Light for under the hood

General Discussion
21

I have a 12 volt light gadget with a magnet on it that has clip leads I attach to the car battery. It has no power source itself. It has come in handy at times. For looking around in the engine compartment, or finding something that dropped on the ground. I’ve used it as a warning light for other drivers, if I’m on the side of the road fixing a flat or something. It isn’t permanently installed, I just keep it in the trunk. It has it’s own on/off switch. One thing I like about it, it’s quite a bit brighter and throws a broader beam than a conventional flashlight. I’ve had it for probably 30 years, have no idea where I bought it.

If I had a 12 volt power source in the Corolla’s trunk I’d use it as a trunk compartment light. But I’ve never found a 12 volt always on source back there. The Corolla came with an option for a trunk light, but the wiring for that option must have only got installed in the option was ordered.

22

Interesting.

Maybe run a wire under your car ?

23

All of my Fords have underhood lights but theyr’e all near worthless. They may help find the dipstick for an oil level check and that’s about it.

A small portable LED light is a better option. I carry 2 lamps. One is a 2 D cell flashlight and the other one of those LED head lamps which was mentioned.

24

Thanks for the input.

Can I ask about your experience with Fords ?

My experience with Ford’s has been horrible.

As a teen, I saved up $4000 and bought a Ford Pinto station wagon brand new.

Within 6 months, the handles of all four doors had broken off.

Then my thermostat stuck which overheated my engine, which left me stranded 15 miles from my home.

When car shopping and I told the salesman how much I had to spend, Ford’s were always first on the list.

I prefer to buy American cars, but they do not hold up.

What kind of mileage have you gotten with Fords.

I heard that Ford trucks last longer that their cars.

25

Your Ford experience is probably about 40 years old

I’d say the current lineup is better than your Pinto wagon was[quote=“andrew_kennedy7, post:24, topic:102792”]
What kind of mileage have you gotten with Fords.
[/quote]

That’s kind of a vague question . . . Fusion hybrid, F-350 crew cab diesel dually, Focus, Mustang, etc. . . . which one are you asking about?

We have several Fords in our fleet . . . trucks AND cars. The trucks last just fine, when properly maintained

26

Nothing vague about asking for mileage.

I had a Mazda that reached 242,000 miles.

At that time it was getting 40/30 mpg.

You gave no mileage that the Fords got to without major repairs.

Do your work for Ford ?

27

No, I work for a fleet

28

What is a fleet ?

29

Should have held on to that one. The only 4 door Pinto made would have to be worth something, even if was a piece of crap :poop:

30

It was a money pit. :slight_smile:

With less than 50K on the odometer,

Thermostat stuck and engine overheated.

Replaced flywheel at least 3 times.

Replaced 2 starter motors.

31

Yes, but as PvtPublic pointed out, owning the only 4 door Pinto ever made certainly meant that you had a unique vehicle that would have been worth a lot of money as a collector’s item.

:slight_smile:

32

I am sure they made plenty of 4 door Pinto SWs.

I occasionally see some driving around.
(The owners must be rich to afford the maintenance.:slight_smile:

33

4 door Pinto wagons?
Really?
:astonished:

A quotation from Mark Twain is surely appropriate here:

1 Like
34

there are more Fords on the roads today than any other make.

the other makes all made it home…

[/fordhumor] :astonished: :grinning: :grinning:

2 Likes
35

You might be sure but you are wrong. I can’t remember the last time I saw a Ford Pinto of any kind except on Ebay.
You seem to making things up.

36

Perhaps you had a Ford Escort wagon, that vehicle would be more likely to develop cooling system problems and has 4 doors.

37

It was definitely a Ford Pinto Station Wagon.

1973

I do not think they made Escorts that far back.

It had a tailgate that opened.

38

Do I detect some anger ?

39

No anger. No such thing as a 4-door Pinto wagon. They only ever came with 2:

40

I didn’t think someone could spend $4000 on a Pinto, that is why I thought it was a later Ford compact. As a teen I had a Mercury Bobcat wagon, I believe I paid $125.

This is a Pinto wagon, it doesn’t have the flip-up door handles like the Escort that break easily.

Ford Pinto wagon.jpg2587×1611 1.19 MB