Posted on 12/26/2009 7:35:28 PM PST by DemforBush
That’s the thing - you can *gain* the ability to program / recalibrate the computer given the motivation.
I can attach my $130 tactrix cable to my $200 laptop and use free / open source software to tune and re-calibrate my engine to perform at peak performance (aka better than ‘factory’). You just need to educate yourself on the engine ‘programming’ and have a support community (as Subaru’s do).
I look at it like when we went from typewriters to wordprocessors / computers. It’s just a new tool we need to learn how to use.
There is nothing on my 1970 Ford F100 that I can’t diagnose and fix. There is almost noting on my wife’s 2007 Toyota Sienna that I can diagnose and fix.
I don't know if it was just my local Autozone policy or nationwide but they aren't allowed to reset ( clear ) the fault code. Advance can and that helped allot to find my car's problem.
>>Thank goodness, all todays cars are designed to prevent Global Warming.
>
>But not EMP.
A Diesel is the way to go for a vehicle that’ll run during an EMP. {Caveat: Provided the fuel injection is mechanically and not computer controlled.}
They are OK with that because in a few years old cars will be all written off and crushed. If not, they will not pass the smog check, so you can't use them anyway. Your options would be very few - either to walk, or to buy what is offered.
In any case, automakers are quite happy with computer-controlled cars because they are really better, more reliable and more clean. There are costs to get tools, but they aren't that high (ODB-II tester costs as low as $45) and Toyota offers online access to all repair manuals for, IIRC, $1/day or cheaper if you buy a yearly subscription. The owner of Luscious Garage (Carolyn Coquillette, mentioned in the article - I knew about her for a couple of years, she posts on mailing lists) spends a lot, but probably this is spread across many manufacturers, and as a business she needs permanent, unlimited access. If you have only one car you probably can get away with a less expensive access to service manuals.
Todays diesels won’t run after EMP. Too many electronic controls that are vital to engine performance.
Even my 2000 PowerStroke will be dead.
Todays diesels won’t run after EMP. Too many electronic controls that are vital to engine performance.
Even my 2000 PowerStroke will be dead.
True of many electronic things.....had a sales lady I was discussing a new washing machine with tell me to avoid the push button ones (electronic) and go for the dial one...LESS problems....EASIER to fix.
First car was a VW Karmann-Ghia. I removed and overhauled the engine by myself without any special tools. That was pretty cool. But keeping it tuned was a bummer— every few weeks or so, adjusting the points and valves. It was a super basic car and got me from here to there, but I actually prefer one that is quiet, comfortable, powerful, easy to drive, and has the niceties like a working radio and AC. It’s a worthwhile trade off.
As far as GM goes, they SHOULD provide it to any American taxpayer who wants it. After all, WE paid for it and WE own the damned company now. (Never mind the fact that it was stolen)
Cant beat a Bug for easy to fix.
I am looking for a 68-75 to build a Baja out of.
I wouldn’t mind a 67 Vette “clunker” with cruise, tilt, disc brakes, PS and AC.
Some of us wouldn’t mind suffering a bit driving that car around.
I have an `83 Oldsmobile diesel, I’m pretty sure it’ll run.
Though that is one of the nice things about Diesel engines: they can be far simpler than a similar gasoline engine... but then again I suppose that the vehicle-manufacturer/dealers could want more complex items so as to lock-in service.
They do not belong there for the same reasons they don't belong in health care.
I have been an automotive technician.
It is a hard way to make a living.
Your challenge is to find a good honest tech.
Just like you have to find a good doctor.
With the government involved, more good techs will bail.
Do you see a similarity?
I can't believe some of you actually seem to buy this BS.
Car companies are not conspiring against you. Small shops are struggling because people are not having their cars maintained then, it comes in on the hook with it really messed up.
They find out the cost, then go buy a new car.
Shops sometimes take inexpensive stabs at the problem and come up short. Example: replace front brake pads on pick up $250
Okay customer says, then upon dis-assembly tech finds cracks in caliper pistons.
So it needs calipers.
Customer is pissed because of extra $200 asked for by phone.
Reluctantly says yes, picks up vehicle then leaves mad,never to return.
Honest tech has to warn customer of possible extra charge $ 200 and hope customer does not go back to shop that said $250 for whole job without the warning.
Or the tech has to just bid $450 and hope the customer trusts them aand he replaces the calipers even if they don't really need it.
The main point I am saying is that so many people are their own worst enemy when it come to putting money into car maintenance.
I agree. My first pickup, a 63 Chevy, had the gas tank in the passenger compartment and a straight rod steering column. In any significant wreck you’d either get the steering column through the chest or be in a cab full of gas. They were great for their time, and in some ways I miss the old vehicles, but a while back I needed a truck and looked getting an old pickup and restoring it. I thought about the rougher ride, AM only radio, no AC without installing one, drum brakes all the way around, and went with a newer one.
“modern” cars fall apart all the time too. They ususally (though not always by any means) make it slightly past their warranty but then the problems begin and average mechanics can’t easily fix these problems because the manufacturers have taken measures to ensure that their cars have to be fixed at the dealerships. Interesting story aboout that: I had a mechanic replace a cam position sensor and he broke one of the mounting brackets on the distributor so, eventually, I registered another faulty cam position sensor because he couldn’t torque it down properly. So, I replaced the distributor but then, as I’m driving out of the dealership, the check engine light comes on and the tach is acting eratically (exactly what it was doing with the original bad cam position sensor). Those mechanics ran the fault and, sure enough, “faulty cam position sensor”. They played dumb (very convincingly). I took it to the mechanic who replaced the original cam sensor (the one who broke the mounting bracket I think). after about $80 worth of labor he tells me that “he thinks” the computer is bad and needs replaced... he thinks. And this is going to cost $500. I told him to forget it because I don’t really drive that car much anymore anyways. fast forward a few months. I tried to start it and the battery was dead. it had been dead for I don’t know how long but probably over a month or two. I jump started it and guess what? It drives like a champ now. The cars battery was completely drained and the computer’s memory banks cleared. When it was jump started, the computer reset to its defaults and the problems corrected themselves...for free. The mecahnic was gonna charge me $500 and he has a good reputation in my town. Moral of the story” “new cars kinda suck”. A long story but pretty pertinent to this debate.
Working on cars isn’t my living. It’s my hobby. I always used to say it was cheaper to buy the tools, manuals, and parts than to take the car to someone else. I’m not so sure on some of the latest cars.
The manufacturers seem to be intentionally making it more difficult to do repairs yourself. Some of this stuff is assembled so that it’s nearly impossible, without the manufacturer’s tools, to even take it apart.
I used to do everything on my cars short of machine work, like regrinding the crankshaft. It seems that everything started getting intentionally more difficult to work on in the late 90’s. Before then, you could read a code, change a sensor, and be back up.
I too miss "The Old Days". While I won't trade my 98 Durnago 4x4 for ANYTHING, the next car I but is going to be a 1970 something Chevy Nova with a 230 inline 6 and a 2 speed power slop. They were tanks and the one I had - bought it for 400 bucks in the 80's BTW - NEVER let me down.
My oldest son has a 1995 Grand Am...it needs a new heater core. Easy...I thought, but I thought WRONG. You have to take the entire dash apart. (Same with the Durango but at least it's big enough that I can move around)
Plus instead of having 2 lengths of 3/4 inch heater hose the Pontiac has some ridiculous molded "H" hose. The hose costs around a hundred bucks...the core itself around 40 to 50.
That isn't automotive advancement!
prisoner6
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