Community Forums

Perfect Pair · 08-02-2012, 04:40 PM

It is fair to say that paying $889.72 for repairs that should have been prevented by replacing a $53.00 part dealers sell for $73.24 qualifies me to be put in the "Idiot" category. They will install said switch for under $200.00 so by paying attention to what the "Idiot light" is trying to tell would be the $689.72 smart thing to do.

This is how I found iRV2.

We are a retired couple looking to spend more time traveling and less time helping the poor, poor doctors collect our MediCare dollars.

Don't even go there any of us.

It is about enjoying these senior years and not worrying about all of the things I only have one vote governing.

Shadowcatche · 08-02-2012, 06:44 PM

The problem with idiot lights is that they do not give you much real information. I bought an inexpensive OBD II code reader and have an Ultragauge which will alarm when certain parameters are exceeded and also will tell me what the codes are as they happen. On our trip west we came VERY close to over heating High head wind, hot temps, steep grades. Being able to read the actual temps kept us out of trouble. The check engine light came on about half way through the trip and I was able to determine it was the heater on the bank 1 oxygen sensor and not an immediate concern, fixed when we got back.

wa8yxm · 08-03-2012, 08:11 AM

They are called Idiot lights for one of two reaons.

1: The light says "You have a problem" a guage would tell you how much of a problem and possibly even what the problem is, but the idiot light just says 'Oh problem".

2: An idiot can look at the light and say "Problem" where as it takes brains to read a gauge and figure out what it is saying.

Of course, you do not have that option (Reading a gauge) so #2 does not reflect on you but it does reflect on teh stink... er, thinking at the auto maker's office.

After market gauges like the scan gauge are on the market. I would not mind an OBDII scanner for my laptop. Would be nice to know what is happening in the dog-house before I'm in the dog house.

nail40 · 08-04-2012, 08:45 AM

you have the right attitude get out there and enjoy life and not worry about things you cannot change. have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KAS · 08-04-2012, 08:56 AM

Hubby purchased a reader for the vehicle so he could check everything and know exactly what he needed to fix. He also purchased all the repair manuals for every car/truck/RV we own. A whole shelf unit of them! With schematics and everything.

I like idiot lights for the very reason that they give me a warning that I might not quite catch from a dial-- but I can read a dial when given one and see that the little wand is approaching a red zone, or if there is an ideal range I can read if it is in the range or not if I have been taught what that range is supposed to be.

Baring someone instructing me in reading the dials, I prefer an idiot light so I pull over before I ruin something!

MSHappyCampers · 08-04-2012, 09:23 AM

Hi folks, and welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us! I think they name those lights after the people who design the rigs! Sometimes you wonder how anyone who has ever been an RV'er could design something the way they did!

Good luck & God bless!

wa8yxm · 08-04-2012, 04:55 PM

In the best of all worlds you have both the dial type gauge and the idiot light.

That way, When the dial lights up you take a look at it.

tom77hmstd · 08-04-2012, 05:17 PM

The best of both worlds are now being used in race cars right now,the gauge reads the pressure or temp and the gauge flashes different colors set by the user to tell you if a problem is there.The gauge is constant green if ok,flashes yellow if going bad,red to tell you of impending doom.this just might work.

wa8yxm · 08-04-2012, 06:15 PM

Many innovations have come to us from the world of racing, Rear view mirrors, Seat belts and much more.

Sohapi · 08-05-2012, 10:55 AM

elcome, glad you have joined the group.

Love that you are out there having a fun time too.

TheArnolds · 08-05-2012, 05:56 PM

Welcome to our forum! I just went into partial retirement this past Friday and my DW and I are on our first post retirement trip up through Northern Michigan. Good luck to the both of you!