Ford
Owners of 2005-08 Ford F-150 and 2006-08 Lincoln Mark LT pickup trucks may complain of a grinding sound from the dash when switching modes at the HVAC control panel.
Ford said the noise is limited to vehicles built after Nov. 29, 2005, and is most likely the result of contact between the mode door motor cam plate and the cam. Cleaning out the existing lubricant from the cam and relubricating it with a special grease, part #XG-8, should eliminate further trouble.
Start the fix by placing the HVAC controls in the panel mode. Leaving the mode door motor connected to the cam plate, remove the four bolts that attach the cam plate to the upper plenum. Remove the motor and cam plate as an assembly from the vehicle.
Next, remove the cam plate, followed by the cam. Flip the cam over and wipe away the existing grease.
Using the illustration above as a reference, liberally apply the new grease to the cam tracks and side channels in the areas indicated.
To complete the repair, put everything back together, start the engine and cycle the control panel from panel to defrost several times to allow the grease to distribute evenly in the cam.
Nissan
Some 2001-02 Frontier pickup trucks with 2WD may illuminate the ABS light and store a trouble code for the left/front wheel speed sensor. One likely cause, Nissan reported, is a loose fit between the male and female terminals at connector E16.
Begin your troubleshooting by checking the wheel speed sensor with a DMM. The resistance should be between 1280 and 1920 ohms. Replace the sensor if it doesn't fall within that range. If the sensor is within spec, check the terminals in connector E16, which you'll find on the left inner fender close to the a/c compressor.
If either terminal appears loose, remove both from the connector housing. Next, cut off the terminals and move the weather seals up the wires.
Now solder two new terminals to the wires and push the weather seals back down to the connector. To complete the repair, clear the trouble code and go on a road test to confirm that the ABS light remains off.
Chrysler
If you encounter an a/c leak on a 1997-98 Dodge Dakota, Jeep Cherokee or Jeep Wrangler, don't overlook the hose manifold-to-compressor connection or you could be setting yourself up for a comeback, Chrysler warned.
Apparently, the bolt that retains the manifold bottoms out in the compressor before adequate torque can be applied to produce a sufficient seal. Installing a flat washer under the bolt and topping off the refrigerant charge is the simple, permanent fix.
Honda
Owners of 1998-2000 Accords may complain of a clicking noise from the front suspension while turning at low speeds.
According to Honda, the problem is limited to Japanese-built models and is most likely caused by rust build-up at the front wheel hubs.
Start the repair by putting the car on a lift and removing the front wheels. Using medium-grit sandpaper, sand the rust from the hubs, paying special attention to the area where the hubs and rotors meet.
Use compressed air to blow off the sanding residue, then apply super high-temperature grease, part #08798-9002, H/C 3720984, to the inner surface of each wheel. To complete the fix, reinstall the front wheels and torque the lug nuts to 80 ft. lbs.
Mitsubishi
Some 2004-05 Lancer Ralliart and Sportback models built prior to Nov. 1, 2005, may produce a squealing or groaning sound from the rear brakes when backing up under light brake pedal application.
According to Mitsubishi, the noise is most pronounced when the brakes are cold and is most likely due to the pad linings grabbing, then releasing, at the rotors.
Installing new-design rear brake pads with a different friction compound, part #4605A336, should eliminate the noise permanently.
“Factory Fixes” is written by Jim DePalma, a 30-year veteran of the auto repair business who has served stints as a service manager, parts manager and ASE-certified technician. His column provides vehicle manufacturers' authentic factory technical service bulletins (TSBs) that have been condensed for easier reading. Mr. DePalma advises that techs always check with a dealer or repair information system for the latest revisions before starting to work on a vehicle. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].