Dave Redinger The Neighborhood Mechanic's Column
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DAVE
REDINGER
ASK THE NEIGHBOURHOOD MECHANIC
New cars are LOW
maintenance not NO maintenance. It’s true that they
don’t build them like they used to. They build them better. However;
to achieve the high level of reliability that has become the norm in the
industry today, they build them complicated. Don’t avoid regular
scheduled maintenance on your car. Remember in this part of the country use
the “severe service” schedule. Change your oil every 5000kms or
4 month, (no matter how far you drive). Oil changes are the best thing you
can do for your engine. The oil in your car works really hard, it cleans,
cools and lubricates the driveline. Unfortunately; side of the road is not
a good place to discover your warranty has expired, due to lack of
maintenance.
We have a 1996 Plymouth Voyager. The
problem is that when we start off it coughs and moves with lots of jerking.
When we pump in gas, it doesn't move immediately. We have to accelerate
hard just move off. To engage reverse it takes a few seconds, but;
eventually does goes in. Could you give me an indication of what the
problem might be?
Andy
What you are describing sounds an awful. I think your
transmission has failed. Definitely get your truck to a competent mechanic
and have him diagnose the driveline. If the transmission has in fact
failed, you will have to decide ether to repair the unit of seek a
replacement vehicle. This vehicle may be a write-off as the cost of a
rebuild will be in the 2000-2500 dollar range close to the value of the
vehicle.
My daughter has a 1997 Chevy Cavalier. One of the dash lights, the ABS light is lit. She took it to a garage once to get it fixed and they told her that it was just a wire. The light went out for a bit, but; it’s back on again. If it was a wire and they fixed it, it should have stayed fixed. I really do not believe what they were saying. I think they just took her money and that's it. I told her to go back to them but she didn't. Is it ok to leave the light or should she get it fixed?
Pam
The ABS
light is monitoring the Antilock Braking System. When this light is lit the
AB system is not functioning. That means the vehicle could skid on surfaces
with low traction when braking. I would suggest you go back to the tech you
dealt with originally and have the system scanned. These types of vehicles
have problems with the “wheel sensors” as the age. I'm sure the
shop will adjust your invoice and get it right this time.
Dave Redinger a mechanic with over 40
yrs of experience. Dave operates his shop “DOCTOR H HONDA SPECIALISTS
in Toronto for the last 25 yrs.
Email : davidredinger@rogers.com ( we respond to every email)
LISTEN TO DAVE ON 1050 CHUM EVERY SATURDAY @ 9:00 AM OR ON THE WEB LIVE “1050 http://CHUM.COM" target="_blank">CHUM.COM
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