Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

oldfarmer50

“ Sometimes you hit gold changing jobs.”

I think the best job is the one you don’t need.

For most of my adult life I HAD to have a job (two of them in fact) just to make ends meet. 70+ hours a week was typical. Now I have a job that I don’t need but it’s the most fun I’ve ever had working. I see the boss first thing in the morning and then I’m trusted to do the right thing with the company’s assets all day with minimal supervision. Nobody looking over my shoulder, almost no paperwork and only one real rule—don’t hit anything.

Now I work 20 hours a week with options for an extra 10 at my discretion.

Every now and then someone has to create turmoil in the workplace which I don’t understand but even that is fun to watch. If only they’d work that hard to be happy.

roadburner

@oldfarmer50 said:
“ Sometimes you hit gold changing jobs.”

I think the best job is the one you don’t need.

For most of my adult life I HAD to have a job (two of them in fact) just to make ends meet. 70+ hours a week was typical. Now I have a job that I don’t need but it’s the most fun I’ve ever had working. I see the boss first thing in the morning and then I’m trusted to do the right thing with the company’s assets all day with minimal supervision. Nobody looking over my shoulder, almost no paperwork and only one real rule—don’t hit anything.

Now I work 20 hours a week with options for an extra 10 at my discretion.

Every now and then someone has to create turmoil in the workplace which I don’t understand but even that is fun to watch. If only they’d work that hard to be happy.

I get along just fine with the judges and the defense attorneys that I work with. In some circuits everybody fights with each other like cats in a bag. I would not work in one of those circuits under any circumstances.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

@Sandman6472 said:

Q, what kind of business do you do?

I am in the medical communications field. Largely advertising drugs and devices direct to doctors, but some consumer, as well. New job will be less promotional and more … science-y. Medical training, medical journals, that sort of thing. Yes, I am odd man out being a gearhead in this business.

Good luck with your new job. Sounds like you were there only long enough for a cup of coffee.

If you continue with job hopping you’ll have to sign up to Edmunds new site…Chronic Job Hoppers Anonymous.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

@qbrozen Did you try to find the ugliest view of a RAV4 as possible, with its snout protruding all out of proportion to the real vehicle....this one makes it look better;


@ab348 I tried to find a similar SUV at a comparable price but most range from mid $20s to mid $30s. The Trailblazer starts at $21000 but that one is only available in white and has hub caps. To get a decent one it will cost $26000. And then, what about after depreciation, which one will come out ahead as the better buy overall?
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/compact-suvs

The Volvo & the Jeep look better overall, but not ideal...in that segment I prefer a Tiguan

Personally, I think all SUVs are ugly. I would only buy one for utilitarian purposes. My Kia isn’t really a SUV but I think it’s ugly as sin. It just happened to fit some criteria that my other vehicles didn’t.

Did the salesman really tell you it wouldn’t rust?

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

@qbrozen Did you try to find the ugliest view of a RAV4 as possible, with its snout protruding all out of proportion to the real vehicle....this one makes it look better;


@ab348 I tried to find a similar SUV at a comparable price but most range from mid $20s to mid $30s. The Trailblazer starts at $21000 but that one is only available in white and has hub caps. To get a decent one it will cost $26000. And then, what about after depreciation, which one will come out ahead as the better buy overall?
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/compact-suvs

The Volvo & the Jeep look better overall, but not ideal...in that segment I prefer a Tiguan

Personally, I think all SUVs are ugly. I would only buy one for utilitarian purposes. My Kia isn’t really a SUV but I think it’s ugly as sin. It just happened to fit some criteria that my other vehicles didn’t.

Did the salesman really tell you it wouldn’t rust?

jmonroe

On the contrary, I assumed that it would, seeing that Kia is the bargain bin Hyundai. My main criteria was that my mobility impaired wife could get in an out. Other than that it’s my sacrificial lamb to the rust gods.

I am trying to protect it though. Last fall I sprayed wd-40 into the door bottoms and rocker panels which I’m hoping will slow it down a little. This year I’ll try a repeat with Fluid Film.

explorerx4

I coated the bottom of one of my mowers with Fluid Film. Haven't checked to see if it working, though.

oldfarmer50

Here’s a puzzle for the repair gurus.

The old cargo van has developed an intermittent start glitch over the last six months or so.

Usually it starts right up, no problem but occasionally when I turn the key I get nothing but a click. Turn it again and it starts right up. I thought it only happen after sitting awhile in cold or rain but recently it’s been happening at any time. Once I started it up and then shut it down after a second. When I went to start it up…click. There other night I was running errands and it happened three times in a row.

The van has never failed to start after the second or third turn of the key but I worry that eventually it will leave me stranded.

My thoughts are: ignition switch, starter selonoid or dead spot on the starter itself in no particular order.

Can anyone think of any other possible causes?

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

Here’s a puzzle for the repair gurus.

The old cargo van has developed an intermittent start glitch over the last six months or so.

Usually it starts right up, no problem but occasionally when I turn the key I get nothing but a click. Turn it again and it starts right up. I thought it only happen after sitting awhile in cold or rain but recently it’s been happening at any time. Once I started it up and then shut it down after a second. When I went to start it up…click. There other night I was running errands and it happened three times in a row.

The van has never failed to start after the second or third turn of the key but I worry that eventually it will leave me stranded.

My thoughts are: ignition switch, starter selonoid or dead spot on the starter itself in no particular order.

Can anyone think of any other possible causes?

I had a very similar problem with the '79 Sunbird I had in college. As I lived in Phoenix, and the problem manifested itself mainly in the summer months, I thought it could be vapor lock.

(disclaimer - I have very little mechanical knowledge, so take everything I say with a shaker of salt)

I can't remember that I ever got the problem solved - that car had a series of maladies that ended when I totaled it about 4 months before graduation.

bwia

Wait a minute, a few negative events is stinking up the EV market. Growing pains, I suppose.

• Nikola electric truck start-up founder Trevor Milton was arrested on Thursday morning after a federal grand jury indicted the executive on three counts of criminal fraud. Prosecutors allege that the 39-year-old billionaire devised a scheme to drive up the company's stock value while making false and misleading statements about the company's technology and development progress. (Reminds me of Elizabeth Holmes who was once one of the most brilliant, and successful, snake-oil peddlers ever. Her trial was pushed to August following a surprise pregnancy announcement...if convicted, Holmes could be sentenced to 20 years in prison)
  
• Following a number of fires and a prior recall for 2017-2019 model year Bolt hatchbacks, Chevrolet has announced a second recall to address the issue. The automaker said that along with supplier LG, it has identified the simultaneous presence of two manufacturing defects said to be rare, located in the battery cell, with this issue tied to reported battery fires.
  
• Tesla Model S Won’t Have a Normal Steering Wheel Option. Elon Musk empathically stated that the yolk style steering will stay. What arrogance.
  

roadburner

My guess is the solenoid. I’d also check the engine ground straps. I have an old friend in the BMW club who was preparing to replace the starter on his older 528i but the problem turned out to be a corroded ground strap connection.
Can you connect a voltmeter to the solenoid to see if you are getting 12 volts to the solenoid when you turn the key?

sda

It sounds like a starter issue to me. If the starter is like those used on GM cars I've had in the past, the solenoid is fastened to the starter. It might be worth trying to just replace the solenoid. If the starter is a real pain to access then I would be tempted to replace the starter and solenoid as one exercise.

driver100

bwia said:

Wait a minute, a few negative events is stinking up the EV market. Growing pains, I suppose.

Lots going wrong...is correct. Lots of promises but who knows if most of these companies can deliver. Also, I have seen electric cars cause more pollution than gassers........making the electric power, getting rid of old batteries. Our power systems can't support all these EVs now or in the near future. It will happen, eventually, but I want to see a track record before I would buy, including at least 300 mile range using the normal devices such as the a/c, and a 3 minute fill up.

explorerx4

Also, Tesla semi and CT pushed back quite a bit.

ab348

In addition to those things mentioned, it could also be a flaky battery cable or loose/corroded battery cable connection.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

Here’s a puzzle for the repair gurus.

The old cargo van has developed an intermittent start glitch over the last six months or so.

Usually it starts right up, no problem but occasionally when I turn the key I get nothing but a click. Turn it again and it starts right up. I thought it only happen after sitting awhile in cold or rain but recently it’s been happening at any time. Once I started it up and then shut it down after a second. When I went to start it up…click. There other night I was running errands and it happened three times in a row.

The van has never failed to start after the second or third turn of the key but I worry that eventually it will leave me stranded.

My thoughts are: ignition switch, starter selonoid or dead spot on the starter itself in no particular order.

Can anyone think of any other possible causes?

I'd go with the starter.

If you have someone to turn the key while you are out under the hood, have a stick ready that you can bang on the starter with while the other person holds the key in the CRANK position. The vibration will often cause the solenoid contacts to "make" or the starter armature to make contact on a dead spot. Usually I recommend a small hammer or something metallic, but that depends on the location and ability to access the starter housing without touching the B+ lead or the keyed wire to the solenoid. I'm usually giving this advice for 3800 engines where the starter sits right under the front of the engine.

Since you hear a click, it's likely the theft protection is working. Otherwise I'd ask what kind of antitheft it has, the small chip in the key prong or the passive code transmitter (PK3key) in the head of the key. Then I'd suggest watching the lights on the dash to see if the security light comes on briefly and goes out as the key is turned to indicate proper reading of the security device.

snakeweasel

@oldfarmer50 said:
Here’s a puzzle for the repair gurus.

The old cargo van has developed an intermittent start glitch over the last six months or so.

Usually it starts right up, no problem but occasionally when I turn the key I get nothing but a click. Turn it again and it starts right up. I thought it only happen after sitting awhile in cold or rain but recently it’s been happening at any time. Once I started it up and then shut it down after a second. When I went to start it up…click. There other night I was running errands and it happened three times in a row.

The van has never failed to start after the second or third turn of the key but I worry that eventually it will leave me stranded.

My thoughts are: ignition switch, starter selonoid or dead spot on the starter itself in no particular order.

Can anyone think of any other possible causes?

The same thing recently happened to our Sonata recently, it was the starter. Apparently part of the gears on the starter worn down enough that if that part was in the right position it wouldn't turn over the engine.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Here’s a puzzle for the repair gurus.

The old cargo van has developed an intermittent start glitch over the last six months or so.

Usually it starts right up, no problem but occasionally when I turn the key I get nothing but a click. Turn it again and it starts right up. I thought it only happen after sitting awhile in cold or rain but recently it’s been happening at any time. Once I started it up and then shut it down after a second. When I went to start it up…click. There other night I was running errands and it happened three times in a row.

The van has never failed to start after the second or third turn of the key but I worry that eventually it will leave me stranded.

My thoughts are: ignition switch, starter selonoid or dead spot on the starter itself in no particular order.

Can anyone think of any other possible causes?

I had a very similar problem with the '79 Sunbird I had in college. As I lived in Phoenix, and the problem manifested itself mainly in the summer months, I thought it could be vapor lock.

(disclaimer - I have very little mechanical knowledge, so take everything I say with a shaker of salt)

I can't remember that I ever got the problem solved - that car had a series of maladies that ended when I totaled it about 4 months before graduation.

So I should drive it off a cliff? Hmmmmm.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

My guess is the solenoid. I’d also check the engine ground straps. I have an old friend in the BMW club who was preparing to replace the starter on his older 528i but the problem turned out to be a corroded ground strap connection.

Can you connect a voltmeter to the solenoid to see if you are getting 12 volts to the solenoid when you turn the key?

That’s what I’m leaning towards but the ground issue is something I hadn’t considered.

oldfarmer50

sda said:

It sounds like a starter issue to me. If the starter is like those used on GM cars I've had in the past, the solenoid is fastened to the starter. It might be worth trying to just replace the solenoid. If the starter is a real pain to access then I would be tempted to replace the starter and solenoid as one exercise.

I thought about that but currently it starts the second time you turn the key so I’m wondering if a bad starter would act like that. You never know.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

In addition to those things mentioned, it could also be a flaky battery cable or loose/corroded battery cable connection.

Yeah, that’s something new to consider. The thing is a rust bucket.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Here’s a puzzle for the repair gurus.

The old cargo van has developed an intermittent start glitch over the last six months or so.

Usually it starts right up, no problem but occasionally when I turn the key I get nothing but a click. Turn it again and it starts right up. I thought it only happen after sitting awhile in cold or rain but recently it’s been happening at any time. Once I started it up and then shut it down after a second. When I went to start it up…click. There other night I was running errands and it happened three times in a row.

The van has never failed to start after the second or third turn of the key but I worry that eventually it will leave me stranded.

My thoughts are: ignition switch, starter selonoid or dead spot on the starter itself in no particular order.

Can anyone think of any other possible causes?

I'd go with the starter.

If you have someone to turn the key while you are out under the hood, have a stick ready that you can bang on the starter with while the other person holds the key in the CRANK position. The vibration will often cause the solenoid contacts to "make" or the starter armature to make contact on a dead spot. Usually I recommend a small hammer or something metallic, but that depends on the location and ability to access the starter housing without touching the B+ lead or the keyed wire to the solenoid. I'm usually giving this advice for 3800 engines where the starter sits right under the front of the engine.

Since you hear a click, it's likely the theft protection is working. Otherwise I'd ask what kind of antitheft it has, the small chip in the key prong or the passive code transmitter (PK3key) in the head of the key. Then I'd suggest watching the lights on the dash to see if the security light comes on briefly and goes out as the key is turned to indicate proper reading of the security device.

If it was any other vehicle I’d consider that but this is from the dark ages. There’s no chip in the key and no security system that I know of.

oldfarmer50

snakeweasel said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

Here’s a puzzle for the repair gurus.

The old cargo van has developed an intermittent start glitch over the last six months or so.

Usually it starts right up, no problem but occasionally when I turn the key I get nothing but a click. Turn it again and it starts right up. I thought it only happen after sitting awhile in cold or rain but recently it’s been happening at any time. Once I started it up and then shut it down after a second. When I went to start it up…click. There other night I was running errands and it happened three times in a row.

The van has never failed to start after the second or third turn of the key but I worry that eventually it will leave me stranded.

My thoughts are: ignition switch, starter selonoid or dead spot on the starter itself in no particular order.

Can anyone think of any other possible causes?

The same thing recently happened to our Sonata recently, it was the starter. Apparently part of the gears on the starter worn down enough that if that part was in the right position it wouldn't turn over the engine.

I’ve had that happen before so I won’t rule it out. I’ve used the “wack it with a hammer” trick on a bad fuel pump. That’s my level of car repair.

oldfarmer50

Thanks people. You’ve given me some good advice, confirmed my suspicions and gave me a few new things to consider. This place is a fountain of good info.

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

Thanks people. You’ve given me some good advice, confirmed my suspicions and gave me a few new things to consider. This place is a fountain of good info.

Just smack the starter with a heavy crescent wrench. That worked once for me, in 1980.

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

Thanks people. You’ve given me some good advice, confirmed my suspicions and gave me a few new things to consider. This place is a fountain of good info.

Intermittent problem are the worst to solve. Everything mentioned is possible but since you have other cars, I’d yank out a battery from one of those and try that first. That way you can rule out a bad battery.

The reason I say try the battery first is because I’ve seen batteries act up like that before and you have other batteries but probably not other parts that are easily swapped out.

Good luck and let us know the real fix.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Thanks people. You’ve given me some good advice, confirmed my suspicions and gave me a few new things to consider. This place is a fountain of good info.

Intermittent problem are the worst to solve. Everything mentioned is possible but since you have other cars, I’d yank out a battery from one of those and try that first. That way you can rule out a bad battery.

The reason I say try the battery first is because I’ve seen batteries act up like that before and you have other batteries but probably not other parts that are easily swapped out.

Good luck and let us know the real fix.

jmonroe

The battery is less than a year old but who knows. I’ll take it to the “guy” soon and let him wack any part he likes.

ronsteve

@oldfarmer50 said:
The battery is less than a year old but who knows. I’ll take it to the “guy” soon and let him wack any part he likes.

That’s what she said.

andres3

driver100 said:

mjfloyd1 said:

I don’t recall arguing with that. The vaccinated typically have mild symptoms and don’t require hospitalization.

Yes I do.

Sorry, I didn't mean that you mjf would argue with that, I mean people in general. The ones they show on the news every night lying in a hospital bed unable to breath, saying they wish they had got the vaccine.

I bet there's a correlation between flat Earth, speed kills, and the non-vaccinated. Bet BIG bucks!

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

I thought about that but currently it starts the second time you turn the key so I’m wondering if a bad starter would act like that. You never know.

Absolutely. The click bumps it just enough that the next time you turn the key, it engages.

mjfloyd1

@andres3 said:
I bet there's a correlation between flat Earth, speed kills, and the non-vaccinated. Bet BIG bucks!

I’ll wager one Kia Keyfob

andres3

mjfloyd1 said:

@andres3 said:

I bet there's a correlation between flat Earth, speed kills, and the non-vaccinated. Bet BIG bucks!

I’ll wager one Kia Keyfob

You'd lose! There's a direct correlation.

"Warp factor 8, Engage" - Captain Picard

Had to smoke a young guy in a Ford Focus ST trying to play games on the freeway yesterday. What does it mean when someone wipes their shoulders with their hands? Is he dusting himself off for another round after getting gapped?

imidazol97

qbrozen said:

oldfarmer50 said:

I thought about that but currently it starts the second time you turn the key so I’m wondering if a bad starter would act like that. You never know.

Absolutely. The click bumps it just enough that the next time you turn the key, it engages.

That's an interesting diagnosis. Makes sense.

mjfloyd1

@andres3 said:
You'd lose! There's a direct correlation.

"Warp factor 8, Engage" - Captain Picard

Had to smoke a young guy in a Ford Focus ST trying to play games on the freeway yesterday. What does it mean when someone wipes their shoulders with their hands? Is he dusting himself off for another round after getting gapped?

As they say “you can’t bet what ya don’t got”

mjfloyd1

Hilarious orthopedics and Anesthesia conversation

https://www.pinterest.com/amp/pin/126171227030775002/

mjfloyd1

Another funny one

For those who don’t get it, the other surgeons are coming because the patient is an organ donor

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2s6th7?fbclid=IwAR1KI2ZjZSJZbW5RpCzvx_KQnuXpX72o_GPhefIaX_ghMuMASF79JjvwG40

sda

I had a pleasant experience with the VW Service Dept. No upselling, simple oil change and general look over. Very nice and knowledgeable Service Advisor. Took about an hour, $65. I am glad I had an appointment at 8am when they open on Saturday. It was standing room only in the waiting room when I left a little after 9.

sda

The VW store seemed to have good walk in traffic after 9am. Several deals were being written up and an ID.4 Pro sold.

explorerx4

On Saturday, took wife's MKC in for 55K oil change/tire rotation.
Just under $54 with wash and interior sanitizing.
Thought the brakes might be coming due, but checked out ok.

roadburner

A couple of days ago I was driving the Clubman and had a run with an E60 M5 while headed home on the twisting less direct route; he was kind enough to let me keep up. It had an aftermarket exhaust and that S85 sounded glorious.
Yesterday I had a newer Mini Cooper JCW want to play in a two lane left turn lane. I was in the 2er so it wasn't that close- but the MC JCW is sweet.

roadburner

In other news, I had a best Buy gift card so I used it to purchase Ford vs. Ferrari in 4K and the BD of Godzilla: King of the Monsters. My wife was at a fundraiser this morning so I played the final battle in KOTM at reference levels and it was just stunning. I really believe the SVS SoundPath subwoofer isolation system I installed made a big difference- and for just $50.

snakeweasel

I am at the airport waiting for the flight home. And Saints be praised its a miracle, I am actually at the very first gate in the concourse.

I turned in the Altima yesterday and was pretty I pressed with it. I reset the MPG reading on the dash when I got it and it was reading 28.8 average Mpg when I turned it in, all Orlando Street driving, no highway.

Yesterday and today I drove the SIL's moon car, a 2004 Honda CRV. it was holding up pretty good seeing that it's 17 years old and pushing 240k miles.

Overall I preferred the Altima.

jmonroe1

@snakeweasel said:
I am at the airport waiting for the flight home. And Saints be praised its a miracle, I am actually at the very first gate in the concourse.

I turned in the Altima yesterday and was pretty I pressed with it. I reset the MPG reading on the dash when I got it and it was reading 28.8 average Mpg when I turned it in, all Orlando Street driving, no highway.

Yesterday and today I drove the SIL's moon car, a 2004 Honda CRV. it was holding up pretty good seeing that it's 17 years old and pushing 240k miles.

Overall I preferred the Altima.

Well by now I guess you know that flight you’re on is not going to Chicago. Don’t you know it’s illegal to have a close gate for your flight.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

snakeweasel said:

I am at the airport waiting for the flight home. And Saints be praised its a miracle, I am actually at the very first gate in the concourse.

I turned in the Altima yesterday and was pretty I pressed with it. I reset the MPG reading on the dash when I got it and it was reading 28.8 average Mpg when I turned it in, all Orlando Street driving, no highway.

Yesterday and today I drove the SIL's moon car, a 2004 Honda CRV. it was holding up pretty good seeing that it's 17 years old and pushing 240k miles.

Overall I preferred the Altima.

The Altima’s I’ve driven got almost 35mpg on long trips. Too bad they put that rotten CVT in it.

oldfarmer50

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

https://youtu.be/cyD-LcirfdA

sda

oldfarmer50 said:

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

https://youtu.be/cyD-LcirfdA

She is definitely stuck between a rock and a hard place.

mjfloyd1

She should follow the one lawyer’s advice and file with her insurance company and let them fight it out. I’d think that the Ford dealer giving her a rental for a month is essentially admitting guilt. Either way, it’s less painful to file and move on.

mjfloyd1

Then fight over value with her own insurance company 🤣

bwia

oldfarmer50 said:

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

https://youtu.be/cyD-LcirfdA

You beat me to it. I was going to post this incredulous story. But while the dealer may bray all he can, the SUV owner is not at fault and as a consequence should not suffer any economic damage as a result. The dealer is 100% at fault, and if he continues to insist otherwise, he should be sued for full replacement, plus punitive damages and lawyer's fees.

On top of full replacement cost, the woman, should at least, be refunded the installment payments for loss of use and secondly, she should refuse to drive the car as it has become unsafe since the damage is so severe putting her and family's life at risk. Besides, why should be dinged on her insurance policy when she shares no blame for the accident.

bwia

Wow! When it rains, it [pours] *floods* in Arizona?

I didn't know that Arizona had a monsoon season so severe in fact that it inundated the desert state with flood waters, mud and debris. Is this part of the new normal or just a repeat of the thousand year flood hinted at by meteorologists.
With a couple more rain events like this the desert will turn green and the persistent drought in Arizona will be no more and Phoenix will become an even more livable city with more accommodating temperatures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nFdcElLgD8

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

That is ridiculous..........she should definitely have her insurance company involved...that seems to be her best hope.
Life often isn't fair.