mechanical cars - are there still cars around that don't use electronics

Actually mid 80's. By the mid 80's, most stuff was running on electronic ignition, the exceptions being models that had existed prior to EI becoming commonplace such as the Mini.

Might use chips nowadays, but it's not essential. However, an ECU always has a computer chip.

Conor gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

There's plenty of stuff with dizzies _and_ electronic ignition.

Points went out of vogue in the early '80s, but dizzies lasted well into the '90s before full coil-pack ignition integrated into the injection management totally took over.

I've not seen an indicator flasher unit without a chip in it for a bit though.

"Duncan Wood" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

eBay 280330530081

Looks at Triumph 2500 & says "Alright, I've not seen a new indicator flasher unit without a chip in it for a bit".

"Duncan Wood" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Probably cheaper than a bi-metal strip.

Other way round I think, but the reliabilitys way higher.

I suppose it depends on just how far back into the stone age he wants to go

I dunno. Once you produce things by the million the costs seem to come down to near material and energy costs. And chips can use little of either.

Indeed. But how do you get the 'tick' ?

Now that I do miss.

The ShiteOldEscortVan I sold recently did pretty much everything without electronics. 1.8D, no turbo, nothing vaguely flash inside or out.

When the battery carked it a quick jump start and it ran with no worries. It also ran well when the alternator was broken - provided it was jump started.

Nedavno gazz napisa:

How does diesel engine stop? You cut fuel supply? What happens when you turn the key to off position?

Nothing, you cut the fuel feed with a cable operated valve.

Next (natural) question. Can a Diesel engine start the wrong way round, e.g. by mistake?

Nedavno Duncan Wood napisa:

Before or after the high pressure fuel pump? I guess after, as you do not want air in the pump.

What about new diesel engines? You turn the key to off and...

Some of the older industrial units would pull air from the exhaust and discharge the exhaust through the air filter , usally because some muppets been messing with them

the electric fuel pump stops and the injectors stop operating etc.the ecu is powered down etc. traditional diesel engines used a power solenoid to allow or not allow fuel flow to the right bits of the pump or a manually operated stop valve on older ones.