Running Bear's November 2025 Coffee Shop

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kbkchooch said:
Typically tire pressure sensors only last 5-7 years. The easy way to check them is to pull them up on your dash. If any of them read with a blank or -- then the little battery inside has died. The batteries are not serviceable so the sensor has to go. I generally replace them every time I replace the tires. Find out what the OEM part number is, then Google search it. I get OEM sensors from Rock Auto for less than what I can buy them for from the dealer. I try to stay away from the Amazon el-cheapo sensors.
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@troyphoto That is an expert answer.

I've replaced all my valve stems with standard (no sensor) metal valve stems. I had an OE valve stem leak. I am compulsive about using my Craftsman digital tire gauge. It is easy with my Milton Double Seal Valve Caps. I'm old and stuck in my ways. I simply ignore the tire warning on the dash and stay off my lawn!

@kbkchooch Amazon does sell genuine GM parts, sometimes as low as 50% off list. You can find them by searching for the GM part number. And they do sell cheap Chinese crap too. I only buy genuine GM parts.
Marlin39 said:
Did you check your spare in the trunk?
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Brilliant!

I forgot to suggest that a week or so ago when I hit something in the road. I pulled over within 200 yards of hitting whatever it was, and the tire was almost flat. I checked the pressure in the spare, 15psi, not good! Fortunately, I carry a battery powered compressor.

I don't know if spares have pressure monitors, but it is always good to periodically check the pressure in your spare.

I trust my tire gauge more than any sensor.
 
Speaking of OE parts from Amazon. I ordered an OE ignitor from Amazon for my Frigidaire Furnace this morning.

We had no heat when I woke up, fifty-nine degrees is unacceptable! The ignitor failed, fortunately for me it is one of the easiest parts to diagnose and remove. Thanks to Amazon I will have one here on Monday. List price $97.99, exact OE replacement from Amazon, $23.46 shipping and tax included. Amazon has now saved me nearly $400 on parts for this furnace. My old hands have saved my countless more in labor.

Had I been smart and had a spare on hand I would have had the furnace up and running in 15 minutes. Hindsight is always 20-20. Well add five minutes because the batteries were dead in the multi-meter, I keep in the utility room tool bag.

Just as I do for GM parts, I search for the Frigidaire OE part number. Sometimes I have to sort through the cheap Chinese crap, but the OE part has always been there. And always considerably less than list price.

Thank God for our electric fireplaces, we are nice and warm.
 
Bruette said:
Speaking of OE parts from Amazon. I ordered an OE ignitor from Amazon for my Frigidaire Furnace this morning.

We had no heat when I woke up, fifty-nine degrees is unacceptable! The ignitor failed, fortunately for me it is one of the easiest parts to diagnose and remove. Thanks to Amazon I will have one here on Monday. List price $97.99, exact OE replacement from Amazon, $23.46 shipping and tax included. Amazon has now saved me nearly $400 on parts for this furnace. My old hands have saved my countless more in labor.

Had I been smart and had a spare on hand I would have had the furnace up and running in 15 minutes. Hindsight is always 20-20. Well add five minutes because the batteries were dead in the multi-meter, I keep in the utility room tool bag.

Just as I do for GM parts, I search for the Frigidaire OE part number. Sometimes I have to sort through the cheap Chinese crap, but the OE part has always been there. And always considerably less than list price.

Thank God for our electric fireplaces, we are nice and warm.
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Didn’t this happen a year or so ago, as well?
 


Here is an updated map for those wanting to try and see this.

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troyphoto said:
Question for you tire aficionados:

How often do the pressure sensors go bad?

I've had a low pressure warning for about four days now. Tis the season to add more air for winter since it's cold. Had all of them under 30 on Sunday morning. So I added air to get them up to between 32 and 35psi

All tires at 32 psi or a tad more. I keep checking the tires every time I see the warning light on the dash. Still 32 psi.

In the meantime, I'll schedule a rotation at Discount tire. I'm overdue for one.
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Some cars you have to manually reset once they trip. Depends on what kind of sensor.
 


bnsf971 said:
Didn’t this happen a year or so ago, as well?
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That was the Pressure Switch or the Flame Sensor. I need to keep better records.

In the case of the Pressure Switch I was lucky in that I had ordered one before I realized the Control Board (not simple to diagnose) was the culprit. I was too lazy to return the Pressure Switch; therefore, I had one on hand when the old one failed.

It is better to be lucky/lazy than good.

So far, four breakdowns in eight years.

Control Board
Pressure Switch
Flame sensor - cleaning solved the problem.
And now the ignitor. The ignitor paid the price as I learned how the ignition sequence worked as I diagnosed the control board.

I'm not complaining, it is a 2011 model and now I know it inside and out. I could write a service manual on the furnace. I still know little about the AC unit. It has had no problems.
 
Never actually saw the Borealis, as the light pollution from NYC and North Jersey was too bright. However, it would affect radio reception on the VHF High Bands the Railroads use. In Oak Island, we worked on CH#2, 160.800. When there was Solar Activity, we heard the Berkshire Dispatcher, (Selkirk to Boston), loud and clear as if he was in Oak Island. When there was no Solar activity, we couldn't pick him up.
 
troyphoto said:
Question for you tire aficionados:

How often do the pressure sensors go bad?

I've had a low pressure warning for about four days now. Tis the season to add more air for winter since it's cold. Had all of them under 30 on Sunday morning. So I added air to get them up to between 32 and 35psi

All tires at 32 psi or a tad more. I keep checking the tires every time I see the warning light on the dash. Still 32 psi.

In the meantime, I'll schedule a rotation at Discount tire. I'm overdue for one.
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My tire pressure sensors lasted almost 9 years before acting up and giving no tire pressure readings on some of them. Unfortunately they cost about $ 90 each to be replaced and reprogrammed into the system on the car
 
Good afternoon, all! Well, we had one cool /cold (if you ask the wife) day. Forecasts are back into the 80's. Hopefully some rain will come along with some of the predicted fronts headed this way.
Last Saturday, while working on the well, I tripped over an air hose and hit the concrete driveway. Didn't hurt the driveway, but I required 4 stitches. Black eye is fading. On the plus side I am up to date on my tetanus shot.
I have been looking for the Galveston Wharves car for some time now. When I'd find it, either they would be asking ridiculous price or they just seemed to vanish. I finally got one, it arrived today.
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STAY SAFE
LATER
 
Boris said:
Never actually saw the Borealis, as the light pollution from NYC and North Jersey was too bright. However, it would affect radio reception on the VHF High Bands the Railroads use. In Oak Island, we worked on CH#2, 160.800. When there was Solar Activity, we heard the Berkshire Dispatcher, (Selkirk to Boston), loud and clear as if he was in Oak Island. When there was no Solar activity, we couldn't pick him up.
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The storm is playing Hell with 10, 20, and 40 meters. Probably other too, but those are the only bands I'm usually tuned to.
 


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