Bobby's Real World Automotive Diagnostics

  2020 Volvo XC40 Liftgate Opens Then Closes Immediately – Real Diagnostic Breakdown & Fix Introduction One of the more frustrating issues on modern SUVs is when a power liftgate seems to have a mind of its own. It opens like normal… then immediately shuts. No warning, no obvious fault—just unreliable operation. In this case, I worked through a 2020 Volvo XC40 with exactly that complaint. The liftgate would power open, reach the top (or close to it), and then automatically reverse and shut. At first glance, you might suspect a module issue, calibration problem, or even a sensor fault. But as with most diagnostics, the root cause turned out to be simpler—and more mechanical—than expected. Let’s walk through the process step by step. Vehicle Concern Vehicle: 2020 Volvo XC40 System: Power liftgate Complaint: Liftgate opens normally Immediately closes on its own Will not stay in the open position Initial Inspection & Symptoms I always start by operating the system myself inste...

  2019 Ford EcoSport TPMS Fault & Lane Warning Light – BCM Failure Diagnosis Explained Introduction Every now and then, you get a vehicle that throws multiple warning messages at once, and at first glance, they don’t seem related. That’s exactly what happened with this 2019 Ford EcoSport. The vehicle came in with a flashing TPMS light and a lane change warning indicator, along with a message stating “Tire Pressure Monitor Fault.” At first, it looked like a simple TPMS issue—but as always, the deeper you dig, the more the real problem reveals itself. Vehicle Concern TPMS light flashing, then staying solid Message: Tire Pressure Monitor Fault Lane change (blind spot) warning light illuminated No obvious drivability issues The customer had already attempted some initial checks, including verifying the TPMS sensors and performing a relearn. Initial Inspection & Symptoms Right away, this didn’t feel like a standard TPMS problem. Normally, a TPMS fault would point to: A bad senso...

  2019 Chevy Trax StabiliTrak Light On – Steering Angle Sensor Calibration Fix Introduction A StabiliTrak warning light can be frustrating, especially when it shows up along with multiple fault codes. On this 2019 Chevy Trax, the customer came in with the traction control light illuminated (the “car with skid marks” symbol) and a scan showing a long list of codes across multiple modules. At first glance, it looked like a major electrical issue—but after a structured diagnostic approach, the fix turned out to be simple. Let’s walk through exactly what happened, how it was diagnosed, and why this is a common issue on modern GM vehicles. Vehicle Concern The vehicle came in with: StabiliTrak / traction control warning light ON Multiple diagnostic trouble codes stored across several modules No obvious drivability issues reported The main concern was restoring proper operation of the stability control system and identifying whether the issue was serious or not. Initial Inspection & S...

  2019 Kia Soul Misfire & Soft Brake Pedal Diagnosis: Step-by-Step Professional Breakdown Introduction When a vehicle comes in with multiple issues, it’s important to stay methodical and avoid jumping to conclusions. In this case, I was working on a 2019 Kia Soul that had two primary concerns: a check engine light with misfire codes and a soft brake pedal . Both issues required separate diagnostic paths, but as always, the goal was the same—identify the root cause efficiently and avoid unnecessary parts replacement. Vehicle Concern The customer reported two problems: Check engine light illuminated Noticeable engine misfire Soft brake pedal with reduced confidence during braking Any time you have both drivability and safety concerns, it’s critical to prioritize correctly while still addressing everything thoroughly. Initial Inspection & Symptoms I started with a quick visual and operational check: Engine was running rough, especially at idle No obvious abnormal engine nois...

  Dodge Challenger Wipers Stuck On & No Turn Signals? Full Diagnostic Breakdown Introduction Electrical issues can be some of the most frustrating problems to diagnose on modern vehicles—especially when multiple systems fail at once. In this case, I was dealing with a vehicle that had a check engine light, completely inoperative steering column controls, and wipers that would run continuously with no way to shut them off. This wasn’t a simple blown fuse or bad switch—it turned into a solid example of network diagnostics and module failure. Let’s walk through the process step by step so you can see how to properly approach a problem like this. Vehicle Concern The vehicle came in with multiple complaints: Check engine light on No turn signals No high beams No wiper or washer function from the stalk Wipers would run continuously when the relay was installed At first glance, this looks like a switch issue—but as you’ll see, it goes much deeper. Initial Inspection & Symptoms I s...

  Nissan Murano CVT P17F1 Code: Why This “Judder” Code Means Transmission Replacement Introduction Every now and then, you run into a vehicle that tells you exactly what’s wrong—you just have to know how to listen. That was the case with this Nissan Murano. It came in with multiple low voltage codes, which isn’t unusual. But buried in that list was one code that stood out: P17F1 . At first glance, you might think it’s just another code caused by a weak battery or voltage issue. But this one is different. And if you misdiagnose it, you could waste a lot of time—and money. Let’s walk through how I approached this diagnosis step by step and why this code ultimately led to recommending a full transmission replacement. Vehicle Concern The vehicle came in with multiple warning lights and a history of low voltage-related issues. The plan was straightforward: address the voltage problem, clear the codes, and re-evaluate. However, one code raised concern immediately: P17F1 – CVT Judder / Ra...