PROBLEM #177
Harmful parking
A new parking lot near the house was laid out with Dmitrich in charge. A fresh marking scheme appeared, and the space that once squeezed six cars in parallel without ease now accommodates five with more freedom. He notes with frustration that the people on the sides of each car began to leave deeper marks on doors. Inattention is one thing, but in this lot the same mechanical rules apply as in a car’s engine; for example, when stamping parts, the force transfers and can damage adjacent vehicles.
What kind of effect harms the neighboring car doors, and how does it happen?
Detailed explanations are welcome. Do not rush to short answers.
Submit the answer labeled “Competition” before December 1, 2022 to the address previously listed. A phone number or another fast contact method is requested for quick correspondence.
Results of the Connoisseur Contest, published September 1, 2022, are below.
The challenge asked readers to brainstorm ways to help a modern car stuck in mud get out more easily and to keep the cooling system from overheating during the process. Sometimes a car merely needs a nudge to escape mud or snow. On carbureted cars, a slight pull of the idle adjustment could raise engine speed to about 1500 rpm, allowing a shift into gear and a push. Caution was urged to prevent the vehicle from running away, though some readers tied a rope to a ground line to interrupt the engine once freed.
Renault Duster users would note that removing relays or fuses can inhibit air conditioning, yet the benefit might be small. Many readers proposed disconnecting temperature sensor wiring, a move that altered idle speed but did not truly fix cooling. Adjusting the throttle stop screw was another idea; while it might boost sales, it would complicate repairs and would not fix the cooling issue. For electronic throttles, adjustments could be impossible. Some suggested increasing cable tension with the appropriate throttle actuator, though cooling remained a problem to solve.
The air conditioner was identified as a factor protecting the variator; a thick, often dirty air path can be forced through by a constantly running fan to manage heat exchanger temperatures.
The winning approach proposed a refined, more elegant modification. It involved an injected VAZ-2131 with an air conditioning kit adapted from a Niva, along with a custom control circuit derived from existing automotive circuits. In standard designs, a request to activate the air conditioner travels from a control switch to the ECU, which then drives the compressor relay. When the +12 V signal is applied, the ECU revs the engine, enabling gear changes and a push to free the vehicle. Of course, this is not safe. A safety measure, such as a check similar to those on snowmobiles and jet skis, is recommended to stall the engine if the car runs away from its owner.
A second advantage of the modification is that the radiator cooling fan also engages, helping guard against overheating in traffic or off-road conditions. Attendees praised the ingenuity and shared ECU pinouts for guidance. The contact labeled “request to turn on the air conditioner” is referenced in several ECUs, such as Bosch M.1.5.4 and related revisions. For owners of foreign cars, the idea is to remember which fuse or relay controls the A/C compressor clutch. Removing that element while triggering the A/C from the dash can achieve similar results, though this approach works best on simpler, older automotive systems. The mechanics and safety implications are, of course, central to any such adjustments.
Celebrations were offered to Maxim Buldakov for his victory in the contest. The piece also hints at a broader discussion around vehicle tuning and cooling strategies while preserving overall engine health.
7,000 tires in common sizes are referenced
Maintaining public order and ensuring access to medical care are connected to proper resources. The piece notes the ongoing effort to support tire donations for essential services, underscoring a broader community initiative to equip emergency and humanitarian vehicles with adequate tires and equipment. Readers are invited to contribute to a collection effort aimed at supporting these programs and services. This message emphasizes community action and practical help in the face of logistical challenges. [Citation: Internal contest archive, September 2022]