New Member

[Gray Beetle]

Thank you for this forum.
I am 71 years old. My first car was a used 1946 2 door sedan.
I now drive a 2004 Explorer which I bought used in 2007 with 36 K miles on it.
I hope to be able to get some tips here if the Explorer need saome fixing.

 

[bamnq6]

Nice to meet ya Mr. Beetle.

We'll certainly help the best that we can.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! It would be nice if you could post some old pictures of these cars. You don't see too many old cars from the 40's & 50's anymore except in the movies. Are you familiar with the computerized systems that are currently used? Did you manage to get over 100k miles on any of them?

 

[Gray Beetle]

Reply to BrooklynBay

Thank you for the welcome.
Unfortunately, I do not have any picture of he 46 Ford nor of the next car, a 49 Chevy 4-door fastback as I did not have a camera during those years.
The Chevy did get over 100 K miles after an engine overhaul-can't remember
at how many miles.
Anyway,with the pre-computerised cars, I could work on almost any problem .
With the newer cars, I can work only on the mechanical parts, such as brakes. On some electronic problems, I can only manage an educated guess and try to isolate the problem by trial and error replacement of suspect parts- sometimes with success and just as often not.

 

[BrooklynBay]

A scanner would eliminate the trial & error involved in replacing electrical parts since the code numbers represent a fault in a specific location.

 

[Gray Beetle]

Thank you for this very valuable tip. I can get a free scan from our local Auto Zone store.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Keep in mind that some scanners aren't capable of reading manufacturer specific codes such as transmission codes. A lot of low cost scanners can't read air bag or anti-lock brake codes either. A check engine light, check transmission light, or a flashing overdrive light indicates that there is a code stored in the computer. There is a main computer for the engine & transmission, and smaller modular controllers for the transfer case, air bag, anti-lock brakes, keyless entry, intermittent delay wipers, dome light delay, daytime running lights, etc. All of these systems add to the complexity of modern day vehicles. It makes you wonder what happened to the old fashioned window crank handles & seats that had a lever to recline.