Well, I saw another one. A thread sounds like it's going to be about electrical troubleshooting. As soon as someone mentions getting a meter & actually checking the wires, he(she) acts like he shouldn't be expected to do that.

So here's my poll:
(PS. Happy Thanksgiving)

 

I voted for "learn to deal with wiring"

Unless you've got a Helms manual (see sig for link) and a DMM (digitial multi-meter), you are taking a shotgun approach to troubleshooting which can get expensive very quickly. A Helms costs ~$70 (and hell, you can find'em on the net these days in .pdf form, so now you really got no excuse for not having the correct information) and a decent meter for ~$50. These two items alone could solve, hmm...75% (and this is a low-ball estimate) of the problems people post about.

EDIT: Quick example: CEL is on showing Code 14 (IACV). Instead of having a Helms and meter, you quickly decide that the IACV has taken a **** and so you spend ~$75 for a new one. You replace it only to find out you've still got the problem and a new part that didn't solve anything. If you had the Helms (and meter) you could have quickly checked some things out only to find that your base idle speed is off, coolant isn't bled correctly, tight throttle cable or perhaps a vaccum leak. Can you see how having the right tools for the job can save time, money and patience?

The suggestions anyone makes besides "check for the obvious unconnected and busted stuff" or "take it apart and clean it", you need a meter to check for voltages and resistances (which include shorts and opens). There are no if's, and's, or but's about it.

Good poll Jim.

 

nah...screw it. just get an old-fashioned incandescent test light and start probing away.

Sounds like the expressions I get from people when I ask them if they've checked their fuses before bringing their stereo equipment in because it "doesn't work anymore."