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WideAngleWandering
Nomad
Posts: 390
Registered: 3-13-2012
Location: US-Based but traveling
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2006 Jeep Commander - broke down near San Ignacio
Howdy nomads,
I just parted ways with the other vehicle on our baja trip. On their way north they broke down outside San Ignacio. After stopping on the side of
the road, the car wouldn’t start. The local mechanics don’t have a diagnosis or a fix and recommended they get a tow up to a bigger shop in
Vizcaino. Not sure if it’s something simple like a sensor or serious.
Is Vizcaino a good plan? Or should they get a tow to Loreto or Guerrero Negro for best mechanics?
Any recommendations on a mechanic?
How does a long tow work in Baja? What should they expect to pay?
Any tips welcome.
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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TecateRay
Nomad
Posts: 346
Registered: 9-6-2006
Location: La Mesa, CA
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Vizcaino is much closer and is a major trucking and farming center. Probably lots of good mechanics.
A few years ago I broke down in Jesus Maria and the mechanic had to go all the way to Vizcaino for parts. No parts in Guerrero Negro.
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LukeJobbins
Nomad
Posts: 196
Registered: 3-11-2014
Location: Lemoore, Ca
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I know this isn't useful for them particularly but a public service announcement for everyone. Buy a code scanner and print out the codes list and
keep it in the car. They are only about 35-40 dollars and can at least show you if its as simple as a loose gas cap or something major. Good things to
know when in the middle of the baja desert.
Good luck to your buddies.
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SunDevil
Junior Nomad
Posts: 82
Registered: 8-13-2003
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Amazon has an OBD2 scanner for only $16.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075WQW6N9/ref=oh_aui_deta...
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17338
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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My truck has USB ports and a full computer screen/buttons to operate. It is silly that manufacturers don’t put diagnostic codes visible on regular
dashboard screen for any driver/owner to review when faults occur.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Desertbull
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Call Junior Moreno 615-109-5553 ... he and his dad have a automotive shop in Vizcaino, they do everything from transmissions, engines, electrical to
welding, fabrication etc.. they have a trailer and they will come pick you up as well if you need that.
They are an amazing family of mechanics.
[Edited on 1-19-2018 by Desertbull]
DREAM IT! PLAN IT! LIVE IT!
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weebray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1094
Registered: 7-19-2010
Location: La Paz
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Mood: lleno
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'J' is for junk. Sell
Every beautiful beach in the world needs a few condo towers - NOT.
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Bajazly
Senior Nomad
Posts: 994
Registered: 6-4-2015
Location: Goodbye Cali and Hello San Felipe
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Mood: More Relaxed Everyday
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The auto shop on the northern end of Vizcaino, parts and labor under one roof. If I remember correct it is right next to the bank on the east side of
the road, cant miss it.
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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WideAngleWandering
Nomad
Posts: 390
Registered: 3-13-2012
Location: US-Based but traveling
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Thank you for the useful info and contacts. I think we're looking at some internal engine work (rings) as the likely out come.
I'm disappointed with the grumpy nomad troll brigade. I expected a stronger heaping of scorn.
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64490
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  | | The auto shop on the northern end of Vizcaino, parts and labor under one roof. If I remember correct it is right next to the bank on the east side of
the road, cant miss it. |
The Pro One Auto Parts store (east side of hwy./ south side of bank/ATM) in Vizcaíno was amazing!!! Mechanics next door will install or fix anything,
I believe!
We also stopped at the Pro One auto parts in Santa Rosalia, similar signage and logo to Vizcaino:
Girls enjoying watermelon from the fruit stand, across the highway, while the guys address a loose rear stabilizer bracket. Sept. 2016.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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| Quote: Originally posted by Desertbull | Call Junior Moreno 615-109-5553 ... he and his dad have a automotive shop in Vizcaino, they do everything from transmissions, engines, electrical to
welding, fabrication etc.. they have a trailer and they will come pick you up as well if you need that.
They are an amazing family of mechanics.
[Edited on 1-19-2018 by Desertbull] |
Thanks, good to know.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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WTF were you hoping for????  
Don't believe everything you think....
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nbentley1
Nomad
Posts: 140
Registered: 9-16-2016
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I second the shop connected to the parts store on the left as you enter form the north. They have patched me up a couple of times.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9006
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: Originally posted by WideAngleWandering | Thank you for the useful info and contacts. I think we're looking at some internal engine work (rings) as the likely out come.
I'm disappointed with the grumpy nomad troll brigade. I expected a stronger heaping of scorn. |
My God, that's almost unheard of in a 2006 vehicle. Yes, even for a Jeep (mild scorn).
WTF happened, did they let it run out of oil?
I suspect the circuit that prevents an engine from turning over if the car "thinks" it is not in park and the brake pedal depressed. Not uncommon in
some vehicles.
Could you hear the starter trying to turn?
My 2005 Jeep actually got stuck in park with the engine running as I tried to pull in the gate where I live. Nothing would budge it from Park (auto
tranny). A quick search of the internet pointed to a flexible plastic extension that was inside the transmission shifter in the cab. When you depress
the button on the side of the shifter to move the shifter out of park, this flexible piece moves a part that allows the shifter to move towards the
rear of the vehicle. But the plastic piece, probably due to all the heat coming from the transmission, eventually becomes brittle and breaks. The fix
that many used was to take a plastic chopstick, cut to a similar length and replace the broken part with this. It has enough flexibility to negotiate
a curve in the shifter. It's still working after 4-5 years.
The ultimate cheap Chinese part fix.
[Edited on 1-19-2018 by Hook]
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13165
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Oh my gosh! That is exactly how we temporarily got our titan to change gear when we got stuck on the Marin side of the GoldenGate Bridge on our last
vacation. Our problem was electrical (fuse) but the fix was the same!
We use the mechanic in Vizcaino who is close to the bank as well. He is wonderful and usually works very fast. Reasonably priced.
Let us know if you need anything ~ Blanca
[Edited on 1-20-2018 by BajaBlanca]
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WideAngleWandering
Nomad
Posts: 390
Registered: 3-13-2012
Location: US-Based but traveling
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We suspect the oil pump failed as it has oil and coolant, wasn't overheating.
We're i. Vizcaino awaiting the transporter for the border. They were supposed to arrive yesterday but now they say today. Qien sabe
The transporter will go to a warehouse in Tijuana where we'll meet a US towing service to bring it to SD.
My new land cruiser now has a name. RescataJeep.
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13033
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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if the semi doesnt show up....meet ya for shrimp tacos at Don Ramons!!! Juan's vehicle is vacationing at a shop near you too needing an adjustment
after getting a new engine.
Hope that Jeep is worth the trouble!
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weebray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1094
Registered: 7-19-2010
Location: La Paz
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Mood: lleno
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Oil pump fails. No oil pressure. Oil warning light comes on. Stop driving immediately and find out why or disaster. I have seen this scenario
numerous times in my career. The cooling system masks the increased heat until BOOM.
Every beautiful beach in the world needs a few condo towers - NOT.
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surfhat
Nomad
Posts: 494
Registered: 6-4-2012
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It sounds like a rescue is on the way, but when I broke down in the same area decades ago, I got a ride back to TJ with a lumber supplying tractor
trailer to GN with my ford 4 wheel drive van. He was empty going back north, and any extra bucks for him was appreciated.
This was my first and only time riding in a real truck and I have always appreciated the time, even if it was for less than desirable reasons.
The lumber yard in GN was as helpful as they could be to set this up.
I think it cost me $300 or so to get me back to TJ and the experience was worth every penny.
Baja is always a bargain, even if at times it may be hard to imagine anything good when the worst happens. It is not the worst if you are able to find
a way to recover and return at a later date. Thanks to all here.
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WideAngleWandering
Nomad
Posts: 390
Registered: 3-13-2012
Location: US-Based but traveling
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We got a nomad discount on the transport, looking at 6000 pesos for the ride. We just got word that the hauler left Santa rosalia a few hours ago so
maybe we'll be moving soon. Only downside is no passengers allowed, so we have a person and a dog that need to get to TJ. I volunteered to drive them
up to spare the dog from riding in the bus cargo hold. Just a little 900 mile detour from planned route.
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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