The etiquette post is just a funny video that outlines the usual posting faux-pas that occur from new members.
Just do the following:
Check the links on the top: search, archives, main site. those three are where the knowledge is. If you have a problem, it will have happened to someone else before, too. Try searching for the answer. click search, choose the forum that your problem applies to (transaxle, engine, aesthetics, etc) and type your search term. Choose your search "boolean" (the way it handles your search term, such as AND, OR, etc)
and set your date range. Choose ALL POSTS unless you KNOW the specific post you are looking for and just want to narrow the search results.
Once you've searched each applicable forum for "waterpump", and still haven't found the answer, try changing it to some creative terms, like "black impellar", "impellar", "pump leak" "overheat", etc. If you still haven't found your answer, start searching the archives in the same manner by clicking "archives" then performing a search in the same way.
Post your questions, by ALL MEANS, IF: you've exhausted your search terms, search ideas, or results. Perhaps you are experiencing a problem that is MOSTLY like a common problem with a twist. You may NOT get the answer in a search, at least not an EXACT answer.
Also, go to each forum (duratec performance, zetec maintenance, aesthetics, etc) and notice the top posts in the forum are "stickied" with a red push pin. those are locked at the top. They don't move down the list as they get older because the info in them is worthy of staying. READ THEM ALL. Start with the post in the GENERAL forum by Lance Kinley saying for "newbies to read this", then work your way down the list reading the FAQ's, HOW-to's, and common problems.
Clicking the "Main Site" link will take you out of the forums and to the main site. on the left is a "common problems" link. Tons to learn there, too. All of these different locations will eventually be combined in one location, to ease learning, but for now: read on.
For the chat room:
open AIM, log on and look at your buddy list. Add yourself TO your own buddy list.
Click your name in your buddy list, and then click on the "invite to chat", or "chat with buddy" button on the bottom of the buddy list. (Some versions, you right click the buddies name (your name in this case) and choose invite, etc.
Type in the chat room name of "CEG" (it will give you a default name of "yourscreennamexxxxxxxxxxxxx" or something. Just erase that..)
once you join, if you are the only one there, then you picked a dead time to chat. lol
Registered member? I'm afraid I don't understand what you are referring to. Registered? You are posting, so you DID register. You have a log-in name, and password, so you're done. Unless you are referring to the title underneath your name in your posts that says "newbie" in which case it is rated by number of posts. The more you get, the more insane your title gets.
Keys:
Firstly lets make sure that we understand which keys are "expensive" and which aren't. Those cars equipped with PATS (V6), has a flashing red LED on the dash above the radio, next to a clock (early 98) or the words "Contour" (later models). If you have PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) then you have the "expensive" keys. Big, black, plastic key base.
Secondly, some years allowed "programming" of secondary keys with the existence of only one programmed key. Later models required TWO pre-programmed keys to add a third. Do a search on the boards (most likely under Troubleshooting, or General mods?) for "PATS programming" (or the like) for the programming method. Find out if your car will allow a second key to be programmed without a dealer. Maybe it will. If not, you will have to have a dealer program it, and it isn't "cheap" as you are already aware of. I SUGGEST YOU PONY UP THE DOUGH AND GET IT DONE. Lose your one key, you are S-K-REWED! You can purchase another UNPROGRAMMED pats ket cut to your ignition (a third one) and program it yourself once you have the two programmed ones.
Your Yerba is over there ----->
