Thread: Help Need Dimensions

A lot of the issues with reliability in the outback of electronicly controled engine, i think, have a lot to do with peoples ability to fix them. A lot of people have the ability now to diagnose a mechanical problem, and have the skills and tools to make some sort of repair. Not so many have the same ability with the electronics, skills or tools wise. I think it is something that is changing. I've read about more and more people geting modules to talk to the computers in their cars when in remote locations. (i'm not one them look at what i drive). Just like when people first learnt how to fix cars, instead of horses.

So anyway a detroit 3-53 what sort of power does that make?
I took individual wheel weights on my 120' and there front axle was carrying 1200kg in the empty condition, if that is any help.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Martyn

That is what fail safe is all about - if they have to have electronics to pass emissions standards. Then on a vehicle that is to be used in remote areas it should fail to a state where it remains drivable for long distances and not in a low speed crawl "limp home" mode.

For example a petrol ECU would fail to essentially a basic electronic distributor (which were more reliable than the points distributors) that pulses the injectors as well and the plugs.

Also the with a lack of a national regional dealer network, the computer errors must be able to be re-set away from a dealers diagnostic computer. As someone mentioned on another thread - there should be an application where a PDA can function as an alternative to the dealer computer.

That's what I mean about a vehicle that can be used in our backyard.

Diana

My experience and that of friends and acquaintances has been that in quite a few instances major capital city dealerships can not diagnose the problems. Often they resort to replacing one component after another until hopefully they eventually solve the problem at enormous cost to the customer.

I had three roadside failures with one vehicle until the problem was eventually diagnosed. My late model Falcon has racked up six roadside stoppages and one overnight one (drove home OK but would not start in the morning) due to electronic and electrical problems. I have spent more towing this car in five years than spent in total on maintenance on my previous workhorse.

A friend had to have his 2006 VW Passat diesel trucked from Mt. Isa to Brisbane as the Mt. Isa dealer had no idea and admitted so. The principal dealer in Brisbane took 4 weeks to locate and rectify the trouble with considerable assistance from VW Aust. techos.

Another friend had hard starting, excessive fuel consumption, and excessive black smoke problems with his Nissan. The principal Brisbane dealership had several attempts to fix this, eventually resorting to the "replace everything in turn" scheme to no avail. The problem was solved by tracing every wire and component and connector and checking continuity and voltage throughout. This involved several days and removing the entire dashboard and console. Needless to sat he won't buy another one.

Now if major capital city dealerships can not diagnose and rectify these problems, what chance does an owner have of doing this roadside in the outback? In all too many cases nowadays there is not a dealer in small country towns other than Holden/Ford/Toyota and often not even one of these.