Two months without use of our primary wheels, today I believe I have gotten it back, so to speak, after daily setbacks and much thought given to how or why our vehicle makers go about the routes they do to make repair of them so damned complicated. Long story short, I studied, considered Engineering pre-conceived notions, wondered about the thinking of today's designers, and in short, came to the conclusion that our cars are being designed and built nowadays around a "platform" giving the privileged (Dealers possessing the diagnostic equipment), much advantage over us "grunts", trying to fix our own. So, the solution to my own dilemma, a vehicle shutting down on me because of some perceived safety fault, resolved today by my installation of an ABS (Antilock Brake System) Module ordered used, on-line. All ID numbers matched. I knew afore hand that the original module in our truck had data imposed into it at the factory, such being the VIN, to be sure, but what-all else might be included is anyone's guess. I put things all together, cleaned up, checked the memory for stored trouble codes. I got VIN Number Mismatch, Batt. Voltage Low., and "Code Origin External". Deleted, the first returned (of course). Started up, ran real well, drove 6 miles, ABS light "ON", no other faults, 4X4 works OK (not with old module!), Converter Clutch locks up OK, (not before), everything OK except the ABS light "ON". Asked wife, can we drive it to Laughlin for a bit of fun,. tomorrow? She said, hell, no, it may crap out on us! And so, it goes. We are at the mercy of the powers that be: Corporate Interests, Suppliers of everyday products made ever-more complex, to bewilder our simple but efficient minds, political leaders speaking of "change" while running, thence speaking of "yield away freedoms in order to benefit all" (Bill Clinton, 1990s). This, and all I seek is a car to get around in......Frank
Congratulations, @Frank Sanoica , it appears that man has won out over machine! A little electrical tape will fix the "ABS light ON" message.
You jarred my memory, it was the ABS button that Pickles pressed. It's right next to the gear shift on his side. Glad you worked out your problem Frank, but I'm never sure after I read what you wrote.
@Joe Riley Believe it or not, years back my wife's Dad's Chevy had an insistent "Check Engine" light which defied even the dealer's attempts to extinguish. It's presence frightened her folks, the thing might suddenly quit running....etc. He pasted a piece of tape to block seeing it, as you mentioned, and drove the car for years after that!
I so agree with you Frank. I long for the days when you went to the parts store, pulled the car into the garage, and went to work. It may have taken your whole Saturday to fix the car, but no dealership was required.