Re: [DML] Serious Megasquirt Question

["content22207" <brobertson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The issue is not whether I would need a tow after hitting a deer -- the issue is whether I should rely on AAA (which I do have, thank you very much) in lieu of the spare tire my car came with by DMC design, even moreso my upgraded real tire.

I carry a variety of spares that are neither expensive nor cumbersome, but will ensure that I can continue traveling in case of failure rather than sitting around waiting for a tow (after which they would still need to be procured in an unfamiliar location and replaced): fuel pump, water pump belt, relays, and even an accelerator cable. By leaving the Bosch ignition module in place when I upgraded to Ford ignition, it too became a spare.

Here's a good question: can anyone seriously argue that my spares are harmful or detrimental? The spare tire is rather heavy, so I suppose someone could argue a weight penalty. All the other spares fit into the driver side cubby and probably weigh less than the door lock solenoids I threw away -- break even weight.

Bill Robertson
#5939

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "jtrealtywebspannet" <jtrealty@...> wrote:
>
> The reality is that there can be reasons even Bill Robertson could need to be towed. An auto accident (through no fault of his own of course), hitting a deer for instance. In such a case even the crummy service offered by 3A will be OK. In some States you are serviced not by 3A but a tow company that works with 3A. They are rated and associated with 3A but they are an independent company. I am sure there are bad things that can be said about any organization as large as 3A but for the most part they are pretty good. The whole point here is that you need back-up and contingency plans especially if you intend to drive a 30 year old car long distances. It also wouldn't hurt to have some cash and a credit card. Some towing companies (not 3A) will not unhook you till you come up with cash. This can happen on some highways where 3A is not allowed. They figure as soon as you pay with a card you will put it into dispute and stiff them. 3A is very good about that part, the companies they deal with will take your plastic. 3A is not the only travel club, it is just the largest and most well known.
> David Teitelbaum
> 
> --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "DarkStar Media" <darkstarmedia@> wrote:
> >
> > In that rare case u can usually call another tow company and AAA will
> > reimburse you.  In one case where I was about 80 miles away from my
> > destination, AAA's company for that area wouldn't send a driver because they
> > did not want to drive that far.
> > 
> > I called another tow company (as instructed) and AAA took care of me after
> > the fact.
> > 
> > Also keep in mind that AAA is different  from state to state.
> > 
> > Richard
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
> > Stephen Rice
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:15 AM
> > To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: [DML] Serious Megasquirt Question
> > 
> >   
> > 
> > The driver can deny to tow your car. I've been there and I canceled AAA
> > shortly after that incident.
> > 
> > -Steve Rice
> > #16510
> > 
> > On Tue, Apr 24, 2012 at 11:04 AM, DarkStar Media <darkstarmedia@
> > <mailto:darkstarmedia%40comcast.net> > wrote:
> > > Actually AAA will tow you wherever you want to go.  If you elect to 
> > > have yourself towed to a closed tire shop, who's fault is it?
> > >
> > > Richard
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>  
> > > [mailto:dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com> ] 
> > > On Behalf Of
> > > content22207
> > > Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 12:21 AM
> > > To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > Subject: Re: [DML] Serious Megasquirt Question
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > As I explained in Message #84549 I have two ignition modules in my 
> > > car: the Duraspark module that is my primary ignition controller, and 
> > > the original Bosch unit which is currently sitting idle. Because no 
> > > wiring mods were made, I can switch between them at will: if the 
> > > Duraspark unit ever fails, all I have to do is plug the Bosch module in
> > and get right back on the road.
> > >
> > > Duraspark modules are of course stock items at all parts houses, but 
> > > that wouldn't do me any good after hours (like now: I've just gotten 
> > > in from a nocturnal drive back to North Carolina).
> > >
> > > I also carry a full size 50,000 mile steel belted radial spare tire. 
> > > If I ever get a flat tire in the middle of the night (or during 
> > > daylight hours on a weekend), I can get right back on the road. I 
> > > could drive through state after state after state on my spare, at 
> > > highway speeds, if necessary. I did drive all over the DC area on it 
> > > once looking for an in stock 235/60-15 tire (sliced sidewall -- no way 
> > > to repair that). Note that AAA will only tow you to one tire shop and 
> > > leave you there -- if the shop is closed, or if they don't have your 
> > > tire size in stock, you're screwed. Any owner who doesn't carry a 
> > > usable spare tire is just asking for trouble, especially with pavement 
> > > coming apart these days (the jagged edge of a pothole claimed my 
> > > sidewall). There also is a lot of crap on the roads that can puncture a
> > tire (does AAA plug tires on the side of the road?).
> > >
> > > Bill Robertson
> > > #5939
> > >
> > > --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>
> > <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com> , "Owen"
> > > <omalbec@> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> What is your contingency plan today should your stock Ignition 
> > >> Control
> > > Unit craps out (it is 30+ years old after all)? Or your stock RPM 
> > > relay? Or your fuel pump? Or.... we can play this game all night. It 
> > > doesn't matter one iota if your fuel delivery is mechanical if your 
> > > spark control is electronic.
> > >>
> > >> I for one believe that whether one is K-Jetted, carburetted or EFI'd, 
> > >> AAA
> > > or classic insurance with towing package is probably a prudent 
> > > investment. I don't care what your fueling mechanism, if you lose your 
> > > spark control, you're screwed.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>  
> > >> <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com> ,
> > > "content22207" <brobertson@> wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> > I mean controller replacement. My little brother had to replace the
> > > onboard computer in his Oldsmobile not too long ago. For some reason 
> > > the thing died while he was at work.
> > >> >
> > >> > Onboard electronics do die. I helped a DeLorean owner last year 
> > >> > whose
> > > Bosch ignition module had died (his dead ECU donated the harness 
> > > connector for the adapter my Duraspark module is using).
> > >> >
> > >> > All electronic devices are subject to failure. It is 
> > >> > unrealistically
> > > optimistic to claim that one's own devices will never fail. If I was 
> > > totally dependent upon an onboard controller for my fuel delivery, I 
> > > would definitely have a contingency plan.
> > >> >
> > >> > Bill Robertson
> > >> > #5939
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>  
> > >> > <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com> ,
> > > "DarkStar Media" <darkstarmedia@> wrote:
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Define "dies"...
> > >> > >
> > >> > > If the computer shorts out it's dead anyway and no laptop or 
> > >> > > phone will do anything about it, just like any ECU.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Baring that they are extremely reliable and once setup just run 
> > >> > > and
> > > run.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > If there is a re-boot while running (usually only if you are 
> > >> > > screwing with
> > >> > > it) you see a hiccup but the MS ECU tends to recover before the 
> > >> > > engine drops more than 100rpm (think slight stumble).
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Richard
> > >> > >
> > >> > > -----Original Message-----
> > >> > > From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>  
> > >> > > <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>
> > >> > > [mailto:dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> > >> > > <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>  
> > >> > > <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>
> > >> > > ] On Behalf Of
> > >> > > content22207
> > >> > > Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 3:31 PM
> > >> > > To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>  
> > >> > > <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>
> > >> > > Subject: [DML] Serious Megasquirt Question
> > >> > >
> > >> > >
> > >> > >
> > >> > > If the onboard controller dies, do you have to reload all the 
> > >> > > fuel maps from scratch? If so, is there a smartphone interface so 
> > >> > > you don't have to upload them from a laptop?
> > >> > >
> > >> > > I'm thinking about what happens if the controller dies while 
> > >> > > you're on a trip.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > On my own car I am only dependent upon the ignition ECU, and I 
> > >> > > carry a spare for that (Duraspark is my primary ECU and the 
> > >> > > original Bosch unit is my backup).
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Bill Robertson
> > >> > > #5939
> > >> > >
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------------
> > >
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> > >
> > >
> > >
> > 
> > --
> > Steve Rice
> > #16510
> >
>




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