Episode 819 – Do You Pool Noodle?
Which Winch?
In Round Table Episode 816, we talked about winches.
One of the questions we asked was what was the best cheapest winch you had or had direct knowledge of.
Chuck first does a Jeeper need a winch? Nope!
Wendy, do you have to be a Jeeper that goes off-road to need a winch?
What winch recommendations do you have? How much should you spend?
Winching Safety- episode 434
Best Off Road Food!
One of the best things about camping is the food. It tastes better! I think it gets burned in that roaring campfire.
Pool Noodle!
Who takes their Jeep doors off?
Are you worried about scratching the paint on the bottom of the door when you set it down, usually to get a better grip?
Try pool noodles!
Check Engine light on?
Why is that stupid little light on? Again!
Ever wonder why that light comes on and how critical or important it is?
Most times it’s a simple little problem that requires some amount of attention.
Other times it can be a larger problem that requires a lot of attention and possibly money.
Until you know it’s annoying, aggravating and somewhat worrisome. Because some things just can’t be ignored.
So instead of putting black tape over the light on your dashboard, wouldn’t it be nice to know for sure?
To find out why that light is on you’ll need an OBDII scan tool. OBDII stands for On Board Diagnostic, 2nd generation. It is a way to communicate with your cars’ on-board diagnostic computer. Sorry Chuck these OBDII scanners wont work on your older jeeps – you need the original OBD
Unfortunately, it doesn’t speak English. It speaks in code. Like P0306, (cylinder 6 misfire0 or U0115, (Lost communication with ECM/PCM) and similar 4-digit number codes preceded by a letter designator.
Sometimes you can read these codes through your in-dash display. Every car is different but there is typically a series of button pushing, toe tapping the throttle pedal, standing on one foot, etc. Pretty much a pain in the a$$.
A simpler way is to read the code with a scan tool, then Google or YouTube the code to determine the cause of the fault.
You can take it to your local shop to have them read the code for you, or buy an OBDII scan tool for yourself. The shop will typically charge you an hour of labor. $75 to $150.
OR…buy yourself a scan tool that you can use forever.
You can download free apps on the iPhone or Android. Something like JScan which works for Mopar products like Jeeps, Chrysler, Dodge.
Then buy the Bluetooth device that plugs into the OBDII electrical connector under your dash. These run from about $31.99 up to $150.
Or you can buy a stand-alone OBDII scanner. These run from around $55 to several hundred or into the thousands.
Of course, each of these will give you more detailed information. So, depending on how mechanically inclined you feel or what you want to tackle on your own will help you set your budget.
Keep in mind that sometimes the “Check Engine” light only requires resetting the code. Each of these OBDII tools will be able to reset most codes once the issue is resolved.
Again, it all depends on how annoyed you are with that stupid light on your dashboard and how much effort you want to put into it.
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
Gladiator Alert! Gladiator Alert!
A few months back I told you about a way you can protect your Gladiator from those door lock checkers and catalytic thieves.
This is a short-range solution but it’s very inexpensive. I used a link vibration and shock sensor. It is internally battery-operated and lasts for a year on a single battery. It has a solid quarter-of-a-mile range.
It’s amazingly good at not going off every semi-loud noise.
I highly recommend this paired with your Amazon Echo for voice alerts directly on your phone or house-wide with your Amazon devices.
I also have motion sensors around the yard and even a garage door open and close.
Set it and forget it, until you receive the alert!