Here's a link to the "J" tool:

http://www.handsontools.com/Kent-Moo...-_p_18572.html

Looks like a flat steel bar with a 3/8" square drive pressed into one end.

Eventually I'll have to replace something at the front of the engine. I'm thinking of making a version of this tool using 3/16" x 1 1/2" flat bar and weld on a 3/8" square at the end.

Steve

hi all, hhr noob here. we just replaced the alternator and fully charged the battery, it is running ok now but we are still getting the "check charging sys" and "battery saver on" messages, it is running fine so far tho and no codes come up on the ODB code reader. Based on other's experience with this, is it possible that it just needs to run for a while and the messages will stop showing up? or is there still an issue with the alternator or battery? thanks, Chris

Anything is possible, many things are unlikely. (fortune cookie):roflol:

Have you done as the car is suggesting? i.e. go to the local auto parts store and have the charging system checked.

I am not sure what "battery saver" mode is, but I'll bet it means you don't have any headlights.

Best thing to do is check all of the ground straps for good connections. There are several of them under the hood.

well unfortunately we didn't get the chance to do much today, started down the road towards the auto shop to get checked/buy a new battery if they said ours wasn't staying charged, car died on the way. managed to pull into a meineke just as it was dying, they poked around, snapped at us for not changing the battery immediately when we changed the alternator. they stuck in a new one and then informed us it was not staying charged and they wanted to run diagnostics on it. so we left it there, will see what he says in the a.m...

WOW...well that was a mistake leaving it with them. they said it took 2 hours to run diagnostics on the computer, check the wiring loop since they claim it wasn't staying charged on the new battery, then it was "a wire was crossed on the starter and was broken". so how has it been starting if a wire was broken? what do you guys think, is there any chance it actually took them 2 hours to run tests and then find that a wire was broken?? and then another hour to fix that? argued with the guy for awhile then just paid and left...am planning to f/up with their corporate folks, he was just a little too vague on what they had to do when questioned...

A proper diagnostic can take 2 hours. A wire partially broken will start the car, but not function properly.

Is it fixed?

hmm ok maybe they didn't screw us over too badly..yes it has been running well since then , was just shocked when we went to get it since they made it sound like it would be quick & easy (ie; less than an hour to get it done) however-they called me about 2 hours after they opened saying it was done, when we went to pick it up were told it was 2 hours diagnostics, and then 1 hour labor, so no explanation when asked how it was 3 hour total but they called saying all done after 2 hours...we will not be returning to that shop for anything.