In this blast from the past edition of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, he opens discussing several automotive issues, focusing on diagnostics and repair advice.

1. Driveability Issues: Ron compares diagnosing cars to Forrest Gump's famous line, "life is like a box of chocolates," saying driveability issues are unpredictable. He shares two examples from his shop:

   • A 2004 Volkswagen Touareg with a check engine light on for months and a lean fuel system code. The owner walked in with a scan tool, stating the issue and asking for a fix. Ron emphasizes the importance of mechanics conducting a thorough diagnosis rather than relying on the customer’s assumptions.
   • An 2008 Ford Fusion with a rolling idle problem, which after several diagnostics, was determined to likely have a bad throttle body. However, Ron notes the uncertainty in automotive repairs, where even clear diagnoses might not be the full story.

2. Handling Mechanic Conversations: Ron advises car owners to be clear about their concerns and to trust the expertise of the mechanic. He also suggests that the owner must have realistic expectations since repairs often involve educated guesses and problem-solving.

3. Callers' Car Problems:

   • Rick in New Haven describes a sticking brake caliper on his 2001 Buick Century. Ron explains that a sticking caliper would cause the car to pull to one side and recommends inspecting the brakes before the situation worsens.
   • Paul in Norway discusses a 2001 Toyota Camry that starts, runs briefly, and then shuts down. Ron suggests diagnosing whether the car has spark and injector pulse to narrow down the issue.
   • John in Shadyside, Ohio calls about a 1983 Honda Civic with a faulty fuel level sender. The part is unavailable, and Ron offers a creative solution: replacing the sender with a similar one from another car model, explaining how the sender works as a variable resistor in the fuel gauge circuit.

4. Car News and Advice: Ron briefly mentions the unveiling of the 2016 Buick , a sleek convertible aimed at competing with European cars. He highlights the car's impressive design, especially its fast-operating top, which opens in just 17 seconds.

Throughout the show, Ron stresses the importance of understanding how car systems work and how to approach repairs, suggesting that even when parts are unavailable, solutions can often be found with a bit of ingenuity.

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