A friend had some trouble with one of his machines and I went out to try to troubleshoot them today. I know what I’m doing around these machines, and quickly managed to narrow the problem to a recalcitrant servomotor. Very rare, with Fanuc, but not unheard of. The shipping guy who opened up the plant for me was watching- remarked “you figure this stuff out pretty good”.

Took me back to the beginning of my training as a mechanic, at my father’s side. Dad approached troubleshooting problems in this simple manner: What thing will you feel most stupid if you overlook it?

This applies to about everything. If something doesn’t work, first ask the stupid questions: Does it have gas? Oil? Water? Is it plugged in? turned on? connected to the cable/internet/telephone line? I do a lot of tech support work, or have over the years, and as often as not, I find I can troubleshoot most stuff over the phone by asking those simple questions.

So today, bummed about not being able to get into the class, I back the bike out of the shed and start it up. As usual, it starts immediately, but it’s back t it’s old tricks of not wanting to rev beyond idle.

So I get a little pissed, and think of all the things it COULD be, and then I think, Stop. Pull the gas cap.

Sure enough, it’s dry as a popcorn fart.I put gas in and it’s fine.

Sometimes I just think I’ve worn out my brain. At least I didn’t tear the fucker apart trying to find a nonexistent problem.