I don't think that simply stating "This is what happened to me and could be your problem" is bad. Honestly, I haven't read the whole post about it and it maybe completely different. Some are looking for possible problems to check.

I see a lot of people stating their problem with little to no detail or troubleshooting and just want someone to tell them what the fix is. It's not so bad on this site as it is a on say a ATV site. But when they do ask for the quick fix to a complex problem anymore I just move on. Not that I don't want to help, I love to help those that are willing to help themselves, if you know what I mean.

 

I agree on the troubleshooting or lack there of. Over the years it seems that we have lost the mechanical knowledge and like our youth just want the answer first. Anytime someone asks me about a problem I ask them to start with the basics. Even with OBDII coming into play it only gives you a resultant of a problem and not necessarily the cause. And, there are always the loud mouths who know everything and can give you a page answer as to why they are right without ever seeing the problem lol.

 

There has been a Corvette in my driveway ever since 1968. 15 in all. I still learn something new on this forum every day. You just have to sort through the sh**house experts that think they know everything.

 

...or those that "know" you don't know anything...

Like Jack Nicholson stated as "President" in 'Martian's Attack'...

"Why can't we all just be friends?"

 

you mean like the fantastic new window washing trick?

 

Here is my take. There are forums that when you ask a question the entire forum goes silent. There are forums where when you ask a question you get blasted because you didn't do a search. There are forums where it seems that all the members are mechanical engineers and you get info that you can't use because its too complicated. I think that this forum is a good blend of all the above. Its up to you to figure out if the info is accurate but at least you get responses. My experiences have been positive.

 

I don't frequent too many forums but I did notice on another that I am looking at right now that there is an indicator of the member's let's call it, integrity, that goes like this:

Has Thanked: 0 times
Been Thanked: 0 times

Would seem to be a useful metric

 

Nailed it! A big thank you would be nice, to all forum members for chiming in. Also posting of pictures of the problem would eliminate a lot of the guess work, so we can see what's up. Also following up in the thread you started and the solution to the problem that worked is always good too.

 

This.

 

I've never cared for the love fest "Thanked" indicator. If that is added I think a "STFU" indicator should be included also.

 

there is this one but prefer this one

 

One needs to realize that most people on this forum have never been professional techs. When someone asks for help and gives info on what the symptom is, they aren't necessarily giving an accurate description of what's going on. Today's cars are much different than C3's and they don't really allow the average user to diagnose and repair them. I would say that many Vette owners under 40 haven't had much experience working on cars. C3's are BASIC, there shouldn't be much diagnosis involved, but since many people have a hard time conceptualizing "No Crank or No start" etc, it gets to be very hard to pinpoint what kind of problem someone may have.

For instance, you might have a poster ask about a hard hot start problem, and the battery terminals are loose, corroded and should be replaced. You assume that these items are in good shape, but...

The point is, that if someone asks for help, and their car is in good running condition, the obvious points to check are limited. Therefore, yes, an experienced person can easily say "if you have symptom a, solution b should fix the problem, PERIOD" But, if you have an inexperienced person, with a 40-50 year old car, and the symptom may or may not be accurate ,the causes of a certain symptom are numerous.

I would disagree with the op, because normally in a simple car like a C3, the answers are generally quite limited and an experienced person CAN make a case as to why their answer is correct.

One other factor can be the limited experience of the person giving the advice.

 

to the point that I rarely ask or answer specific questions anymore! Not worth the trashing. To be honest the real guru's are mostly gone from the forum save for GordonM and a few others. Luckily they have a left a lot of great threads behind. These days I do a search, if don't find what I need I move on to other sources. I do get entertained by some of the debates, so please do carry on!

 

Took it down. not getting involved in this one...unless it gets good.

 

In a nutshell, it's like this:

These cars are very simple. A certain symptom should only have a few solutions. If however the OP miss states the symptoms or has other problems, the causes of the symptom can be very numerous. If you have a no crank situation the normal causes are battery, starter ignition switch and neutral safety switch. I've seen people spend all kinds of time chasing a problem like this and they have rotted out battery cables held together with baling wire etc. If you're not willing to spend the time, effort and money to eliminate the obvious faults, then you really should leave it to a professional.

I try to be helpful on this forum, but I realize that many posters don't take a scientific approach to problem solving. While I don't talk down to or criticize a poster, I will pretty much assume that they at least have checked the basics.

I see a lot of "help" being offered by people who don't have a clue.

 

When a post has too many I'ms, I, my, or too many first person references. Tend to discount the information that is given. Just a way of filtering the BS. Not pointing out any posts on this thread. Few I"s are ok. But count the I's in other posts. Shocking!

 

I was sure by the beginning of page two Micheal Jackson woulda showed up...

That being said, this is a big world, a billion different unique people, all have their own story, language, thoughts, emotions, quirks, talents, bad habits, pain, suffering, desire to be heard, etc....

I wouldn't judge a child for making a silly statement whose knowledge of the world consists of only their neighborhood block. Ignorance is part of humanity. Arrogance only offends because it offends our arrogance.

Peace and love to all you forum brothers (and sisters?)