NHTSA said.
Previously NHTSA investigated the sudden loss of power steering assist in model year 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles.
In May 2011, GM provided safety regulators with complaint, warranty and power-steering system information for the Ion, as well as the Pontiac G6 and Chevy Malibu, according to NHTSA. In that response, GM indicated the power-steering system used in those vehicles was the same as that used in model year 2005 to 2010 Cobalts and Pontiac G5s.
NHTSA said it has duplicated the power-steering system failure in both a Cobalt and an Ion previously tested.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it opened the engineering analysis after it and Saturn, a brand General Motors discontinued in 2009, received more than 4,000 complaints about sudden loss of electronic power steering assist in cars from model years 2004 through 2007.
Sixteen of the complaints said the power steering warning lamp had illuminated before or during the loss of power steering assist and the increased effort required to steer contributed to a crash, according to documents filed by NHTSA. Two of the crash claims indicated the driver was injured.
NHTSA also said GM had received 17,385 warranty claims related to the issue.
A GM spokesman said the automaker was cooperating with NHTSA.
Last year, GM recalled 1.05 million Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles to correct a defect in the electronic power steering assist motor, according to NHTSA. The defect was described as a buildup of brush debris mixed with oily material that caused the motor to stop functioning; "the same problem identified in the current subject vehicles," NHTSA said.
Previously NHTSA investigated the sudden loss of power steering assist in model year 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles.
In May 2011, GM provided safety regulators with complaint, warranty and power-steering system information for the Ion, as well as the Pontiac G6 and Chevy Malibu, according to NHTSA. In that response, GM indicated the power-steering system used in those vehicles was the same as that used in model year 2005 to 2010 Cobalts and Pontiac G5s.
NHTSA said it has duplicated the power-steering system failure in both a Cobalt and an Ion previously tested.
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