Now I did it!

[steelslaver]

My RV trailer's furnace quit working. I read around and found out that the fan was not coming on and the fan must start before it will turn on the gas and hit the igniters. Fix is a new control board. I found and bought one for about $100 and installed it Which fixed the problem. Being a curious guy and having spend a year in college studying electronics and several more years fixing copy machines I traced the fan motor wire connector to a small relay on the original board., had the number right on top of it. I ordered another relay from an electronics supply for about $12. Little time with a solder sucker and then an iron and replaced it. Then I replaced the new board in the furnace with it and as it works fine, the new board is in a drawer as a back up.

I have no doubt the RV service center would have nailed me for hundreds. If you have done one you could change the board again in a hour max.

 

[SMSgt]

For every $50 I save repairing something by myself, it costs $300 for the repairman to fix the damage.

 

[LVSteve]

For every $50 I save repairing something by myself, it costs $300 for the repairman to fix the damage.

What's that thing about a man knowing his limits?

 

[old bear]

Just up dated Info,

So how have the simple fixes in your life been going!

Just fine. I always step back and call the Guy. Then I pop a cold one, and watch a Pro work

Under the heading of being careful of what you say. My garbage disposal just went belly up Plumber set to arrive on the 27th, at 0730 hrs

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Under the heading of being careful of what you say. My garbage disposal just went belly up Plumber set to arrive on the 27th, at 0730 hrs

I estimate I replaced or installed new well over 2000 disposals! When I was still active, a 20 to 30 minute job. I had 25-year veteran maintenance men that could do it in 3 hours flat! I carried a ISE Badger 1 in my truck, usually 2 on Mondays! The 1970's models just rotted apart around 1995-2005. You would go to unstick the thing and it would twist in half about one inch below the sink mount. The replacements had a thermo-plastic body in that weak area, if they don't burn out the motor, they should be good for 50 years!

Ivan

 

[lihpster]

I estimate I replaced or installed new well over 2000 disposals! When I was still active, a 20 to 30 minute job. I had 25-year veteran maintenance men that could do it in 3 hours flat!

I've only replaced 3. Not a plumber, not a trained maintenance man. Just a redneck with a toolbox. Longest it took me was about 45 minutes.

 

[Derosa]

Why repair it? Just sell the place and move to Texas. Everyone else is doing it. Then start a new career here - we need legal skilled tradesmen.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Why repair it? Just sell the place and move to Texas. Everyone else is doing it. Then start a new career here - we need legal skilled tradesmen.

I love it in Texas! But I don't speak enough Spanish to order pizza! My oldest lived in Beeville for 6 or 8 years, my grandkids went to a little Catholic school, I saw my granddaughter's 3rd grade class picture, she was the only BLONDE!
I just got all the kids and grandkids within 500 miles of me, I'm not interested in moving another 800-900 miles away.

Ivan

 

[oink]

The alternator on my high mileage 2005 Hyundai Tucson died. The mechanic wanted 8 to 9 hundred bucks to replace it. He advised the cost was because the book called for removal of the engine to change to alternator. Probably more than the car is worth. Youtube rescued me. I found out I could remove the right front wheel and some other small parts and then with some difficulty get the alternator off. So i ordered an OEM alternator off Rock Auto for about $100 and changed it out. Admittedly it was a bit of a pain but I did it with the use of only a few french words and not too much time. So I'm still driving the piece of junk with about 200k.

 

[LVSteve]

The alternator on my high mileage 2005 Hyundai Tucson died. The mechanic wanted 8 to 9 hundred bucks to replace it. He advised the cost was because the book called for removal of the engine to change to alternator. Probably more than the car is worth. Youtube rescued me. I found out I could remove the right front wheel and some other small parts and then with some difficulty get the alternator off. So i ordered an OEM alternator off Rock Auto for about $100 and changed it out. Admittedly it was a bit of a pain but I did it with the use of only a few french words and not too much time. So I'm still driving the piece of junk with about 200k.

If that's been your only serious failure in 18 years and 200k miles, I'd hardly call it junk.

 

[Golddollar]

I've only replaced 3. Not a plumber, not a trained maintenance man. Just a redneck with a toolbox. Longest it took me was about 45 minutes.

My late father and I changed out the garbage disposal in my first house. We made sure to put in a stainless steel 3/4 horsepower unit so that we wouldn't have to do it again.

 

[SMSgt]

What's that thing about a man knowing his limits?

My wife often asks if I can do something--make something, fix something, etc. I say yes, but it will look like I did it. That usually takes care of the request.

 

[walkin jack]

I'm not what you'd call "handy". Oh, I can do a few things but nothing too complex and no heavy lifting. My hands have further reduced the number of thing I can manage.

Two things I despise:
. Plumbing - I have changed out many, many, sinks, faucet, and garbage disposals. I don't fit under the sink any more and I've always had trouble finding a way to swing a wrench on those jobs

. Electricity - Years ago I made deal with electricity. I leave it alone and it leaves me alone.

 

[oink]

If that's been your only serious failure in 18 years and 200k miles, I'd hardly call it junk.

Yeah, other than the AC (no, not me) and front end parts it has been.

Lots of little stuff though. windshield washer pump, Door stops, switches in doors, including the drivers cluster, window motors, all exterior door latches, drivers door power mechanism, hatch struts, oh yeah the struts, etc., etc.

The rear door latches were, believe it or not, the most aggravating. Not the longest time wise but the most french inducing. Lets not forget the computer relay that was near impossible to diagnose.

But overall it's been pretty reliable. Fairly peppy (V6) but not the best mileage. I think all of the new ones are turbo 4s. I'm still not a turbo fan. It's primary role has been taken over by a Rav4.

 

[nicky4968]

Never, ever try to replace the bulb in the headlamp of a Suzuki Forenza.