Me. The Ranger been running wierd. Funky idle and every once in a while it would just cut out for a split second. So, I check the codes and there were many. TPS, VSS, EGR. A total of about 9 codes all together but no check engine light. So, I check all the connectors, clear the codes. Not so fast. It still happens. So this weekend I look for the simple stuff. Loose ground wires. Just as I was going to break out the meeter to check on these codes I found the possitive battery cable was loose. New battery. I fogot to tighten it.:banghead3: So, it wont tighten....I cut the old bolt off and install a new one. So far so good. Even idles better. I'm sure there's a lesson here. Yup, check the simple stuff first.
I had a truck that was acting up. The dealer couldn't find anything wrong with it. I'd read somewhere that a weak battery could be the cause and I told them. They said not a chance. It got worse, their nay-saying got louder. I replaced the battery and the problem went away. They said I must have done something else too. I don't go there any longer. But months later, on the wife's BMW, when it started acting up, do you think I realized that the problem was almost identical? Do you think I thought to check the battery? Do you think I paid a BMW mechanic a lot of money to tell me that it was a weak battery? :banghead3: My sphincter muscles hurt for a week after that one. And by the look on my face everyone thought I'd been eating grapefruit.
You guys are great! You do know if you didn't tell, nobody would ever know that you were a dumbass... oohhh I am having a little trouble calling you a name Sorry, but you started it
I do report my screw ups so they don't have to be repeated. Thanks to Safari57 I'm vindicated....:banana:
And Norm over-engineered everything, instead of K.I.S.S. I was an Eng. and a Computer geek. You have no idea how many routines it takes to type one itsy-bitsy letter on a computer. And that changes in almost every application. Well, changing a battery was simple until OBD came along. Now you have to take the negative cable off first, then the positive. Remember when I changed all the Grounds on my wagon. Perfect! Trouble is, that Ford's solenoids (old style, off the starter) are fussy. They only want an 8.5 inch Positive cable from the battery and only 6 gauge wire. What did Norm do? The dumbass$ used 2 gauge wire and made it almost 2 feet long. Result? The solenoid won't kick the new (3rd one) starter into the flywheel consistently. I read the manual again this morning, and there it is in black and white -8.5 inch Positive cable to Solenoid. I thought they were just being cheap with using crappy cable and connectors. Turns out there was a mad scientist in the engineering department. My reaffirmed motto -RTFM!
