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Dave Redinger's The Neighbourhood Mechanic 2/14/06


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Dave Redinger who transitioned to his Heavenly home on February 7, 2022 was a licensed auto mechanic with over 40 years in the trade. He operated Dr. H. Honda Specialists in Etobcoke (Toronto). Dave was heard here on The Auto Channel, RIP Dave your knowledge and helpfulness will be welcome by concerned motorists forever.




DAVE

REDINGER

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD MECHANIC

Recently in Phoenix at the Barrett-Jackson auction a vintage GMC Futureliner “Parade of Progress” tour bus sold for over 4 million dollars. You might think that’s a lot of money for a tour bus, but there’s more to the story than that. This bus was a specially designed and modified by famed designer Harley Earl. This unit was part of GM’s “Motorama”. Back in the 50’s General Motors had a fleet of these buses, touring with latest offerings off the factory floor. “Motorama” would travel from city to city bringing the “Parade of Progress” to the great unwashed. The” Motorama” eventually developed into the extravaganza we now know as the Autoshow.


I have a 1994 Mercury Topaz. The car has 95000 miles on it and runs great except one thing. After

When you're going and put the car in park the idle revs up to 2,000 to 5,000 rpms and stays there. If you stomp on the gas peddle it just speeds it up faster and stays there. If you shut the car off and start it again it idles normal. What up?

Darrick

Something is jamming in the throttle linkage...it may be as simple as a throttle return spring that has let go or in the case of the Topaz a seizing kick down linkage off the transmission. Ether way this is a safety related items and should be dealt with immediately by a pro. Do not stop, do not pass go..get it looked after. This could be a disaster in the making.

During winter month, when the temperature dips below -5 degrees Celsius, I am unable to remove the ignition key if the car is run for a short distances ( for less than 10 minutes).However, if the car is run for more than 15 minutes or so, the key comes off easily. This problem has puzzled me and my mechanic for some time . He is unable to explain why the key comes off only after the engine warms up sufficiently. Could you please explain how this problem can be resolved?

Arul
Really an interesting problem...I had to do some research on this one. The key lock is connected by interlock to the transmission. The consensus is that the interlock is not adjusted properly or the shifter is sticking when cold. Have the vehicle tested by a competent mechanic. This is a safety item as the tranny may not actually be engaging the park position. This may compromise parking the vehicle if you don’t use the emergency brake.

Dave Redinger a mechanic with over 40 yrs of experience operates his shop “DOCTOR H HONDA SPECIALISTS in Toronto for the last 25 yrs. You can hear Dave on the Neighbourhood Mechanic Saturday mornings on AM740

Email: davidredinger@rogers.com or http://am740.ca" target="_blank">am740.ca ( we respond to all emails)


Dave's Past Columns

July 14, 2005

July 22, 2005

July 29, 2005

August 12, 2005

August 19, 2005

August 24, 2005

August 31, 2005

October 12, 2005

October 19, 2005

October 25, 2005

November 5, 2005

November 16, 2005

November 23, 2005

December 4, 2005

December 11, 2005

February 14, 2006

January 3, 2006

January 11, 2006

January 18, 2006

January 25, 2006

February 1, 2006

February 8, 2006

March 1, 2006

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March 15, 2006

March 22, 2006

March 28, 2006

April 4, 2006

April 17, 2006

April 26, 2006

May 2, 2006

May 23, 2006

May 28, 2006

June 27, 2006

July 11, 2006

July 24, 2006

August 8, 2006

August 15, 2006

August 29,2006

September 13, 2006

September 20, 2006