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I always like to try and help others with their (simple) car issues. Typically it is in the parking lot of an O’Reilly’s or Autozone. I only try to assist if I have the time available. I never try to assist in the rain. LOL One night I was waiting for the traffic from the recent snow to clear, so I helped this guy replace his light bulbs. He had let the first one burn out some time ago, and on this night the second one went out, so he had no lights. Hmmm…
I generally start by assessing what the problem is with the owner’s help and loaning a few tools which they don’t have. Then we start the repair. I always want the owner to be helping along. After we finished the first light on his Jetta, I asked him if he was going to do the second one too. He said “Why not…” Stupid me. LOL So we got both his headlights in and then off into the weather he drove, never to be seen again. I think he was pretty happy. I was warmer than I otherwise would have been, still waiting for the traffic to clear. From my perspective that was a Win-Win.
On another really bad snow day I saw this very pretty married woman trying to place chains on her Rover. Her hands were bright red from the cold, I suppose because she did not have gloves. She did not ask for help or play the “poor little me card.” I liked that and returned my books at the nearby library. If she was still there when I returned I promised myself I would help her. I have this time expired rule – if it takes you too long to perform a simple repair then I know you don’t what you are doing or need help.
She was still freezing and was on her knees trying to get the dang things on, when I returned. So I walked over and asked her how she was getting along. She explained the NAPA store person sold her the chains telling her even “his wife could put chains on.” So I helped her out, all of 5 minutes, and got her chains on. She was really appreciative and I have to admit that made my day. She was a trooper. She was going to get those stupid things on no matter how cold or red her hands were turning. But I felt sorry for NAPA. She was ten feet from their front door and no shopper was in the store. They should have helped her. I bet she won’t shop there again.
I always like to try and help others with their (simple) car issues. Typically it is in the parking lot of an O’Reilly’s or Autozone. I only try to assist if I have the time available. I never try to assist in the rain. LOL One night I was waiting for the traffic from the recent snow to clear, so I helped this guy replace his light bulbs. He had let the first one burn out some time ago, and on this night the second one went out, so he had no lights. Hmmm…
I generally start by assessing what the problem is with the owner’s help and loaning a few tools which they don’t have. Then we start the repair. I always want the owner to be helping along. After we finished the first light on his Jetta, I asked him if he was going to do the second one too. He said “Why not…” Stupid me. LOL So we got both his headlights in and then off into the weather he drove, never to be seen again. I think he was pretty happy. I was warmer than I otherwise would have been, still waiting for the traffic to clear. From my perspective that was a Win-Win.
On another really bad snow day I saw this very pretty married woman trying to place chains on her Rover. Her hands were bright red from the cold, I suppose because she did not have gloves. She did not ask for help or play the “poor little me card.” I liked that and returned my books at the nearby library. If she was still there when I returned I promised myself I would help her. I have this time expired rule – if it takes you too long to perform a simple repair then I know you don’t what you are doing or need help.
She was still freezing and was on her knees trying to get the dang things on, when I returned. So I walked over and asked her how she was getting along. She explained the NAPA store person sold her the chains telling her even “his wife could put chains on.” So I helped her out, all of 5 minutes, and got her chains on. She was really appreciative and I have to admit that made my day. She was a trooper. She was going to get those stupid things on no matter how cold or red her hands were turning. But I felt sorry for NAPA. She was ten feet from their front door and no shopper was in the store. They should have helped her. I bet she won’t shop there again.
You did not share with us which engine you have – a W, 4.3L, CPI by chance? I would check the vacuum line at the back of the intake plenum, close to the fire wall. Inspect the condition of this vacuum line and work your way back to the vacuum ball (hangs from the hood on your truck I think). Vacuum lines dry rot and deteriorate over time, so being a ’94 this is a good time to inspect all vacuum lines and start replacing them. The plenum hose likes to crack right at the end and you can just snip off 1/2 inch of the hose sometimes.
By chance does your switch from defrost to heat work or is it stuck in the default position – defrost.
The vacuum switch on the transfer case (assuming 4WD) is notorious for failing due to a defect. The transmission fluid from the transfer case will slowly be sucked to the A/C Heater mode control switch. Sometimes you’ll find transmission fluid in the ashtray with this problem. Can you shift into 4WD?
There is also a vacuum line that runs down the passenger side and back to the transfer case. This line can dry rot and fail too. It can easily get too close to the exhaust manifold and melt. You can hear this leak while under the front wheel well on the passenger side.
You did not share with us which engine you have – a W, 4.3L, CPI by chance? I would check the vacuum line at the back of the intake plenum, close to the fire wall. Inspect the condition of this vacuum line and work your way back to the vacuum ball (hangs from the hood on your truck I think). Vacuum lines dry rot and deteriorate over time, so being a ’94 this is a good time to inspect all vacuum lines and start replacing them. The plenum hose likes to crack right at the end and you can just snip off 1/2 inch of the hose sometimes.
By chance does your switch from defrost to heat work or is it stuck in the default position – defrost.
The vacuum switch on the transfer case (assuming 4WD) is notorious for failing due to a defect. The transmission fluid from the transfer case will slowly be sucked to the A/C Heater mode control switch. Sometimes you’ll find transmission fluid in the ashtray with this problem. Can you shift into 4WD?
There is also a vacuum line that runs down the passenger side and back to the transfer case. This line can dry rot and fail too. It can easily get too close to the exhaust manifold and melt. You can hear this leak while under the front wheel well on the passenger side.