This is a Photoshop AI created image, AI is really stupid. It gave the man three arms. Yesterday I could have really used a 3rd arm! |
Just a quick update.
I was able to track down the last remaining electrical issue with the car yesterday afternoon. The engine did throw a P1116 code, which is Honda speak for temperature sensor voltage not in range (an analog problem - not digital problem). This told me I could rule out the digital instrument panel and ECU.
There are several subsystems, like a desk computer has a disk drive, a printer etc. The car has an Engine Control Unit (ECU it's like the main computer), Instrument cluster system (it looks analog but is really digital), ABS subsystem, Variable traction system, etc. My fear was it was a blown ECU, which means a dealer fix. They are not cheap to replace. A blown instrument panel is not cheap either. You can get used ones but you still need dealer level diagnostic tools to program a recycled ECU with the VIN and mileage and to turn off the vehicle immobilizing function (an anti-theft thing) so that's not really an option. Those tools are much cheaper than they used to be but still run $800-1000. Trust me I priced them in my research.
I replaced the sensor, checked electrical continuity (a wire break) and it looked fine. I was still getting a fast idle, with a rough engine with a rich fuel mixture (my old mechanic in Kingsland lied about the importance of this sensor). I did the idle relearn procedure. I then bought a 2nd sensor from a different parts store (you can get a dud part), still no joy.
My next try was to replace the sensor plug socket on the wiring harness. I had an electrical plug from an old part on my work bench so I cut the old plug socket off, soldered the replacement in and put shrink tube insulation on it.
I tested the engine, didn't seem to improve at first, I cleared the engine codes, then restarted the engine and as it warmed up the engine temperature gauge came back to life! I was soooo happy! It was a bad plug connection! Why was it bad?. I don't know! Fried? The wires are pretty fine in that cable. I still have a couple of plastic pieces to put on the bumper and in the right fender well.
I did give a couple of ride share rides last night and it ran like a charm! Engine was smooth and fast. I forgot how much I enjoyed this car! I will be going out again tonight once I get the last plastic parts installed.
It really looks like my vehicle was hit by an EMP (I think a natural one based on solar activity). To recap, I had a blown alternator, a blown battery, and a non-working coolant temperature sensor. And this all happened in about 5 minutes of each other, fortunately the battery lived long enough to get me home. My belt tensioner was also frozen (due to age of the hydraulic portion) and would not budge. I hired a mechanic to install that. Engine compartment space was too tight for me to install it.
On a Meta level it was not wasted time. I had time to reflect on a lot of things. I came to some realizations about attachments, they seem to always come from a mindset of lack or not loving oneself. If you love yourself, value what you are, there's nothing that anyone can say or do that can hurt you long term. I had time to rest my body during some huge inflows of energy. There were days after the car broke down it was all I could do to get out of bed, I wasn't depressed. I was exhausted. Since 2013 I have become very sensitive to energy flows, my body vibrates in a non-visible way when they are strong. I feel it.
My cat got some well deserved bonding time and he's now brave enough to go explore the woods in daylight around the spring where the turkeys and squirrels live. He seems much happier. Cats are creatures of curiosity, affection and routine. Nature requires them to sleep a lot, so they don't over hunt. Or maybe the just like dreaming? I really wouldn't know.
I got a surprising positive download about a loved one. Had a couple of "heart tech" gifts activate, one yesterday morning that I am still processing as I wasn't expecting it. I am not even sure I am certain what I saw. We'll see how that goes! Expect the unexpected they told me!
Thanks to you all for getting me through this time. It seemed like a simple problem at first. There was nothing simple about any of it.
It's wonderful to be mobile again! I'm broke but I can work and go to the grocery store now.