Troubleshooting an Acura RL for Dummies

You'd like to think that most people wouldn't attempt to use modern technology without at least a rudimentary understanding of how it works. OK, you can stop laughing now: we all know that the vast majority of people have no idea how simple technology works, much less complex products like smartphones, computers, and the internal combustion engine. So riddle us this: why would eHowian Melanie Fleury, who obviously knew jack about automotive engines, attempt to explain why "My Acura RL Won't Start"¹ at ItStillRuns.com? Because she wanted the fifteen bucks, of course...

We find it amusing that an article about how "my car won't start" is posted at a site called ItStillRuns, but never mind that. Fleury clearly never studied auto mechanics while getting that masters in education (from a diploma mill); and is probably the favorite customer at a shady fix-it joint. We say that because of some of her more illuminating comments. Here's her set of suggestions for troubleshooting one's RL if it refuses to start:

Check the battery. We'll agree with that, since it makes sense. If the starter turns over but the engine does not catch, there might be a problem with the ignition switch or the fuel pump. Yeah, and there might be hundreds of other problems. You might want to plug in an OBDII code reader and check any trouble codes... Check the fluids of the Acura RL. If fluids are empty or leaking, it can cause the RL to shut down the engine. There are known power steering problems in 2005 to 2008 models. Ummm, we really don't know why leaking power steering fluid might prevent your Acura from starting... Remove the spark plugs from the engine. Pull off the spark plug wire and touch the wire to a metal surface. If there is no spark, then the spark plug won't ignite the engine and needs to be replaced. Say, Melanie, didn't your resource tell you to check for spark while the engine is cranking? Not just "touch [it] to a metal surface"!

Here's what Fleury did wrong: she was obviously reaching for a solution with her number three, she never bothered to have people check the fuel level, and she gave short shrift to the myriad possible causes of problems in number two. As for her "solution" number four, she left out a critical step.

All of that makes it pretty obvious that Fleury harvested some information from a reasonably authoritative source (her references disappeared in the transfer to ItStillRuns), but lacked the basic knowledge to reword the text. You know what happens when we find that kind of competence? We give the author a Dumbass of the Day award. Yay, Melanie.

¹ The original has been deleted by Leaf Group, but can still be accessed using the Wayback machine at archive.org. Its URL was   ehow.com/how_7484255_acura-rl-wont-start.html

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