Date:         Tue, 30 Nov 1999 15:21:44 -0800
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Organization: The Cobalt Group
Subject:      Re: organizing the wisdom
Comments: To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@worldnet.att.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Karl Wolz wrote:
>
> Stuart, you are one hell of an optimist.
>

Actually just bored today.  I am going out to join the WTO protesters
and break some windows! ;-)  Be sure and watch the news today, Seattle
really is under siege.

What I have in mind is a really brief list of COMMON problems  with
things to check or have checked so people, especially newbies, can, at a
minimum, save hours of frustration or hours of billable troubleshooting
time.

For example, I bought a new starter before I figured out my intermittent
start problem was the ignition switch.  In my experience with all my
cars, one as old as 1965, I have never had an ignition switch fail this
way, but now I know from the list this is a  common failure, and can
effect the headlights too.

So, this would be a COMMON Vanagon problem that could be listed under
"intermittent headlights," "no-cranking/no start," and possibly others.

Others I would add include:

Front end squeaks--check upper control arm bushings
clicking noises from rear--check CV joints and wheel bearings
Heat from front heater always on--check/replace the valve in the water
line
Intermittent missing at high speed--check Hall sensor, fuel pump, etc.
Can't shift into first or second--check shifter adjustment

I am looking for a quick and easy listing of the most common but often
hard to find problems that the list members have encountered, not
necessarily for the detailed explanation of how to fix.  That is where
the archives would be used.

I don't want to get involved with major engine, brake or suspension
issues, just the common easy to repair things that so often go bad in
surprising ways.

Anyway, just a thought.  Any other comments?

--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext 208

Getting your share of the Net yet?
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