At least the old Plymouth runs...

[TodFitch]

I normally bicycle to work but last night coming home I broke a spoke. So today I'll go by the bicycle store and pick up some.

But then last night while driving some errands the 2004 (purchased 2003) decided that all of its warning lights, including brake malfunction needed to be on. So that got dropped off at the dealer this morning.

Which left me with one operable set of wheels, so the 1933 DeLuxe is now outside in the company parking lot. At least it runs.

Hurray for 76 year old technology!

[Young Ed]

Tod just be careful and don't do what I did while using the plymouth for getting to work duty

[TodFitch]

Tod just be careful and don't do what I did while using the plymouth for getting to work duty

And just what was it that you did?

[Young Ed]

Thats how/when I crashed my car.

[BobT-47P15]

We used to call the result of such an event, "custom by crunch".......

[greg g]

Hey Tod, here is a bet for you...your Daily driver's situation will be related to the alternator. I just spent an inordanent amount of money to have the O2 sensor on my wife's car. Then on the way home, the lights started flashing, the radio went out, and the day time running lights were blinking itermitantly, accompanied by the brake warning, and the battery warning. So I got home and checked the alternator (original with 91000 mile) and sure enough it was only putting out 10 to 11.5 volts. Just finished swapping i a remaufactured unit and all the inicators are now back to normal.

Now I gotta wonder if the money I spent to replace the 02 unecessary as the problem was due to low voltage effecting the ECU (they don't like voltage variations I have heard)

So coincidence, bad karma, or old age???? But when lights start flashing randomly on OBD II cars, I gonna put my money on the charging system.

Did I mention I hate OBD II systems. So here is a tip for all you folks operating vehicles with check engine lights on:

Check the charing systems output. If it falls below that 14.5 lever, it gonna cause issues.

[TodFitch]

Hey Tod, here is a bet for you...your Daily driver's situation will be related to the alternator. I just spent an inordanent amount of money to have the O2 sensor on my wife's car. Then on the way home, the lights started flashing, the radio went out, and the day time running lights were blinking itermitantly, accompanied by the brake warning, and the battery warning. So I got home and checked the alternator (original with 91000 mile) and sure enough it was only putting out 10 to 11.5 volts. Just finished swapping i a remaufactured unit and all the inicators are now back to normal.

Now I gotta wonder if the money I spent to replace the 02 unecessary as the problem was due to low voltage effecting the ECU (they don't like voltage variations I have heard)

So coincidence, bad karma, or old age???? But when lights start flashing randomly on OBD II cars, I gonna put my money on the charging system.

Did I mention I hate OBD II systems. So here is a tip for all you folks operating vehicles with check engine lights on:

Check the charing systems output. If it falls below that 14.5 lever, it gonna cause issues.

I don't take bets which is a shame as in this case I'd be collecting from you.

First, the car has no alternator. There are two motor/generators and the 12v accessory power comes from a 12v accessory battery that is charged by an inverter off 200v traction power system.

Dealer just called and they claim the problem is with the traction/high voltage batteries and that it will be repaired under warranty. Doing a search I have come up with this:

Toyota says its out-of-warranty battery replacement rate is 0.003 percent—or one out of 40,000 Priuses—for the second generation Prius.

So it is pretty rare to have them fail.

[greg g]

Oh so, i didn't know you were talking High bread, I thought you were talking white bread. All know about them is that sticker under the back seat that says something like "Warning!!!! Access to this compartment by unathorized or untrained individuals may result in injusy or death!!! I don't want that under my back seat just yet.

[Don Coatney]

Which left me with one operable set of wheels, so the 1933 DeLuxe is now outside in the company parking lot. At least it runs.

Hurray for 76 year old technology!

Tod;

Glad your Plymouth got you where you need to be. Just a few minutes ago I discovered there are hazzards to driving old cars.

When I hopped into Richies Hudson while at Tims party he killed the engine and said we have an unwanted guest to remove before we hit the road. There was a wasp attached to the inside of the whindshield. Using all my bravery and such I grabbed it by the wings and tossed it out the window. Richie was amazed and gave me a grin.

So a few minutes ago I was out for a 20 mile cruise. As I was driving along really enjoying the way my engine was running I felt a slam on my left arm as it was hanging out the window and a sudden and rapid heat sensation. I looked and a wasp had hit my arm and nailed me good. Not wanting to crash I flicked it off and it went right. I thought all was well and good and I looked down and the wasp was hanging on the front of my shirt. I pulled the same move as I did in Richies car and grabbed it and tossed it out the window. As I write this my arm is all swelled up and hurts like hell.

[steveplym]

Ouch Don. I hate wasps, the wife is scared to death of them. When I first started reading that I thought you were going to say a bird hit you. I was cruising along last summer and a bird hit my vent window. That was a good wake up call. Didn't hurt it, but scared the heck out of me.

[Norm's Coupe]

Don,

Not good. Hope you're not allergic to the sting. That could be bad. We had one in my wife's car last summer on the way home. But.......luckily it was on the rear hatch window of her car. Pulled off to the side of the freeway, opened the hatch and brushed it out of the car with the snow brush that was in the trunk. I usually keep the windows up on my car when parked just to keep the bee's out of it. They are terrible up here in the summer the last few years.

[greg g]

If you have an antihistamine for colds or allergy take one. The wasp venom is basically ahistimine, with blood ad tissue softeners, think meat tenderizer. It also has a nerve toxin in it. If ine doesn't do it you could prolly take two.

If you can't pee in the morning don't blame me. Seems antihistimines have a side effect of swelling the prostate. Don;t ask me how I know.

[Captain Neon]

If Don were allergic to wasp stings he'd know by now. Anaphylactic shock kicks-in in minutes. First time I was ever stung by a bee, I was working on my roof alone. My uncle is allergic to bee sting so I've always done my best to avoid bees. I can confidently say that I am not allergic to bees. I'd have died on my roof otherwise.

[TodFitch]

If Don were allergic to wasp stings he'd know by now. Anaphylactic shock kicks-in in minutes. First time I was ever stung by a bee, I was working on my roof alone. My uncle is allergic to bee sting so I've always done my best to avoid bees. I can confidently say that I am not allergic to bees. I'd have died on my roof otherwise.

Actually, exposure can cause sensitivity. So even if someone has not been allergic to bee stings in the past they might have an allergic reaction to one the next time. I became much more cautious about bees and wasps when I learned that.

I clearly recall one time when I still lived in Maryland where I was cruising down a back road on a warm day with the windshield swung open and my right hand casually holding the top of the steering wheel. I happened to be wearing a long sleeve shirt and a bee came in the open windshield and the air flow injected it right up my sleeve. Got lucky that time as the bee and I parted company without me being stung.

[Don Coatney]

If you have an antihistamine for colds or allergy take one. The wasp venom is basically ahistimine, with blood ad tissue softeners, think meat tenderizer. It also has a nerve toxin in it. If ine doesn't do it you could prolly take two.

If you can't pee in the morning don't blame me. Seems antihistimines have a side effect of swelling the prostate. Don;t ask me how I know.

Fortunately I have been fending off a sinus infection for the past week so the doctor has me pumped full of antihistamines. The last time I was stung by a bee several years back I did have a more severe reaction with a lot of swelling. No noticable swelling this time just a burning sensation. The burning did not last long.

[Norm's Coupe]

Don,

Glad to hear the sting didn't cause any real problems. That said, you might want to consider not putting your arm out the window like that when driving. Not so much about being stung by the bee though, but for safety reasons. I remember a friend of my fathers years ago in the early 50's. Remember him for two reasons. One he had lost an eye in WWII and had a glass one. To a 5 to 7 year old kid, that looked kind of weird. Second because he was also minus his left arm. Just a stub that was just a few inches down from the shoulder. He lost that arm in an auto accident. He had his arm resting on the door as you did and was sideswiped by another car. When that happened it took his arm with it. That's why I've never rested my arm on the door like that. I know a lot of people (especially our age group) hangs that arm out like that. But, every time I see that, it reminds me of my fathers friend with the glass eye and one arm.

[Young Ed]

I always hang my arm out the window. Its the only way to ride :0

[bigred48]

Don' date='

He lost that arm in an auto accident. He had his arm resting on the door as you did and was sideswiped by another car. When that happened it took his arm with it. [/quote']

That is kinda scary because that is the only way I drive.

I always hang my arm out the window. Its the only way to ride :0

Do you slap the door when you want to go faster?

[Young Ed]

No but I do give her the occasional pat on the dash when she's behaving well