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bolts
Noisy Pistons and Rings
Excessive piston-to-bore clearanceInstall larger pistons, See
ENGINES
Bore tapered or out-of-roundRebore block
Piston ring brokenReplace piston rings, See
ENGINES
Piston pin loose or seizedReplace piston pin, See
ENGINES
Connecting rods misalignedRealign connecting rods
Ring side clearance too loose or tightReplace with larger or smaller
rings
Carbon build-up on pistonRemove carbon
Noisy Valve Train
Worn or bent push rodsReplace push rods, See
ENGINES
Worn rocker arms or bridged pivotsReplace push rods, See
ENGINES
Dirt or chips in valve liftersRemove lifters and remove
dirt/chips
Excessive valve lifter leak-downReplace valve lifters, See
ENGINES
Valve lifter face wornReplace valve lifters, See
ENGINES
Broken or cocked valve springsReplace or reposition springs
Too much valve stem-to-guide clearanceReplace valve guides, See
ENGINES
Valve bentReplace valve, See ENGINES
Loose rocker armsRetighten rocker arms, See
ENGINES
Excessive valve seat run-outReface valve seats, See
ENGINES
Missing valve lockInstall new valve lock
Excessively worn camshaft lobesReplace camshaft, See
ENGINES
Plugged valve lifter oil holesEliminate restriction or
replace lifter
Faulty valve lifter check ballReplace lifter check ball, See
ENGINES
Rocker arm nut installed upside downRemove and reinstall correctly
Valve lifter incorrect for engineRemove and replace valve
lifters
Faulty push rod seat or lifter plungerReplace plunger or push rod
Noisy Valves
Improper valve lashRe-adjust valve lash, See
ENGINES
Worn or dirty valve liftersClean and/or replace lifters
Wo r n va l ve gu id e sReplace valve guides, See
ENGINES
Excessive valve seat or face run-outReface seats or valve face
Worn camshaft lobesReplace camshaft, See
ENGINES
Loose rocker arm studsRe-tighten rocker arm studs,
See ENGINES
Bent push rodsReplace push rods, See
ENGINES
Broken valve springsReplace valve springs, See
ENGINES
Burned,Sticking or Broken Valves
Weak valve springs or warped valvesReplace valves and/or springs,
See ENGINES
Improper lifter clearanceRe-adjust clearance or replace
lifters
Worn guides or improper guide clearanceReplace valve guides, See
ENGINES
Out-of-round valve seats or improper seat widthRe-grind valve seats
Gum deposits on valve stems, seats or guideRemove deposits
Improper spark timingRe-adjust spark timing
Broken Pistons/Rings
Undersize pistonsReplace with larger pistons,
See ENGINES
Wrong piston ringsReplace with correct rings,
See ENGINES
Out-of-round cylinder boreRe-bore cylinder bore
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ENGINE PERFORMANCE
CARBURETOR TROUBLE SHOOTING:
BASIC COLD START SYMPTOMS TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
BASIC HOT START SYMPTOMS TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
BASIC COLD ENGINE DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
Improper connecting rod alignmentRemove and realign
connecting rods
E xc e ssive l y wo r n r in g gr o o ve sReplace pistons, See
ENGINES
Improperly assembled piston pinsRe-assemble pin-to-piston,
See ENGINES
Insufficient ring gap clearanceInstall new rings, See
ENGINES
Engine overheatingCheck cooling system
Incorrect ignition timingRe-adjust ignition timing, See
TUNE-UP
Excessive Exhaust Noise
Leaks at manifold to head, or to pipeReplace manifold or pipe
ga ske t
Exhaust manifold cracked or brokenReplace exhaust manifold, See
ENGINES
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Engine Won't Start
Choke not closingCheck choke operation, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Choke linkage bentCheck linkage, see FUEL
SYSTEM
Engine Starts, Then Dies
Choke vacuum kick setting too wideCheck setting and adjust see,
FUEL SYSTEMS
Fast idle RPM too lowReset RPM to specification,
see TUNE-UP
Fast idle cam index incorrectReset fast idle cam index, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Vacuum leakInspect vacuum system for
leaks
Low fuel pump outletRepair or replace pump, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Low carburetor fuel levelCheck float setting see FUEL
SYSTEM
Engine Quits Under Load
Choke vacuum kick setting incorrectReset vacuum kick setting,see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Fast idle cam index incorrectReset fast idle cam index, see
FUEL SYSTEM
Incorrect hot fast idle speed RPMReset fast idle RPM, see
TUNE-UP
Engine Starts, Runs Up, Then Idles, Slowly With Black Smoke
Choke vacuum kick set too narrowReset vacuum kick, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Fast idle cam index incorrectReset fast idle cam index, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Hot fast idle RPM too lowReset fast idle RPM, see
TUNE-UP
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Engine Won't Start
Engine floodedAllow fuel to evaporate
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Engine Stalls in Gear
Choke vacuum kick setting incorrectReset choke vacuum kick, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Fast idle RPM incorrectReset fast idle RPM, see
TUNE-UP
Fast idle cam index incorrectReset fast idle cam see FUEL
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BASIC WARM ENGINE DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
DIESEL ENGINE TROUBLE SHOOTING
BASIC DIESEL ENGINE TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
SYSTEMS
Acceleration Sag or Stall
Defective choke control switchReplace choke control switch
Choke vacuum kick setting incorrectReset choke vacuum kick see,
FUEL SYSTEMS
Float level incorrect (too low)Adjust float level, FUEL
SYSTEMS
Accelerator pump defectiveRepair or replace pump see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Secondary throttles not closedInspect lockout adjustment,
see FUEL SYSTEMS
Sag or Stall After Warmup
Defective choke control switchReplace choke control switch,
see FUEL SYSTEMS
Defective accelerator pumpReplace pump, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Float level incorrect (too low)Adjust float level, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Backfiring & Black Smoke
Plugged heat crossover systemRemove restriction
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Hesitation With Small Amount of Gas Pedal Movement
Vacuum leakInspect vacuum lines
Accelerator pump weak or inoperableReplace pump, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Float level setting too lowReset float level, see,FUEL
SYSTEMS
Metering rods sticking or bindingInspect and/or replace rods,
see FUEL SYSTEMS
Carburetor idle or transfer system pluggedInspect system and remove
restriction
Frozen or binding heated air inletInspect heated air door for
binding
Hesitation With Heavy Gas Pedal Movement
Defective accelerator pumpReplace pump, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Metering rod carrier sticking or bindingRemove restriction
Large vacuum leakInspect vacuum system and
repair leak
Float level setting too lowReset float level, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Defective fuel pump, lines or filterInspect pump, lines and filter
Air door setting incorrectAdjust air door setting, see
FUEL
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
NOTE:Diesel engines m echanical diagnosis is the sam e as gasoline engines for item s such as noisy valves,
bearings, pistons, etc. T he following trouble shooting covers only item s pertaining to diesel engines.
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Engine Won't Crank
Bad battery connections or dead batteriesCheck connections and/or
replace batteries
Bad starter connections or bad starterCheck connections and/or
replace starter
Engine Cranks Slowly, Won't Start
Bad battery connections or dead batteriesCheck connections and/or
replace batteries
Engine oil too heavyReplace engine oil
Engine Cranks Normally, But Will Not Start
Glow plugs not functioningCheck glow plug system, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Glow plug control not functioningCheck controller, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
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Fuel not injected into cylindersCheck fuel injectors, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
No fuel to injection pumpCheck fuel delivery system
Fuel filter blockedReplace fuel filter
Fuel tank filter blockedReplace fuel tank filter
Fuel pump not operatingCheck pump operation and/or
replace pump
Fuel return system blockedInspect system and remove
restriction
No voltage to fuel solenoidCheck solenoid and
connections
Incorrect or contaminated fuelReplace fuel
Incorrect injection pump timingRe-adjust pump timing, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Low compressionCheck valves, pistons, rings,
see ENGINES
Injection pump malfunctionInspect and/or replace
injection pump
Engine Starts, Won't Idle
Incorrect slow idle adjustmentReset idle adjustment, see
TUNE-UP
Fast idle solenoid malfunctioningCheck solenoid and
connections
Fuel return system blockedCheck system and remove
restrictions
Glow plugs go off too soonSee glow plug diagnosis in
FUEL SYSTEMS
Injection pump timing incorrectReset pump timing, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
No fuel to injection pumpCheck fuel delivery system
Incorrect or contaminated fuelReplace fuel
Low compressionCheck valves, piston, rings, see
ENGINES
Injection pump malfunctionReplace injection pump, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Fuel solenoid closes in RUN positionCheck solenoid and
connections
Engines Starts/Idles Rough W/out Smoke or Noise
Incorrect slow idle adjustmentReset slow idle, see TUNE-UP
Injection line fuel leaksCheck lines and connections
Fuel return system blockedCheck lines and connections
Air in fuel systemBleed air from system
Incorrect or contaminated fuelReplace fuel
Injector nozzle malfunctionCheck nozzles, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Engines Starts and Idles Rough W/out Smoke or Noise, But Clears After Warm-Up
Injection pump timing incorrectReset pump timing, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Engine not fully broken inPu t mo re mil es o n en gin e
Air in systemBleed air from system
Injector nozzle malfunctionCheck nozzles, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Engine Idles Correctly, Misfires Above Idle
Bl o cked fu el fil t erReplace fuel filter
Injection pump timing incorrectReset pump timing, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Incorrect or contaminated fuelReplace fuel
Engine Won't Return To Idle
Fast idle adjustment incorrectReset fast idle, see TUNE-UP
Internal injection pump malfunctionReplace injection pump, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
External linkage bindingCheck linkage and remove
binding
Fuel Leaks On Ground
Loose or broken fuel lineCheck lines and connections
Internal injection pump seal leakReplace injection pump, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Cylinder Knocking Noise
Injector nozzles sticking openTest injectors, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Very low nozzle opening pressureTest injectors and/or replace
Loss of Engine Power
Restricted air intakeRemove restriction
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VACUUM PUMP DIAGNOSIS
FUEL INJECTION TROUBLE SHOOTING
BASIC FUEL INJECTION TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
EGR valve malfunctionReplace EGR valve
Blocked or damaged exhaust systemRemove restriction and/or
replace components
Blocked fuel tank filterReplace filter
Restricted fuel filterRemove restriction and/or
replace filter
Block vent in gas capRemove restriction and/or
replace cap
Tank-to-injection pump fuel supply blockedCheck fuel lines and
connections
Blocked fuel return systemRemove restriction
Incorrect or contaminated fuelReplace fuel
Blocked injector nozzlesCheck nozzle for blockage, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Low compressionCheck valves, rings, pistons,
see ENGINES
Loud Engine Noise With Black Smoke
Basic timing incorrectReset timing, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
EGR valve malfunctionReplace EGR valve
Internal injection pump malfunctionReplace injection pump, see
FUEL SYSTEMS
Incorrect injector pump housing pressureCheck pressure, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Engine Overheating
Cooling system leaksCheck cooling system and
repair leaks
Belt slipping or damagedCheck tension and/or replace
belt
Thermostat stuck closedRemove and replace
thermostat, see ENGINE
COOLING
Head gasket leakingReplace head gasket
Oil Light on at Idle
Low oil pump pressureCheck oil pump operation, see
ENGINES
Oil cooler or line restrictedRemove restriction and/or
replace cooler
Engine Won't Shut Off
Injector pump fuel solenoid does not return fuel valve to OFF positionRemove and check solenoid
and replace if needed
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Excessive Noise
Loose pump-to-drive assembly screwsTighten screws
Loose tube on pump assemblyTighten tube
Valves not functioning properlyReplace valves
Oil Leakage
Loose end plugTighten end plug
Bad seal crimpRemove and re-crimp seal
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Engine Won't Start (Cranks Normally)
Cold start valve inoperativeTest valve and circuit
Poor connection;vacuum or wiringCheck vacuum and electrical
connections
Contaminated fuelTest fuel for water or alcohol
Defective fuel pump relay or circuitTest relay and wiring
Battery too lowCharge and test battery
Low fuel pressureTest pressure regulator and
fuel pump, check for restricted
lines and filters
No distributor reference pulsesRepair ignition system as
necessary
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Page 230 of 454

IGNITION SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING
Open coolant temperature sensor circuitTest sensor and wiring
Shorted W.O.T. switch in T.P.S.Disconnect W.O.T. switch,
engine should start
Defective ECMReplace ECM
Fuel tank residual pressure valve leaksTest for fuel pressure drop
after shut down
Hard Starting
Disconnected hot air tube to air cleanerReconnect tube and test
control valve
Defective Idle Air Control (IAC) valveTest valve operation and
circuit
Shorted, open or misadjusted T.P.S.Test and adjust or replace
T.P.S.
EGR valve openTest EGR valve and control
circuit
Poor Oxygen sensor signalTest for shorted or circuit
Incorrect mixture from PCV systemTest PCV for flow, check
sealing of oil filter cap
Poor High Speed Operation
Low fuel pump volumeFaulty pump or restricted fuel
lines or filters
Poor MAP sensor signalTest MAP sensor, vacuum
hose and wiring
Poor Oxygen sensor signalTest for shorted or open
sensor or circuit
Open coolant temperature sensor circuitTest sensor and wiring
Faulty ignition operationCheck wires for cracks or poor
con- nections, test secondary
voltage with oscilloscope
Contaminated fuelTest fuel for water or alcohol
Intermittent ECM groundTest ECM ground connection
for resistance
Restricted air cleanerReplace air cleaner
Restricted exhaust systemTest for exhaust manifold back
pressure
Poor MAF sensor signalCheck leakage between sensor
and manifold
Poor VSS signalIf tester for ALCL hook-up is
available check that VSS
reading matches speedometer
Ping or Knock on Acceleration
Poor Knock sensor signalTest for shorted or open
sensor or circuit
Poor Baro sensor signalTest for shorted or open
sensor or circuit
Improper ignition timingSee VEHICLE EMISSION
CONTROL LABEL (where
applicable)
Check for engine overheating problemsLow coolant, loose belts or
electric cooling fan inoperative
NOTE:For additional electronic fuel injection trouble shooting inform ation, see the appropriate article in the
ENGINE PERFORMANCE section (not all vehicles have Com puter Engine Control articles). Inform ation
is provided there for diagnosing fuel system problem s on vehicles with electronic fuel injection.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
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Fig. 3: Ignition Secondary Trouble Shooting Chart
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Fig. 4: Ignition Primary Trouble Shooting Chart
STARTER TROUBLE SHOOTING
BASIC STARTER TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Starter Fails to Operate
Dead battery or bad connections between starter and batteryCheck battery charge and all
wires and connections to
starter
Ignition switch faulty or misadjustedAdjust or replace ignition
switch
Open circuit between starter switch ignition terminal on starter relayCheck and repair wires and
connections as necessary
Starter relay or starter defectiveSee Testing in STARTER
article
Open solenoid pull-in wireSee Testing in STARTER
article
Starter Does Not Operate and Headlights Dim
Weak battery or dead cellCharge or replace battery as
necessary
Loose or corroded battery connectionsCheck that battery
connections are clean and
tight
Internal ground in starter windingsSee Testing in STARTER
article
Grounded starter fieldsSee Testing in STARTERS
Armature rubbing on pole shoesSee STARTER article
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