[New post] SikiTales #336 — Mr. Murphy And The Flashing Light!
Anthony Cota posted: " From the desk of navigator Siki………………… Hello again! To say that I've been excited about getting our trip under way is an understatement. However, Dad said someone by the name of Mr. Murphy might have something to say about that. Let me explain: Whe" Simple Living
Hello again! To say that I've been excited about getting our trip under way is an understatement. However, Dad said someone by the name of Mr. Murphy might have something to say about that. Let me explain:
When Dad started the Camry this morning, after it warmed up a bit, the Check Engine light flashed several times. Over the last three years that we've had this great car, the check engine light has never flashed like that. When Dad felt that there was no danger of the motor shutting down in the next five minutes, he drove the car over to his mechanic, Senor Ferrat. He has worked on our cars for many years, and also got the Camry ready for the very long roadtrip.
When Sr. Ferrat used the portable diagnostic machine to talk with the Camry's computer, the codes #101, #103 and #105 came up. These are three of the car's six spark plugs. But, Senor Ferrat, who has been a mechanic for over 30 years, has never seen such a thing. What he thinks is that there is an electrical short or loose contact in the line. He suggested that I take the car to an automotive electrician. Fortunately, Dad knew one of the best in Ensenada.
Three years ago, the owner of Cerrajeria Ensenada (this great electrical mechanic also owns a key cutting business) solved a problem that was beyond the reach of 5 mechanics, including an electrical mechanic. The Camry refused to go into overdrive. After changing out some sensors tied to the transmission, the car still wouldn't do it. This genius thought it was a problem with one of the knock sensors, even though they had been been changed out. So, he not only replaced one that he thought wasn't working properly, but he also noticed that the wires going into the computer from one of the sensors was crossed. He fixed the entire problem in under two hours from start to finish.
What we are hoping is that this time, it is something simple, like a short in the line that connects the three spark plugs that register as #101, #103 and #105. The car did have all of its spark plugs replaced several years ago during a tuneup. It has only traveled about 8,000 miles over the past three years, so not many at all.
We are also hoping that it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Dad doesn't think that it will. However, it is better to get this problem taken care of before we start our trip than to take a chance that something could happen along the way.
I will paw an update in the comments section as soon as we know something.
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