How were DIY'ers fixing cars 15 years ago ?
 

Eventhough It's not a 'technical question', I am posting it here as it is directly related to the technology forum...

With all of the members here who are DIY'ers heavily relying upon the advice of other members, I am very curious to know how the information was being passed around 15 years ago or so when the internet forums werent so readily available and internet usage wasn't as common.
Having forums like this give us a sort of comfort level while owning an old benz, knowing there would be others to consult incase of problems.
Were the dealerships and indy shops basically generating great revenue in the absence of such forums and owners without much advice from others ?
just curious...

Things were simpler then. Still, we did more dive in and learn the hard way. Also, more folks relied on books.

Yes, books were available then!

ALSO there weren't computers controlling every item on those cars!

I'll tell you, it's only been the last 4 years or so that I started working on cars again...because of these forums.

Books really can't troubleshoot...and that's what I am not vary capable of....

The experienced people here bail me out in that arena..and your feedback gives me the confidence to get through a job.

Mods,
would it be possible to bring in and combine the other post (url below) to this one that's ongoing. we can delete the post in the open discussion forum.
thnx.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/off-topic-discussion/132887-how-were-diyers-fixing-cars-15-years-ago.html

Back in 1990 we were mechanics, not "technicians". Fuel injection systems were mechanical ( for the most part anyway ), transmissions were mechanical/hydraulic, climate control was pneumatic, etc. You could take things apart and see with your own eyes what was happening. In other words, anyone with a little knowledge and a lot of patience could figure out how things were supposed to work. The biggest difference between a professional and a DIY'er was the amount of time it took to do the job. Both could do quality work. Nowadays, due to the lack of technical expertise or diagnostic equipment, most DIY'ers can't even attempt some jobs.


If someone told me fifteen years ago that things would be the way they are today I wouldn't have believed them. Still, the technology used in modern MB's is amazing, although it's understandable that some find it a bit intimidating.

Speak for yourself. 15 years ago, I worked for Cadillac. Digital fuel injection, On-board diagnostics you could access without a scan tool (including climate control paramaters) with freeze-frame data. Multiple computer modules with a data buss. Everything from the alternator to the 'Trunk Lid Ajar' message controlled by computer. Interior lights that only worked when it was dark enough to need 'em. Semi-active suspension. Etc.

and that explains a lot about cadillac... :pukeface:

It's a well known fact, as we get older we experience diminishing intelligence, i.e. we get more stupid.
Hence, 15 years ago we were sooooooooo much smarter. :D

Hardly. Caddy stuff works. Compare to the balky bells and whistles on MBs the last 15 years. :rolleyes:

I wonder how many of those 15 year old Cadillacs are still running today.

That's exactly the stuff (actually the lack of reliability of that stuff) that earned Caddy their horrendous reputation for quality. A reputation they are still struggling to overcome.

What's a real tragedy, is that same "bells & whistles" approach is what's dragged MB down to the sorry state they're in today.

Jeff Pierce

Back then you could get a shop manual for any car. Now you get "sorry, no books any more, but for a bunch of money you can get a POS CD rom with nothing useful in it." Not progress.

Mike

A quick look through E-bay pulled up plenty. I'd suspect they are no better than MBs at surviving neglect, though.

Scarey thought: The Allente has become a collectors item.

I would hate to have to keep all that electronic clap-trap working on an old car. I'm afraid that current MBs will be just as bad in 15 years. With any luck, I'll still be driving my 123s :) .