My trunk tool bag saved me

[hancock1701]

I always fear that my car could break when I'm on the road, and I have everything but the tools to fix it. I started carrying a small tool bag with screwdrivers, 1/4 and 3/8 metric sockets, wrenches and some pliers. And an OBD2 bluetooth scanner.

The day came yesterday when these tools saved me (from a trip to a repair shop or a tow home). Long story short, my car started misfiring at work out of nowhere. I work late at night and far from home.

I was able to lump the car to where I was staying, and back to work the next day, but to drive 60 miles back home, it had to be fixed.

I used my bluetooth OBD2 dongle and Torque app to pull the code, P1351 (BMW misfire on cyl 5). I swapped the coil and the code followed. Luckily the Autozone nearby had one in stock. So my coworker drove me there. After that, car was back to normal.

For a repair like this, the bluetooth OBD2 scanner and the simple tools saved me. Also, Autozone saved me by having a coil in stock.

Anyway, just want to share the story. My basic tool bag has proven its usefulness.




Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[mishkaya]

I carry a decent complement of tools in the car at all times, and while they have helped me out of a bind a few times over the years; they have been used more to help other stranded motorists...

 

[tripplejl]

I am also a road trip prepper so to speak. My wife is always saying why do you have to bring so many tools every time we go on a road trip. I have got out of countless jambs in the day. Glad to hear you were able to get yourself back on the road.

 

[lazer50]

Very good story! Is the obd 2 dongle used with your phone?im behind on this stuff.i either borrow my friends tech 2 or have a parts store scan an issue.then i either use my fluke 87 5, or try to logically figure out what part is bad as their scan is usually vague.

 

[ChaseDE]

Love the bt obdii and torque. Happened to me today, car was idling rough, running rough and check engine popped up. Got it home, scanned, bad vacuum somewhere. Pulled the engine cover and the very old vacuum line I fixed* before needed fixed again.

*fixed as in these are hard plastic tubing lines that get brittle and break, i duct tape them muahahahaha

 

[Whchua]

The blue tooth scanner with torque app is very useful for us diyers

 

[ChaseDE]

Very good story! Is the obd 2 dongle used with your phone?im behind on this stuff.i either borrow my friends tech 2 or have a parts store scan an issue.then i either use my fluke 87 5, or try to logically figure out what part is bad as their scan is usually vague.

the scan is usually vague, yes. i have an android smart phone so cant speak to iphones but mine works great.

my scanner is from this same company https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

torque app, worth the $5 for premium. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en

the app has a search built in, hit the button and it searches the code online to help...some

 

[lazer50]

Thanks chase de i looked at the scanner.i thought the price would be higher.plus all the reviews were good!and it seems the torque app is what everyone is using.its time for me to catch up a little lol.

 

[GTA Matt]

BMW kills injectors on misfiring cylinders to prevent catalyst damage. You really could have driven home with it, for future reference, when the other coils start to die.

 

[M6erfan]

BMW kills injectors on misfiring cylinders to prevent catalyst damage. You really could have driven home with it, for future reference, when the other coils start to die.

True, but that wouldn't have been nearly as fun...

OP, good job!

 

[hangfirew8]

Reading this, I'm thinking I probably carry too many hand tools, but I really need to add a code reader to every vehicle's tool box, instead of leave the one I have at home.

I have an older BAFX, it works great. I recommend spending the extra $10 over the generic imports. It's still only $21.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I always travel with a tool box in the vehicle, looks like i'll be taking the OBDII with, as well, in the future.

Nice job OP

 

[hancock1701]

BMW kills injectors on misfiring cylinders to prevent catalyst damage. You really could have driven home with it, for future reference, when the other coils start to die.

Yeah, the code says "misfire with fuel shutoff." I was just not sure how the engine would be affected overall if there was a misfire in one cylinder that went on for a while (60 miles).

Very good story! Is the obd 2 dongle used with your phone?im behind on this stuff.i either borrow my friends tech 2 or have a parts store scan an issue.then i either use my fluke 87 5, or try to logically figure out what part is bad as their scan is usually vague.

The Torque app is very useful. It has a recording feature where it'll capture data on certain parameters you select, then you can get the file and graph it in Excel or something. I used that to find out my catalytic converters were dying by graphing the O2 sensor voltages. It was slowly failing that it didn't set a code, but the readiness monitor would take forever to set.

I guess I was lucky that the car was smart enough to pinpoint the problem's location this time that only needed a couple other quick checks to see which part was bad.

 

[colin39]

I carry a box of matches a wallet and mobile phone, when my 14 year old renault laguna breaks down i will have a cremation and call a cab. On the way to a dealership to order a new car.
I have promised myself that if it breaks down its going. The old girls done 200k miles and has done well, ive even decided on the next car. Lol.

 

[bcradio]

I may have to check out that Bluetooth code reader as well. Also I may have to get that torque app. Glad you got it fixed.

 

[MikeF2316]

I have a cheap OBD-II scanner in the seat pocket of both my cars. These cheap Autels go on sale at Princess auto for $30 or $35. I would imagine you can find them for even less in the US.

 

[ScottsGT]

That tool bag and your knowledge saved you well over $500.00. Learning to turn wrenches and knowing your car is very rewarding mentally and financially.
Coworker had a coil go out on his Nissan Altima. He was bitching that another went out and it was going to be another $300 trip to the dealership. I looked at him and asked him if he was effin' crazy? Just run to NAPA, buy three more coils and relpace the dirty ones. It was a real "Duh!" moment for him.

 

[BK13]

I carry a box of matches a wallet and mobile phone, when my 14 year old renault laguna breaks down i will have a cremation and call a cab. On the way to a dealership to order a new car.
I have promised myself that if it breaks down its going. The old girls done 200k miles and has done well, ive even decided on the next car. Lol.

You're way too prepared. The old car will never die, now! LOL

 

[chris142]

I carry tools in hopes that I won't need them. So far so good

 

[M6erfan]

I have a cheap OBD-II scanner in the seat pocket of both my cars. These cheap Autels go on sale at Princess auto for $30 or $35. I would imagine you can find them for even less in the US.

Those are good for code reading but not so good for telling you what the code means.

The Bluetooth code readers, coupled with an app, are much more functional IMO. However, if you don't have your phone with you for whatever reason you're SOL...

 

[Aqua-Andy]

BMW kills injectors on misfiring cylinders to prevent catalyst damage. You really could have driven home with it, for future reference, when the other coils start to die.

You would still cause some damage, as there is still air being pumped through the exhaust. This is why DOD engines have to deactivate the intake valve when a cylinder shuts down. And what is with that code BMW uses? The code should have been a standard P0305! I'm sure they circumvent the OBD2 standards by writing "with injector deactivation" in the code description but all modern cars have this anyway. Did the P0305 along with BMW's code? I think it would have to to keep with OBD2.

 

[Jonboy1974]

I carry a complinent of tools in my truck as well. Tool bag with wrenches, screwdrivers, torx drivers, socket set and obd2 scanner. The best thing that saved some colorful language was a serpentine belt tool. You never know what may happen.

 

[Al Borland]

I noticed years ago that the truck/cars never break down if I have tools in the trunk.
Kinda like Voodoo. Those (unused) tools have saved me a fortune.

 

[Derek420]

I carry a green snap on tool bag with a pad lock on zippers sometimes I forget the key at home. Lol I carry all size from 1/4 to 1/2 rats and docs, some wrenches screwdrivers and a ballpeem. I also carry a snap on 7.2 volt screw gunwith 2 batteries love that thing I got 3 of them and 6 bbatteries and 2 chargers for 100 bucks it's so much better than a heavy *** drill. I need a scan tool I'm trying to get a used good one but they got them on Amazon for around 20$.

 

[MikeF2316]

I noticed years ago that the truck/cars never break down if I have tools in the trunk.
Kinda like Voodoo. Those (unused) tools have saved me a fortune.

I'm a believer in this too. My theory - the emergency you're prepared for is the one you aren't going to have.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

So far all I keep in mine is the harbor frieght $5 metric standard socket set, harbor freight wrenches a pair of diamalloy? Wire cutters, USA made pliers couple screw drivers working on needlenose pliers and probably a hatchet and small shovel


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk