Eric O., I had a two hour diagnosis fee added on to a bill with a new battery cable solving my problem. $249.00 bill that I was ecstatic to pay. I'd been chasing a slow start on my 2014 Ford Expedition for 7 months, the cables looking brand new. But 7'' from the battery post there was green corrosion between the cables, the outside sheaf hiding the defect. Tech. said he'd never seen that on my model. Now I take everything to this guy because he doesn't guess, he tests. Best money I 've spent in a long time. This is the way to go.
It’s really nice to see such a honest and through mechanic and someone that diagnoses problems instead of throwing parts at it and the entertainment is a bonus!! That’s why we all keep coming back thanks Dr. O keep the videos coming!
Most viewers of this channel understand that the reason we love watching a "true technician" perform the correct diagnosis is because we're tired of shops doing this kind of shoddy work. I don't care how much Eric O denies that he's the best, I have never found any other mechanic who has the quality of workmanship and integrity with his customers. It kills me to watch these videos because I know that I have 100 mechanics in my town and not 1 of them could find or fix this problem.
If 100 mechanics miss a diagnosis but get paid, do they really care? Eric does! His 'bring-back' ratio has to be almost ZERO after seeing him do work on various vehicles.
You definitely don't know that, unless you have tested all 100 shops with a car with that problem. People that work with cars all day long, tend to learn a thing or two, over the years. A lot of shops are small businesses, and maybe the owner of the shop is the one working on your car.
@@the_hate_inside1085 .. Well, I've had several vehicles and 2 brand new ones that I've taken to the dealership and totally effed them up. Brand new Dodge truck. Sprayed oil all over the new engine. Went to the dealership closer by. Overfilled the oil. Almost coming out of the dipstick. Left the hood unlatched. So, could've had a blown motor or ran into a tree and killed myself when the hood flew up blocking my view. ASE certified techs and this is what happens. Toyota dealership locked my clutch and tranny up after work on the clutch.. Had to send a tow truck to pick it up. I got a Coupon for a free oil and filter change.. I laughed... Hell, no. You ain't never working on my vehicle anymore !!!. So, no Mom and Pop business did those kinds of eff ups...
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@@ToyManFlyer1100 because mom and pop businesses tend to treat you and your car better because they have a reputation
Charging a customer to diagnose a problem is the proper way to operate a success automotive repair shop. I've been "turning wrenches" for many years and I think you're a top notch guy. Great videos!
I watch Eric and Ray only. I'm 84 and wheelchair bound. Yeah I modify my wheelchairs 😂. I see the tools these guys use, the cordless tools especially and just marvel. I buy a few tools now just because I would almost have done an Abraham on my oldest brat for some of the tools. Yea, literallyturning wrenches because that was the only way . I watch Curtis in Australia at CEE. He would of course, wrench a spanner. Except when he is using a flogging spanner. The correct name for what we call a washer is' bearing plate." We call them washers because people would by using a chamois impregnated with a grinding compound rub gold coins to wear them down The chamois would therefore be gold laden and burned to recover the gold. A gold coin worn down was called a washer. My meds have worn off and Im out
I disagree...your ecm is low on fluid and the circuits need to be rotated. Also check the ecm for leaks. If no leaks are found, I recommend an ecm flush with full synthetic electrical fluid. Hope this helps.
Your troubleshooting skills are quite good. Many people get confused when multiple seemingly unrelated symptoms are displayed, but not you. Very enjoyable to watch your process and understand how you get right to the problem. And Mrs. O - like a ray of sunshine!
Eric, I used to work on TV's back in the day. People would come in and ask for a free est. I would try to explain to them that it costs a tech some time to clearly tell them what is wrong. One guy came in, and told me that the shop down the street could give free est. I was having a bad day, so I put on the invoice - Free Est. Diag: Broken!... The guy came in to pickup the TV to take it to another shop. He was hopping mad.... Long story short, he brought it back 3 days later, and signed for the diag fee. I found a broken wire feed to the power side of the tubes. Bill was only 40.00 to fix it. That customer brought the shop alot of business after that... People don't understand that there is no magic light that tells us where the problem is.. You have to pay for quality repairs. Keep up the great work! Thanks.
Nice job. My HVAC and Plumber Step-dad would always say. "When diagnosing a problem always remember, 'If you heard hooves think horses not zebras'.......meaning .....don't make the problem unusual or spectacular when it problem is simple and common.
At one time in my life I was an engine builder, I always thought I was pretty good at it, but never looked at myself as a mechanic. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy watching your videos, the approach you take is one my Father instilled into me early on, DON’T try to fix something without finding out just what is it that really needs fixing. Again Thanks Ron
It's frustrating as an apprentice at a company with a heavy duty/CT fleet that they encourage, and pressure you to load the parts cannon. Just last week I had a truck with an open or shot code on a fuel pressure sensor, the sensor is part of a fuel dosing module. supervisor says "well change the module" I throw a $1000 module in. sure enough following week, truck comes back, same code. ends up being a broken wire inside the insulation, right out of the ECU at the 90°. sure it took a couple hours to find, but even if I took three days to find, it would have still been cheaper
Would have been cheaper, but they don't care. In HD fleet, there is rarely a metric for vehicle comebacks, rarely does anyone care WHAT the repair costs unless it's over $10k, but there is ALWAYS a metric for vehicle downtime. As long as each individual shop visit is less than 2 days, they're happy. Doesn't matter if it makes 5 visits a month. Guess which metric managerial bonuses are tied to? Accountants are a cancer. Fleet jobs are the country club for techs, but you have to check your conscience at the door. Been working HD fleet for the last 10 years and ended up with all the specialty transfer case rebuilds, engine fails and hard diags but rarely will anyone else in the shop even be allowed to get that far. "Throw $5k in parts at it, still fucked. Send it to the dealer, still fucked. Send it to tr0n and let him sit on it for a week." When they get it back, i've re-wired the thing, fixed the hydraulics and whatever problem it came in for initially. I basically refuse to kick shit out the door until I'm happy with it, but I've proven that they can trust me.
@@BlindBatG34 Heh, unfortunately I'm always under an NDA/social media ban etc! That and I'm certainly not fast or good, just thorough. Appreciate it, though. I did a little math one month, and I figured between 70% and 90% of my work that month was just unfucking the previous "repairs" or playing cleanup after the parts cannon was fired. Between hooking up air actuators backwards, installing wrong parts, replacing $20k in emissions equipment instead of the $60 MAP sensor that was sooted off, bypassing control relays, rags stuck in intercoolers, sensors only half plugged in and the almighty operator error...man it gets frustrating. Just have to remind myself that if everyone else had half a clue about how to do their job, nobody would need me!
@@-tr0n you're right, regarding fleets being a country club, and some of the other guys I work with love it. Luckily my fleet is the perfect size where it's not too big and not too small, where I am able to tinker away in my corner figuring / learning it out to get it done, or if I wanted, I can load up the parts cannon without too much question. It's kind of the ultimate country club
@@Mr79elk That's awesome. Sounds like a good balance for learning how to become a true master tech without having that flat rate pressure sitting on your shoulders. Good luck buddy!
Your experience shines here and it's very apparent you've gained a reputation for being spot on in your diagnostics. Hence, the other shops say "Take it to SMA"!
Thank goodness most of the time you do it correctly. When watching the Arabs over at Northridge electronics, he always says, better than factory. Now that is what I may aim for, better than factory, but since I am 74 that may not happen but it won't fail in the next year Gott em Himmel accordingly.
Been turning wrenches since I was 10, but love your videos I pick up tips every time I watch one of your videos. Really like the ones where you fix things that other shops can't fix.
Good video. Especially the ending. I allways try an explain to my service manager why diagnosis takes time and we should be payed for all of the time it takes us to do the diagnosis. He is one of those managers that thinks your master tech everything should only take 10 minutes. Thanks for all you do.
You are a blast to watch and listen to. Brings back memories, was a Chrysler tech for over 30 years. I love your honesty and that's exactly how it should be. I always treated a customers car as if it was my own. Fix it right the first time.
I guess I've watched every one of your videos, as soon as you said you knew what the problem is, I immediately thought ignition switch. It's the only thing they all have in common.
Wow! Great guy. I wish that you were in Las Vegas. I truly enjoy watching you. Actually you help me with a transmission oil pan. The mechanic couldn't stop the leak so I just replace the pan ...new. All leaks stopped. Bad pan. I also love how patient you are when it comes to electrical. Keep up the excellent job. Thanks and double thanks.
Love mechanics that do the shotgun approach! I make a great living because of them. Eric the same type of "mechanics" are in the aircraft field. Troubleshooting is an art. We have parts changers and true mechanics.
That's a scary thought while bad on land, but for flying crafts in the air?! Holy biscuits that make folks feel a bit uncomfortable. Makes me wonder about ships and trains.
I’m having flash backs to my Air Force days...nothing like shooting wires out on the wing at 0200 in the morning with freezing rain running down your back.
They also pay aircraft mechanics sh t wages, at least the big airlines do. Private sector mech make more than union mechanics . But it’s also a crapshoot, union bus mech make more then non, and union truck mech working for government make more than union mech working for the public.
You brought up the subject of bad customers, and bad mechanics. They kinda feed off each other. One makes the other possible when you think about it for a bit.
When it comes to mechanical work on my vehicle(or any thing else for that matter) I admit I am a complete idiot and don't know a thing. I am therefore completely depended on the knowledge and expertise of the mechanic. In my life I have only met 2 mechanic shops that have done a fantastic job with diagnosing and fixing some of the things I had problems with and a number of them have just raked me over the coals. It's nice to see you checking and double checking your work and being as thorough with your work. I wished you were my mechanic.
It's amazing how alot of the people who call themselves mechanics and have shops are way worse than some home DIYers like myself who don't actually call themselves a "mechanic." I have spent years learning proper diagnoses from real mechanic friends and fix alot of cars/trucks these days and have a decent little garage and I'm constantly amazed by the shotty work that "shops" do to peoples cars and they feel good about charging them money when they can't even figure out the problem right. Watching you diagnose these problems so calmly and collected is so intriguing and I always learn something new.
I've had a dealership charge me a $100 diagnostic fee to replace a belt idler pulley that was the only reason I brought it to them. Being on the road, I needed it NOW!When I asked the manager what this was for, his answer was every customer gets charged this fee went it comes in for any purpose! Nice going Chrysler! (Jeep)
@@davidvoinier6008 incorrect. you only get charged the $100 diagnostic fee if we have to diagnose the problem, its not every single car. if you know the problem already then you wont get charged diagnostics, you'll only get charged parts and labor to put it in. for example if you know you need brake pads and say " i want new brake pads installed" thats all you will pay for. if you come in and say "my brakes feel a little squishy and it pulls to the right" then we have to go find the problem and diagnose it hence the "diagnostic fee". this is not a scam you are paying the technician for the skills and knowledge they have acquired and also the time that it will take them to complete the job. do some research on the topic next time or learn to fix your car yourself and these fees are out of your life. but the reason you are paying that fee is because you are incapable of finding the problem and need to pay a professional who is capable. checout 40:23 eric says it himself in great wording.
I've seen everything. I had a guy come in after he had been to a BMW dealership who chaarged him $400 to "reprogram his light module". The problem wasn't fixed at all. One i remember in particular is a guy brought a Escalade to us and we figured out it's probably the suspension module. We told him it's probably that as we tested the wiring to the shock that the module was complaining about and everything seemed fine. We didn't have the scan tool necessary for the module so we told him to go to the dealer. He leaves it with them and the replace the shock without even asking him, it doesn't fix the problem, and he has to argue with them that they should have actually diagnosed the issue rather than just throwing parts at it and charging him without notice. I don't know how they think they can get away with it. I suppose enough can and do do this so they just find it to be common and acceptable practice.
Well im glad that the official dealership shop i brought my Seat to didnt charge me for their incompetence. Had an immobilizer issue, dumped it there. 3 days later they said there was nothing wrong with the car, it had no fault codes. Except they had failed to start the car due to immobilizer saying "no" and it was parked in the very same spot i left it in. They were literally helpless due to the computer not showing the exact issue. No clue what to do, no clue how to find the fault. I took it home and was never sent a bill. Took me around 20 minutes to locate the issue and another 5 to fix it (cracked solder in the instrument cluster on the cable from the transponder reader).
Man the world needs more mechanics like you that actually diagnosis the problem instead of just throwing parts at it, I am the same way but so often the customer doesn't want it diagnosed correctly they just want a price to change a part that they believe is broken. And then when you change that part and it doesn't fix the problem and then diagnose it correctly and it's something else completely different or much simpler. They get mad that you just changed the part they wanted changed but they didn't want to pay for your time to correctly identify the problem and it's a big I told you so. Anyways keep up the good work. I appreciate the tips and seeing someone else's process of figuring out multiple problems caused by one thing. I used to work for a place with a motto the customer is always right but sadly that is not the case in most cases. But you really show that it's important to do your own diagnosis instead of just throwing parts at a problem, especially intermittent problems.
@Timothy Salomon Or actual common sense (rare these days). All these problems happen at once. The first question should be: What is common to all of them? Basic stuff first. How many cars has Eric fixed with a good visual inspection (The absolutely most simple diagnostic tool)?
Technicians or ASE certifed are over used terminology. More like parts swappers. I worked with a guy whom is ASE cert. He told. All you do is take test to get your certs..
It is so refreshing to see someone that knows how to trouble shoot!!! People don't realize how many people just throw parts at problems until it's solved.
You always crack me up with the singing the old school jams! Haha! “I’ve got the power”, gold digga, etc... but you added the bonus today with sending wife to massage parlor! Haha! Mahalo for the laughs and Aloha from Hawaii!
You always do a great job and take time to explain how and why. I have learned a few new things from watching and look forward to learning more. Keep up the great job.
Eric, I agree with you 100% about doing the job RIGHT and charging for diagnosing problems. I'm MUCH older than you... maybe twice... and have worked on my own vehicles most of my life. Here, after early retirement, I am learning to PROPERLY diagnose electrical/computer/module/sensor issues. With past knowledge, training, and education plus countless hours of learning by watching videos of logical, methodical testing MUCH time, effort, and money will have been invested. Even then, some people will say "well, it only took you 15 minutes to find the problem so why should it cost xxx amount of money?". Mostly, their minds can't process the effort that has gone into gaining the skills it took to perform that diagnosis in x number of minutes versus x number of hours or to even be able to make the correct diagnosis at all. Even though I am exceptionally customer oriented I have asked a few people that if it seemed so simple why had they not already fixed the problem. The reply is almost always akin to "I didn't know where to start". Aha!
I love your video. I’ve been an old school technician all my life. When I achieved Senior Master Technician with Ford in 2001, I hit the top. I took pride in my work. Watching your videos you do the same. Thinking things through is the key as to why things are broken. Good luck brother of master technicians.
"this just got awkward" 🤣🤣 Edit: I wouldn't expect to be charged for plugging in a scan tool... But I would expect to pay for the diagnostic work to track down the codes... And without a code I wouldn't expect anyone to work for free to diagnose a condition that isn't setting codes. Always enjoy coming along with you when you get into finding an issue.
You are the best and honest mechanic I have to deal with , how much I wish you were on my part of the world, if you move to Florida Me and my family and friends, for sure will be your customers , watch your video all the time and always learn something, keep the good work,
I worked on weapons systems for the Navy for over 30 years. Every day was a new challenge. Finding an open wore in a maze of hundreds of wires is very satisfying. I hope you get the same satisfaction. I would love to get into auto/marine electronics diagnosis.
Thank you for your knowledge and taken us viewer's to auto school and not charging us with a bill at every video how to.Thank you you are one of the best to me. Keep them coming.
I had an alignment done at a national chain. I get a alignment and a estimate for a rotor, a caliper, pads and labor($800) for a leaking caliper. Before i went for the alignment I had noticed a leak at the left rear but i dabbed my finger in the leaked fluid and determined it was gear oil. I removed the fill hole plug and the oil was by no means low. I also did not notice any oil on the garage floor. I also checked the master cylinder and it was not low. and ordered some seals, gear oil, gasket and a couple of cans of brake clean. Even though i got a year warranty on the alignment, I'm not going back.
I worked at a Chevy dealership in the late 80's. There was a car in under warranty that had multiple drivability issues. Another mechanic was diagnosing it using ONLY the dealer network computer diagnostic tool. Several codes popped up (ODB1) & he replaced each item associated with the codes, which did not repair any of the issues. The car still had ;the exact same codes, so he was at the parts window to get another round of the EXACT parts, thinking the new ones (as well as the original ones) were bad. I couldn't believe anybody would think that AC Delco could survive if they made that many bad parts. I asked if they had power, only to discover he hadn't even considered that. Turns out the 3/8" x1" ground bolt had fallen out of the back of the head. The car ran great even with the original parts. Over $300 of parts & labor (in 1987) for a 25 cent bolt & 30 minutes labor. People really need to look for common symptoms.
A long time ago, in another world, I worked for a garage and radiator shop. About half our work was repairing the other shops screw ups or repairs. This was long before scanners, codes and computers. Even in those days, he taught me to me be methodical in determining the problem.
It seems every single time I had taken a vehicle to the dealership for diagnosis they ALWAYS come back with a 1000 dollar fix. Mind you, in the eighties and nineties it was a 600 dollar fix, but you get the gist I'm sure. That's the other A-holes of the repair industry and the first ones are the shops that "fixed" this Ram.
I like your style fella, I've been in a lifetime of electrical fault finding on anything that moves and some that don't and are not supposed to move. It all takes time, effort and method, no guess work. Great approach.
Wow, your channel never ceases to amaze me about the amount of either incompetent or lazy hack mechanics there are out there who don't want to take the time to actually diagnose a problem. Hey, I guess you should be thankful for them, they put money in your pocket.
I have to agree with you 110% on the diagnosis charge. A lot of times it takes longer to find a problem than it takes to actually fix it! So what, I'm going to charge the customer for a 30 minute repair that took 1 ½ hours to diagnose? I think not!!! And anyone who thinks that it's fair to the mechanic to only pay them for repair time and not diagnostics has bumped their head, IMO.... VERY THOROUGH DIAGNOSIS MY FRIEND. GREAT WORK!
When you only make, let say for example, $10/hour, an $80-100 mechanic is very expensive, and hope springs eternal of getting a freebie. People also have no understanding of what it can take to diagnose (let alone fix) newer vehicles, so the labor and parts seem like highway robbery. Some places mark up parts big time, which when they find out the $40.00 Jiffy Lube air filter costs $10.00 at Wal-Mart, they get all upset. Yes, in case of the filter they were ripped off, but ignorance, just like stupidity, has a price.
There are generally free estimates in brake shops and front end shops. A visual inspection takes a few minutes, gives the shop a good idea what is needed and allows them to give a solid estimate. The customer brought it in with the expectation something is wrong with the brakes or suspension so the "free inspection" time can be rolled into the estimate. When our car was smashed the body shop spent ten minutes looking it over and was able to offer a free estimate that made it worth the tech's time. Beyond that, anything that requires troubleshooting is _not_ free labor. When I worked in general aviation (small planes) avionics I would sometimes troubleshoot a problem and, if the fix was not trivial, call the customer with the repair cost. If the customer demanded what would happen if that didn't fix it? Would he have to pay? I told him if that doesn't fix it he only had to pay for my work so far. By the time I called him, if I told him something specific was wrong it always was. When have we ever seen Eric completely miss the target?
I used to sell building materials. A hisband and wife came in, ordered a whole bunch of material, (too much to take in a normal pickup truck) I quoted them the $65 local delivery fee. He seemed ok but the wife threw a fit, so I gave them “free” delivery and increased the price of the other stuff they bought to cover the $65. It made her happy! 🙄 delivery costs money. Trucks, fuel, maintenance, insurance, etc. Oh and the driver usually likes to get paid too!
It probably has to do with all the 'free' software that steers you to certain places even as it datamines you to the bedrock. People download stuff for free and forget that everything has a cost, even if it has no price.
First video of yours I've watched... Looks like a family business? (seeing as how your wife and kid were there). I've always trusted family ran businesses more. Very intuitive catch on the issue this guy was having - you seem highly experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to your trade. Seems like you run a really fair, honest business - I'm impressed man. Keep up the amazing work - you're an inspiration to a lot of people out there who either want to become or currently are techs/wrenches like yourself. Cheers!
Everything you said at the end is 100% true, except one thing. I work at a parts store. We will plug an OBD2 code reader into customer's car to read codes. However, I wouldn't dare make a call based on that reading. I always....always, refer customers to a shop, because.. 1) We're not a shop, we're a parts store 2) The shops in town are our customers too, and so we make better money, less returns by selling the right parts the first time. 3)Ultimately customers are more happy because they didn't frustrate themselves by putting in wrong parts over and over. Just sayin ', not all parts stores are "like that"....
Props for the Cool Hand Luke reference. I worked auto parts years ago and hated the "free diagnostic" with a passion. I had to explain to customers all the time that we were a parts store and not a mechanic shop, and that we were merely reading DTCs, with no guarantee it would reveal an issue or all of the issues with their vehicle. I previously worked for a dealership, so I'd go over how much an actual diagnosis could cost, what was involved, and why they would charge as much as they did. Many customers would point to "FREE DIAGNOSTIC" on the window sign and get angry with me for actually informing them. I don't miss checking codes for cheap ass retreads one bit. It did nothing but influence weak minded folks to throw parts at their vehicles, and then proceed to get angry when we wouldn't return parts after they installed them and found it didn't fix it. As if it was our fault, and we misled them. To be fair, many mouth breathing parts jockeys do mislead customers, knowingly and unknowingly, but that wasn't how I rolled. "FREE DIAGNOSTIC" is disingenuous at best and was a massive headache for all of us who worked there. It ain't magic, and there's a reason mechanic shops and parts houses are completely different business. People are cheap and think the world owes them everything for free.
Wow when you were giving Mrs. O a hard time about breaks I paused video and wondered if we were about to witness her smacking you down. You are a lucky man she is forgiving!
Hi Eric O. If someone ever walks into your shop with a 2002-2006 Toyota Camry, or other Toyota that has an unresponsive accelerator pedal problem, please make a video on that. I just replaced the accelerator pedal on my 2006 Camry with a bone-yard accelerator pedal unit, because it had very poor accelerator response. How did I know the accelerator was bad??? I did a temporary accelerator pedal swap from my Mama’s working 2002 Camry pedal, and the car was much more responsive, and drivable. I can’t afford the fancy diagnostic jazz right now. But still, I enjoy watching your videos and how you use the diagnostic tools. Very useful stuff Sir!!! Thx. Much appreciated!!! If it hadn’t been for Mama’s 2002 Camry, I don’t know how the heck I would’ve diagnosed that problem!!!
I use to listen to Car Talk and a guy calls in saying he's having an intermittent electrical issue turn out his ignition switch was worn out because he had a bunch of extra stuff hanging from his keys. Weeks later coworker tells me he's having and electrical issue I say take a bunch of that stuff off your keys because it wears out your ignition it worked.
I have a 99 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Magnum. It is a beast as a shop/farm/plow truck. I upgraded all the steering and suspension components. It has no comfort conveniences like power windows, locks, heated seats, etc. to break so I lucked out there I suppose. It is a beast.
Wow, now that was worth the watch. You have determined I have the same issue with my ignition switch. You're great at what you do. Seriously, I wouldn't be mad if you handed me an invoice. Thanks for posting.
Another great video finding one problem after another! You've provided a lot of great examples of tracing a circuit to check for issues before throwing parts at it. I don't have the amazing Snap-On and other readers (JEALOUS!) but I've got 10,000 pages of manuals for my vehicles. It takes some time to trace and test the circuits but it's obviously worth the effort.
Please do more "other shop drop offs" please. I love seeing how easy the actual problem was haha
Ya we love these ones but who the heck wants to work on them hahaha
Eric O., I had a two hour diagnosis fee added on to a bill with a new battery cable solving my problem. $249.00 bill that I was ecstatic to pay. I'd been chasing a slow start on my 2014 Ford Expedition for 7 months, the cables looking brand new. But 7'' from the battery post there was green corrosion between the cables, the outside sheaf hiding the defect. Tech. said he'd never seen that on my model. Now I take everything to this guy because he doesn't guess, he tests. Best money I 've spent in a long time. This is the way to go.
These videos are so damn satisfying. When you can narrow down, locate and fix a problem 100%. Keep posting, the absolute best repair channel, ever.
It’s really nice to see such a honest and through mechanic and someone that diagnoses problems instead of throwing parts at it and the entertainment is a bonus!! That’s why we all keep coming back thanks Dr. O keep the videos coming!
Most viewers of this channel understand that the reason we love watching a "true technician" perform the correct diagnosis is because we're tired of shops doing this kind of shoddy work. I don't care how much Eric O denies that he's the best, I have never found any other mechanic who has the quality of workmanship and integrity with his customers. It kills me to watch these videos because I know that I have 100 mechanics in my town and not 1 of them could find or fix this problem.
If 100 mechanics miss a diagnosis but get paid, do they really care? Eric does! His 'bring-back' ratio has to be almost ZERO after seeing him do work on various vehicles.
I've found a total of 2 people that I'd trust to work on any of my vehicles. Their both worth the five hour drive.
You definitely don't know that, unless you have tested all 100 shops with a car with that problem. People that work with cars all day long, tend to learn a thing or two, over the years. A lot of shops are small businesses, and maybe the owner of the shop is the one working on your car.
@@the_hate_inside1085 .. Well, I've had several vehicles and 2 brand new ones that I've taken to the dealership and totally effed them up. Brand new Dodge truck. Sprayed oil all over the new engine. Went to the dealership closer by. Overfilled the oil. Almost coming out of the dipstick. Left the hood unlatched. So, could've had a blown motor or ran into a tree and killed myself when the hood flew up blocking my view. ASE certified techs and this is what happens. Toyota dealership locked my clutch and tranny up after work on the clutch.. Had to send a tow truck to pick it up. I got a Coupon for a free oil and filter change.. I laughed... Hell, no. You ain't never working on my vehicle anymore !!!. So, no Mom and Pop business did those kinds of eff ups...
@@ToyManFlyer1100 because mom and pop businesses tend to treat you and your car better because they have a reputation
Charging a customer to diagnose a problem is the proper way to operate a success automotive repair shop.
I've been "turning wrenches" for many years and I think you're a top notch guy. Great videos!
I watch Eric and Ray only. I'm 84 and wheelchair bound. Yeah I modify my wheelchairs 😂.
I see the tools these guys use, the cordless tools especially and just marvel. I buy a few tools now just because I would almost have done an Abraham on my oldest
brat for some of the tools.
Yea, literallyturning wrenches because that was the only way .
I watch Curtis in Australia at CEE.
He would of course, wrench a spanner. Except when he is using a flogging spanner.
The correct name for what we call a washer is' bearing plate."
We call them washers because people would by using a chamois impregnated with a grinding compound rub gold coins to wear them down The chamois would therefore be gold laden and burned to recover the gold. A gold coin worn down was called a washer.
My meds have worn off and Im out
That interaction with his younger daughter.....Eric O is my spirit animal.
"My front tires wear unevenly"
"You need a new ECM"
Also, you have too many screws holding your car together, and, you didn't really need that part connected.
I disagree...your ecm is low on fluid and the circuits need to be rotated. Also check the ecm for leaks. If no leaks are found, I recommend an ecm flush with full synthetic electrical fluid. Hope this helps.
@@justinjeannette8082 You're such a comfort. LOL
It's your Bluetooth that needs to be refilled.
I am new to this channel, It’s scary to think the previous shops prior to coming here are still in business.
Your troubleshooting skills are quite good. Many people get confused when multiple seemingly unrelated symptoms are displayed, but not you. Very enjoyable to watch your process and understand how you get right to the problem. And Mrs. O - like a ray of sunshine!
diagnosis VS a part changer. Thanks for your time.
"Jerry was in there and brought his rig with him". So classic Eric O., so glad I can have a laugh and diagnose cars with you while I watch.
It's jury
Damn jerry need to learn to leave shit alone.
Jerry built but jury rigged?
JERRY THE JERK
The little one is so funny when she gets near the camera. That dear in the headlights look is great.
"heard the story a million times". Truth! Test dont guess. Thank you, Eric O. You the man.
Eric, I used to work on TV's back in the day. People would come in and ask for a free est. I would try to explain to them that it costs a tech some time to clearly tell them what is wrong. One guy came in, and told me that the shop down the street could give free est. I was having a bad day, so I put on the invoice - Free Est. Diag: Broken!... The guy came in to pickup the TV to take it to another shop. He was hopping mad.... Long story short, he brought it back 3 days later, and signed for the diag fee. I found a broken wire feed to the power side of the tubes. Bill was only 40.00 to fix it. That customer brought the shop alot of business after that... People don't understand that there is no magic light that tells us where the problem is.. You have to pay for quality repairs. Keep up the great work! Thanks.
Tubes???? Now we know what "Day" you meant. Lololol.
Turning to roll down the window to talk to Mrs. O was the ultimate chill flex. You knew it would work. 😎
Nice job.
My HVAC and Plumber Step-dad would always say. "When diagnosing a problem always remember, 'If you heard hooves think horses not zebras'.......meaning .....don't make the problem unusual or spectacular when it problem is simple and common.
thank you, that is a great quote!
👍
Some people think rainbow unicorns.
Such fun to see intelligent and systematic diagnoses!!!
Great job. Great shop.
At one time in my life I was an engine builder, I always thought I was pretty good at it, but never looked at myself as a mechanic. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy watching your videos, the approach you take is one my Father instilled into me early on, DON’T try to fix something without finding out just what is it that really needs fixing.
Again Thanks
Ron
It's frustrating as an apprentice at a company with a heavy duty/CT fleet that they encourage, and pressure you to load the parts cannon. Just last week I had a truck with an open or shot code on a fuel pressure sensor, the sensor is part of a fuel dosing module. supervisor says "well change the module" I throw a $1000 module in. sure enough following week, truck comes back, same code. ends up being a broken wire inside the insulation, right out of the ECU at the 90°. sure it took a couple hours to find, but even if I took three days to find, it would have still been cheaper
Would have been cheaper, but they don't care. In HD fleet, there is rarely a metric for vehicle comebacks, rarely does anyone care WHAT the repair costs unless it's over $10k, but there is ALWAYS a metric for vehicle downtime. As long as each individual shop visit is less than 2 days, they're happy. Doesn't matter if it makes 5 visits a month. Guess which metric managerial bonuses are tied to? Accountants are a cancer.
Fleet jobs are the country club for techs, but you have to check your conscience at the door. Been working HD fleet for the last 10 years and ended up with all the specialty transfer case rebuilds, engine fails and hard diags but rarely will anyone else in the shop even be allowed to get that far. "Throw $5k in parts at it, still fucked. Send it to the dealer, still fucked. Send it to tr0n and let him sit on it for a week."
When they get it back, i've re-wired the thing, fixed the hydraulics and whatever problem it came in for initially. I basically refuse to kick shit out the door until I'm happy with it, but I've proven that they can trust me.
tr0n You, sir, need to start posting videos. Something tells me you’ve unwound a few bodge jobs in your day. Cheers!
@@BlindBatG34 Heh, unfortunately I'm always under an NDA/social media ban etc! That and I'm certainly not fast or good, just thorough. Appreciate it, though.
I did a little math one month, and I figured between 70% and 90% of my work that month was just unfucking the previous "repairs" or playing cleanup after the parts cannon was fired. Between hooking up air actuators backwards, installing wrong parts, replacing $20k in emissions equipment instead of the $60 MAP sensor that was sooted off, bypassing control relays, rags stuck in intercoolers, sensors only half plugged in and the almighty operator error...man it gets frustrating.
Just have to remind myself that if everyone else had half a clue about how to do their job, nobody would need me!
@@-tr0n you're right, regarding fleets being a country club, and some of the other guys I work with love it. Luckily my fleet is the perfect size where it's not too big and not too small, where I am able to tinker away in my corner figuring / learning it out to get it done, or if I wanted, I can load up the parts cannon without too much question. It's kind of the ultimate country club
@@Mr79elk That's awesome. Sounds like a good balance for learning how to become a true master tech without having that flat rate pressure sitting on your shoulders. Good luck buddy!
These videos are better than trade school I swear, thanks for the uploads SMA!
Your experience shines here and it's very apparent you've gained a reputation for being spot on in your diagnostics. Hence, the other shops say "Take it to SMA"!
Well said wyatt
Thank goodness most of the time you do it correctly. When watching the Arabs over at Northridge electronics, he always says, better than factory. Now that is what I may aim for, better than factory, but since I am 74 that may not happen but it won't fail in the next year Gott em Himmel accordingly.
Been turning wrenches since I was 10, but love your videos I pick up tips every time I watch one of your videos. Really like the ones where you fix things that other shops can't fix.
Good video. Especially the ending. I allways try an explain to my service manager why diagnosis takes time and we should be payed for all of the time it takes us to do the diagnosis. He is one of those managers that thinks your master tech everything should only take 10 minutes. Thanks for all you do.
Watching you for years. You have great talent and integrity. If I didn't live 2500 miles away I'd visit and have you fix my truck.
2000 is now "old school." Man, I am old.
Yeah, I was an adult by then. Now I'm feeling it
In NY, you can now probably get "classic" plates for an '89 vehicle, since it's 31 years old. Not sure but I think the transition happens at 25 years?
I love those lights with the back probe pins in them, especially the low voltage one. I plan to make be some. Great Video! I try to watch one a day.
Vintage SMA video, brilliant diagnostics. I hope to see you do the ignition switch, this is a younger version of the truck I drive, ha ha.
stay tuned for tomorrows vid ;)
@@SouthMainAuto I got me an '06 Dakota... Any help I can get with it is gonna help a crap ton. You rock!
You are a blast to watch and listen to. Brings back memories, was a Chrysler tech for over 30 years. I love your honesty and that's exactly how it should be. I always treated a customers car as if it was my own. Fix it right the first time.
I guess I've watched every one of your videos, as soon as you said you knew what the problem is, I immediately thought ignition switch. It's the only thing they all have in common.
Wow! Great guy. I wish that you were in Las Vegas. I truly enjoy watching you. Actually you help me with a transmission oil pan. The mechanic couldn't stop the leak so I just replace the pan ...new. All leaks stopped. Bad pan. I also love how patient you are when it comes to electrical. Keep up the excellent job. Thanks and double thanks.
Love mechanics that do the shotgun approach! I make a great living because of them. Eric the same type of "mechanics" are in the aircraft field. Troubleshooting is an art. We have parts changers and true mechanics.
That's a scary thought while bad on land, but for flying crafts in the air?! Holy biscuits that make folks feel a bit uncomfortable. Makes me wonder about ships and trains.
I’m having flash backs to my Air Force days...nothing like shooting wires out on the wing at 0200 in the morning with freezing rain running down your back.
They also pay aircraft mechanics sh t wages, at least the big airlines do. Private sector mech make more than union mechanics . But it’s also a crapshoot, union bus mech make more then non, and union truck mech working for government make more than union mech working for the public.
@@billmoran3219 the big 3 airlines pay over 50$ an hour, that isn't a shit wage.
Kevin Myers
More money and less drama in general aviation. My son in law can make six figures working on private aircraft.
You brought up the subject of bad customers, and bad mechanics. They kinda feed off each other. One makes the other possible when you think about it for a bit.
I am always amazed how talented you are in diagnosing and fixing the problems. Great video. Thanks.
Welloilbe, I actually guessed correctly for a change! No parts Cannon required 🤭
Guessing is fine but verifying is better. Sometimes even the best guess is wrong.
When it comes to mechanical work on my vehicle(or any thing else for that matter) I admit I am a complete idiot and don't know a thing. I am therefore completely depended on the knowledge and expertise of the mechanic. In my life I have only met 2 mechanic shops that have done a fantastic job with diagnosing and fixing some of the things I had problems with and a number of them have just raked me over the coals. It's nice to see you checking and double checking your work and being as thorough with your work. I wished you were my mechanic.
no better excuse to put off what you were doing than a new SMA video😁
It's amazing how alot of the people who call themselves mechanics and have shops are way worse than some home DIYers like myself who don't actually call themselves a "mechanic." I have spent years learning proper diagnoses from real mechanic friends and fix alot of cars/trucks these days and have a decent little garage and I'm constantly amazed by the shotty work that "shops" do to peoples cars and they feel good about charging them money when they can't even figure out the problem right. Watching you diagnose these problems so calmly and collected is so intriguing and I always learn something new.
How can a shop charge a customer for NOT fixing the problem? I'd be too embarrassed.
I've had a dealership charge me a $100 diagnostic fee to replace a belt idler pulley that was the only reason I brought it to them. Being on the road, I needed it NOW!When I asked the manager what this was for, his answer was every customer gets charged this fee went it comes in for any purpose! Nice going Chrysler! (Jeep)
I am embarrassed, shops like that give people and shops that have a clue a bad name.
@@davidvoinier6008 incorrect. you only get charged the $100 diagnostic fee if we have to diagnose the problem, its not every single car. if you know the problem already then you wont get charged diagnostics, you'll only get charged parts and labor to put it in. for example if you know you need brake pads and say " i want new brake pads installed" thats all you will pay for. if you come in and say "my brakes feel a little squishy and it pulls to the right" then we have to go find the problem and diagnose it hence the "diagnostic fee". this is not a scam you are paying the technician for the skills and knowledge they have acquired and also the time that it will take them to complete the job. do some research on the topic next time or learn to fix your car yourself and these fees are out of your life. but the reason you are paying that fee is because you are incapable of finding the problem and need to pay a professional who is capable. checout 40:23 eric says it himself in great wording.
I've seen everything. I had a guy come in after he had been to a BMW dealership who chaarged him $400 to "reprogram his light module". The problem wasn't fixed at all.
One i remember in particular is a guy brought a Escalade to us and we figured out it's probably the suspension module. We told him it's probably that as we tested the wiring to the shock that the module was complaining about and everything seemed fine. We didn't have the scan tool necessary for the module so we told him to go to the dealer.
He leaves it with them and the replace the shock without even asking him, it doesn't fix the problem, and he has to argue with them that they should have actually diagnosed the issue rather than just throwing parts at it and charging him without notice. I don't know how they think they can get away with it. I suppose enough can and do do this so they just find it to be common and acceptable practice.
Well im glad that the official dealership shop i brought my Seat to didnt charge me for their incompetence. Had an immobilizer issue, dumped it there. 3 days later they said there was nothing wrong with the car, it had no fault codes. Except they had failed to start the car due to immobilizer saying "no" and it was parked in the very same spot i left it in.
They were literally helpless due to the computer not showing the exact issue. No clue what to do, no clue how to find the fault. I took it home and was never sent a bill. Took me around 20 minutes to locate the issue and another 5 to fix it (cracked solder in the instrument cluster on the cable from the transponder reader).
Man the world needs more mechanics like you that actually diagnosis the problem instead of just throwing parts at it, I am the same way but so often the customer doesn't want it diagnosed correctly they just want a price to change a part that they believe is broken. And then when you change that part and it doesn't fix the problem and then diagnose it correctly and it's something else completely different or much simpler. They get mad that you just changed the part they wanted changed but they didn't want to pay for your time to correctly identify the problem and it's a big I told you so. Anyways keep up the good work. I appreciate the tips and seeing someone else's process of figuring out multiple problems caused by one thing. I used to work for a place with a motto the customer is always right but sadly that is not the case in most cases. But you really show that it's important to do your own diagnosis instead of just throwing parts at a problem, especially intermittent problems.
36:16 "Where's your hole baby" LOL Informative and entertaining. Doesn't get better than this.
You are very good at diagnostic. What a humble and thorough mechanic. I would not think twice about dropping my vehicle off at your shop.
Bad ignition switch was a really easy diag. The other shop couldn't figure it out? Sheesh, how can they call themselves technicians?
Yeah, really!! I want to know who the utter brillance was with the wire in the fuse box hooked to nothing!!
Probably even ASE certified.
@@craigroth8710 probably was testing with it and forgot it was there even when opening the door due to tunnel vision.
@Timothy Salomon Or actual common sense (rare these days). All these problems happen at once. The first question should be: What is common to all of them? Basic stuff first. How many cars has Eric fixed with a good visual inspection (The absolutely most simple diagnostic tool)?
Technicians or ASE certifed are over used terminology. More like parts swappers. I worked with a guy whom is ASE cert. He told. All you do is take test to get your certs..
It is so refreshing to see someone that knows how to trouble shoot!!! People don't realize how many people just throw parts at problems until it's solved.
You always crack me up with the singing the old school jams! Haha! “I’ve got the power”, gold digga, etc... but you added the bonus today with sending wife to massage parlor! Haha! Mahalo for the laughs and Aloha from Hawaii!
Sir, you are the most logical man and technician ever and you are full of love for your family
and customers; God bless all.
You always do a great job and take time to explain how and why. I have learned a few new things from watching and look forward to learning more. Keep up the great job.
Eric, I agree with you 100% about doing the job RIGHT and charging for diagnosing problems. I'm MUCH older than you... maybe twice... and have worked on my own vehicles most of my life. Here, after early retirement, I am learning to PROPERLY diagnose electrical/computer/module/sensor issues. With past knowledge, training, and education plus countless hours of learning by watching videos of logical, methodical testing MUCH time, effort, and money will have been invested. Even then, some people will say "well, it only took you 15 minutes to find the problem so why should it cost xxx amount of money?". Mostly, their minds can't process the effort that has gone into gaining the skills it took to perform that diagnosis in x number of minutes versus x number of hours or to even be able to make the correct diagnosis at all.
Even though I am exceptionally customer oriented I have asked a few people that if it seemed so simple why had they not already fixed the problem. The reply is almost always akin to "I didn't know where to start". Aha!
Great to see your stuff Eric! Interesting to watch your diagnosis progress and the explanations you provide. Happy New Year Sir!
Love weel alignment. You're great when you're you're relaxed self my main man as usual. Just love you America folks
Full tank of gas usually means bad fuel pump ⛽️😂
😒 sad truth....... just had to replace a fuel pump in a crown vic right after customer "topped it off"
I have a full tank of gas about once a week. Only bad fuel pump was 23 years ago.
@@G31mR But flex in your flex.
@@cccpkingu what does that mean?
Truth! Everytime!
I love your video. I’ve been an old school technician all my life. When I achieved Senior Master Technician with Ford in 2001, I hit the top. I took pride in my work. Watching your videos you do the same. Thinking things through is the key as to why things are broken. Good luck brother of master technicians.
"this just got awkward" 🤣🤣
Edit: I wouldn't expect to be charged for plugging in a scan tool... But I would expect to pay for the diagnostic work to track down the codes... And without a code I wouldn't expect anyone to work for free to diagnose a condition that isn't setting codes. Always enjoy coming along with you when you get into finding an issue.
You are the best and honest mechanic I have to deal with , how much I wish you were on my part of the world, if you move to Florida Me and my family and friends, for sure will be your customers , watch your video all the time and always learn something, keep the good work,
I worked on weapons systems for the Navy for over 30 years. Every day was a new challenge. Finding an open wore in a maze of hundreds of wires is very satisfying. I hope you get the same satisfaction. I would love to get into auto/marine electronics diagnosis.
No "Jeep" hat?
Who are you & what have you done with Eric O?
You are arguably the best diagnostician I have observed at work.
If I had a nickle for every time you call out the incompetence of another shop.
You would be a poor guy because Eric kinda doesn't...
Probably would have $3
Thank you for your knowledge and taken us viewer's to auto school and not charging us with a bill at every video how to.Thank you you are one of the best to me. Keep them coming.
There's your problem lady!
Yeaaheeaa!
Watching Wes and South Main Auto, working hehe
Eric,
You make it look so easy, just like Sherlock Holmes.
Brilliant deduction Watson!
Once again man, your wisdom teaches the world! Lol. Keep em comin. I've tackled the problems with my grand caravan thanks to you. Saved hundreds.
I had an alignment done at a national chain. I get a alignment and a estimate for a rotor, a caliper, pads and labor($800) for a leaking caliper. Before i went for the alignment I had noticed a leak at the left rear but i dabbed my finger in the leaked fluid and determined it was gear oil. I removed the fill hole plug and the oil was by no means low. I also did not notice any oil on the garage floor. I also checked the master cylinder and it was not low. and ordered some seals, gear oil, gasket and a couple of cans of brake clean. Even though i got a year warranty on the alignment, I'm not going back.
I worked at a Chevy dealership in the late 80's. There was a car in under warranty that had multiple drivability issues. Another mechanic was diagnosing it using ONLY the dealer network computer diagnostic tool. Several codes popped up (ODB1) & he replaced each item associated with the codes, which did not repair any of the issues. The car still had ;the exact same codes, so he was at the parts window to get another round of the EXACT parts, thinking the new ones (as well as the original ones) were bad. I couldn't believe anybody would think that AC Delco could survive if they made that many bad parts. I asked if they had power, only to discover he hadn't even considered that. Turns out the 3/8" x1" ground bolt had fallen out of the back of the head. The car ran great even with the original parts. Over $300 of parts & labor (in 1987) for a 25 cent bolt & 30 minutes labor. People really need to look for common symptoms.
A long time ago, in another world, I worked for a garage and radiator shop. About half our work was repairing the other shops screw ups or repairs. This was long before scanners, codes and computers.
Even in those days, he taught me to me be methodical in determining the problem.
So glad I found this channel. You’re making me a better diagnostician, and little gems like “window licker” get added to my vocabulary.
It seems every single time I had taken a vehicle to the dealership for diagnosis they ALWAYS come back with a 1000 dollar fix. Mind you, in the eighties and nineties it was a 600 dollar fix, but you get the gist I'm sure.
That's the other A-holes of the repair industry and the first ones are the shops that "fixed" this Ram.
I like your style fella, I've been in a lifetime of electrical fault finding on anything that moves and some that don't and are not supposed to move. It all takes time, effort and method, no guess work.
Great approach.
They need to keep that truck forever...a 2000 dodge in that shape beats a 2000 rusty Chevy any day.
That kinda goes without saying doesn't it...
Wow, your channel never ceases to amaze me about the amount of either incompetent or lazy hack mechanics there are out there who don't want to take the time to actually diagnose a problem. Hey, I guess you should be thankful for them, they put money in your pocket.
20 years old, imagine how many cycles that ignition switch has done. Good, quick diagnosis Eric.
With only 130,000 miles on it.... not many.
@@blackhatter011: AND two pounds of crap on the key ring!
Nice to see that youDiagnose the problem before you started putting in partsThat’s the way you do it good job
Thank god for mechanics like you.
I have to agree with you 110% on the diagnosis charge. A lot of times it takes longer to find a problem than it takes to actually fix it! So what, I'm going to charge the customer for a 30 minute repair that took 1 ½ hours to diagnose? I think not!!! And anyone who thinks that it's fair to the mechanic to only pay them for repair time and not diagnostics has bumped their head, IMO....
VERY THOROUGH DIAGNOSIS MY FRIEND. GREAT WORK!
I don't understand this obsession with getting everything for free. Workers get paid for their work. Period.
true people assume that free exists in business it doesn't you pay one way or another.
When you only make, let say for example, $10/hour, an $80-100 mechanic is very expensive, and hope springs eternal of getting a freebie. People also have no understanding of what it can take to diagnose (let alone fix) newer vehicles, so the labor and parts seem like highway robbery. Some places mark up parts big time, which when they find out the $40.00 Jiffy Lube air filter costs $10.00 at Wal-Mart, they get all upset. Yes, in case of the filter they were ripped off, but ignorance, just like stupidity, has a price.
There are generally free estimates in brake shops and front end shops. A visual inspection takes a few minutes, gives the shop a good idea what is needed and allows them to give a solid estimate. The customer brought it in with the expectation something is wrong with the brakes or suspension so the "free inspection" time can be rolled into the estimate. When our car was smashed the body shop spent ten minutes looking it over and was able to offer a free estimate that made it worth the tech's time. Beyond that, anything that requires troubleshooting is _not_ free labor.
When I worked in general aviation (small planes) avionics I would sometimes troubleshoot a problem and, if the fix was not trivial, call the customer with the repair cost. If the customer demanded what would happen if that didn't fix it? Would he have to pay? I told him if that doesn't fix it he only had to pay for my work so far. By the time I called him, if I told him something specific was wrong it always was.
When have we ever seen Eric completely miss the target?
I used to sell building materials. A hisband and wife came in, ordered a whole bunch of material, (too much to take in a normal pickup truck) I quoted them the $65 local delivery fee. He seemed ok but the wife threw a fit, so I gave them “free” delivery and increased the price of the other stuff they bought to cover the $65. It made her happy! 🙄 delivery costs money. Trucks, fuel, maintenance, insurance, etc. Oh and the driver usually likes to get paid too!
It probably has to do with all the 'free' software that steers you to certain places even as it datamines you to the bedrock. People download stuff for free and forget that everything has a cost, even if it has no price.
First video of yours I've watched... Looks like a family business? (seeing as how your wife and kid were there). I've always trusted family ran businesses more. Very intuitive catch on the issue this guy was having - you seem highly experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to your trade. Seems like you run a really fair, honest business - I'm impressed man. Keep up the amazing work - you're an inspiration to a lot of people out there who either want to become or currently are techs/wrenches like yourself. Cheers!
I can't believe how long all your videos are. And worse than that is I always watch them all the way to the end! Love the vids
Everything you said at the end is 100% true, except one thing. I work at a parts store. We will plug an OBD2 code reader into customer's car to read codes. However, I wouldn't dare make a call based on that reading. I always....always, refer customers to a shop, because..
1) We're not a shop, we're a parts store
2) The shops in town are our customers too, and so we make better money, less returns by selling the right parts the first time.
3)Ultimately customers are more happy because they didn't frustrate themselves by putting in wrong parts over and over.
Just sayin ', not all parts stores are "like that"....
"What does your dad do for a living?"
"He sits in cars and talks to cameras"
Hahahhahahaha hahaha
Props for the Cool Hand Luke reference. I worked auto parts years ago and hated the "free diagnostic" with a passion. I had to explain to customers all the time that we were a parts store and not a mechanic shop, and that we were merely reading DTCs, with no guarantee it would reveal an issue or all of the issues with their vehicle. I previously worked for a dealership, so I'd go over how much an actual diagnosis could cost, what was involved, and why they would charge as much as they did. Many customers would point to "FREE DIAGNOSTIC" on the window sign and get angry with me for actually informing them. I don't miss checking codes for cheap ass retreads one bit. It did nothing but influence weak minded folks to throw parts at their vehicles, and then proceed to get angry when we wouldn't return parts after they installed them and found it didn't fix it. As if it was our fault, and we misled them. To be fair, many mouth breathing parts jockeys do mislead customers, knowingly and unknowingly, but that wasn't how I rolled. "FREE DIAGNOSTIC" is disingenuous at best and was a massive headache for all of us who worked there. It ain't magic, and there's a reason mechanic shops and parts houses are completely different business. People are cheap and think the world owes them everything for free.
I love the fact your fam is with you im a diesel mechanic and i have my 3 yo always roming around the shop aswell as the wife
Wow when you were giving Mrs. O a hard time about breaks I paused video and wondered if we were about to witness her smacking you down. You are a lucky man she is forgiving!
People will People yes, ignition switch is bad .thing use everyday will wear out..Good job, love it keep it coming. 💯
Hi Eric O. If someone ever walks into your shop with a 2002-2006 Toyota Camry, or other Toyota that has an unresponsive accelerator pedal problem, please make a video on that. I just replaced the accelerator pedal on my 2006 Camry with a bone-yard accelerator pedal unit, because it had very poor accelerator response. How did I know the accelerator was bad??? I did a temporary accelerator pedal swap from my Mama’s working 2002 Camry pedal, and the car was much more responsive, and drivable. I can’t afford the fancy diagnostic jazz right now. But still, I enjoy watching your videos and how you use the diagnostic tools. Very useful stuff Sir!!! Thx. Much appreciated!!! If it hadn’t been for Mama’s 2002 Camry, I don’t know how the heck I would’ve diagnosed that problem!!!
You showed your Sunday school experience, but your auto work is tops. I had an battery drain on my Aussie Gm (Holden vy Calais)
I use to listen to Car Talk and a guy calls in saying he's having an intermittent electrical issue turn out his ignition switch was worn out because he had a bunch of extra stuff hanging from his keys. Weeks later coworker tells me he's having and electrical issue I say take a bunch of that stuff off your keys because it wears out your ignition it worked.
"Customer brought in a Dodge..." Stop right there, I've know your problem. :)
The man knows what he's doing, I would of just replaced ignition switch and been done with it. But nice to see why and what is wrong.
I certainly enjoyed your episode abt the converter. You run a very straight up business! Who’s everyone was like you!
I have a 99 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Magnum. It is a beast as a shop/farm/plow truck. I upgraded all the steering and suspension components. It has no comfort conveniences like power windows, locks, heated seats, etc. to break so I lucked out there I suppose. It is a beast.
4:30 what we have here is a failure to communicate Cool Hand Luke,what a great movie
Wow, now that was worth the watch. You have determined I have the same issue with my ignition switch. You're great at what you do. Seriously, I wouldn't be mad if you handed me an invoice. Thanks for posting.
Another great video finding one problem after another! You've provided a lot of great examples of tracing a circuit to check for issues before throwing parts at it. I don't have the amazing Snap-On and other readers (JEALOUS!) but I've got 10,000 pages of manuals for my vehicles. It takes some time to trace and test the circuits but it's obviously worth the effort.
A pleasure to see skill and competence in action to help people get their vehicles fixed right.
PS: nice stinger outro music
"You can get anything you want in Alice's restaurant "
We figured one big pile is better than two little piles and rather than bring that one up we decided to throw ours down.
I live in Arizona and wish your shop was closer than 3000 miles away. You must have worked on aircraft you are so thorough!
Uve got the best auto motive channel, Eric
Diagnostics is the key. Love watching SMAR
Always thought a diagnosis should be free. I know now what it takes and will have no problem paying for it.
I feel your WOAH! is under appreciated by many, cracks me up!
Bridge a relay across the switch and the coil to the working acc and earth, no no that's bodging and naughty :)