Fixing Pilot Light on Furnace (Replacing Thermocouple)

So my heat went out towards the end of winter.  It was blowing cold air and with a little investigation I realized the pilot light is out.  I was like "SWEET!", all I need to do is relight it and we're good to go.  That worked for about a day and I was back up there relighting it (Note: Occasionally this can be the only problem, high winds or other random things can cause the pilot light to be blown out).

I had a guy come look at it and said the whole unit needed to be replaced.  Hard to argue with that since it's like 30 years old, but I wasn't ready to bite off that if I didn't absolutely have to.

With some research, one of the main causes of this is a bad thermocouple.  I don't know a whole lot about HVAC stuff, but I watched a youtube video on how to replace one.  It was probably the easiest DIY project ever.  I bought a 10 dollar replacement part at my local hardware store and BOOM!  Fixed.

Search around youtube and find one that looks similar to yours:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j29RILOGOU

Chevy Tahoe 2002 Steering Column Rod Knocking or Rattling or Clunking

This is just one of those things with this model/year of GM vehicle.  When you go over a bump or a turn it sounds like something inside the steering wheel is loose and knocking against itself.  I've heard a bunch of people complain about it.  I lived with this "knocking" for years until I discovered the fix and it so easy to fix.

I know I'm not using all of the correct terminology but I don't think you need to know all that to fix this issue.  Pop the hood and you'll notice you can see where the steering shaft comes through the firewall between the engine and the inside of the vehicle.  There is a single bolt and nut that attaches this shaft to another piece that actually turns the axle/tires.  Take this nut/bolt off which will free the steering shaft.

This is where it gets weird.  You will be able to use the "That's What She Said" line after every other sentence.  Now push the shaft back up into the steering column (towards the inside of your truck), it will easily slide in and out.  Do this in and out motion about 30 times.  This will feel like you are abusing your truck but what is happening is that you are redistributing the lubricant within the steering rod.  The original problem is with the design of the rod, it lets the lube all run to the bottom end and that creates your noise.  Here's some good info and a video on how to fix.


http://www.silveradosierra.com/transmission/how-to-fix-the-steering-clunk-t15336.html

Chevy EBCM Fix - ABS Light Constantly Staying On

If you have a Chevy Tahoe or Silverado that was made in the early to mid 2000's, then you may have a problem with your ABS light coming on at random times.  My security light would come on as well as my emergency brake light.

With some digging I discovered this is a common problem and it is caused by a cheap ass component used in the Anti Lock Brake system.  This is called the EBCM (electronic brake control module).  So the problem is that this little module is shorting out and sending random signals to your dash.  What you need to is to remove it, repair it, and reinstall it.  Here is a link to a Chevy forum that really goes into detail on how to remove your EBCM and the overall procedure so I'll just give the highlights of my experience.

http://chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=121523.0

It's located underneath your driver's seat under the carriage of the vehicle (not like under your seat inside your truck, actually under the vehicle).  It's fairly easy to remove, but you have to get a really short handled screwdriver or one that bends to the side like a ratchet.  There are four screws and like three electrical connections.  Once you have it removed, wrap the place where it was with duct tape as well as each of the electrical connectors to keep dirt and moisture out if you are going to drive the vehicle with the EBCM being installed.  If you can leave the vehicle in your garage for a few days, don't worry about it.

You can repair it yourself if your good with circuit boards and what not, but I elected to just send it off and have it repaired for about 100 bucks.  There are tons of sites that do stuff like this.  I think I sent mine to Module Masters, but I also saw one called ABS Fixer.  They repaired and sent it back within days.

I reinstalled the module on my truck and fired it up.  It did NOT initially fix my problem and I was livid thinking I just wasted a hundred bucks and a lot of time.  I read somewhere that you may need to drive upwards of 20 MPH to make the module go through all of it's program routines or whatever.  Once I took it down the street, the light went off and hasn't been back on since.  BOOM!

Dr. BBQ’s Rub

1/4 cup salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated onion
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg