Date:         Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:37:04 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Alternator Brushes Wore Out Pretty Darn Quick
Comments: To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk25OvK__pxUeQRNUTzE_1nf4Hq5KYEZC7nskvdeZDwTbw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 6:45 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:

>
> This is one of the clumsier operation on a waterboxer, bordering on the
> insanity that is usually associated with more modern motors.
>
> Jim
>
>
   Is it not true that many modern vehicles are manufactured with an eye to
NOT being owner-servicable?  As the owner of a fancy new vehicle, you aren't
encouraged to 'mess with it' on your own, even though you paid a lot of
money to buy it....and sometimes you even paid extra to get an 'extended
warranty and service policy'  Stuff on modern vehicles...it is 'sealed' and
'factory servicable' only.   Something goes slightly wrong....you have your
dealer 'un-plug the defective module and replace it'....they make a big
profit again...and you?....You are just the lame Owner, you don't know
nuthin, anyhow...

  It seems that many newer vehicles have 'modular systems' that are purposly
sealed off during manufacture to prevent an owner from 'tampering' (read:
fixing) with it...you are required to go back to the dealer or an
"authorized service outlet"...It would not surprise me to see automakers
getting more stringent legislation passed forbidding car owners from working
on their own vehicles at all, eventually.