SureTrack Real Fix: Brake Cleaner to the Rescue

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Real Fixes from Mitchell 1’s SureTrack® expert information resource are documented issues from actual shop repair orders and community discussions. Read on to see how SureTrack can help you correct issues that are not easily diagnosed using OEM information alone. SureTrack is available at no additional cost in our ProDemand product.

Sometimes you need to go back to an old-fashioned method to diagnose a problem and find the cause. SureTrack community member Peirs13 had a GMC Sierra pickup in their shop that ran great but would intermittently go into limp in mode and set a bunch of codes. They did all the normal testing for the situation but still didn’t find the cause. They posed the question to the community, and with the help of fellow community member ericsautomotive, and others, they were able to resolve the issue quickly.

The following Community Fix summarizes the interaction between members of the community that led to the solution.

Vehicle
2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD 6.0L

Title
Goes into limp in mode, replaced intake manifold.

Complaint
Customer complains that truck will intermittently go into limp in mode.

Diagnostic Steps Performed/Parts Replaced
Scanned for codes and found P0106, P0171, P0174, P0300 and P1516. Truck runs great, intermittently goes into limp mode. Throttle body, MAF, MAP were all recently replaced. Truck was bought at auction. Replaced plugs and wires and intake gaskets within past month. Checked all power and grounds, tested all circuits; throttle body, MAP, and MAF to PCM, and TAC module. Went through all pinpoint tests for codes and get referred to diagnostic aids section. Smoke tested and found no leaks. Freeze frame data shows faults set on cold start, intermittently goes into limp mode at operating temperature. MAP, Baro, MAF data reads normally. Will crank right up after limp mode and return to normal.

Cause
Found pinhole size crack underneath intake manifold towards the rear, could barely see it. Couldn’t see smoke coming out during smoke test. Found by spraying brake clean around engine and watching idle speed.

Correction
Replaced intake manifold. Cleared codes and road tested vehicle. Codes did not return and vehicle operates as it should.

SureTrack® adds to the power of ProDemand® with an exclusive combination of real-world knowledge and powerful diagnostic tools, all wrapped in an interactive community of professional technicians. Designed to help automotive shops increase accuracy and efficiency from diagnosis to completed repair, the industry’s most comprehensive repair information resource is just a few clicks away.

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About the Author

Nick Taylor

Nick Taylor is the SureTrack Community Administrator and a Senior Applications Specialist at Mitchell 1 with over 25 years of experience with electronic repair data systems. Nick previously worked in the automotive dismantling and engine rebuilding industries.