Problems fixed: Ford, Toyota and Volvo

In this article: Leading technical supplier Autodata helps you fix three common problems found in passenger cars

The problem

A customer’s 2014 1.6 petrol Ford Kuga is suffering with engine overheating, an intermittent lack of power and the engine malfunction indicator lamp flashing while driving. We have experienced the symptoms on a road test but cannot find the cause of the fault in the workshop. Can you help?

The fix

This fault affects Kuga models with 1.6 turbocharged petrol engines up to May 2016. The cause is damage to the engine coolant expansion tank. Drain the cooling system. Remove and discard the coolant expansion tank breather hose. Remove and discard the coolant hose. Fit a new engine coolant expansion tank and expansion tank cap. Ensure the blanking plug, available from the Ford parts department, is fitted to the engine coolant expansion tank breather hose connector. Fit a modified engine coolant expansion tank hose complete with breather hose. Fill cooling system and bleed. Carry out a road test to confirm the fault is fixed.

The problem

A Toyota Auris is suffering from a lack of power and the engine malfunction indicator lamp is illuminated. There is a trouble code of P0300 stored in the engine control module (ECM) fault memory which mentions random/multiple cylinder misfires. After checking the fuel system and replacing the spark plugs, the cause for the lack of power still hasn’t been identified.

The fix

This fault has come up before on Auris models with 8NR-FTS engine code and stop-start system up to 24th July 2018. The trouble code mentioned is usually accompanied by at least one of the following trouble codes: P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304. The fault is due to one or more problematic ignition coils.

To rectify the fault, inspect the production number on each ignition coil. If the production number is before 8208, replace the ignition coil with the latest version. To complete this repair, the engine control module will require reprogramming with upgraded software from the manufacturer, and this should rectify the fault.

The problem

We are having trouble diagnosing a fault on a 2011 Volvo C30. The vehicle came in with the ABS warning lamp illuminated and several ABS wheel speed sensor trouble codes stored in the ABS control module fault memory. We have carried out some basic wiring checks but we haven't found the cause of the fault. Have any other C30 owners reported this fault?

The fix

We have seen multiple ABS trouble codes (0011, 0012, 0021, 0022, C0030, C0031, C0033, C0034) on several C30 models from 2010 to 2013. The trouble codes are due to the front wheel hub and front wheel bearing being partially displaced. Ensure the front wheel hub and front wheel bearing are fitted correctly. To prevent the problem re-occurring, a front wheel bearing retaining bracket is available from Volvo parts department. Fit the wheel bearing retaining bracket to the front hub assembly. Repeat procedure for opposite side. Erase trouble codes and carry out a road test to confirm the fault has been rectified.