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Right To Repair - A Hot Issue or Big Problem?

133 messages,  Last post on Oct 06, 2009 at 3:25 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires

What is this discussion about? Electrical


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#51 of 133
Re: The "Code" is only the first step [0patience] by rockfish1
Jul 24, 2007 (6:27 pm)
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Replying to: 0patience (Jul 24, 2007 5:36 pm)

And even guys who have dealt with the same vehicles over and over need a good diagnostic chart for trouble codes.
 
Do you have suggestions on manuals or websites that have "Good Diagnostic Charts" that will help when multiple or intermittent codes are showing.
#52 of 133
Re: The "Code" is only the first step [rockfish1] by 0patience
Jul 25, 2007 (4:39 pm)
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Replying to: rockfish1 (Jul 24, 2007 6:27 pm)

Absolutely. At teh risk of coming off as an advertisement.........
 
http://www.alldatadiy.com
$24.95/year for the first vehicle, $14.95/month per additional vehicle or renewals.
This is the same factory information that shops have.
 
Another site is Autozone.com, there is a ton of repair information on that site, but you have to search it pretty good.
 
Check out Steve's page.
http://www.carspace.com/guides/Online-Repair-Manuals
#53 of 133
Re: The "Code" is only the first step [0patience] by rockfish1
Jul 25, 2007 (6:41 pm)
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Replying to: 0patience (Jul 25, 2007 4:39 pm)

Thanks for the site info.
I have found that some tech forums on specific models can provide pretty good repair help. I have been successful asking questions about Saturn ION and Dodge Grand Caravan.
#54 of 133
Re: The "Code" is only the first step [rockfish1] by 0patience
Jul 25, 2007 (7:01 pm)
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Replying to: rockfish1 (Jul 25, 2007 6:41 pm)

The one word of caution about vehicle specific sites.
Remember that most of those sites are enthusiasts, not mechanics.
 
So use a bit of caution in what information you often get.
There are so many times that the group of guys, I deal with, run into people who were told to replace this and that and find out that they should have done the diagnostics instead of listening to people who are weekend mechanics. A prime example is several people who post a reply to a check engine light to check the gas cap.
 
While the gas cap loose can turn the light on, that is their answer for everything.
#55 of 133
Re: The "Code" is only the first step [0patience] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Jul 26, 2007 (7:04 am)
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Replying to: 0patience (Jul 25, 2007 7:01 pm)

I think the vehicle specific sites are much better for asking about the LOCATION/PRICE/FAILURE RATE of components than they are at Internet diagnostics. It's hard enough diagnosing a REAL car in front of you, much less trying to do it remotely.
 
Sometimes I go to the automotive section of Yahoo Answers just so I can butt in and say "NO DON'T DO WHAT'S POSTED HERE!!!"
 
But here at Edmunds, the advice tends to be far more sober, even if it sometimes leaves something to be desired. People are trying to be helpful and that is commendable. It's up to the car owner to judge the offerings.
#56 of 133
Re: The "Code" is only the first step [0patience] by euphonium
Jul 26, 2007 (8:10 am)
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Replying to: 0patience (Jul 24, 2007 5:36 pm)

They had a brand new Trek, gas powered, motor coach and the "Check Engine" light was on. I was asked of my opinion.
 
First, I made a visual check under the hood and the only thing I could find was the coolant overflow was needing fluid. After adding some H2O to the overflow container, the "Check Engine" light was off. You're right, visual 1st.
#57 of 133
Re: The "Code" is only the first step [Mr_Shiftright] by 0patience
Jul 26, 2007 (4:17 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 26, 2007 7:04 am)

But here at Edmunds, the advice tends to be far more sober, even if it sometimes leaves something to be desired.
 
That is where quality moderation comes in.
 
#58 of 133
Re: The "Code" is only the first step [0patience] by rockfish1
Jul 26, 2007 (5:34 pm)
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Replying to: 0patience (Jul 26, 2007 4:17 pm)

You are correct with using caution and common sense on some of the vehicle specific site but I have benefited with actual fixes at times. The last "Great" info I received was for my daughter's '04 Saturn Ion that had an intermittent starting problem. By reviewing the history on the Saturn site for fans I was able to find multiple hits on the same problem. I asked about it and was given part numbers and complete instructions. It cost me about $30 to fix this problem.
 
I agree with you that you can not just blindly follow somebody's suggestions. You do have to do research and use a lot of common sense but for some problems that seem to be endemic with a car these site specific forums are helpful.
#59 of 133
Re: The "Code" is only the first step [rockfish1] by elroy5
Jul 27, 2007 (8:56 pm)
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Replying to: rockfish1 (Jul 26, 2007 5:34 pm)

Most experienced techs will say test this part, or ask questions, in an effort to narrow the possibilities. And many people will just guess which part is the problem, and do no testing to verify the part is bad. This is referred to as "throwing parts" at the problem. This can be a very costly practice, when you keep guessing the wrong part.
#60 of 133
Re: The "Code" is only the first step [elroy5] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Jul 27, 2007 (9:26 pm)
Reply

Replying to: elroy5 (Jul 27, 2007 8:56 pm)

you can't assume anything. You can't even assume that the new part you just took out of the box was good.

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