2004 LS V8--you name it.
linzec
04-03-2010, 01:51 AM
I purchased this car back in 2005. Sweet Deal and had 8500 miles on it. Today it has a little over 78000. My problems started I guess it was around 2.5-3 years ago. I first noticed when I would go from reverse to drive there was a small delay of getting into gear. While accelerating i noticed that it was taking a second to go from one gear to another. The Mechanic I've had for years took a look at it and said that the transmission was slipping so it was rebuilt. Ran find after that until about a year later.
Last year I had my first encounter with the ETC failsafe mode. I was driving like I normally do and it went into failsafe mode. None of my lights came on and it wasn't running hot so I was stunned as to why this happened. The next morning I got in the car to start it and it started fine. No check engine light ever came on. I had it looked at and they couldn't find anything. I haven't seen this ETC failsafe mode again. until about a month ago.
My car feels like when I'm driving that it just doesn't want to go. It's espically noticable when driving up a hill. Almost like it wants to stall out or something. I figured that it was the same thing that was a matter with it before (when the transmisson was rebuilt) but after i thought about it, I decided that I'm not that rough on a car for it to have to have the tranmisson rebuilt for the 2nd time in less than 5 years. First time under warranty this time no warranty.
Here lately I've started having more problems. Especially with the starter. I put the key in the ignition to start it and everything starts or cranks but I have to hold it for anywhere between 3-10 seconds before the engine actually turns on. It happens at the most random of times though. It usually starts in the morning but come lunchtime, I'm having the trouble. However, for example if i get to where I'm going cut the car off and given that I'm not gone for a long time the car will usually start right back up. When I leave work though it's the same hold and pray. (that's what I've started calling it). Every time that I've had it looked at i was told that it starts right up. Funny, even my father thought that i didn't know how to start a car.
About 2 months ago I did have to have my car towed into the dealership for a heater valve which was replaced and hasn't ran hot since. I heard that happens from time to time and actually that was the 2nd time. The first time it opened up or whatever it's job is. :)
Today my car was sent to the shop after I begged and pleaded for someone to help me set fire to it. (Sad, I love this car. It's awesome and looks great and drives or use to, i should say better than anything I've ever driven). Oh and my check engine light came on about 3 days ago.
Here's the problem. When it was hooked up to the computer today saying it was a coil. So they replaced a coil and also a spark plug along with a fuse (the air felt like it was blowing 90 degree flames out of the vents) and went to start it and nothing. It sill took a few seconds before it would ever start.
Can anyone help?? I for one seem to think that it has something to do with the fuel injector because it's the starter and the stalling that makes me think that. I work in a hospital so I have no idea about cars and I don't' claim that I do but to me my theory makes sense. I'm just so frustrated at the moment with it. Sorry it's so detailed but I just wanted to cover everything for a better understanding.
Last year I had my first encounter with the ETC failsafe mode. I was driving like I normally do and it went into failsafe mode. None of my lights came on and it wasn't running hot so I was stunned as to why this happened. The next morning I got in the car to start it and it started fine. No check engine light ever came on. I had it looked at and they couldn't find anything. I haven't seen this ETC failsafe mode again. until about a month ago.
My car feels like when I'm driving that it just doesn't want to go. It's espically noticable when driving up a hill. Almost like it wants to stall out or something. I figured that it was the same thing that was a matter with it before (when the transmisson was rebuilt) but after i thought about it, I decided that I'm not that rough on a car for it to have to have the tranmisson rebuilt for the 2nd time in less than 5 years. First time under warranty this time no warranty.
Here lately I've started having more problems. Especially with the starter. I put the key in the ignition to start it and everything starts or cranks but I have to hold it for anywhere between 3-10 seconds before the engine actually turns on. It happens at the most random of times though. It usually starts in the morning but come lunchtime, I'm having the trouble. However, for example if i get to where I'm going cut the car off and given that I'm not gone for a long time the car will usually start right back up. When I leave work though it's the same hold and pray. (that's what I've started calling it). Every time that I've had it looked at i was told that it starts right up. Funny, even my father thought that i didn't know how to start a car.
About 2 months ago I did have to have my car towed into the dealership for a heater valve which was replaced and hasn't ran hot since. I heard that happens from time to time and actually that was the 2nd time. The first time it opened up or whatever it's job is. :)
Today my car was sent to the shop after I begged and pleaded for someone to help me set fire to it. (Sad, I love this car. It's awesome and looks great and drives or use to, i should say better than anything I've ever driven). Oh and my check engine light came on about 3 days ago.
Here's the problem. When it was hooked up to the computer today saying it was a coil. So they replaced a coil and also a spark plug along with a fuse (the air felt like it was blowing 90 degree flames out of the vents) and went to start it and nothing. It sill took a few seconds before it would ever start.
Can anyone help?? I for one seem to think that it has something to do with the fuel injector because it's the starter and the stalling that makes me think that. I work in a hospital so I have no idea about cars and I don't' claim that I do but to me my theory makes sense. I'm just so frustrated at the moment with it. Sorry it's so detailed but I just wanted to cover everything for a better understanding.
shorod
04-03-2010, 07:35 AM
Welcome to the forum!
I'm sorry to hear about the problems you've been having with the car, but I kind of think you should consider finding a different shop. The first issue you describe really sounds like the fairly common, and not horribly expensive, shift solenoid issue. It doesn't require a full rebuild to replace. The way the issue is described it doesn't sound like a slipping transmission, particularly the delay when shifting from reverse to drive. The solenoids would have been replaced during a rebuild though which is probably fine when you got it back. And these transmissions, as with most modern transmissions, are very sensitive to the fluid type and level so hopefully they got that correct.
The second issue, with the ETC failsafe mode, should also have had stored codes, even if the check engine light never came on. The shop should have been able to at least pull some code to give an indication of where to search for the issue. It likely was related to your third issue which is likely a misfire due to a faulty coil or worn spark plugs rather than a transmission issue. Cars today can typically go longer than they could years ago without a tune up, but they do still require tune ups and routine maintenance.
I'm curious about the heater control valve issues. Yes, the Dual Coolant Control Valve (DCCV) has been a common issue as well, it impacts the climate control system and, unless leaking, should not require the car to be towed.
For the starting issue, you don't mention if you've ever replaced the battery. These cars are also known for having very sensitive electrical systems and require a very healthy battery. If the battery in your car is more than 3 years old I would suggest you replace it and see if that helps with with current issues you are having with it. And don't go off of what the quick "charging system testers" tell you, I've seen them state a battery passes when the battery is in fact the issue in the particular system.
If the battery doesn't seem to fix the issue then you might have the fuel filter replaced as part of a tune up. You may not need to replace all the coils as part of the tune up, but should at least replace the spark plugs with the miles you have on the car. You could also have the fuel pressure checked at the fuel rail to make sure it is within spec both Key On Engine Off (KOEO) and KOE Running (KOER). If not there you may have a weak jet pump which has been receiving a fair amount of attention on this forum lately.
Good luck and hopefully you can get this car back to being enjoyable for you. They really are attractive cars and not as bad to work on as they may appear.
-Rod
I'm sorry to hear about the problems you've been having with the car, but I kind of think you should consider finding a different shop. The first issue you describe really sounds like the fairly common, and not horribly expensive, shift solenoid issue. It doesn't require a full rebuild to replace. The way the issue is described it doesn't sound like a slipping transmission, particularly the delay when shifting from reverse to drive. The solenoids would have been replaced during a rebuild though which is probably fine when you got it back. And these transmissions, as with most modern transmissions, are very sensitive to the fluid type and level so hopefully they got that correct.
The second issue, with the ETC failsafe mode, should also have had stored codes, even if the check engine light never came on. The shop should have been able to at least pull some code to give an indication of where to search for the issue. It likely was related to your third issue which is likely a misfire due to a faulty coil or worn spark plugs rather than a transmission issue. Cars today can typically go longer than they could years ago without a tune up, but they do still require tune ups and routine maintenance.
I'm curious about the heater control valve issues. Yes, the Dual Coolant Control Valve (DCCV) has been a common issue as well, it impacts the climate control system and, unless leaking, should not require the car to be towed.
For the starting issue, you don't mention if you've ever replaced the battery. These cars are also known for having very sensitive electrical systems and require a very healthy battery. If the battery in your car is more than 3 years old I would suggest you replace it and see if that helps with with current issues you are having with it. And don't go off of what the quick "charging system testers" tell you, I've seen them state a battery passes when the battery is in fact the issue in the particular system.
If the battery doesn't seem to fix the issue then you might have the fuel filter replaced as part of a tune up. You may not need to replace all the coils as part of the tune up, but should at least replace the spark plugs with the miles you have on the car. You could also have the fuel pressure checked at the fuel rail to make sure it is within spec both Key On Engine Off (KOEO) and KOE Running (KOER). If not there you may have a weak jet pump which has been receiving a fair amount of attention on this forum lately.
Good luck and hopefully you can get this car back to being enjoyable for you. They really are attractive cars and not as bad to work on as they may appear.
-Rod
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