[ale] Time for this Grey Beard to stir up some stuff

[Boris Borisov]

Seems like the channel is full with people that couldn't make it as good
mechanics :)

Only joke.

On Fri, Jul 23, 2021, 21:07 Jim Kinney via Ale <ale at ale.org> wrote:

> My biggest concern with computers in cars is if I will EVER get license to
> fix/replace/upgrade as I choose. Having secrets that must be handled by a
> specially trained flunky (plug in the box, turn on ignition, type in the
> code that proves the owner will pay $X00) is beyond irritating. A
> replacement key was $180, $80 for the key and $100 for programming the
> computer to accept it. The valet key, with no chip, locks the car to under
> 35mph (ok. That's nice.)
>
> I had an '81 Porche 924 Turbo that had a computer. And a vacuum leak at
> the fitting into the sensor on the computer. They are everywhere. And they
> all need to be 'open for business'.
>
> On July 23, 2021 7:21:50 PM EDT, Solomon Peachy via Ale <ale at ale.org>
> wrote:
>>
>> On Fri, Jul 23, 2021 at 04:45:16PM -0400, Steve Litt via Ale wrote:
>>
>>>  Most of the cars I drove were made before 1990, most had carburetors,
>>>  and at least three had no semiconductors of any kind. The considerable
>>>  probing diagnostics you said were required required were mostly
>>>  preventive maintenance:
>>>
>>>  * Replace the plugs if over 2 years old (gap the new ones)
>>>  	- Keep the old plugs for later diagnostics
>>>  * Replace the points if over 2 years old
>>>  * Replace the spark plug wires if over 2 years old
>>>
>>
>> Cars made in the last decade or so routinely hit 100K before _any_
>> preventative maintainence (other than oil/filter changes) is recommended.
>>
>> (Indeed, it's pretty easy to find 100K warranties today, but 40 years ago
>>  even 24K was unusual!)
>>
>> * Change your oil every 3000 miles
>>>
>>
>> Routinely 5-10K with modern cars, though that's more due to use of
>> high-grade synthetic oils. It's also routine to have no fixed interval,
>> instead having the vehicle tell the operator when the oil needs changing
>> (based on mileage, time, and/or severity of service)
>>
>> * Change your transmission fluid every 48K miles if automatic
>>>   transmission
>>>
>>
>> Routinely closer to 100K, though it does of course depend on how badly
>> one abuses it.
>>
>> * Look at your temperature gauge (not idiot light) every few minutes
>>> 	- Necessary on modern cars too
>>>
>>
>> It's good practice to sweep the instrument cluster every so often, but
>> realisticly, the temperature gauge isn't soemething you're going to
>> specifically monitor unless you already know the vehicle has issues or
>> you are giving it a serious thrashing.
>>
>> (And it's also pretty easy to miss, which is why vehicles have routinely
>>  had warning lights/chines for over-temperature situations.  At least as
>>  far back as the late 60s)
>>
>> The preceding were usually between dead bang easy and pretty easy on
>>> those simple cars. And the plugs and points were cheap as hell, the
>>> wires were about 2-3 hours pay for a programmer. The preceding being
>>> finished:
>>>
>>
>> You enumerate all of these things as if they are things that everyone
>> should be expected to know as a matter of course, and have handy all of
>> the tools needed to undertake these tasks.  Whereas, in reality, the
>> overwhelming majority of folks, even when those cars were new-ish, did
>> not have the knowledge/expertise or tools to handle this stuff
>> themselves.  They'd take their car to a mechanic or work something out
>> with someone they know who "knows how to fix cars,"
>>
>> As far as modern "excruciatingly detailed diagnostics", look up all the
>>> root causes possible for an PO420 OBD2 message. Careful you don't
>>> replace a fabulously expensive catalytic converter bank when the root
>>> cause is an upsteam O2 sensor, a downstream o2 sensor, an exhaust leak,
>>> an intake leak, a faulty ECU computer, or faulty wiring.
>>>
>>
>> In other words, at worst one has to follow the same diagnostic process
>> as was necessary with any pre-OBD car that failed emissions tests or was
>> exhibiting some sort of driveline problems -- which for most folks is
>> "take it to someone who knows how to fix cars" ....and hope they're
>> honest.
>>
>>  - Solomon
>>
>>
> --
> Computers amplify human error
> Super computers are really cool
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