BajaNomad

Need good diagnostician/mechanic - Loreto..FOUND

Pompano - 5-2-2007 at 08:56 AM

I have need of a good diagnostician/mechanic in Loreto..or Sta. Rosalia...or ?

My Dodge pickup's engine computer seems to be on the blink. The tranny will not go into the higher gears at times..it comes and goes, plus the ABS and Brake lights stay lit on the dashboard display. Who knows, this may be two problems rather than one? One problem with tranny..other with computer? The symptoms all started at about the same time, so that made me suspicious...

Anyway, I am going to Loreto on Friday and wondered if anyone could recommend a good technician there who could determine and fix my problem? Or any other good shop in the area? It is a 2000 Dodge diesel automatic 4X4 pickup.

Thanks for any help.

[Edited on 5-5-2007 by Pompano]

comitan - 5-2-2007 at 09:38 AM

Pompano

We do have a dodge dist. here in La Paz, You need someone with an OB2 tester to plug into the system and tell you whats wrong. There is one in Santa Rosalia north side of town U shaped blding car repair on left.

Pompano - 5-2-2007 at 11:01 AM

Thanks, comitan...I thought I had heard about one in Sta. Rosalia, too. Glad to hear it confirmed by you...I will get the name and call them today for some info. Maybe there is one in Loreto, too.

jerry - 5-2-2007 at 11:07 AM

pompano
you might try disconnecting the battery post for a few minuites ,clean them and put them back on some puders will reset them selves
resently my wifes lincoln started acting up air ride going on and off dash lighs waring lights door ajar lights radio door locks all acting weared mechanic cleaned the battery posts it reset the puder and all is cured
its a easy try anyway

Bob and Susan - 5-2-2007 at 11:26 AM

mine did the same thing
as soon as the waranty was over...
it's a 2003

it was an abs pump-thing...
the pump was about $700 PLUS install

the dealer wanted way more so
i went to my local guy in southern california

he had to go to his buddys to use his analyzer
the old units couldn't do the job

good luck

Pompano - 5-2-2007 at 11:26 AM

jerry...thanks for that tip. I will go try that right now, muchas gracias.

Oddly, I have just found out this morning about something else that works, at least temporarily, for the tranny shifting problem. The tranny seems to shift into higher gears okay ..IF.. I stop, turn the engine off..and then turn the ignition key fully back and forth 3 times..it seems to reset something in the computer that way, too...at least for the tranny part. I remembered this from some diesel site on the Internet a year or so ago when researching for a new diesel engine. They said to do this to reset the instrument lights.

The ABS and Brake lights still stay lit on the display panel, though. Coincidentely, the speedometer went out about the time all this happened. Go figure.

I will try that battery cleaning and let you know.

p.s. Bob y Susan, just saw your post and will have that checked out too. Thanks.

[Edited on 5-2-2007 by Pompano]

Bob and Susan - 5-2-2007 at 11:32 AM

before you go check the ABS module at home to make sure the connection hasn't come off

backninedan - 5-2-2007 at 01:34 PM

If you still want a mechanic try "Meno" in Loreto, he is the only mechanic I know of that has diagnostic equipment and also works on diesels. If your interested, I will get the street address and phone number.

jerry - 5-2-2007 at 01:46 PM

pompano i would also check the voltage of your batteries because the macanic also said its caused by low voltage

Pompano - 5-2-2007 at 02:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by backninedan
If you still want a mechanic try "Meno" in Loreto, he is the only mechanic I know of that has diagnostic equipment and also works on diesels. If your interested, I will get the street address and phone number.


Sure, backninedan, I am interested in his number and address. I could get ahold of Meno when down there on Friday. Thanks.

jerry...I will be checking that voltage also when at our local auto electric shop tonight, along with cleaning those terminals...gracias.

bajalou - 5-2-2007 at 02:57 PM

Had somewhat similar problems with a F350 ford E4OD trany. Took it to a shop and the owner said have to make sure the sensors' (speed sensor, etc) are all working correctly before we can do anything. Replaced a couple bad sensors and still had a problem. He said replace the speedometer module. Told me he could rebuild my trany, get a Ford rebuilt and put that in, but I would still have the problems till I replaced the speedometer - ABS and trany controls go thru speedometer. I replaced it and never had a problem since (2 years). Know nothing of Dodges but know little things, sensors, etc. can cause big problems.

Hook - 5-2-2007 at 05:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
My Dodge pickup's engine computer seems to be on the blink. The tranny will not go into the higher gears at times..it comes and goes, plus the ABS and Brake lights stay lit on the dashboard display. Who knows, this may be two problems rather than one?


Just on the off chance, look carefully for a possible marginal ground: Battery to engine, battery to computer, engine to computer.

--Larry


That's not such an off chance. That's what I would check first, especially the ground to the computer.

I doubt it's battery related since the battery has the juice to turn over a diesel engine. it's probably not too low to run the computer.

Would also be worth checking voltage while off and voltage while running to make sure there are not alternator or regulator issues contributing to the problem. Voltage at rest should be at least 12.5 and at least 13.0 (ideally higher) while running.

CJ - 5-3-2007 at 07:00 AM

After going to my favorite Loreto mechanic to resolve a problem with my Jeep, which we never resolved. I found a mechanic in Mira Mar who has diagnostic equipment and fixed the problem promptly. His name is Bennito or simply Junior. He speaks perfect english, and was trained in the states. His cell phone # is 044-613-104-4321 It would be worth talking to him. Suerte......CJ:cool:

Pompano - 5-3-2007 at 07:08 AM

Thanks, CJ.....I have to ask though.. where is Mira Mar? They change names so fast in Loreto I never know where anything is down there. I will call Bennito today.

I had a great CJ-5 for years that was long before computers...the good old days!

Gracias, Pompano

BajaWarrior - 5-3-2007 at 07:23 AM

I had the same symptoms with my f-250 a couple of years ago. Brake indicator on dash was on, check engine light, and rough shifting at higher speeds. It was the Vehicle Speed Sensor..

Also, more recently the sensor inside of the air filter tube was dirty and needed heavy cleaning, this also made the transmission shift very rough at highway speeds and even stalled at a stop light.

Paula - 5-3-2007 at 07:54 AM

Pompano, Don says Meno's is on the street just past Augies bar, which is Jordan. He's 3 or 4 blocks up from the malecon. Nothing like classic Loreto directions, eh? :biggrin:

Miramar is west of the highway. As you come down from Mulege it's that strip that starts north of town, and goes way up in the hills.

Paula - 5-3-2007 at 09:52 AM

Meno update for Pompano

Out doing errands this morning, we went by Meno's. His phone # is 613-135-0195.

Going south on the malecon, turn onto Jordan, the street just south of Augie's. Cross Madero, pass Conchita's Curious (yes, really!) and it is 1 block further on your left, across from Colegio Calafia.

Meno is on the job.

Pompano - 5-5-2007 at 02:59 PM

Thanks Dan, Paula and all for your helpful information.

We drove in to Meno's in Loreto on Friday and he used his diagnostic meter to determine that it was the speed sensor on the tranny. He ordered the part (cheap at 1200 pesos) from La Paz and it will be in early Tuesday via bus. I will return to have him do the install for another 300 pesos which includes the original diagnosis. I have found my mechanic of choice. All in all, a pretty good repair for under $150 US.

Another success thanks to BajaNomads. Muchas gracias.

Minnow - 5-5-2007 at 03:21 PM

Hurray for MeNo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hook - 5-5-2007 at 08:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Minnow
Hurray for MeNo!!!!!!!!!!!!!


:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Bruce R Leech - 5-6-2007 at 10:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
I have need of a good diagnostician/mechanic in Loreto..or Sta. Rosalia...or ?

My Dodge pickup's engine computer seems to be on the blink. The tranny will not go into the higher gears at times..it comes and goes, plus the ABS and Brake lights stay lit on the dashboard display. Who knows, this may be two problems rather than one? One problem with tranny..other with computer? The symptoms all started at about the same time, so that made me suspicious...

Anyway, I am going to Loreto on Friday and wondered if anyone could recommend a good technician there who could determine and fix my problem? Or any other good shop in the area? It is a 2000 Dodge diesel automatic 4X4 pickup.

Thanks for any help.

[Edited on 5-5-2007 by Pompano]


Pompano sorry I was out of town for a while. but next time I can help with any problems with cars or trucks. this is the business I am getting ready to start. I have all equipment for fuel injection, electronic. diagnostic, chassy and suspension work and repair on most Dodge, Ford, and Chevy build vehicles. and most for Japers and German also. I will come to you or you can come to me. I will also have wrecker service for all of Baja. and International transport for getting your vehicle across the border and to the shop of your choice.