Seeing the light about smail problems

Rick Cogbill
Contributing Writer

ROPEY Lewis and I
have a hard time see-
ing eye to eye, and it’s
got nothing to do
with his glass eyeball.
Though it pops out at

the Most inopportune times,

we've all gotten used to it.

Bat PE don’t understand
how he can ignere some
thing when its staring him
right in the fice, Like that
little red fight on the dash
board that says “Service
Engine Soon.”

“Them brakes is wore
out, Slim,” he quipped
brightly, dropping off the
keys to his °87 Buick
Century. “Sure didn’t last

Esteem Wagon

New 1 1.81 engine

North Van Suzuki

Jong You just replaced ‘em
last spring.”

Panspected his car betore
replying T knew there ’d be

more to the story, and there

Was.

Coming back into the
tront office, | said, “Your
car is abo idling too fast,
Ropey. And who taped over
the Service Engine Soon
light on the dashboard?”

“Tdi.” he replied “The

glare was botherin” my good

eye. Besides, the car sul
runs.”

He sturped some cottee
“Lignore them idiot lights,
I tigure they're just for
Jouks.”

Or tor idiots, J
thought to myself.
Out loud, [ suggest:
ed, “Maybe IP should
check it out anyway.
With the car idling so
fast, you'll wear out
another set of brakes
in no time.”

Ropey wasn't
thrilled, but he gave
me the go ahead.

As it turned out,
the warning light was
signalling a problem
with the oxygen sen-
sor. Instead of moni-
toring the fuel system
properly, it was stuck’
oui the lean side, caus-
ing the computer to
mismanage the fuel
mixture. As a result,
the car ran too rich
and idled high.

Ropey’s eve nearly
popped right out
when I presented him
with the bill. “Wow!
That’s some brake
job!” he gasped.

“Ic includes a new
oxygen sensor and the
diagnostic time to

o\plained
in when the bght first came
on, vou wouldn't be paving
me tor brakes at all”

He valped. but patd his
dues. Pdoubt if he learned
much, but at least he won't
be so inclined to pur tape

“Even had come

over any more “idiot lights
inthe near future.

B Shin's Tip: When vou see a
warming light come on in
your car, have it checked out.
Its better te catch a small
probiem before it develops
inte a big one.

locate the problem,” I

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