| When I started in the automotive field | | | | damage to electrical and computer |
| 40 years ago I did much of my own work | | | | systems. Stabbing a wire with a test |
| and work for other people in the | | | | light like years ago is no longer a |
| backyard. Where the time went I have no | | | | method today. It just takes a slight |
| clue but cars were a lot simpler and | | | | amount of moisture and corrosion to stop |
| easier to work on then. Spark plugs and | | | | a .5 voltage flow from a punctured wire. |
| wires, air and fuel filters, | | | | For the most part I would suggest |
| distributors and carburetors were all in | | | | bringing your car to a qualified |
| the open and easy to get to. There were | | | | technician that you know and trust for |
| many ways to make adjustments to make | | | | most of your service work. Even for just |
| your auto run smoother. | | | | an oil change. It would cost |
| Today everything under the hood is | | | | approximately $19 to do it yourself ($12 |
| computer related with thick wire | | | | oil, $5 filter, $2 waste oil disposal) |
| harnesses and plug-in connectors going | | | | plus having to crawl under the car and |
| to various computer sensors. On many | | | | getting all dirty. Many places have |
| car models one must take off the upper | | | | $19.50 oil change specials and a trained |
| plenum or mixing chamber just to get to | | | | technician may see a pending problem you |
| the spark plugs. There are no more | | | | were unaware of. |
| adjustments for a smoother idle since | | | | With today's manufacturer's long |
| all this is computer regulated. Unless | | | | warranties many of your concerns may be |
| you have some automotive working | | | | free of charge. Why risk damaging a |
| knowledge this engine compartment is a | | | | component and your warranty coverage. |
| no touch area. | | | | So, the question was; is the backyard |
| Things you can do in the backyard would | | | | mechanic a dying breed? Well, in my |
| include changing the oil and filter, | | | | opinion he is not dead yet but may need |
| sparkplugs on most 4 cylinder cars, | | | | life support very soon. |
| light bulbs, fuses, belts, and even | | | | Only work on your car if you are sure of |
| brakes if you know how. If the engine | | | | what you're doing. I've seen too many |
| has a rough idle a vacuum leak from a | | | | people trying to save money by doing |
| split hose is a common problem. | | | | their own repairs only to spend xxx |
| Things to stay away from would be | | | | times more dollars to repair their |
| computer related sensors. These sensors | | | | mistakes before the original problem can |
| work with milli volts and probing them | | | | be properly diagnosed. |
| with a test light can cause extensive | | | | |