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The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland Tennessee (TN) and Bradley County Tennessee (Tn).
Of Bradley County Tn.
MARCH 2005
The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland and Bradley County Tn.
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HOME
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BACK ISSUE ARCHIVE
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EDITORIALS
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LETTERS
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CONTACT US
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Dear JB,
My 1994 S-10 Pickup truck recently quit running. I thought it was the fuel pump, so I replaced it. I guess I was right since it ran for about 20 minutes after I put the new pump in, but to my surprise it quit again and
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won't restart. I can hear the fuel pump relay click when I turn the key, but I don't hear the pump running. Any ideas?
signed,
Frustrated in Lafayette
Dear Frustrated,
Good idea replacing the fuel pump. It is 11 years old and probably needed replacing. To dig a little deeper, though, let's look at exactly what happens to the electrical circuit as fuel pumps age. The relay should usually be replaced along with the pump. There are contacts inside the relay which can become corroded after a few thousand starts. Also, there is wiring inside the fuel tank which can fail. Even
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though it is specially engineered to withstand being submerged in gasoline, I have seen many of these units, called fuel pump modules, fail. Last, but not least, don't rule out a bad ground connection on the frame rail. These can become corroded or loosen up over time and lead to these aggravating no-start conditions.
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Dear JB,
I always thought Honda made good cars. That's what their TV ads say! So, four years ago I bought an Accord - V6, leather, the works. I have enjoyed driving it until I took it in for the 90,000 mile service. Now, the mechanic wants to replace the timing belt, water pump, hoses, flush the cooling system and replace the CV axles. On top of that he says it needs a tune-up, which I can understand, since it has been a little sluggish lately. Why am I having to pour all this money into a "good" car?
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signed,
Can't Afford This Accord
Dear Baron LePennyPinch,
You only got 90,000 miles of trouble-free driving pleasure out of this heap? I will look for your story to appear on 60 Minutes. Actually, with the exception of the CV axles, everything your mechanic specified for replacement came right out of the manufactures recommended replacement schedule. These things are recommended with your best interests in mind and for your protection. For example, the timing belt job could be put off until the belt breaks, but then you would have to replace your engine. The same goes for the water pump since it is driven by the timing belt. I suspect the axles are being recommended because of broken outer boots. Good call on the part of the mechanic. It sounds like your service work is being done by someone who is genuinely interested in you and your car. Instead of complaining about it you should thank him.
JB Griffin is an ASE Certified Master Technician. He owns and operates JB's Japanese and American Auto Repair in Evensville, Tennessee. You may e-mail your car questions to jeepster1515@yahoo.com (mailto:Jeepster1515@yahoo.com). Be sure to watch him on WDEF News Channel 12 each Thursday morning at 7:30 AM. You can have your questions answered live! Listen to The Saturday Morning Garage on Saturday mornings from 7-9 on WGOW 102.3 FM where you will have the opportunity to have more of your questions answered by JB, Steve Ray and Don Britton.
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