Discussion about this post

User's avatar
pete's avatar

Bill, your comment; A technician must come with a ‘briefcase’ that he plugs into the vehicle to determine the cause of the malfunction. Unfortunately, even then attempting to gain where the fault lies is problematic. One can pull down code(s) to deterimine a cause the truth is a process of elimination. Take for example, the engine stalls or hesitates, runs rough you plug in your scanner, it detects a "misfire" cylinder 2 and or cylinder 4. The question then becomes, a) is it spark plug b) fuel injector(s) c) S.plug leads,d)coil.

Its not like the damn thing says to you, replace this one component and your good to go. On the contrary, you have to rely on the basics; prior condition, sight,sound,smell, mileage, age, dropping any and all posibilities to potential cause. 8 or 9 out of 10 times electrical connections are where majority faults lye. Why? You have heat and vibrations including ambient air to contend with such as salt. Just a guess if the engine dies suddenly, its a good bet but no gurantee's possible fuel pump. A simple way to determine if this is a cause is to disconnect fuel feed line and see if fuel is being delivered at the fuel rail while someone is cranking the engine over. If not, have someone with a fist hit the fuel tank while another is turning over the engine. If it starts the fault is internal, fuel pump and its running duration will not last. hope this gives people some insight. For what its worth good luck.

Expand full comment
An Ol' LSO's avatar

Two comments from Ol' Bill struck me hard today: 1.) "But gold knows what time it is", and 2.) "There is a time to breathe in. And a time to breathe out." Life is precious and oh so short. These two apparently "off the cuff" remarks should give each of us a ponder. Reminds me of the ol' Dionne Warwick song - "What's it all about Alfie.... Is it just for the moment we live".

Expand full comment
55 more comments...

No posts