Back To Basics

[dolluper]

What happened to back to basics .....in the auto industry and others ....but I'm making this poll on the auto diagnostic part
WE know use specialized diagnostic tools 1996 OBD !!
vehicles 2002 up Can update
When these tools fail it's back to basics ....
The Poll question is

Are we moving so fast that we skip the basics to go back to the basics to solve the problem.....comments too eh
Yes
No

 

[Don S]

Re: Back To Basics

EVERY Manual, tech school, or tech that know his stuff, will tell you to check the basics first, before you start looking into the hi-tech part of an engine problem.
Are we moving too fast? The real techs aren't, but the DIYers without the training and hoping all the fancy stuff will be a EZ button they can push and make things better are.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Back To Basics

Its funny that i can find most auto problems faster than most can with scanners. My rule of thumb even with the most confiscated auto engines out there. It has spark,compression and fuel. Brake it down to that and it heads you down the right road 99% of the time. Now for that last1% you need that scanner becouse thay have added way to much crap that you cant test with out a good lab scope.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Back To Basics

We need safer drivers vs making cars more idiot proof. Deer population seems to be exploding,,,,,,,uh it could be all the extra corn that is being grown for the ethanol? For every action lately,,,,there seems to be more than many re-actions.

Yep, Basics would be good......SS

 

[JB]

Re: Back To Basics

Logical troubleshooting is a nearly lost art. We do have a few guys here that can still do it.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Back To Basics

It's too late for basics me thinks. Every tried tracing an electrical problem on a CAN system, impossible without the plug in scanner and a lab coat.

We are all doomed to become nerds.

 

[oops!]

Re: Back To Basics

i am not in the industry......so this is a "consumers" point of view.....

i really miss the old days of the naturally asperated motor.......ya got fuel....spark ...and air.......

the most complicated thing arguably was the carb !.........

if ya broke down.....there was a checklist to go thru....and problem solved.....

it was so simple.....they took that away by adding stuff......they have even put a cover over the motors these days so back yard bubba will decide not to look past the deterrant.........and if you dont have a computer....youll never tell what sensor is not working....even tho the motor is still in great shape......its just the sensor!


am i just being "old" and not wishing to change?

 

[jimr]

Re: Back To Basics

it is a double edged sword. It is nice when a car comes in running bad and SEL light on hook the scanner to it and find out whats going on ie: miss fire cyl # .... on the other hand chasing a evap leak can be a PITA. Our biggest problem at work is all the big trucks have gone to computer controlled everything and we havent been able to keep up with the technology or training to be efficient at fixing them.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Back To Basics

I can thank my Old man for teaching me how things work. And yes, it was always break it down to the basics first. you may not know all there is about the thing you are trying to figure out, but if you have a firm grasp of the heart of it, you can 99% of the time get it done.

I dont care if its a garbage disposal or a motorycle, its all the same.

In fact I just got my first boat over the summer and was rather intimidated by the thought of having to figure out why the Outboard wasnt running right. Once I sat down (with a manual) and thought about it I realized its just like any other internal combustion engine I have worked on. Once I broke it down to Fuel + Air + spark = Giddy up, I had it fixed in no time. I have cleaned countless carbs before, checked plugs, replaced points etc. So once I thought it through it was a no brainer.

HOWEVER, I do find many people who cannot fix even the simplest things. In fact I have to bring my tool box anytime I visit the inlaws. there is usually 100 things that just need a simple adjustment or a screw tightened.