Having made the swith from Technician of 12 years to Service Writer (The job has several titles but that one fits best). I have been overwhelmed with an urge to "tinker" with things. Hence the new involvement with the Forum here. As of late, I have been giving advice and opinion on random topics. I am not a performance expert, nor a 4x4 wizard. My expertise is verifing a customers concern, diagnosing the problem, and repairing the vehicle back to factory specification.

And with that said. I would like to gather your input on an idea I have. I have seen some cool things in the tech section on mods and stuff. I was thinking of putting together some "how-to's" of things I have learned over the years. The first idea I have is how to properly splice 2 wires and heat shrink.

But Id like to get an idea from you guys on what I could teach you. Or after all said and done, you end up teaching me =)

Ideas?

(also, I need to buy a digital camera... any advise?)

 

Jay that sounds like an awesome idea! I have a fuji film 2600 and it does all I need it to do. Comes with a 16mb card and the other goodies. Cost me $219 from amazon. I like your idea for the first write-up. I have been wiring stereos since my high school days and I usually use butt connectors with heat shrink tubing. An easy task so I thought till I tore into the dash of my runner after I bought it. I looked in the service records and found a receipt that the previous owner paid $50 to have the aftermarket CD player installed. Whoever did it jacked it up bad. Two wires twisted together and black taped is unacceptable. They totally butchered everything in there I had to redo it all and using a factory harness is totally out the window now. Anyways the moral of the story is not everyone knows how to do simple tasks and write-ups are golden!

 

Just purchased a Canon A40.

Seems to be all I need.

I play with it tonight and see how it goes.

Jay

 

Great Idea! I cant tell you how much info I have learned from this site. but many here do have, and asume others have more knowlege then they do. and I for one would welcome any help at all, even with what would seem the easier tasks. what I would really like to know is how to deal with a problem that never presents itself when you have a mechanic in the vehicle. Ive been tring to isolate a prob for a year now.:cry:

 

Jay,

That would be awesome if you could do that. I have a few write ups that I'd like to finish, but time is pretty scarce these days. Writeups from someone "In the know" would be great.

Since I have some good experience w/ web sites, how about we collaborate? You write the articles, take the pics, and I can compose them on a webpage?

Also as for digital cameras, you need to figure out what you want in a digital camera. Do you need it for just web photos? Then a 2.1 megapixels is PLENTY fine. If you want to take pics and print pics, anything greater than 2.1 mp will work BUT you will need a kick ass photo printer and that will drive up your costs big time. Oh did I mention that photo paper ain't cheap?

Let me know via email or continue on this thread.

Oh, as for article ideas, here is my selfish list :

- Relays, wiring, etc (similar to your initial idea)
- Basic engine maintenance (including changing belts, etc)

While this is not a "how to", one of the nagging questions I have is "How closely should you stick with the maintenance plan"? I would love to collaborate on an article with you. My idea is this: Take a service maintenance plan, analyze what should definitely done according to the plan, what can be "skipped" or done later, and then write articles on the things that the average person can do with common tools. What do you think?

Bob

 

Jay,

If you need info for a write up on relay wiring, give me a holler. I've been at it with stereos and alarms for 12 years or so. I'll bet that kind of stuff is child's play for you though.

 

Right on, good to hear a positive response. I was worried you were going to say... Who the **ck are you? Go Away!

Cool, well I bought the camera..... im going to attempt the first "how-to" hopefully tomorrow morning. Im going to stick with my first project of "splicing wires".

Lets see how it goes and where it takes us. Id love the help your offering. Lets see what happens.

Jay

 

The more write-ups the better The splicing idea is a great place to start. I'd like to read it.

 

Cebby,

I sent you an email.

Bob

 

Bob,

I'm at my office, can't get my personal email from here. I'll be able to check it around 9:30pm my time (EST).

 

How about these:

• how to replace the power antenna
• how to properly wire things like lights, amps,CBs, etc (more than how to splice. Get into relays and such)
• how to get talk the dealership into covering things under warranty
• how to deal with dealerships who produce poor workmanship and poor customer service
• a list of the most common problems you see for each model
• how to fix the stupid shakey driver side mirror on the 2nd gens
• how to communicate problems to the dealer. For instance, I typed out EVERY symptom I had and gave it to the mechanic and they found a blown headgasket.

Steve

 

A little off topic, I recently found a battery for a canon a40 and have no need for it as i have a nikon 5700. If you want it i'd be glad to send it to you. Like i say no one i know could use it and it's just sitting here. It's battery pack nb-5h 6v 650mAh. You can e-mail me your address and i'll send it.

Steve

 

This would be a good one. Mine is DEAD!

 

UK,

I bought a fixed mass to replace my power antenna with. The motor is still good in mine, just no mast (car wash). When I switch, you can have mine for the cost of shipping across the pond...

PM me if you are interested.

 

LOL! That be me! I could use a write up on that one.

Have fun all
DH6twinotter

 

Me three.
Mine shakes as well.

I have had it apart a few times, and I was told by the dealer you pretty much have to buy the whole inside guts to it.

I have tightened down all visible screws too.

 

I think it's just my mast as well that's toast

 

Count me in on the Antenna write up.

 

I think the best write-up I could find would be a "How-To" for a full tune-up!

That'd be great. Especially on the 3VZE!


Thanks,

Warren

 

The shaky mirror thing is interesting. I have never noticed a shake so I assume my truck does not have that problem. Does it develop over time?

Randy