Dr. Gizmo Column

“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 ® DR. GIZMO © 1989 – Present.