When I was Mr. Suburban Man, I learned never to walk into a Home Depot without extremely good reason and a shopping list – preferably after leaving my credit cards at home. Because I was like that annoying kid watching the commercials they played between Saturday morning cartoons on TV: “I want that!”
This is one of the two major reasons I hardly ever buy anything at Amazon. Because if I have any money in the bank at all, it’s already spent but I’m always afflicted with “I could buy that!”
This past weekend I needed a scan tool for the Jeep. Went to the one local auto parts store, which didn’t sell one. So I had to go on-line, debit card in hand. But if I’m definitely going to buy anything on Amazon, there are a couple of other things that have been hanging fire in my cart and none of them are really luxuries! Seriously! I’m talking about things like long underwear and a hoodie that’s made of something besides holes, y’know? Oh, and a proper cartridge priming tool, but I’ve wanted one of those forever and it really really would speed things up. And a reloading manual published in this century – or at least the final quarter of last century. I actually use my (and Ian’s) reloading gear for daily shooting, it’s not a toy. Mostly. And I sorted the cart out but didn’t pull the trigger because I need to get explicit permission to use one of my available local delivery addresses, and that’s always a mistake because…
Because I woke up this morning thinking “Electronic earmuffs!” Because I’ve had mine for a decade, and they were cheap to begin with, and the single working side is going to stop working any time, and they’re sooo useful, and…
…and the next thing I know the cart is well above $100 before shipping, and Sensible Joel elbows me aside and starts deleting items, the bastard, because That Money’s For The Jeep.
I hate that guy.
That’s cool, Joel. We now have a very practical desert hermit Christmas wish list. [big grin]
So, what DID you get… just so we can keep the list current, you understand. 🙂
🙂 No, no, that wasn’t a bleg. Just the way my morning got started.
You don’t need your own scan tool. Most auto parts stores will let you borrow one for free whenever you like. Then you don’t have to worry about yours becoming obsolete.
Nope. The local auto parts store doesn’t do that anymore though they used to. Also, the Jeep is still out in the desert and if I have to tow it ten miles up and down hills it’ll be to the repair shop – which I still wanly hope to avoid.
Then do a “ghetto rental”. Buy it, use the shit out of it, then return it for full refund.
I had to buy it for my VW passat TDI, but that’s because VW is being “special”. I bought the software and USB plug that works on my laptop and does all teh diagnostic stuff that the stealerships can do. Much more than just code reading.
Google around on the internet. There might also be some sort of built-in code reading where you can initiate a pattern of flashing lights on your dashboard and that pattern equates to a code. (my 4runner does that and it is an OBDII).
There’s a relatively new Lyman loading manual on my bookshelf.
Joel, there is usually a way to locate the codes without a scan tool, see:
How to check OBD (I&II) codes without a scanner
at:
http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=11574
short take:
Pre- 97 Jeeps can be read by putting the key in the ignition and turn the key to run (not start), then off, then run, then off, then run (that’s 3 runs and 2 offs). Leave the key in the run position. The check engine light will turn on for a few seconds, then turn off, then (sometimes after 20-30 seconds) start flashing. The flashes are counting out 2-digit trouble codes. Fast flashes count up each digit, with a longer pause between digits. 55 indicates the end of all codes. Once you’ve got your code list, consult the list below to see what they mean.
97+ I did the same procedure, but in addition to my check engine light flashing, my digital odometer flashed the 2 digit codes as well.