Intermittent NO SPARK on 1994 Ford Taurus with 3.0L engine: NO CODES

Question:

What could cause my 94 Ford Taurus to quit intermittently? When I scanned it, there is no code and even after I replaced the ignition module, same thing happens. This symptom can happened anytime, anywhere which makes this car unsafe to drive!

ATS Adviser:
If you have already replaced the ignition module, most likely the pickup coil inside your distributor is the culprit. To check, take the distributor out (make sure you mark the distributor housing and point the rotor to #1 position) and measure the coli resistance in ohms. Sometimes, you need to apply a heated air to the coil like a hair dryer. To get the right specs in ohms, contact ATS.

No spark and no fuel on 1991 Mitsubishi with 4 cylinder engine: NO CODES

Question:

My sister's car quit yesterday and when I checked it, there was no spark on the plug wires and no fuel going to the throttle body. There was no code when I scanned it but the distributor has the power going to it. I replaced the distributor with a rebuilt one but the same thing happened: no start!!! This is getting very frustrating and I need your help. Thanks.

ATS Adviser:

Based on your symptons, I would check the power and ground supplies going to the ecm (computer). First of all the ecm grounds your distributor in order to work and most likely, that is the culprit however, check your ground and power supplies first as laid out in ATS courseware. If you need the ecm diagram, just let me know.

P0420 code on 1998 Honda Civic with 1.6L engine

Question:

This car has an intermittent code P0420- catalyst efficiency low coming on and when I checked the downstream oxygen sensor, it was responding properly. I decided to replace the CAT (catalytic converter) buying an aftermarket one from a local muffler shop so I can save money (the CAT from the dealership is very expensive). After road testing, the light came back. The muffler then advised me to replace the downstream oxygen sensor but it did not fix the problem. What should I do?

ATS Adviser:

There is high rate of failure when using aftermarket CAT and most garages recommend using only OEM CAT from Honda especially on 1996 models and up. If you put an oem CAT on this, the code will stop coming back provided the oxygen sensor wires are not shorting out. Also, when testing the oxygen sensors for this engine, the upstream sensor is used for engine fuel management whereas the downstream sensor is used to monitor CAT efficiency.

Cruise control won't work on 1998 Chevy Cavalier: No codes

Question:

This is my grandma's car and she complained to me that the cc (cruise control) suddenly won't work after making a long highway trip. I checked for codes but could not get one. A friend mechanic advised me to replace the CC module or control unit but my sister has a similar car and I substituted her part to this car. This did not work either and I am running out of hair trying to figure this out. Suggestion?

ATS Adviser:

Before you get deeper on this problem, try checking the 2 rear brake lights for proper operation. A lot of times, a broken brake bulb can kill your cc and all you do is to check the bulb socket or the bulb itself. If they are OK, check the 3rd brake light too in your rear windshield. If these don't fix this, let me know so I can send you the complete wiring diagram of the cc circuit so you can check the ground and power supplies.

Battery goes dead if left after 5 days on 2001 Nissan Pathfinder: No codes

Question:

Why would my battery goes dead if I leave it parked for 4-5 days? There is no code when I had it scanned at a local parts store and I also replaced the battery. Also, on the 3rd day, I can hear the starter laboring before the engine starts. This only started happening after my son installed an aftermarket remote starter 1 month ago. Please help.

ATS Adviser:

It's good you mentioned the aftermarket remote starter because there are lots of problem going on with them these days. It is recommended that when installing a remote starter that you get it from the dealer and they can even hook it up correctly. If the wiring connections are not right, it can create a battery drain causing your symptoms. To check, disconnect this aftermarket remote starter wiring connection and monitor your starting system again. If this problem stops, then that is the culprit.

P0133 Code for 98 Saturn with 1.9L engine.

Question:

This car has a code P0133- 0xygen sensor signal slow and when I tested it using a voltmeter, I got 0.4 volt with key on engine off. When started and warmed up, the reading was fluctuating between 0.1 volt to 0.9volt as it should be. However, even after I changed the sensor, the code returns and got the SAME reading. Is this a computer problem?

ATS Adviser:

Before you condemn the computer, check the ground wire for the oxygen sensor located on the transmission mounting stud. If OK, I would check the oxygen sensor wirings at the ecm itself. There is a chance the wires could be open or shorted thereby givig you the code. If you still get the same readings, then you can also check the ground readings of the ecm and bring the same to the dealer for replacement or re-programming. ATS can provide you with the ecm wiring diagram so you can check all the pin voltage readings.