Date: Fri, 05 Jun 1998 21:10:04 GMT From: brandywinenopsameme.com (Sam) Subject: Protecting Injection Computer
Well, it happened. I was 50 miles from home, and the fuel injection (believe that's the name) computer quit. At least, that's what my dealer said. As we speak, there installing a $575.00 rebuilt unit. Calls to junk yards and conventional auto parts stores were fruitless. This surprises none of us, I'm sure. The cash is gone. My goal now is to protect the "new" computer. My understanding is that they are sensitive to loads that may be incurred during, for example, jumping another car. I frequently power a scanner or Ham radio transceiver through a very poor cigarette lighter adapter (which is in the garbage). There have been times when I found myself endlessly pushing that adapter back in to reestablish connection. Yes, I feel like a stupid idiot. I wonder if this contributed to the computers death? Quite obviously, a secure connection from the cars electrical system to Ham gear, etc., is mandatory. I wonder if a direct connection to the battery would be advantageous. What about protection at the computer end? Are there commercial devices for this purpose? Or maybe a strategically located capacitor and/inductor would help. Comments? Sam