Service Slants

Motor, Nov 2007 by Rosario, Tom

Start the fix by getting the car up on a lift. Now disconnect the driveshaft, reindex it, lower the vehicle and take to the road. If the vibration is gone, you're done. If it isn't, replace the driveshaft with an improved unit, Part No. 7E5Z-4R602-A.

Nissan

Buzzing or whining noise from front of engine. Some 2004-07 Nissan cars and trucks with the VQ35 or VQ40 V6 engine may produce an alarming buzzing or whining sound from the front portion of the engine. According to the Japanese maker, the noise tends to get louder as engine speed increases, and is most likely the result of too much slack in the secondary timing chains. Installing redesigned chains (Part No. 13028ZK00B, two required) and chain tensioners (Part No. 13070-ZK01A, bank 1; 13070-ZKOlB, bank 2) should eliminate the noise in short order.

Models that are susceptible to the problem and can benefit from the updated valve timing parts are 200406 Altimas; 2004-07 Maxima sedans and Quest minivans; and 2005-07 Pathfinder, Xterra & Frontier trucks.

GM Truck

Blower works only on low speed or not at all. Some 2004-07 GM trucks with manual a/c or heater-only systems may exhibit a situation in which the blower motor operates only on low speed, or not at all. A likely cause, says GM, is a burnt blower motor resistor connector. Wiring a new-design connector (Part No. 15862656) into the existing harness and replacing the blower resistor should alleviate the problem immediately.

Start the repair by removing the blower motor fuse. Now lower the hush or close-out panel to gain access to the defective connector. Remove the tape from the harness, then cut the wires as close to the connector as possible. Solder the new connector into the harness, making sure you use the special splice sleeves that come with it. Install the new blower resistor. To complete the fix, connect the new connector to die resistor, reinstall the blower fuse, make sure all blower motor speeds work properly and reinstall the hush or close-out panel.

The following trucks are prone to the blower problem and can benefit from the above fix:

2004-06 Chevy Avalanches, Silverados, Tahoes, TrallBlazers & TrailBlazer EXTs; and GMC Envoys, Envoy XLs, Sierras, Yukons, Yukon Denalis & Yukon XLs

2007 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Classics built before 9/1/06

Infiniti

Leak from underneath vehicle. Owners of 2001-03 QX4 trucks with four-wheel-drive systems may complain about an oil leak from underneath the middle portion of the SUV One likely source of the leak, says Infiniti, is a defective pressure port plug on the upper left side of the transfer case. An upgraded, self-sealing plug (Part No. 31306-2W510) is now available to address the leakage issue. Due to the location of the plug, you'll have to remove the transfer case to get at it. After the new plug is installed, run the truck in Drive on a lift to make sure the leak has been eliminated.

Ford

Noise from front suspension. Some 2000-04 Focus models are prone to producing a creaking, clicking, popping, grinding or rattling sound from the front end while being driven at slow speeds over bumps and/or while turning. Ford has narrowed the cause of the noise to three major trouble spots-loose strut fasteners, loose or worn stabilizer links or worn or out-of-position spring seat sleeves or end caps.