Again?
It happened yet again. I had another engine light problem taken care of two weeks ago, then I was in the Portland area last Saturday and the damn light went on again. I drove it home and got gas the next day and then the light went out for a day, then it went back on sometime Tuesday.
I figured this has been happening way too often so I went online and purchased a code reader yesterday, but while driving through Miles Crossing last night the damn truck stalls right in front of Varners. They were just closing up the shop and I asked if I left the truck there would they be able to repair it in a couple days. They told me they were booked until mid-October.
I got back in the truck and it started, but it died again within a mile after I topped a hill. I waited and it started again and took it to my regular repair shop who are going to get on it right away.
It’s getting time I get a new truck or develop some mechanical skills of my own.
posted by The Guy Who Writes This at 5:35 AM
8 Comments:
Mechanical skills? Heck, cars are so computerized and complicated these days, you have to have a PhD in nano-technology to fix a car.
>>> It’s getting time I get a new truck or develop some mechanical skills of my own.<<<
You have all the skills that you need. Get the scanner, read the codes, look up the code definitions, make repair.
>>>Mechanical skills? Heck, cars are so computerized and complicated these days, you have to have a PhD in nano-technology to fix a car.<<<
No flames, but you have it backwards.
When my 1939 Ford Tractor or my 1968 Volkswagon quits, what is the problem? Is it fuel, is it spark, or ???? Here is where mechanical and diagnostic skills developed over many years really help.
But what we have now is an automation package in each car.
Thankfully, part of that package is OBD-II. It is just setting there waiting for you to pull codes and go right to the problem.
In a majority of instances, the problem is a sensor, or device that can be changed out easily.
If the problem turns out to be something beyond your immediate ability, at least you won't be bamboozled by your local knuclehead greasemonkey.
Some transmissions have a soliniod that can fail for example. Why pay for a major repair when you know it is a 1/2 hr repair?
Go ahead and buy that new truck.
Thankfully it has the OBD-II socket in the same place!
:-;
While we should be able to develop new skills as we get older, may I suggest you buy that new truck?
I think if you were mechanically inclined, that talent (or inclination) would have shown up by now.
And cursing never works - at least not for me.
I'm with Beth. Though you will miss your truck, its not worth the headached with all the other stuff you have to do in life.
Either get a new truck, or as I mentioned before make Gearhead move over here.
I'm with gearhead, but then, I already had the mechanical skills. Having the codes has made life so much easier. This is one of the few areas I actually like more bells & whistles, as it actually saves me work. I still prefer the fun of working on the old stuff though. It feels so good when they fire up and run as smooth as a baby's bottom:)
It seems as if we live in a disposable society. If something doesn't work properly we throw it away and get a new one. Take advantage of your blog friends knowledge and diagnose the problem. If you can't fix it hire someone to do it. Your truck isn't that old and should have many more years ahead of it.
I have really changed my opinion about automobiles in the last few years. There is no reason, with proper maintenance, that automobiles shouldn't last for 200k miles or more.
Just my humble opinion.
Love,
Anon
It's getting up to that 200k mark. But my general rule of thumb is that if parts and labor begin to cost more than a car payment over four months, it's getting time to get a new one.
Guy, I just gave my '89 Jeep pick-up to a friend's son for his college transportation. Got a bit over 370k on the clock and still goes over 1500 miles before needing oil. Just a matter of upkeep:)
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