Comments on: How to fix a broken thermostat

By: great site!

great site! — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:50:31 +0000

Hey, I found your site recently and I just wanted to tell you how much I like it! I’m not actually interested in early retirement because I absolutely love my job (I’m in higher ed) and want to keep doing it as long as possible…but I try to save as much money as possible – the extreme consumurism in US society really makes me sad…and if I’m going to spend money I’d much rather spend it on experiences rather than stuff. Plus, seeing how much one can save is FUN. So I am always looking for new tips and ideas, and honestly most frugality websites strike me as sort of useless or basic. I really like what you have to say about eating frugal, and about not owning a TV…I’ve been TV-free my entire life (thanks, parents!) and I love it.

Thanks again for a great site

By: Jeff @ Sustainable Life Blog

Jeff @ Sustainable Life Blog — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:51:55 +0000

Glad you were able to fix the thermostat. I have one of the new ones (programmable) and have no idea what I’d do for heat if it were to fail – I dont even have a fireplace!

By: krantcents

krantcents — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:48:04 +0000

My electronic thermostat came with the new $3,000 A/C and heating unit that was installed 5 years ago. I am more interested in the “black water” device! Is it ready to present to the venture capital guys?

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:36:18 +0000

I like the right turn signal to automatically release the waste tank. You need to patent that one before someone else gets the idea. LOL.

By: BennKar

BennKar — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:24:47 +0000

Sounds like the thermostat in the basic style electric oil-filled radiator heaters. I bought one for $2 that didn’t want to start heating. I took the case off the side, and it had similar to what you described (2 metal strips, one bends toward the other). After bending one strip closer to the other it worked fine. Used it for 5 years, then resold it for $7. It pays to not be afraid of technology.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:20:47 +0000

Awesome!

By: Jacob (Aruba)

Jacob (Aruba) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:11:23 +0000

Fixed it! One of the wires that connects to some sensor (O2 sensor?) in the exhaust was broken.
I saved at least 100 bucks by repairing this myself. I’m going to get the ‘Jeep Bible’ and some tech manuals, and save some more money in the future. (Too bad these books are not available as free downloads.)

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:30:50 +0000

@Kevin, Jacob – I would have suggested cursing followed by bargaining followed by pleading

By: over the cubicle wall

over the cubicle wall — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:22:25 +0000

I like tinkering with stuff a lot, but the newer things are the more complicated they seem to be. It is sad that the more advanced things get the more disposable they must become. I can imagine one day, when mankind is at the peak of it’s understanding, knowledge, and applied engineering, that the last thing we create will be a giant trash compactor with an auto destruct feature.

By: Kevin M

Kevin M — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:40:21 +0000

Sorry, I drive a Cherokee. Try banging on the starter with a broomstick.

By: Kevin W

Kevin W — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:03:15 +0000

To start, an engine needs all of: air, fuel, spark. Memorize that list You have to deduce which is missing. If it’s cranking then you can rule out battery problems. It would help to know whether there were any symptoms before it stopped working, or if it was sitting for a long time, etc. Without any other information my best guess would be a dead coil or fuel pump.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:38:19 +0000

Any howto’s on how to fix a Jeep Wrangler that does crank but not start?

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:34:24 +0000

@Kevin M – Maybe I can take a house thermostat and use a relay to convert it to 12V. Hmm…

By: Kevin M

Kevin M — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:54:56 +0000

I guess I’m lucky – I have a $20 electronic thermostat – programmable even!