The Coda was Far More Broken Than I Thought

[@royster211085]

I love the fact that repairing these cars has become a game of whack-a-mole. I'm just really glad you've got the spares cars they must be absolutely invaluable!

[@agingwheels]

This is exactly I've fallen so far behind on repairs!

[@forresttm]

That's just like owning a Rover in the uk 🤣 I play wack a mole when ever I see my mechanic. 🤣

[@piccalillipit9211]

Most KZbin channels eventually run out of content - that's cos they don't own a bunch of incredibly unreliable cars...

[@TheBibliofilus]

@@agingwheels But by the looks of it you'll be a qualified Tesla mechanic in no time, in 10 years you can replace the Coda with a early Tesla!

[@useitwice]

Every car I have ever owned was a game of whack-a-mole

[@PC_YouTube_Channel]

So out of three (two?) full codas, you're up to 0.9 working codas! That means you just need to buy one more coda and you'll have one fully working coda!

[@hjalfi]

By my calculations, one extra coda would get him up to 1.4 working codas. So, yes, the maths work out.

[@cambridgemart2075]

So he has 2 spares cars, and still has to patch up the subframe on the only running car?

[@stevethepocket]

This reminds me of the critic who joked that Ben Folds should call himself Ben Folds 1⅔ now that he's gone solo, since Ben Folds Five was only three people.

[@markwiley6812]

This is why I like this guys channel. Anytime I ask my self what my life would be if my wife would let me do all of my project / interest…I just think of how many different cars Robert has.

[@mmavcanuck]

I’m pretty sure Codas are one of those mathematical problems that can never actually reach 1.0. So adding more gets you closer, but the returns are always diminishing.

[@AiOinc1]

All the flaws of electric cars with all the maintenance of a diesel and all the quality of a Yugo... What a car the Coda was, and how I love seeing it on your channel so. Also, the dying at 70% reminds me a lot of your old Wheego range video. Some things never change!

[@jimmydesouza4375]

Are diesels higher maintenance than petrol? Thought it was the opposite.

[@something2sea]

@@jimmydesouza4375 Diesels are generally higher maintenance. Whenever I've been considering a diesel or petrol version of a vehicle, my mechanic has always said "what the diesel will save in fuel economy, it'll cost you in maintenance." Now that (at least here in Australia) diesel fuel costs considerably more per litre than petrol does, diesels sadly make even less financial sense. At first I thought electric vehicles were (essentially) zero maintenance. This Coda series has taught me otherwise. I get the impression VW EVs (although looking awesome and probably driving great) are still at risk of being an expensive game of whack-a-mole.

[@JasperJanssen]

@@something2sea I mean, most of the mechanical bits that are *not* the drivetrain are completely identical to ice cars. You don’t have head gaskets and mass air sensors to deal with any more, but you still have motor mounts. Although the fact *this* car has such shocking motor mount issues is something I’d ascribe to it being practically a prototype car where the EV bits are amateurishly hacked into an existing chassis, and real series production EVs should not have that issue. Nor should their battery BMSes be so kludgy.

[@jwalster9412]

Tesla: engineer a car for reliability, styling comes second Coda: over engineer a car u tol it doesn't work in 100 miles, styling comes last, and forget that one bolt somehow.

[@AxeGaijin]

Considering the base car Coda used was a Chinese car based on a 90s Mitsubishi and the Coda engineering seems shoddy at best I'm surprised they made and sold any of these, not surprised they folded...

[@JeffDvrx]

I love how this car is just flat out screaming at you to let it die, yet you refuse to oblige lol

[@MRCNC1967]

Thanks for torquing the halfshaft on the wheel bearing hub, sort of! And "the BMS is a little confused right now" has to be the mother of all understatements.

[@agingwheels]

I'll elaborate more on this in a future video, but the BMS was only off by about 10%! There seems to be only one or two weak cells in the pack according to my scanner thingy

[@MRCNC1967]

@agingwheels Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoying your EV videos! Your devotion to keeping these machines going (the obscure dinosaur juice powered ones too) is admirable!

[@69Dartman]

Well you should be able to swap out the bad cells, you should have plenty to choose from.

[@stevethepocket]

​@@agingwheels Let me guess, they're wired in series with the working ones so it's like having a bulb go out on a string of Christmas lights?

[@eDoc2020]

@@stevethepocket Yes it's in series. If they were in parallel the electrical system would need to handle tens of kiloamps.

[@pennyhunter]

I’m extremely glad to see a surprise cameo by that laminated Baltic birch block, And I hope that we can see more of it in the future. I always appreciate recurring characters, and I think that it really just has a great energy and is obviously passionate about helping with projects.

[@raven4k998]

basically, the codas self-destruct system has been activated I know it was you that turned it on🤣🤣🤣

[@DABrock-author]

@@raven4k998 Computer, initiate destruct sequence. Code One, One A.

[@fredinit]

That Baltic Birch Block looks vaguely like an attempted part for a dust collector. Which someone took your design, make Thingiverse files, and gave you props! Nicely done.

[@raven4k998]

@@DABrock-author you forgot two, two a, two b, three, Destruct, Destruct, Destruct🤣🤣🤣

[@MatthewSmith193]

Okay, first off, GREAT video. Love the content, love what you do, love your channel, been following since the "how to drive a trabant" video. Secondly, the sound of the auto-ratchet screaming immediately after you said Three-Phase-Box made made my electrician brain think "Oh God he just fried himself" before I realized it was the auto-ratchet and not you getting hit with three phases of whatever that pack voltage is, glad you're safe but you gave me a heart attack lol.

[@Psychlist1972]

Same.

[@subnormality5854]

My non-electrician brain thought exactly the same, I was waiting for pics of charred, bandaged flesh

[@emdB67]

Yeah, my non-electrician brain thought the same thing. Gave me a fright when that happened. lol! And the "How to Drive a Trabant" was the first Aging Wheels video I saw too. Been hooked ever since. :)

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

OMG me too! My heart literally skipped a beat!

[@sjorsangevare]

I thought the same thing lol, I think he did that on purpose

[@TheAndre8900]

Me personally i couldn't care less for hypercars testdrives, nor superduper moneyhyped car building channels. Just a mad man and the will to keep awkward cars going on a reasonable budget actually teaching stuff. Truly blessed content.

[@tjnucnuc]

My brother used to work for Coda. They hired people like him; industry long timers and innovators. He worked for several big car companies before being hired by them. It was the first and only startup he would ever work for and from what I’ve heard they had him doing a ton of parts procurement and things. The issue wasn’t the company so much it was the base they were starting with. As many faults as Tesla has today they had the right idea of winning over the wealthy customers with a sporty car not some Chinese base sedan upgraded with clearly off the shelf parts. Glad you are keeping them alive! Also they are relatively wrench friendly, simple cars it seems. Not like these modern EVs.

[@christiangomez2496]

That, and the base sedan being based on a late '90s mitsubishi mirage.

[@lolroflpmsl]

It's nice to see Robert Happy :)

[@claudiodiaz9752]

That's what quality manufacturing looks like.

[@jdholmes1990]

Really got lucky with getting the torque spec right!

[@raven4k998]

did he, did he? it broke which makes me think the random guess was wrong think about it🤣🤣🤣

[@Jellooze]

Holy shit, you've been pumping out content like a madman the past two months. I like it !

[@raven4k998]

I fixed it and how does it repay me by braking yet again the wheego has taught it well🤣🤣🤣

[@alkiou3613]

I bet you are the most qualified Coda technician on the planet.

[@agingwheels]

Nah, I'm number 2 at best

[@rrrrroope]

It's fantastic to see an enthusiast mechanic's full process on display, warts and all. Laughing at your own screw-ups and then learning from them is a big part of what makes fixing old/bad/broken cars such a rewarding hobby!

[@ThatChargerPursuitGuy]

Wanna know what I'm thankful for? This man's existence. This amazing's man existence.

[@lateefcarrere1649]

I want to like the Coda, I do, but it seems like it was engineered to break. Repeatedly. On the other hand, Robert takes the lemons this car gives him and turns them into informative and entertaining content. Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving. Edit: My comment was approved! Cool!

[@braxtonnelson7422]

Seeing an Aging Wheels video appear on my KZbin stream is such a thrill (I know... I need to get out more). I know it must be a pain to come up with something to video, and then it takes all that time to shoot while doing a repair, change setups between shots, and then do all the editing and uploading, but dammit... we need to see you more! You have one of the more entertaining channels (at least among the 500+ channels to which I am subscribed), and now I have to stay in suspense while I wait to find out if you got home safely, fixed the Coda, fed the various and sundry fowl(s?), and had a nice Thanksgiving. Well?

[@fenreon]

Man you're so talented with fixing things. Just watching how you can problem solve and engineer solutions and make it look so easy.

[@cherrypepsi2815]

I always love the cars that companies make right before they die

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

So glad those Codas are with you and not crushed. Anyone else would have thrown in the towel by now!

[@Donald_Shaw]

Robert, I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy your DIY videos... You always put a smile on my face. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

[@fredmahar5431]

Robert, your videos are the absolute best!!!!......I was hoping the Coda was finally fixed, but oh well...never give up , never surrender.....cheers !

[@philipdubuque9596]

Absolute "Vintage Robert"! There is just nobody else who does what you do. But then, I still watch your Trabant engine rebuild just for the 'Zen' of it all. By going to rediculous lengths to rescue hopelessly flawed and poorly conceived vehicles you've created a one-man genre. Well done good sir! Whatever you do... keep it coming!

[@lesklower7281]

The Codas back and you are happy now looks like it needs a good long charge

[@forfluf]

This poor emaciated little guy has been left for dead but thanks to the dedicated care from Robert it will be feed and have its injuries repaired to bring it back to life.

[@theairstig9164]

And then abused again

[@neilbrideau8520]

Not sure if this is understated comedy or a tragedy of errors.

[@puttitat2851]

I absolutely love your content. Good ol' fashioned tinkering, and your sense of humor is amazing. Thank you for you!

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

I watched this earlier today and laughed. I'm sorry, I really laughed hard. Why? Your videos are the closest I've ever seen to what I call 'normal life'. How many times I've worked on things and gone through the same scenarios I can't tell you - but I can guarantee you it's been a whole lot. Thanks so much for your videos; I myself find multiple reasons to like every one of them!

[@numberminecraftfan]

Happy thanks giving robert

[@100PercentJake]

I love this thing. It's a really handsome little car!

[@bwofficial1776]

Coda heard that electric cars are easier to build than gas cars and said "how hard and expensive can it be, really?" and proceeded to do the cheapest and worst engineering. I admire your dedication to keeping obscure crappy cars on the road. This, the Wheego, the Reliant, your old first gen Smart. The constant cycle of breakdowns and unnecessarily complicated repairs is part of the love of cars like these.

[@drumbrakes]

Great work! So happy you got it going again, and then so sad when it died on you moments later.

[@magpieblue]

You're fantastic! I love what you do and how you do it, and I'm so glad there's people supporting you. Every video is enjoyable and you're an inspiration to anyone wanting to learn new skills or embrace something they love no matter how weird, niche or different it might be from things they're used to. Just wish I could get started myself; I'm inspired, but still missing a key ingredient to my own success. Keep rescuing those odd balls and doing your unique, wonderful projects!

[@Uajd-hb1qs]

This is my third time watching the Coda series and it’s so satisfying to see it slowly become functional. I’m looking for a cheap and simple electric car like this but I can’t quite come across one that meets my expectations. I think I just want a Coda 😂😂

[@drunkenhobo5039]

"Car is a lot slower than I remembered" says man who has spent the last six months in a Polestar.

[@danielwinter4740]

On two separate occasions my internet has gone down while I was watching videos about your attempt’s to fix your coda. That’s right, your coda is so broken it’s breaking my internet.

[@TheCreat]

Lovely to see an Update! As for your 3-phase motor connection at like 12:45 , I'm sure you checked your own footage (and assuming you didn't "dramatically reenact" the first unboltening at 1:30), they seem to be in the same orientation? Was that after you had flipped it already? Well I guess it got corrected by the flip since it didn't work before but did work after. Side note/guesswork: assuming that really is a straight 3 phase motor connection, flipping the connector is the equivalent of swapping 2 wires (the outer ones, specifically), which should do nothing but just reverse the thing. Of course I assume there's sensors and stuff involved, and the controller would be kinda confused by it going the wrong way and stop (repeatedly), which could also explain the sound I guess? Anyway, still weird behaviour that it doesn't just throw a code for "3-phase not connected correctly" or something...

[@LeSarthois]

For it to say that, it should be programmed first. MAYBE there is such a message in the OBD side but regular customer shouldn't have to touch that so there's no good reason to have it as an error message in the driver end. And cant exclude lazy programming either.

[@erlendse]

Simple: That is supposed to never happen, so why even bother having a error-code for it? Or even detection logic.

[@Koda.1312]

Listening to these videos specifically is quite a treat for me.

[@jayman4095]

Yay more Coda stuff👍Here I was thinking only Prelude owners get the deal with this sort of problem lol (lovingly known as the Prelude curse). Fix it just to have something completely irrelevant to the last repair break either instantly or a day or 2 later 👌

[@nicholasleone5302]

Definition of insanity "repairing a Coda over and over and expecting a different result"🤣

[@sonicjackalopeproductions3342]

I love how you are honest about the process, which gives us all better insight into the actual function of the car. So, it isn't a failure, it's a "TEACHING MOMENT", and we love you for it!!!

[@dohvahl]

I've never gleaned so much enjoyment from something I don't know or care about. I never miss a video from your channels, and yet cars hold no interest to me. Fantastic work!

[@Theover4000]

Robert I always enjoy watching you fix things, you’re an inspiration to folks like me who get anxiety over this sort of stuff. Thank you!!

[@stevecann3394]

Just taking a moment to appreciate how three seconds of KZbin video represents an entire extra days work...👍😃

[@Bence507]

Ohh I was so ready for this. For the last couple of days I bingewatched nearly all of your videos and my effort is well paid off!

[@nuclearmonster]

I wish I knew half this stuff, always fun to watch the endless troubleshooting!

[@Fake_Blood]

First time I noticed the upgraded shop in action. Things are brighter, which helps with seeing things.

[@eowanpassion]

Your quality of videos is just incredible, the combination of your fabrication skills and also your video editing is great. I enjoy every video you make! Please update us on the BMS, I can't even imagine what it's like trying to tackle software faults on a car like this..

[@soapmonkey6357]

Even for a non-car chap this channel is still one of the most entertaining things to watch on KZbin.

[@michaelpalazzo4173]

You're my favorite KZbinr. Please never stop making videos.

[@sloanemactire8780]

Watching your videos working on cars reminds me of Adam Savage's Tested, where he says the goal isn't to show how to do something, but rather what happened in the process of doing something. And I think that makes it far more entertaining. Keep doing good work good sir!

[@69Dartman]

Glad to hear you got it mostly working and moving, and figuring out the proper axle placement should help a lot of issues. Happy turkey day, hope you and your family are chowing down right now 🦃

[@sm3ttz]

This is the most funny and informative car repair guy on the internet! SOOO worth to subscribe and watch

[@veryrancid3128]

My absolute favourite car channel

[@martinda7446]

Yep, this is a wonderful channel. Absolutely love it. It's the bollocks!

[@poolmotorrepairguyFL]

that all looks like fun !!! Jay the Florida pool pump motor repair guy. When Service Calls Longwood approved ! that was good info 2 know /see👨‍🔧good job !! Aging Wheels

[@merrickhurst4150]

Excellent entertainment as always, I'm looking forward to the update video that follows this one

[@ThaZapalka]

I still cannot rationalize why you keep fixing this crappy thing remotely resembling a car, but it makes good content and I feel entertained watching it so good job! 😄

[@gabrielgochenour8225]

Happy holidays Robert! Enjoy a good meal and know that we appreciate all the quality content you put out

[@RVSparky]

Your videos are so fun to watch, as soon as they come up everything else stops and I watch them.

[@firefox3187]

Love the sticker that just say’s “FUNCTION” as though that means anything

[@icascone]

It will take 40 years but I hope in the future people will be glad someoen took the time to save these obscure cars!

[@nickhaywood7159]

Love your videos, saw this yesterday but saved it until tonight.

[@JaredUnashamed]

That's awesome. Love your videos. I'm down here in south central rural Missouri. I found ya with that exit sign behind you. Me and the family went up to the arch for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Good stuff sir.

[@ScarlettStunningSpace]

It's always good to see another video from you

[@sentinelvixen7936]

Thank you for the flashing light warning with duration.

[@alexgirniak8606]

Nice video! All familiar issues, I am myself in the process of restoring an old 2002 Toyota RAV4 EV :)

[@shawncell1247]

love the shop and passion for electric cars.

[@tleg6969]

I love your fun and cynical attitude during these videos!

[@FreakinPeanut]

Your videos are worth waiting for, it's not you, it's me.

[@zx8401ztv]

Your workshop lighting is really good. Well done. You have breathed life into the coda :-D Perhaps you can do that to the reliant robin, well fix the wheel....maybe.

[@steven-vn9ui]

Robert, thank you for uploading to your channel, I always enjoy your content. Particularly the whacky editing and your sense of humour. All the best from the UK

[@MG-nz6bx]

hey bud. what you did was probably fine and all, but just a little tidbit for you in the future if you gotta do something like that again with the welding. when you put bracing on, you generally do not want to weld the ends. that causes a new stress point and your next break... sort of a new stress riser. you generally get better results by JUST welding perpendicular to the fracture and parallel to the tube being braced. not the end of the world or anything at all!!! just one of those little tips that can make a difference someday down the line. nice work. you're a riot to watch! love it:)

[@agingwheels]

That's a really good tip, thanks!

[@TilmanBaumann]

I appreciate every absurdity of this car down to the last ziptie

[@turtlebro4498]

Great video, love the attitude and sarcasm. Keep up the awesome work. Remember to recharge yourself.

[@Phiyedough]

I like the way you call the gearbox "the gearbox"!

[@theboldfuture2341]

Coda content from both of my favorite KZbinrs? Something to be thankful for after all!!

[@anselml2928]

Who ist the other KZbinr with a Coda?

[@theboldfuture2341]

@@anselml2928 Snazzy Labs!

[@fespa]

I just wish I faced all my hardships with half of your disposition. Or at least learned how to "sound like it". 😀 Great vid. Thanks.

[@adamgoss3638]

I lost it at 12:27. "My professional opinion is: there's something wrong with it!"

[@patthesoundguy]

Great job!!! The welding looks great! 👍👍👍

[@danmccarthy4700]

I'm one of those weirdos who really pays attention to the way a car door sounds when it closes, and for such a chintzy body shell, this one sure gives a nice, reassuring thunk when it shuts.

[@ゲリン]

Him touching the 3 Phase HV lines with bare fingers while knowing the main power is taken off.... My Heart rate ft. Anxiety 📈📈📈📈

[@TheGraduateApple]

Hey Robert, heres some new and revised ideas for a durango and ferd explerer (yes i spelt it like that intentionally) destruction review: (part of the options segment) rear wiper on both cars and how they "function", options the car has, rage test, weather test, father does some destruction for the review segment, tannerite in trunk, chair gods round 2, chickems/geese/other naughty birds in the front seat, offroading tests, crash testing both cars together, and whatever else comes to mind

[@vamos529]

At around 01:12 into your video, watching your hand touching the box next to the warning label and them hearing the tool noise - you scared the sh*t out of me! I love watching your videos!

[@coffeeisgood102]

Tech Connections recommended you and I bit. This video did not let me down. At some point I am going to start a YT channel. When I do I’ll recommend you too.

[@SGTStubble]

The car that never fails to fail. I love it

[@nitrorory]

Oh and I always enjoy your videos , thanks for working hard to make them !

[@mihaelkYeah]

1:09 That noise right after having said "high voltage cables that go into this box" jumpscared me

[@thatocelot879]

I would like the KZbin magic that you used to get from Utah to Missouri as fast as you did.

[@mrgamer4135]

I swear with these codas he is forever living in Missouri

[@re4zoon]

The kebab is back! I was wondering since that video came out what have you done with it, thanks. Now I can sleep peacefully that it went on to serve as support. As most kebabs are during a long night drinking.

[@alexflosho]

three videos posted at the same time. can't decide which creator to watch first. wait no. i don't need to choose. robert posted.

[@RichieRouge206]

It’s such a love hate car lol but love the fix on the gearbox mount! Top effort sir

[@LCARSx32]

Heyyy I'm pretty sure I've broken down at that ZX before! I've always wanted a KZbin mechanic nearby, so I'd have someone I know is more talented than me, to take my collection of poorly maintained and reengineered projects to. At least I got the first half! I kid. It's obvious you have a lot of skill. It's nice to see the humility and self-deprecating humor. Makes my mistakes seem less severe somehow. Keep up the good work!

[@michele97593]

Every video is always entertaining. Even when said car breaks again.

[@Elbobburrito]

8:52 I like that your lifter there makes a nice clown horn sound right after you say "I'm gonna sound excited"

[@chassegallerie2910]

Robert, you and your odd cars! lol Each vid you make is really fun to watch.

[@P_RO_]

"The car doesn't stay operational long enough for that to be a problem"- best laugh for me today 🤣

[@QALibrary]

You need to take this car to Rich Rebuilds at the electrified garage and get their team to do a review of the design and build quality of it.