“Dr. Gizmo”
By Phil Arendt
Interior Lights Inoperative
Question 1
I have a 2006 Honda Ridgeline
with 257,000 miles. My radio screen,
clock, heater and dome light do not illuminate.
At night I can’t make adjustments.
Do you have any ideas to resolve the problem? R.A.J., Minn.
Answer 1
This is an annoyance. Apparently, your Honda doesn’t want to travel
at night.
An issue such as this on an
older vehicle with many miles is likely due to a failed ground circuit. This is especially true in rust belt areas
where salt and chemicals are used on roads.
The trouble might be a poor
ground connection, failed fuse or perhaps a failed light control switch.
If you have do-it-yourselfer
automotive prowess check fuses in the under dash fuse panel with a meter for
continuity. In rare instances a fuse
might develop corrosion. Check the terminals
in fuse cavities for corrosion. Replace
failed fuses or clean corrosion from an afflicted cavity with electrical
terminal cleaner.
Also, test the light control
switch and plug to the switch. The plug
might have a loose pin or corroded terminal.
Perhaps the switch needs replacement.
Additionally, check dash
ground terminals for loose or corroded connections. Removing corrosion or tightening a connection
might be the cure.
Failed Spark Plug Is Trouble
Question 2
Is it possible that a vehicle
could still operate effectively on only half of its available spark plugs working? R.M., email.
Answer 2
This scenario has several
variables. On an engine equipped with
variable cylinder displacement this isn’t a problem when the system is
operating as designed. These engines
automatically increase or decrease the number of cylinders actively propelling
the vehicle based on engine load. Be
this as it may, when a spark plug fails in any engine it causes big
issues.
When a spark plug fails the
check engine light illuminates indicating a problem. It likely will flash. The engine control module will place the
vehicle in limp mode so the vehicle can be driven at reduced power a short
distance to a safe place such as a roadside shoulder or nearby repair
shop.
In older vehicles that are not
limp mode protected, the check engine light will illuminate and possibly
flash. The engine will run rough at
reduced power until it either stalls or is shut off. In the process it’s highly likely the exhaust
system catalytic converters will suffer damage and might require replacement along
with repairs to return normal engine function.
Replacement Key Expensive
Question 3
I have been told it will cost
$200 to replace a 2006 Ford key plus the car must be brought to a dealership. I did have a key made that would open the
doors and trunk only. It would not allow
the car to start.
So far this year 3,000 cars
were stolen in my city. How do the car
thieves get these cars started? Do they
have skeleton keys? Is there a way to
bypass this? K.W., email
Answer 3
Car thieves have all kinds of
ways to nab a car. Some might be
towed. A car might be unlocked with a
spare key inside. They might break a
door glass and find a key inside. Cars
often are unattended while running in front of a residence, store or gas
station. A thief might break into a
residence or business and grab car keys then take off with a vehicle. Lots of vehicles are carjacked in parking
lots and at stop lights. Sometimes
vehicle lessees or owners arrange to have their car stolen and in the process
commit insurance fraud among other crimes.
As for what you need to do,
consider calling a licensed locksmith or have the vehicle towed to a dealership
to have a key made and programmed to your vehicle. If you should call a locksmith he or she will
ask for specific information about your vehicle to provide the key and fob your
vehicle needs. Also, proof of vehicle
ownership must be established whether a locksmith or dealership provides the
service.
Battery Serves 14 Years
Question 4
You had a couple of questions about
car battery's lasting about five years, so I thought I had to send this to you. I have a 2006 Kia Optima with 311,000
miles. Last week I replaced the battery
for the first time. It was 14 years
old. What do you say? R.S., email
Answer 4
Thank you for sending a
picture of the old battery. I don’t
think in all my years in this business I have ever encountered a battery that
performed as designed that many years.
Perhaps the engineers and team that put that one together should design
and build the high voltage batteries for electric cars. I hope the new battery powers your vehicle
another 300,000 miles.
Wipers Lose Tension
Question 5
I read your articles constantly
and get a kick from some of the questions especially about 15 to 25 year old
cars. Here is one I’ve NEVER read
about. I have a 2002 Chevrolet S-10. There seems to be a dip in the windshield in
the area almost in front of the driver. No matter how many times I’ve changed
wiper blades, and no matter what kind I install, there’s an area that doesn’t
clear. The area is a rough triangle,
about eight inches wide by 10 inches tall.
It tapers down to nothing at the bottom. Some of it is in the overlap portion, and neither
blade clears it.
With 160,000 miles on my truck,
and all the rust, I really don’t want to change the windshield. Have you ever heard of a windshield
distorting in such a manner? Any cause? Thanks!
A.K., email
Answer 5
Your 2002 model truck is just
getting broken in. All kidding aside, it
is possible for a windshield to bend.
Technically, glass is considered a liquid. It can change shape. If you have ever been in a building built
perhaps 100 years ago you might notice the original windows exhibit a wavy
appearance. They weren’t that way when
they were new. Glass slowly runs down from
top to bottom similar to applying too much paint on a wall.
It is possible the windshield
is distorted, but don’t replace it yet.
Consider replacing the wiper arms.
Over time the spring within a wiper arm loses tension. The spring holds the blade assembly against
the glass. Replacing the arms might cure
the issue. Hopefully this helps clear
your view of the road.
Agricultural Equipment Technician
In Demand
Question 6
Your column in my newspaper
addressed a reader’s question about how a young person might get training for a
career in automotive technology. There
is certainly a need for trained automotive technicians, especially since less
of the troubleshooting and maintenance can be handled by the casual back yard
mechanic.
I suggest that if a young
person wants to broaden his or her skills that a career in agricultural equipment
technology might be for them. An agricultural
service technician deals with engine and powertrain issues like an automotive
technician would, but on a much larger scale. An agricultural technician also has to know
the myriad of other equipment used on farms. Equipment like combines with 11-liter engines
that are GPS controlled that measure numerous crop variables in real time. Planters count the number of seeds planted and
continuously control the position of seeds. Tillage equipment use hydraulic power and
linkages to optimally prepare the soil to be planted. I could go on, but suffice it to say, today’s
farms are a far cry from the 1950”s image that a lot of people think of. There is a shortage of agricultural service
technicians, so the pay scales are better than at car dealerships. Can you comment? D.M., email
Answer 6
Bravo for bringing this topic
up. I grew up around farms and lived
most of my life a stone’s throw from farms.
My uncle owned a farm and sometimes I helped out. What I experienced was a step above a horse
pulling a tiller. It was a far cry from
what the industry is now. Today,
unfortunately many young people don’t know where their groceries come from let
alone the complexities of the equipment needed to produce food and get products
from a farm to grocery store shelves.
Yes indeed there is a great
need for trained technicians in the agricultural industry. There are many schools offering service
department technician training in this field.
Interesting enough I now live next door to a huge university owned farm
where they experiment and develop all kinds of equipment for use on farms to
grow and process crops. Right now they
are flying drones over crops. Sensors determine
soil moisture as they fly over the crops.
This helps a farmer determine how much irrigation water to send to a
particular area of field.
Growing crops is a science and
so is preparing, delivering and repairing advanced farm equipment. A person interested in becoming a technician
in this field might find this a rewarding career. There is a ton of information on the internet
about schools offering training in this industry. Not everyone wants to sit behind a desk
creating computer code. Why not program
farm equipment in a dealership shop or mobile site in the fresh air to increase
crop yield and feed the world. It’s a
career to consider.
Have a healthy and safe motoring day!
Phil Arendt is a columnist, consultant and
A.S.E.-Certified Master Technician.
Readers may send questions to Dr. Gizmo at his e-mail address drgizmo@drgizmo.ws. 12/21//2020
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