I recently had a frustrating problem which I think I have finally cured (keeping my fingers crossed) after receiving some great help from fellow forumites. You can follow my odyssey here:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=96884

 

Because I was so haphazardly trying things, and mixing potential cures, I still have no idea which suggestion actually fixed the problem, but is seems to be gone. About half way through the ordeal, I started wishing I had made some notes to remind me what I had already tried, in what order, and noted what had obviously worked and what didn't. All this guessing and thinking, "Didn't I already try that thing that Cougar suggested?" and, "Did I do that exactly the way Nipper instructed, and was that before or after that thing EVOthis said to do?" only served to increase my frustration.

 

So consider this advice (especially if you're as mechanically challenged as me): make some notes along the way. Not only will it help you track the successes with the failures, but it will also help you remember what you've tried and what changes (if any) occurred after each step so you can explain those things to the people trying to help. Some minor detail may be just the tidbit of information the person trying to help you needs to figure out the problem. Yeah, I may be getting a little anal here, but this would have definitely helped me and probably saved some time and frustration.

 

Oh! And make sure you conclude your thread with, well, a conclusion. Tell everyone what finally worked for you.

 

Anyway, thanks again to all who helped!

 

Signed,

2Feathers

(The Anal Retentive Novice Non-Mechanic)

Edited March 10, 200917 yr by 2Feathers
Added afterthought...

also there is a simplke rule that applies to any problem.

 

Change just one thing at a time. Otherwise your adding an exponential amount of variables to a problem and may never figure out the solution. Also look at the simplest solution first.

 

 

nipper

Thats somewhat how i gained my mechanical apptitude..."making notes along the way" and trying to drill things in my brain i felt where important...I have heard if you repeat something to yourself 7 times after you hear it...you will never forget it....not to sure if i believe that one....:-\...

I have heard if you repeat something to yourself 7 times after you hear it...you will never forget it....not to sure if i believe that one....:-\...

 

Now repeat seven times

 

repeat something to yourself 7 times after you hear it...you will never forget it