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2007 Acura RDX… no heat passenger side.
Actuator works and can move the door to full heat manually.
Both heater hoses are hot.
And drivers side heat is hot.ItS easy to think planned obsolescence is a real thing. But your right about its the quality of materials used versus the cost of production versus the demand of product.
What people (manufacturers) seem to be losing sight on are the two number 1 vehicles in history. Not the mustang, not the tesla, not a ferrari. There are the model T, and the VW bug.
Why? Cause they were built to last! Easy to build = easy to maintain. Today’s cars (vehicles) would never makeep it back in the day. The amount of maintance required for today’s cars would not go well. Yes today’s cars are safer, better comfort, better perfomance, more “green friendly”. But our tool boxes alone tell the story of what is required to keep one running today versus one of years back. I remember reading an article back 8n the 90 that had a statement from VW saI’d something like “one of ous main competitors are ourselves, from our Beetle ”
One of the greatest cars of all time had nothing to do with performance, comfort, or safefy. It was all about reliability. Ask why did Toyota and Honda do so well? Reliability. The biggest problem is our general acceptance of failure of products. Over all we are ok saying a small amount and be ok with it not lasting, than paying a large amount and requiring it to last. Who has a piece of furniture that was bought new recently and is expecting that to be passed down for 3 generations? I have one piece, and that’s my bed. And that’s cause I built it myself. Things today are just overall aren’t made to last. And that goes for the modern automobile too.I am a HS drop out. But I’ve always had an understanding of auto repair. I started working as a pump jockey, then went into Fast Lube. 4 years later I started working for an independent garage. From there a national tire shop. Got my first ASE. Moved to another national repair shop. Got the rest of my ASE’s A few more shops later. I’m now ASE Master, L1, under car, exhaust, emission, and hybrid specialist. NONE OF THAT MEANs JACK. What maters (once you get an grasp on how things work) are experience, and common sense. I’ve seen too many techs get bitten by their own stubbornness. By the lack of respect for the task at hand.
I have to say the part that gets me upset the most is seeing a young tech get teased, or shot down but a seasoned tech. In the beginning I hated working with some guys. it was a non-stop “your too dumb to do this” There is no need for that. I paid my dues. But I will never look down on an entry tech. Who wants to put up with some guy flipping you shit. when you’re getting paid 10-12/hr and half of your pay is going to a tool truck. Their job is bad enough as it is, we don’t need to add to the headache.
Always remember unless your the owner of the shop your working at. You are there to make the owner money. Sometime decisions are made for the best outcome FOR THE SHOP. As a tech you need to respect that it’s a decision for the greater good of the picture. you may not agree with it but remember your not the owner. I’m now working for myself. and It’s been a struggle to say the least. Sometimes I ask myself why did I decide to do this? The answer is always the same. I decide what I want to work on, and how much I will get paid. No more will I work that extra hour, when I KNOW it’s useless. we’ve all been there…”just do another hour and see were your at, then I will call them” You know that just translate to free work. But sometimes that is required. But it’s much better when yourself makes that decision,
So take the punches,.. take the long hours, take the life long debt for tools…. When you make the owner of the car jump and clap for your services…just that one action makes the struggle worth it. We help people,… fixing cars?…. thats a bonus.I started doing side work years ago. at 35/hr Shop rate was 75/hr….a few years ago when I was still working as an employee I was doing side work for 70/hr.. local shop rates are 90-110/hr Now I’m on my own still doing it for 70/hr.. but will soon be going up to 80.
4 things come to mind,.. #1 check the PCV vacuum supply hose the rubber elbow to the PCV. (don’t just look at it, run your finger on the back side and see if it’s deformed) #2 I can’t emember without lookingit up.. but possible timing belt issue . #3 Wrong oil. causeing the VVT to go nuts. and #4 check out coolant level and your ECT for proper signal when COLD. And least likely a MAF signal… or even just try to clean it.
I agree with you some what. Yes less ppl are willing to tinker these days. But I think it has to do with the cars. I too had a 72 Ford Product (Thunderbird) it had a 429. It was the one that started me on this path. Not really sure where I’m going with this.. The cars today are a little more harder to actually “make your own” than they were from years past. Yes if you get the right vehicle, there are body kits, and interrier mods you can make. But unless you get the proper trade schooling. It’s very difficult, to nearly impossible to modify the power train of a modern car. And keep it in a daily drive-able condition. Esp if your in a strict emission state.
What saddens me the most is that young people today don’t understand what the vehicle gives them. When we were young, we used the car as a meas to be social. Today, kids don’t need it. They have the internet to take them to a friends house. More and more kids arn’t getting their licences until they are require to get them selves to school or a job. And on top of all that (a big complaint of mine) modern cars are removing proper driving skills a little bit each time a new “bell and whistle” is added to a car. Case in point … Back up cameras… ppl with those are not turning their head backwards to see whats behind them. They look down at their dash. Auto head lamps… When it’s foggy out more and more ppl aren’t turning on their head lamps,..cause they aren’t used to doing it manually. The light sensor thinks it’s enough daylight to keep the lights off.
So what do I like about cars? What other single item incorporates nearly every house system in one “box”? Electrical, plumping, HVAC, Noise, and comfort. By becoming a master Tech one basically covers all systems of a house,.. and make it mobile. The science to make everything work is amazing. The explosions of the engine, the exchange of temperature from the cooling system. The absorption of heat in the A/C. The mechanical advantage of the brake system. Everything in a car is a magic of possiblity made true by science and technology.
ok I’m off my soap box.Mine is doing fine.. it’s now 13years old. only thing bad with it is the wooden top. And it’s been moved 6 times. 4 times in the back of a Ford Ranger (long bed) and 2 times in a rented moving truck with a lift gate.
I just fixed a 90 Accord. had a similar issue. At normal Operating temp, when driving at speed,. apply throttle,.. it would sputter and nearly die… did stall once on me. The clue is “after it gets to normal temp” It’s in closed loop. What ended up fixing this accord was replacing the O2 sensor. I only stumble onto this cause I suspected plugged exhaust. (which might have been why the CAT was replaced on yours) So I pulled the O2 sensor, and installed a back pressure gauge. Test drove the car again, and it was driving like a new car. (minimal back pressure) Only change was removing the O2 sensor. Put in a new O2, and all was well.
I did have a code in the car but it was a generic fuel system code,. so I have to do step by step and verify each system. But the symptom was a classic plugged exhaust. Hope that helps.I just started the forum today. I’m a 20+ yr tech. I have my ASE’s and so on… I also have nearly $90,000 in tools. I’ve looked at the boxes the the big 3 sell. (Snappy, Mac, And Matco) I just couldn’t justify spending that kind of money for something that will just sit against the wall and only hold my tools. I went and ordered the biggest craftman box they make. 56″(wide) X 30″ (deep) It was 2,599 at the time. YES if I ever sell it,. I won’t get much for it, adn trade in value is low. Yes it would distort is I set a car on it.. And yes I only had two color choices Red or black. (I got black) It’s not the BOX that makes you a Tech. It’s your brain, and your use of your tools. True some boxes carry that “ohh & ahhh” response. I’ve seen some really cool boxes over the years. Paying $9,000 for a box didn’t seem right for me. But the one that stays in my head. was a home built wooden box. It was full custom. with radio and lights and power sockets (12v and 120) It was also well sanded and paint to look like it was metal. Take your money and invest in tools.. Those will make you money and eventually pay for themselves. Your tool box will only hold tools and sit still. Your “return on investment” will be VERY LOW, unless you plan on selling it some day, or using it as a trade in on a took truck. so be wise with your money. Tools are expensive enough.