No kidding. I just got a "new" 2000 Ford Taurus and realized I can't turn
off the Day time running lights. Turn the light switch to off and the lights
are still on! Being a control freak, that really pisses me off. When I turn
the switch to off, I want the headlights off!
Where are my wire cutters! (No joke)
Dave
Carol Kenyon wrote:
> The subject of this long rant falls under the
> heading of: MORE REASONS TO BUY AND
> DRIVE OLDER (MV) VEHICLES!
> I work on cars and trucks every day. Can I
> forsee the future? Well,...
> Starting with 1994 or '95 year vehicles sold
> in the USA, the United States Government MANDATED that these new
> vehicles and from
> then on would have to have "OBD-II" powertrain
> management system. OBD stands for On-Board-Diagnostics.
> A VERY short description of OBD-II is to call it
> a 24/7 rolling emission test.
> I could take that personally, I'm a smog technician! Who needs a smog
> tech when the
> cars are constantly testing themselves?
> Have I given YOU the ability to see the future?
> One component of this new OBD-II stuff (the
> fuel evap system is a good example) has more sensors, switches, wires,
> hoses, crap than
> the entire fuel injection management system did
> in '93!
> Will all this plastic. insanely complicated and ludicrously expensve
> crap stand the test of time? No f***ing way!
> Call me crazy until you find that your $1500.00
> honeyboat needs a $800.00 "module".
> I'm currently working on a '99 Ford Windstar
> minivan. I printed out the part of the wiring
> diagram the software programmers thought I would need to diagnose
> electrical problems.
> A complete wiring diagram would look like
> a street map of the poor section of a third-world
> city. Lots of "no-name" roads...
> Anyway, do you realize that there isn't a single
> "manually" operated electric circuit in a '99 Windstar? You press "the
> button" and one of
> a dozen or so "multiplexed" computers DECIDES whether or not to energize
> the headlights, turn signals, door locks, WHATEVER!
> Try restoring that one in forty years!
> I'm not picking on Ford, they're all that way!
> Imagine a Lexus, Cadillac or Lincoln!
> California is currently testing and talking about "OBD-III". One
> version has an on-board transmitter that will send a "computer needs
> help" message to the Bureau Of Automobile
> Repair (BAR) who will automatically send you a
> letter to get your car fixed or you can't re-register it. Oh boy.
> They will also know WHERE you were when
> the Check Engine light came on, right?
> Buy old stuff (MVs)! Drive old stuff (MVs)!
> and CHEAPLY fix old stuff (MVs)!
> Don Kenyon
> ASE Certified Master Techncian, L-1, CA
> Enhanced Smog License with flame retardant
>
>
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Sep 02 2001 - 11:15:41 PDT