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meandave

177 karma · joined May 7, 2013

Open to new contracts (especially interesting ones)

https://justice.engineering

https://crewchief.cc

submissionscomments
meandave··on [dead]
send them to the US, the used car market is in bad shape
meandave··on Ask HN: What are you working on? (August 2026)
I agree, its an idea I've been playing with for a while also. The difficult part would be isolating the sound, but perhaps with new ai audio models that has become trivial, its definitely worth revisiting
meandave··on Ask HN: What are you working on? (August 2026)
Thanks, yes its been empowering my less handy friends to fix things on their own, and building their confidence. I figure, we can't have right to repair without a more informed/confident public to demand better, repairable, and surveillance free cars.

For Pricing calculations it's a mix of the fetched tool search prices data and guided prompt. There are lots of published records on what hours jobs _should_ take and average labor hours per region.

meandave··on Ask HN: What are you working on? (August 2026)
same
meandave··on Ask HN: What are you working on? (August 2026)
At the wire level, no: it speaks generic OBD2 (ELM327), so it sees powertrain codes and standard PIDs. It won't talk to every module on a VAG car the way VCDS does — no ABS/airbag/body modules, no adaptations or coding. If you need that, VCDS stays on your bench.

Where it is make-specific is the interpretation layer. The code database includes manufacturer-specific DTCs for the 10 major makes, and there's per-model data down to the generation level — known failure patterns, which codes are common on which engines. So a P0171 on an E46 gets read in the context of "this generation eats intake boots and DISA valves," not a generic lean-code writeup. The AI report is conditioned on the exact year/make/model/engine, which is where most of the diagnostic depth comes from.

That being said, I'm continually expanding support, it really just depends on what sort of barriers I run into with these bluetooth scanners. For certain types of diagnostics (large truck / Buses etc) I'll likely need to make a separate desktop app that connects directly wired.

meandave··on Ask HN: What are you working on? (August 2026)
I haven't targeted for ipad yet, I should test soon, I have an ipad mini that would be great to use, since I keep manuals on there anyways.
meandave··on Ask HN: What are you working on? (August 2026)
the Vgate works good, there is a spec for the OBD2 Devices over bluetooth, so any of the cheap ($20-$30 range) should work fine, I haven't found one that hasn't connected to the app yet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XGB4873?th=1&tag=crewchief-20"
meandave··on Ask HN: What are you working on? (August 2026)
I've been building the most advanced automotive diagnostic app on the market

I used to be a mechanic, and spend a lot of my free time working on project vehicles, motorcycles, tractors, trucks etc. I wanted a tool to track the tasks I needed done, then a way to easily access VIN info for parts search, then I DMV records, and finally built an iphone app to scan the OBD2 diagnostic codes and hook them up to a custom ai diagnostic prompt.

It's been a blast to work on, I need to focus on marketing it and get some users that aren't close friends, but it's been serving my purposes this summer so far.

I've seen nothing with anywhere close to this depth of diagnostic reporting.

https://crewchief.cc https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crewchief-auto/id6760673109

meandave··on Mercedes‑Benz starts large‑scale production of electric axial flux motor
You could swap the 2LTE engine, that’s the equivalent hilux diesel for 80s. You may have to import though, they are few and far between in the us.

Totally with you, I want more options for my Tacoma also!

I’ve been playing with idea of importing a lhd hilux from Mexico

meandave··on Googlebook
Man, what the hell is that song
meandave··on Ask HN: What are you working on? (May 2026)
Diagnostic tool for all vehicles.

Describe your symptoms in as much detail as detail as you like and get a full diagnostic report with parts links, tutorials, price estimates, guides for diy

Includes car sales tool, generates all the documents you need for the dmv in your county/state

iPhone all connects to Bluetooth obd2 sensors for check engine lights and live driving data

Setup search alerts for “dream cars”

This one has been a blast to build

https://crewchief.cc

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crewchief-auto/id6760673109

meandave··on The Technocracy Movement of the 1930s
I first heard about this in an former coworker's (Robin Berjon) talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s878bm15mrk at an IPFS conference

Fascinating

He writes about these things on this blog as well(https://berjon.com/ethicswishing/), and has a forthcoming book on related topics last I heard

meandave··on Show HN: Crew Chief – OBD2 diagnostics via cheap Bluetooth scanner
I'm in talks with some factories that manufacture the scanners, I'd like to produce branded versions and ship them out automatically to users who signup for the paid plan, but I need to get some initial users first to verify the idea. Eager to move onto the next steps and build all of that out
meandave··on Ask HN: What Are You Working On? (March 2026)
Crew Chief (https://crewchief.cc) — a Vehicle diagnostic and management tool. Plug in your OBD2 codes (or just describe symptoms) and get a structured diagnosis in under 30 seconds: ranked probable causes, DIY vs. shop cost estimates, severity rating, and matched parts/repair videos.

I have too many project cars and bikes, I wanted one place to store vin numbers for searching parts, and then just kept adding useful features.

Supports 16 vehicle types (cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, tractors, ATVs, RVs, etc.), not just cars. Also includes maintenance tracking, a browser extension that auto-fills your vehicle info on parts sites like RockAuto and AutoZone, a community-vouched trusted shops map, and a vehicle selling wizard with state-specific bill of sale generation.

Free tier gives you 1 vehicle with a full diagnostic.

meandave··on Mikeal Rogers has died
Mikeal was extremely welcoming to me when I met him over a decade ago, It was either JSConf or NodeCamp, He was always super insightful and encouraging to my personal growth as an engineer and open source contributor. NodeJS wouldn't be what it is without him, especially the community around it in the early days. I got to work with him for a bit at protocol labs. This is a major loss to open source
meandave··on 43K fewer drivers on Manhattan roads after congestion pricing turned on
I live at a _very_ loud and busy intersection in downtown manhattan, it's usually gridlocked every day from 4pm - 7pm at least. That hasn't happened once since congestion pricing kicked in (I'm enjoying the relative quiet, but I do sort of miss the chaos). The first two days, everything was covered in snow down here. I wonder how much this will hold up into summertime.

As an unrelated aside a new bmw sedan driving the wrong way on mulberry street intentionally ran into me at a crosswalk today. So don't let your guard down lol

meandave··on Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (April 2024)
SEEKING WORK | NYC | REMOTE

Web, browsers, browser extensions, ionic/react native, Electron, IPFS, Open Source

Formerly at Mozilla and Protocol Labs.

Available for part-time or full-time contract work.

Github: https://github.com/meandavejustice Web: https://justice.engineering Email: work@justice.engineering LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-adam-justice/

meandave··on Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (March 2024)
SEEKING WORK | NYC | REMOTE

Web, browsers, browser extensions, ionic/react native, Electron, IPFS, Open Source

Formerly at Mozilla and Protocol Labs.

Available for part-time or full-time contract work.

Github: https://github.com/meandavejustice Web: https://justice.engineering Email: work@justice.engineering LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-adam-justice/

meandave··on Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (February 2024)
SEEKING WORK | NYC | REMOTE

Web, browsers, browser extensions, ionic/react native, Electron, IPFS, Open Source

Formerly at Mozilla and Protocol Labs.

Available for part-time or full-time contract work.

Github: https://github.com/meandavejustice Web: https://justice.engineering Email: work@justice.engineering LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-justice-5282922b2/

meandave··on Ask HN: What have you built with LLMs?
I'm unable to submit my email/interests.

This is in firefox with and without UBlock Origin.

Errors: https://i.imgur.com/N28wnVY.png

meandave··on Act II of Arc Browser [video]
It's not clear how user privacy is handled, Brave is doing some interesting things with their hosting of mixtral => https://brave.com/leo-mixtral/#privacy-always-comes-first
meandave··on Act II of Arc Browser [video]
One of the major takeaways from this video is how there is a major conflict of interest when a browser's predominant income is from the search engine. The browser cannot _truly_ be the User's Agent if innovation can mean killing funding.
meandave··on Act II of Arc Browser [video]
Happy to see a feature similar to Live Bookmarks (removed in Firefox 64) returning

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/live-bookmarks

meandave··on The year Lou Reed gave up on music
who is lulu
meandave··on Xylazine, a dangerous new drug fuelling Canada’s opioid crisis
BTNX now supplies test strips for Xylazine, I just ordered the first batch for the harm reduction outreach group my friends and I run. If you are interested in helping street drug users in NYC consider donating at https://opencollective.com/dont-forget-the-streets all of our funds go directly to supplies. We also table at local DIY shows, supply bars and clubs with Fentanyl test strips, and host narcan trainings.

Xylazine test strips link: https://www.btnx.com/Product?id=2019

meandave··on Fentanyl test strips highlight rift in struggle to combat drug deaths
Here is a video of me touching fentanyl and not getting high or collapsing https://www.instagram.com/tv/CaDE8XblaKy/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y...
meandave··on Fentanyl test strips highlight rift in struggle to combat drug deaths
Couple notes from my experiences (I run my own independent Harm Reduction organization in NYC)

- I rarely give out fentanyl test strips on street outreach (lower east side). Everyone knows that everything here is fentanyl and has been for years. It's mostly taken by people who will trade/give them to non sophisticated dealers who want a little more insight into what they are getting. (fent strips only show positive or negative, do not show amounts) - Older users don't like fentanyl, for many reasons, but the main thing I hear is that it doesn't "have legs". it hits very hard all at once so you cant just do a bag and go about your chores so easily. There are all sorts of drug users who have varying levels of abilities to "maintain" the other aspects of their life. - Most of the test strips that get used from my supplies these days are from people in bars and parties (testing molly, coke, ketamine etc) - People mention the fentanyl in cannabis(and k2) thing constantly to me. I've yet to be presented with any real proof. As of now I'm still convinced this is propaganda. You can guess who might be incentivized to spread these types of rumors. People don't like to share their drug habits, so it's likely they took a bad pill and blamed it on a blunt at a party. - Here is a video of how to actually use a fentanyl test strip https://www.instagram.com/tv/CaDE8XblaKy/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y...

If you want to support Harm Reduction outreach and education (narcan trainings, drug testing etc) where all of the money goes DIRECTLY to supplies you can support us at https://opencollective.com/dont-forget-the-streets. I've been funding these things for about 4 years solely out of my own income, and now need to start taking donations as my work life has dramatically changed.

If you live outside of NYC and want access to supplies anywhere in the USA. Checkout https://nextdistro.org/ they mail supplies for FREE everywhere, in discrete packaging.

meandave··on Spotify is removing Neil Young’s music after falling out over Joe Rogan
soulseek
meandave··on PayPal faces lawsuit for freezing customer accounts and funds
My account was permanently suspended this week, along with some friends I used to share a studio with (they paid me their portion of rent via PayPal), my girlfriend, and the record store a close friend of mine works at. It seemed like my account flipped some automated trigger and it took out my whole payment network. There’s of course no information from customer service. I hope this becomes a class action suit and we can join
meandave··on A uBlock Origin update was rejected from the Chrome Web Store
https://hacks.mozilla.org/2019/07/testing-picture-in-picture...
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