Short day, layin’ low
I could be down at Da’s workin’ on Bloo,,, Fact is, I don’t want to get started on that until I absolutely have several days to do my thing.
And my new ‘toy’ came in today. I say toy because right now I am playing with it: gotta learn how to use this new-fangled flabbernastywhutchamacallitz,,,
Its not top of the line, and the price tag shows that, but after MUCH research, its closer to the things I would need it for. And I am Using Buffalo as my test subject/learning agent. I know most of whats wrong with her (that a scan tool could figure out that is,,, theres more wrong with her than those things; like failing drivers door hinges,,, but a scan tool isn’t for that sort of stuff.)
And what has Dio figured out? This scan tool is levels over a ‘code reader’. It found the reasons my SRS light stays lit (unless its REALLY hot out,,, That trips me up some.) “system shorted to battery”
It showed me a code that a code reader CAN’T read,,, a P1380 code saying ‘Cranksensor/rough road/drivibility’,,, So either my crank sensor is failing, or, its that damned sensitive that a rough road could trip the computer,,,,
I’m gonna go with option B Sam,,,,
Ain’t none of you seen the road to my house,,,,
You’d figure that the designers might put an inline capacitor to ‘smooth out’ signals that are that far out of line. But hey, a $0.10 capacitor on 2 million cars and trucks,,, thats talking REAL money, ain’t it? Nah!, just program the computer to ignore things for a minute, but store the code, just in case,,,,
Interestingly, this unit DOES have the option of an o-scope add-on. The damned module costs just as much as the ‘tablet’ (cuz thats what this unit really is) but has 4 channels (Hi-Z for those that are in the know) and REMOTE operation via Bluetooth (as in, hook it up under the hood, and drive/have someone drive while you record the data/observe the incoming data.
Seriously, this was the sole reason I chose this over others. No others had that option I could find. That its lifetime updates/no charge helped some too.
I haven’t bought the module yet,,,, gotta make things start paying more before I dive into further investments. And an O-scope is one thing that might be a once a year tool (or could be a once a day thing if things really take off. I recall my old Scopemeter by Fluke was an “at least once a week” thing, back when I was rolling daily. Would’a been more, but there were three Drivibility guys under our roof of 7 techs. I had to ‘share the wealth’.)
NO, I won’t be that ‘scan tool first’ sorta tech. Yes, its good for looking at the codes and sorting out a direction when all you have is vague ‘it doesn’t work right’ descriptions from the owner. BUT, its not the know-all/be-all solution.
But after having used just a code reader trying to diag Son of Bossmans Dodge pickem’ups,,, (all newer than 2015),,, unuh,,, those code-readers don’t help much at all. I’m no dummy, but I can’t ‘read the mind’ of a computer that has code written in ancient Gealic (or so it seems)
Sadly, there is one more purchase I need to make, and its so that I CAN access those post 2015 Dodge/Chrysler products. its a $50/year subscription and you have to ‘get approval’ to access 95% of the programming in those products. Right to Repair? HA! They are steadily making it so that everyday Joe can’t work on jack shit!!! He can’t even replace the alternator without throwing a drivability issue into the works: because the computer refuses to see the new one so won’t send voltage to it to charge the damned battery!!! You need a scan tool that is “AUTHORIZED” by a third party source, to access the SGW type vehicles; which all Dodge/Chrysler/Ram products are. (SGW= Secure GateWay,,, And there is a list of vehicles in the scan tool that require that subscription to do more than turn off the MIL on the dash.)
THIS is why I will NEVER own a newer vehicle,,, I will make my own parts if I must, to keep my two alive!!! And won’t lie,,, If/when I go to replace the Block in BLOO, I am more than tempted to do away with all the computer bullshit, get a different intake and put a four barrel on old Gurl. Do away with all the O2 crap (already doesn’t have Cats,,,) eliminate a lot of the wiring under the hood that does nothing but create issues as connectors die in ‘aged plastic’ failure.
Just a thought for now,,, Likely too many states where modifying a vehicle like that is ‘Illegal’ (Kalifruitopia, coff, coff) or would bring on HUGE EXPENDITURES in fines permits and who only knows what else.
Regular Joe doesn’t understand who the REAL enemy is,,,, (STATE!!! GOVERNMENT!!! )
Gotta get off my rant here,,,, LOL
Full day tomorrow, or at least more hours than we had today (2 1/2 EEK!) and,,,,
More laters,,, more playin’ to do. Learnin curves y’know,,,
L,L,L,L,L!
(, ‘)
(updated to correct ‘impedence’ issues,,, OOpsss)
Dio's Workshop 
Glad yer gettin a handle on the various stuff for diagnosing. That stuff is a croc – as you already know. Designed more for a $$ stream than helping a grunt. The module would seem a good investment. Let me know if’n I can assist, please.
Road to yer hoose – yer right, I ain’t seen it, but after so many trips to the spousal units family places in KY., it’s mighty ezy to unnerstand – and visualize! Dam, somma them places dam near need a 4×4!! In the summer!!
My Silvo is an ’06. Mama’s Chrysler 300 is a ’16. Ain’t a-gonna be getting anything newer, fer sure. I’m a-gonna retrograde if need be! If TSHTF, my ’69 Camaro will still run! I can still work on it, too (well, kinda – bodily problems, dontcha know)! If need be, I’ll get a way earlier model that I can work on.
Anywhoo – keep on keepin on! Yer on the right track, you are.
Y’all take care,
Mike in FLA.
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December 22, 2025 at 4:41 pm
You’re right of course, you DO need a 4×4 to get up my hill, in the summer if’n it rains. Otherwise, SOL,,, Thats my biggest peeve with Bloo,,, she’s 2x, not 4x,,, BUT, she’s got that big ol BEEFY diff, Big ol backend, and a granny gear,,, It may be that in foul stuff (especially in Winter) Buffy becomes my Shuttle bunny up n down the hill and Bloo stays at Da’s overnights. Hates short-stickin’ Buff like that, but I’ve done that hill on a Fourwheeler in the dead of winter and let me tell ya, AIN’T NO FUN!!! Its only 1/3 of a mile by road, but that 1/3 is BRUTAL when the winds kickin and ol Man winter is knocking the t-stat into the basement.
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December 22, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Justa thought, pull the Crank sensor and clean the end. I don’t know if it’s in the block or bell housing. Either way it might have some trash on it. Slight magnetic field picking up particles an all that. It might help and it might not. And check if it’s a shielded loom that chafed a second contact point. Smarter guys than me told me that turns the shield into an antenna. I hate modern technology. Overly complicated crap… Will an older small block bolt up to Bloo’s bell housing? Small block 400? Or maybe build a stroker? Something you can put a quadrajet or Edelbrock on top of. I know there’s a difference in the heads between the carbureted and TBI engines. Something about the intake manifold bolt holes being different… I don’t remember for sure but I think it’s the angle.
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December 22, 2025 at 9:53 pm
To the best of my knowledge, its easier to ‘downgrade’ to carburation than upgrade to TBI because the old manifolds are are different (though I don’t recall how so either.) I could make an adapter plate for a 4B easier than trying to swap an intake.
but, thats all future thinkin’, not serious about it at this stage and who knows, I may have another idea when the time comes around
No, havent’ pulled the Crank sensor at this point, its not a hot concern because I do know where my misfire is and why. its one of those things that will be addressed when I get Buffalo a new block. I already lined up a long block, and that WAS going to be the winter project this year until Bloo showed up on the scene. Its still in the works, just now on a slower timeline when Bloo becomes my primary.
Yes, all this complicated bugaboo crap under the hoods burns me (and why I struggle with my sanity for wanting to wrench again.) At least this time around I get the choice of ‘No, its a 2015+ model, you need to take that to a dealer’ or “sure, I can give it a look, but no promises” When I worked the shops, the only choice was ‘do the work or find a new job’ and believe me, we had some seriously F!d up POS roll through our doors.
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December 23, 2025 at 6:24 am
yeah… BTDT. The worst part for me was the service writers. After a while they oughta know better than to dig deep holes… And if you’re a decent tech there’s no point applying for a front desk position. Nope, if you know how to fix stuff, a company will let you quit before they let you out of the bay.
“I can’t promote you right now, your far too valuable in the bay fixing cars. But maybe later after we get another qualified technician.” it’s the standard reply when you ask.
You’re not struggling with your sanity, your second guessing a decision about improving your lot in life. Don’t. If that’s where the spirit is leading you, embrace it. Some days are gonna suck and some days are gonna be awesome. It’s gonna go well being your own boss. Self employment is self empowerment. You’re gonna rock it.
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December 23, 2025 at 5:38 pm