I Hate Working On Newer Cars...

Started by ryan206 · Jan 24, 2009 · 16postsInvision 2005–09

ryan206Jan 24, 2009, 8:08 am · #1

Well, my family got a 2001 Eclipse Spyder from a family friend whos going through some tough times.

It has a leaking radiator and a leaking top.. It had ghetto rigged headlight harnesses, but I soldered new harnesses on.

So I took both the headlights off the car today to get to replace the harnesses. Unplugged the battery so I didn't short anything. I fixed both harnesses, plugged in the battery and tested the harnesses with a voltmeter.. Everything checks out fine.. Put the headlights and new bulbs in.. WTF! The passenger side is dim as hell! Went to Club3G and apparently they have a habit of melting harnesses and bad grounds! The melted harness explains the ghetto rig and the bad ground is what I suspect is causing the dim headlight..

It started getting cold and my mom wanted me to go to pick up pizza, so I jump in the eclipse because I didn't wanna waste my gas. Started it up and noticed it was idling weird. I kept it in Auto instead of the "Sportronic" which I normally use. I figured it was colder than normal, and didn't think much of it.. Driving down the street, I turn the stereo on, only to have it say "CODE", because its a stupid anti-theft stereo.. Who is gonna steal a stock stereo?? Don't have the code, have to call the dealer tommorow, so I drive without music. Turn onto the main road and came up to a red light. Once I stopped, I noticed a bunch of dummy lights come on.. THE FUCKING CAR DIED! I started it up again, almost everything is normal. Temp is fine, no low oil pressure, no visual electrical malfunctions and no smoking or anything, just a low idle. So I drive it another block. Dies again.. I dread coming up to next light.. I stop expecting the car to die, but it just dips to 400rpms.

So, I get home without it dying wondering WTF is causing the low idle.. pop the hood, everything looks normal, can't find a loose hose, connector or anything.

So I go to Club3G (they're anal about Search before you post) and read through about 2 pages of idle issues..

If you disconnect the battery, the car pretty much forgets how to idle.. You have to leave it on a flat surface idling for 15mins without touching it, or drive it around with shitty idle for a couple days..

The cars only 7-8yrs old, and already has problems that my S12 has..

Except, if I take the battery outta my S12, I can put a new one in loosing only stereo settings..

I hate working on newer cars.. S12s FTMFW!

Tommorow I get to replace the radiator.. Its leaking because Mitsubishi had the genius idea to make the top part of the radiator out of plastic.. It has a tendency to get brittle and crack. Also, the radiator has the AT Cooler built in, so i get to deal with that shit..

JayJan 25, 2009, 5:32 am · #2

eminem_rh25 @ Jan 24 2009, 02:08 AM
Well, my family got a 2001 Eclipse Spyder from a family friend whos going through some tough times.

It has a leaking radiator and a leaking top.. It had ghetto rigged headlight harnesses, but I soldered new harnesses on.

So I took both the headlights off the car today to get to replace the harnesses. Unplugged the battery so I didn't short anything. I fixed both harnesses, plugged in the battery and tested the harnesses with a voltmeter.. Everything checks out fine.. Put the headlights and new bulbs in.. WTF! The passenger side is dim as hell! Went to Club3G and apparently they have a habit of melting harnesses and bad grounds! The melted harness explains the ghetto rig and the bad ground is what I suspect is causing the dim headlight..

It started getting cold and my mom wanted me to go to pick up pizza, so I jump in the eclipse because I didn't wanna waste my gas. Started it up and noticed it was idling weird. I kept it in Auto instead of the "Sportronic" which I normally use. I figured it was colder than normal, and didn't think much of it.. Driving down the street, I turn the stereo on, only to have it say "CODE", because its a stupid anti-theft stereo.. Who is gonna steal a stock stereo?? Don't have the code, have to call the dealer tommorow, so I drive without music. Turn onto the main road and came up to a red light. Once I stopped, I noticed a bunch of dummy lights come on.. THE FUCKING CAR DIED! I started it up again, almost everything is normal. Temp is fine, no low oil pressure, no visual electrical malfunctions and no smoking or anything, just a low idle. So I drive it another block. Dies again.. I dread coming up to next light.. I stop expecting the car to die, but it just dips to 400rpms.

So, I get home without it dying wondering WTF is causing the low idle.. pop the hood, everything looks normal, can't find a loose hose, connector or anything.

So I go to Club3G (they're anal about Search before you post) and read through about 2 pages of idle issues..

If you disconnect the battery, the car pretty much forgets how to idle.. You have to leave it on a flat surface idling for 15mins without touching it, or drive it around with shitty idle for a couple days..

The cars only 7-8yrs old, and already has problems that my S12 has..

Except, if I take the battery outta my S12, I can put a new one in loosing only stereo settings..

I hate working on newer cars.. S12s FTMFW!

Tommorow I get to replace the radiator.. Its leaking because Mitsubishi had the genius idea to make the top part of the radiator out of plastic.. It has a tendency to get brittle and crack. Also, the radiator has the AT Cooler built in, so i get to deal with that shit..

Yeah, but if you ask me, i personally enjoy the fact that my maxima is the same way. the vq's after disconnecting a battery needs to relearn its fuel and timing curve the very same way. let it idle for 15 minutes. But then i get to beat the shit out if to get the peaks mapped out. Works wonders when you modify the engine. It automatically tuned all of my top end work. It's a blessing if you ask me. The code thing sucks, but thats notmal. because those who steal a stock stereo make money selling it to people selling their cars, or rebuilding them to sell them. stock decks are actually worth a pretty good penny in current all model cars. A lot of cars also have the plastic end tanks. mitsu didn't specifically make it that way. The supplier did. I personally don't like mitsubishi. But I can't see anything that they really did that is "stupid" with what your saying... erxcept for the headlight harnesses... yeah, that was kind of a dumb move for them. as that could be a fire hazard

This post has been edited by Jay: Jan 25 2009, 05:34 AM

jeffwins24Jan 25, 2009, 5:40 am · #3

don't want a POS new car, i hate all new cars... there only made to last 5 years or until the warrenty ends and then they start falling part.

sorry, I'll stick to my old echo boxes <3

caraudiofooleryJan 25, 2009, 5:55 am · #4

its not the new car part,

its the 3 diamonds shaped in a star on the vin plate (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

EternalSwapJan 25, 2009, 6:24 am · #5

Working on newer cars is fun, because there are scan tools, MostData, and all sorts of other fun shit

jeffwins24Jan 25, 2009, 6:31 am · #6

EternalSwap @ Jan 25 2009, 01:24 AM
Working on newer cars is fun, because there are scan tools, MostData, and all sorts of other fun shit

I'd rather work on the car my self instead of with some shitty ass computer that just complicates the fucking problem, and then you have to go look up the code. obd2 is such a fucking waste of time and materials and money. I mean i like technology but it's just fucking retarded why fucking complicate something that doesn't need to be complicated.

obd2 = instant fail.

they just do it so you have to bring it to them. more $$ in their pockets.

This post has been edited by jeffwins24: Jan 25 2009, 06:32 AM

caraudiofooleryJan 25, 2009, 6:37 am · #7

jeffwins24 @ Jan 24 2009, 10:31 PM

I'd rather work on the car my self instead of with some shitty ass computer that just complicates the fucking problem, and then you have to go look up the code. obd2 is such a fucking waste of time and materials and money. I mean i like technology but it's just fucking retarded why fucking complicate something that doesn't need to be complicated.

obd2 = instant fail.

they just do it so you have to bring it to them. more $$ in their pockets.

and youre training to be a technician? fail

try working on a newer audi w/o a computer, might as well throw in the towel buddy

computers make things easier... you plug it in, and it tells you whats wrong, no trial and error

200SXXEnotchbck86Jan 25, 2009, 6:50 am · #8

OBD II is a universal standardized connection. That means, one scanner can scan all cars. Not before were you had to take it to the dealer to use there specialized scanning equipment to get codes to fix the problem, or have a box full of connectors and jumpers to retreive a code. OBD II makes things easier for the Technician, it pretty much tells you what to fix.

EternalSwapJan 26, 2009, 2:42 am · #9

jeffwins24 @ Jan 24 2009, 10:31 PM
I'd rather work on the car my self instead of with some shitty ass computer that just complicates the fucking problem, and then you have to go look up the code. obd2 is such a fucking waste of time and materials and money. I mean i like technology but it's just fucking retarded why fucking complicate something that doesn't need to be complicated.

obd2 = instant fail.

they just do it so you have to bring it to them. more $$ in their pockets.

Really? The computer that monitors every subsystem, that is universal, that gives you specific data on specific problem complicates things?
And on a good scanner, you don't have to look up the code. Ethos owns you

seishukuJan 26, 2009, 2:46 am · #10

OBD2 is fine, as long as it doesn't get integrated into EVERY system in the car, not just the engine.
That's what really pisses me off... With most newer engines, you can't just connect a few power wires and have the engine able to run, it HAS to be connected to the entire chassis. Just dumb.

jeffwins24Jan 26, 2009, 2:53 am · #11

theres more potenial for some shit to go wrong in a newer car then a older car...

O2 sensor cost 200 or more for a newer car.. a OBD1 or OBD0 cost like 19 bux or 30 bux for 1 .

theres more wirings and more shit to go wrong on a newer car then a older car. they have like 90 wires going into the engine in a newer car. in a older car there like a total of 40 wires. or something and the carb theres like 2 wires keeping the engine running.

sorry I'll stick to my obd1, obd0, and carbs. there better then a shitty ass obd2

seishuku @ Jan 25 2009, 09:46 PM
That's what really pisses me off... With most newer engines, you can't just connect a few power wires and have the engine able to run, it HAS to be connected to the entire chassis. Just dumb.

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This post has been edited by jeffwins24: Jan 26 2009, 02:53 AM

EternalSwapJan 26, 2009, 2:59 am · #12

Okay, so youre saying the more subsystems in a car the worse

You must drive a horse drawn carriage.

Its called technology, now stop sounding like an old man.

caraudiofooleryJan 26, 2009, 3:14 am · #13

EternalSwap @ Jan 25 2009, 06:59 PM Okay, so youre saying the more subsystems in a car the worse

You must drive a horse drawn carriage.

Its called technology, now stop sounding like an old man.

LOL

but he WINS

nismologistJan 26, 2009, 3:20 am · #14

EternalSwap @ Jan 24 2009, 10:24 PM
Working on newer cars is fun, because there are scan tools, MostData, and all sorts of other fun shit

its only fun if youre like my dad.hes a master diagnostic tech.hes got all the scanners and shit.one day i was trying to read what he was on the scanner and i swear to god it looked like the matrix.haha,then he was like oh theres a misfire in cylinder three check the plug.hahaha it is insanely simple if you know how to read a scanner.you dont have to sit there and yank stuff apart to just check it.style wise the new ones seem hard to swallow,but weve got to embrace the times,because we will only be here once.

seishukuJan 26, 2009, 3:27 am · #15

EternalSwap @ Jan 25 2009, 08:59 PM
Okay, so youre saying the more subsystems in a car the worse

You must drive a horse drawn carriage.

Its called technology, now stop sounding like an old man.

Subsystems are fine too, but don't make them all dependent on each other for god sake!

LyniumJan 26, 2009, 3:34 am · #16

hehe... we only use a scanner when the check engine lights on.. other wise its generaly the old fashioned way.

i love an excuse to plug it in tho, just to play with. its neat as heck to be able to check the voltages from all the sensors, change the idle spees, even shows when the doors lock n unlock and stuff... tells yeah everything.

oh, yeah, and theres the codes to of course wich narrow down the problem system to generaly withi na few components.

5 mins on ALLdata or whater parts, hit a quick print, take a piece of paper back tp the vehicle, and voila, 15-20 mins you can have your solution..

If my nissan woulda had that, i coulda been like oh, hey, look.. my fuel pressure aint worth a crap.. lets see what the manual/ alldata sez...

Oh! wow! 40ish.. and i have 3... narrows it down to about 3 things on our cars... lol