On Thu, Sep 22, 2011 at 1:22 PM, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote:

> I wonder if there would be some other way to identify such a failure. I
> wouldn't mind having an audio alarm of some type in addition to the
> light for low coolant warning - but if a belt breaks and the pump stops
> turning  and pumping - like  you say - you may miss what the real
> problem is until it's to late. As a matter of fact - until you mentioned
> this, I don't think I had ever even thought  of it. Now I am aware, I
> know to stop immediately when that alternator light comes on and check
> things out.
>   It is astonishing
> the number of people who just get in their vehicles and just drive,
> never ever monitoring the engine until it acts up or quits.
>
> Do Happy Scanning, Have  Happy Driving!
>
> John
>
>
That is why they put things like flashing lights in most cars now....because
people aren't aware enough to actually use a gauge.  Hence, those flashing
warning lights, those blinking "Check Engine" notifications on your digital
dashboard...There is a reason those are fondly called "Idiot
Lights".....they wake up the Idiot who is driving the vehicle to the fact
that something is wrong with it....without confusing him/her with any data,
with any incremental knowledge like you might gain by monitoring a gauge..

  I get a kick out of the very new vehicles....they should just have a great
big flashing dollar sign...followed by a minus sign......because often, when
you get some indication of problems with your vehicle's operating
systems....it will not tell you what is wrong....you must take the vehicle
to the dealer to have him read the fault with his diagno$tic computer....at
a very high shop rate and probably appointment needed and 'do not drive this
vehicle if you see this warning...have it trucked to the dealer'....

  Personally, that overly-complex electrical circuitry in order to warn an
Idiot car owner....that is one of the reasons I so enjoy my old vanagon....I
can put actual working gauges on it and see things....as they happen...

  Don Hanson