I went out looking for a new coil, to take along just in case I decided I needed one while in Mexico. Advanced said they had one, but did not.
I went to O’Reillys who sold me one. While making up my list of items for the Mexican customs, I noticed the receipt actually said it was for a 2005 Jeep so I took it back. The woman said, well, Joe really knows his parts so maybe it is interchangeable. Not a good idea.
She checked and their computer showed two coils. One was very short and compact and one has a really long probe, both listed for the 2009 Sienna. I told her that did not inspire confidence in either one so I wanted the money credited to my charge card. She did.
While we were waiting on the computer, we chatted. She was horrified that I planned to drive into Mexico. She is originally from Reynosa and said she will not even cross to visit family. She said the cartels went to the Wal-mart store in Reynosa and demanded money. They correctly told them they could not do that. So, a few days later the Wal-mart store was torched. They were correct. If the US Federal government found out a Wal-mart subsidiary paid bribes, the fine would be probably greater than the value of that store.
I told her the USA had the same sort of problem in the 30’s and 40’s, and eventually the people said enough and it was stopped. In Mexico, the same thing will happen. Once the people decide they have had enough, it will be stopped, as the Autodefensas stopped it in Michoacan.
Since I did not have a new coil, I drove back around 50 mph, and no more issues at all. Well, the last day I speeded up to 60 at times. Discount tire balanced my tires and not one shake even to 60. The tires were down to 4/32 but in Mexico tires are usually wrecked by road hazards before wear out, so I chose to drive these down some more before spending the money on new ones.
After much thought, I concluded my first hunch was correct and it was a vibration problem. As I said, I will be writing a posting on vibration failures. I did work for some months in the vibration room. Our set up was such that when you started on a new project, you had to immediately hit the books as much as possible.
Well, actually, though it was rare, there were times when I had to more or less write the book, such as the first embedded microprocessor unit, since there was no body of knowledge or experience available. Not that I mean literally that there was actually a book written, in that case I developed a hands on training course for newbies.
So, when I worked in the Vibe Room, I had to read the theory behind it. Then, I learned from the experience, to the degree that I think I can say without arrogance that I can write on the topic in a manner useful to those willing to know more on the topic. But, that will be some time down the road due to high workload after the trip. Thanks again for the heads up a few weeks ago.
