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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
95
Ford, Private Performance
Q:
I bought a '95 Ford sedan. When I left the dealership, it seemed to be
the ideal car for me. The second day I drove it, it stalled and although
I could restart it, it would only go about 2 MPH. Then, it took hold and
went off, as good as ever; apparently nothing wrong. The next day, a repeat
performance. I went back to the dealer and the fellow in the repair department
said it seemed in perfect shape. I have had repeat performances since
(often). The trouble is, it doesn't stay stalled. The last major episode
occurred as I was driving it to my mechanic, it recovered just at the
entry to his garage! I feel that this has got to be fixed. I don't travel
long distances, but use the car for business appointments and errands
around town.
A: When
you're explaining your problem, does the look in your technician's eyes
make you believe that, he/she thinks you've been rolling the window up
on your head. Relax, it's not you, it's the car. And, welcome to the world
of intermittent problems. Has anyone asked the vehicle's computer if it
has seen a problem? There may be some information in the computer's memory
that could provide insight to your vehicle's problem. Also, many repair
facilities have portable equipment that connects to the vehicle's computer
and works like a flight recorder. The vehicle can be driven as normal
and when the problem occurs, a push of a button activates the record feature.
The captured information can then be reviewed to determine if it is a
fuel, ignition or computer related problem. With some persistence and
technology the solution to your problem can be found.
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