Well Mike I'm hoping that you'll get some use from the disk.
Just as a test see what it says about replacing the rear air suspension bags
on a 1992 Crown Victoria LS Ford. My rear is dropping overnight and wonder
if I just need new $14.00 solenoid / check valves or need to replace both
the $75.00 each air bags too.
Hayes just briefly mentions this procedure with one picture and reference to
two other pictures that aren't in the Hayes manual.
So I'm out $20.00 for the Hayes manual and no useful information.

Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Collum" <collum@VERIZON.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 7:07 PM
Subject: Re: Auto Tech Computer disk for Vanagon- Any good?

> Figuring that the price was no more than one would spend on a couple of
> trips to Starbucks, I decided to download it to see what the fuss was
about.
>
> It might be somewhat helpful to someone who doesn't even know how to
> check the oil ... and wants to get some idea about a problem prior to
> taking it to a mechanic.  Beyond that it's pretty lame.
>
> I "Profiled" my '85 Vanagon and ran through a number of possible
> problems.  The profiling didn't seem to do much as far as addressing
> that specific vehicle.  It even made reference to a PCV valve, an EGR
> valve, and a cold start valve and we all know that an '85 doesn't have
> those things.  When diagnosing problems, it asked if my vehicle had
> certain features that were not available on vanagons.  When it told me
> to check the brake fluid, it directed me to open the hood.
>
> It didn't address the Vanagons unique cooling system.  After "Profiling"
> it still had to ask if the vehicle had an electric fan or not.
>
> The part about checking spark plugs did little more than have one make
> sure they had some.  It didn't give any information about what
> coloration (or discoloration) might actually mean.  It wants you to
> "Note" it, though.
>
> For each profiled vehicle, there is a place to input what repairs are
> made, the cost, by whom, warranty period, etc.  It has the capability to
>    record 40 repairs.  Heck, I do that many on mine during some months
> ... heheheheh.  Setting up a simple data base on your own will do a much
> better job.
>
> Bottom line?  The Vanagon List is a FAR better resource.  I'd say that
> 99% of the list members would find this program totally useless.
>
> Mike
> '84 GL 7 pass
> '85 GL Westy
> '00 Beetle
>
>
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