Service slants

Motor, Jul 2003 by Savasta, Bob

GM

Inoperative sideview mirror. The drivers sideview mirror on some 1995-2003 Chevy Cavaliers and Pontiac Sunfires may become difficult or impossible to adjust. The cause, says GM, could be that the mirror was overextended while it was folded in a tight parking spot, which resulted in the T-end of the control lever jumping out of its slide. Realigning the lever to the slide should bring back the adjustment function. Here's how to go about it:

First, roll down the window and push the mirror toward the front of the car. While holding the mirror in this position with your left hand, use your right hand to move the control lever until its T-end becomes aligned with the lever slide (see illustration). To complete the resetting procedure, slowly fold the mirror back and make sure the T-end of the lever has fully reengaged the slide. When done, the mirror housing should be firmly seated in its base. If it isn't, chuck the mirror and go for a new assembly.

Chrysler

Engine compartment noise. A popping, knocking or chattering noise from the engine compartments of 1995-97 2.5L-equipped Avengers and Sebrings could, according to Chrysler, be the result of an improperly calibrated EGR valve. To home in on the diagnosis, drive the vehicle between 1600 and 1800 rpm for several miles until the engine warms up. If the noise is evident, stop the car, disconnect and plug the hose to the EGR valve, then take to the road once again. If the noise is now gone, ordering a revised EGR valve (Part No. 050101162AA) and gasket (Part No. 04300297) should eliminate the concern. Note: On early 1995 models, check the part number of the original EGR valve. If it's 04287791, a support bracket (Part No. MD323103) will also be required for proper mounting of the new valve.

Ford

Serpentine belt slippage. Some 2001-02 Crown Victorias, Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Cars and Mustangs, all with the 4.6L modular V8, are prone to throwing their serpentine belts in wet weather. According to Ford, the most likely cause for the malady is the hydroplaning effect of water being splashed onto the belt. This causes the belt to track forward on the tensioner pulley, eventually slipping off as the belt stretches with age.

Here are the parts and part numbers you'll need to fix these cars: For Crown Vic police vehicles and Mustang GT manuals built between 12/19/00 and 9/24/01, install a new-design tensioner (Part No. XR3Z-6B209-AB) and water pump pulley (Part No. 3W7Z-8509-M). For Crown Vic police vehicles and Mustang GT manuals built between 9/25/01 and 2/11/02-and all other models that have had the original short-housing water pump replaced with a long-housing pump and flanged pump pulley-replace just the tensioner with the new-design part indicated above; do not replace the pump or pump pulley. Finally, for Crown Victorias, Grand Marquis, Town Cars, Mustang Cobra manuals and Mustang GT automatics built between 12/19/00 and 2/11/02, replace the water pump pulley with Part No. 3W7Z-8509-AA and the tensioner with Part No. XR3Z-6B209-AB. On all models, replace the belt if cracks, cuts or abrasion are evident on the bottom of the ribs.

Toyota

MIL illuminated, DTCs logged in PCM memory. Some 2000-02 V8 Tundra pickups built before VIN 5TBBT44142S304208 and 2001-02 Sequoia SUVs built before VIN 5TDZT34A42S110570 may illuminate their MIL and store DTC P0135 and/or P0155 in computer memory. According to Toyota, the cause of the problem lies in the inability of the existing pre-cat oxygen sensors to warm up within the prescribed time limits of the PCM software. New-design O2 sensors are now available to alleviate the problem. Order up sensor Part No. 89465-34150 for bank 1 of the engine and 89465-34140 for the sensor on bank 2.

GM

Dash rattle. Some 2002-03 Chevy Cavaliers built before VIN breakpoint 37261371 and Pontiac Sunfires built before VIN breakpoint 37261375 (both with the 2.2L Four) may give off an annoying rattle that seems to emanate from the center defroster vent. The two most likely causes for this, says GM, are a misrouted cruise control cable or an accelerator cable that's making hard contact with the front cowl.

To home in on the diagnosis, pop the hood and check to see if the accelerator cable is contacting the cowl. If it is, apply some 3M silencer strips (Part No. 08585) to the cable to insulate it from the cowl. Next, turn your attention to the positioning of the cruise control cable. It must be routed over the accelerator cable. Disconnect and reroute the cruise cable as necessary. Finally, make sure the accelerator cable is locked into the retaining bracket attached to the top of the valve cover. If it isn't, snap the cable into place. If the bracket is broken or missing, order up a new one.

Cadillac

MIL illuminated, DTC stored. Some 2000 DeVilles, Eldorados and Sevilles with the 4.6 Northstar V8 (VINs 9 and Y) may illuminate the MIL and store DTC P0101 (Mass Airflow Sensor Performance) in computer memory. If normal diagnostics don't lead you to a fix, the PCM is a likely candidate for reprogramming. The updated calibration can be found on TIS 2000 CD #4, which was released on March 6, 2000. GM cautions that battery voltage must be maintained at 12.5 volts during the flashing procedure or permanent damage to the PCM can result.