Pickup Truck Dilemma, Fix Old or Buy New?

[buckle97]

The speed sensor is located in the overdrive gear case.

Thanks for the pics and explanation. I'll let you know what I find out.

 

[Sackett2]

Buckle, I don't believe you mentioned that before.... but regardless, I urge caution depending on tha results of and Autozone test... there are various grades of testers and they use the cheap ones... it's been my experience that they invaribl point to the oxy. sensor... trouble is, those things can be pricy and there are more than one on most vehicles.. Okidokers?

Cheap or expensive scan tools do the same thing. they read the codes set in the computer. a real cheap on may just give you a number you look up; a slightly higher priced one would give you the code description. expensive ones let you access extra diag features.

a code is saying to you the car is sick. Proper diag tells you what is wrong
System lean bank 1 (p0171), COULD be a bad MAF sensor, bad o2 sensor, or if its a ford a intake leak-

Don't judge the scan tool, judge the operator. What training does autozone give to guys to read a code?

 

[mlauk]

If you are a decent mechanic, get the code from Autozone, buy the service manual and diagnosis it yourself. If you can't figure it out, bring it to the dealer, at least you will have a general idea of what is wrong. It could be something simple and you can save a lot of money doing it yourself.

 

[workinallthetime]

Cheap or expensive scan tools do the same thing. they read the codes set in the computer. a real cheap on may just give you a number you look up; a slightly higher priced one would give you the code description. expensive ones let you access extra diag features.

a code is saying to you the car is sick. Proper diag tells you what is wrong
System lean bank 1 (p0171), COULD be a bad MAF sensor, bad o2 sensor, or if its a ford a intake leak-

Don't judge the scan tool, judge the operator. What training does autozone give to guys to read a code?

A-MEN BROTHER

 

[Ron D.]

Buckle97, sorry to hear about the problems. The posts above offer great advice. I also subscrib to the theory that a better scanner will certainly give you better and more indepth info than an inexpensive one.

I have a used car/vehicle dealership and sell a lot of trucks. I'm going into my 5th year and it has been my experience that Dodge truck transmissions often start having problems at around the mileage you have. The Chevys and Fords just don't seem to have the trans problems that Dodges have. I carry my own financing and often have to reposess. Of my last five Dodge truck repos, four needed trans with mileage around 150,000. When I sold these units, each was thoroughly serviced including fresh trans fluid and performed well. I have gotten where I will not buy a Dodge truck with mileage around 100K because of the bad luck I've had with them.

I'm not knocking the vehicle, just stating my personal experience with Dodge trucks with mileage similar to yours. That being said, I get complete trans rebuilds for about $850 with a one yr warranty. I'm not suggesting that your trans is bad, just want to give you info to help you with your "Fix or buy new" dilemma. The 5.9 V-8 is a good engine if it's been maintained, so that should not be a weak spot going forward. I haven't had real good luck with the 4.7 liter, however.

Hope this helps give you a little more info in trying to decide what to do.

 

[ChevyHDGert]

I haven't read all the replies, so forgive me if this has been brought up.

If you would get a newer used truck, what would you do with your current truck?

Just saying that if you would trade it in or sell it out right, then you would most likely have to get it fixed anyways. And if you get it fixed, then you might as well keep it if you would want to.

 

[buckle97]

Hope this helps give you a little more info in trying to decide what to do.

Thanks for the advice, Ron.

If you would get a newer used truck, what would you do with your current truck? Just saying that if you would trade it in or sell it out right, then you would most likely have to get it fixed anyways.

If I decide to sell I would fix the "problems" which are not terribly expensive, but I wouldn't put any extra money into things like tires, windshield, radio, and probably not even replace the u-joints.

 

[CurlyDave]

so what did you get for 200.00? Im thinking a little more than just a code read, 8-9 years ago i doubt the labor rate was 200.00 an hour.

I got a code read and the advice that "if it happens again, bring it back".

I bought the code reader so I could ignore that advice.

 

[WilliamBos]

I agree with others. Fix it and drive it another year. Having money in the bank while the economy recovers is a good feeling, as opposed to a huge truck payment, and a zero balance. These deals are not going away over night.



JMHO.

 

[workinallthetime]

so what did you get for 200.00? Im thinking a little more than just a code read, 8-9 years ago i doubt the labor rate was 200.00 an hour.

I got a code read and the advice that "if it happens again, bring it back".

I bought the code reader so I could ignore that advice.

Thats unfortunate, its people like that that give dealers a bad rep. I will usually not charge if all they want is a code read and if they want true diag its 88 bucks for an hours worth which is applied to the repair if they want me to fix it. Most people dont relaize how mechanics are paid, they are paid by the job not the hour, so if the job pays an hour and they get it done in 45 minuteds they get an hour, if it takes them 3 hours they still only get an hour. The bad thing is they may only spend 30 minutes working on the car the rest is spent chasin the car, getting parts prices, looking up codes and schematics, and explining the problem to the writter. The system has serious flaws but no one cares to fix them, as a mechainc who is now in the office i am able to help both customers and the techs. The automotive repair business is running out of new bodies to fill the current demand, kids dont want to work on cars anymore and the level of common sense most of us grew up with is going away with every generation. I would imagine in the next 20 years or so we are going to be paying crazy prices to get anyone to look at our units.