In late 02 or early 03 I asked my boss if I could be the "diesel dept tech" he said that a more experienced tech was going to run that department so basically I was told to pound sand. About 3 weeks after that conversation the more experienced tech tore down a 6.0l excursion (6.0l had just come out) right head off in cab. He took the whole front end of that truck apart and apparently got in way over his head. We left work on a Friday and when we got to work on Monday the more experienced tech had packed his tools up and quit, gone. My boss then told me (I was basically working heavy line gas t the time) that if I could get that vehicle running I could have the "Diesel dept tech position". I had never worked on these trucks yet but jumped at the opportunity. It took me almost a week but I got the head back on (in cab mind you), also replaced 2 lifters and 2 push rods). The vehicle started up and had a small fuel leak and a small coolant, both easily fixed. The popping noise it came in with was gone and that's how I became the diesel tech at Ford of Orange in Orange CA. My boss sent me to training, 5 classes in 2 months, bravo to him for keeping his word, I needed training certs so I could work on warranty jobs and at that time all or most 6.0l jobs were warranty. I got a raise from $18.50/HR flat rate to $25.50/HR flat rate. Now don't get me wrong, it was a struggle but eventually the vehicles came in had the same or similar concerns as vehicles that I worked on before. I became very efficient at what I did. My boss left that dealership and took me with him to Fairview Ford and then I left to Redlands Ford, assistant service manager at Redlands For Redlands knew I wasn't happy (my former boss was forced out) $35/HR flat rate at Redlands Ford. I became familiar and efficient with the 6.4l and then the 6.7l and of course I had always worked on the 7.3l. It was all hands on, that's where you learn and get well at your craft. Now I'm powerstrokejude, lol sorry for writing a book. I like your videos F.R.M.!!#
Yeah, I get better with every diagnosis, but there are some fundamentals that I've learned from watching videos that apply. I had a Ford van the other day the lost it's key programming or so I thought. My IDS just came up with a weird error message when it went to where it should go to the 10 minute timeout screen. I finally told them I couldn't program it for some reason that they would need to call a locksmith. Locksmith had the same issue with his tool. The key they had had a removable chip that had fallen out, they replaced it with a new chip and it programmed right up. The lesson here is 1, some aftermarket keys have removable chips that fall out. 2. That weird error message means that there is not chip currently present in the ignition. I won't go into key programming unless is sees some type of chip present. Good information for next time!
Your right on with experience. When it comes to getting diagnostic experience I ended buy my own scan tool, thats the only way you learn shop owners and very reluctant to let you use that big of a piece of equipment.
unfortunately the big X factor is those around you if you hire on to good shop that accepts the TEAM concept you will thrive BUT if you hire onto a shop full of cut throats that will take your diag time and repair and then hide from you how they fixed it those are the shops you have to leave quickly from. if you learn how to diagonse from good folks things get easier if learn on your own how to diagnose it a long tuff road but just have to stick to it and things get better in the long run
I was at a couple of places with cut throats when I started out in the early 80s. One dude would actually tell a lie if you asked him anything. Others would say "If you want to a mechanic you have to figure it out for yourself". I learned a lot by hard knocks. When my feet got firmly planted and they realized I wasn't going to be bothered by them being assholes, if I was asked how I did a things so fast and I replied "Ohhhh, I just figured it out because I'm not stupid". Other than those guys, I always helped people when they ask.
Very well said, and you're right it has touched all avenues of workplace situations! Although we all know this, the reality is that we all have to practice this daily to get what we want as well. THANKS for sharing and reminding me of this as well!!
I believe all beginning techs/mechanics should have a good grasp on: basic electricity basic electronics and computers reading and writing Too many can't read Mitchell or Alldata and comprehend what it says and can't write a simple paragraph when storying the concern, don't know how a simple lighting circuit works, or don't know what a communication (network) circuit does. LOL too many older techs can't either.
Soap and water solve my air suspension issues...no text book will tell you that...my techs are afraid of air suspension....I find leaks at the compressor outlet usually...and I fix it with an hour (100$) and .39 cent o-ring. Customer is happy with a $100.39 bill plus tax cause some other shop said “your bags are blown, 1800$ please”
Messaged you on facebook on the weekend and took your advice today. I didnt turn down any diag work. I diagnosed a bad compressor(ironic) and a stuck window. Thank you for the knowledge!
Here's the problems I've been seeing myself 1. Guy comes out of tech school and thinks he knows it all 2. New guys who don't wanna put in the time to learn to diag and just wanna change parts 3. Older guys who never had to do heavy diag and don't want to do diag at all. When I first started out I went home and read service manuals every night to learn more about what I was doing and now I tell people that and they think I'm crazy
Yea the one time I did a XTS pump it came with the lines and I said well the lines aren't the problem, I reused the existing lines. You know FRM pays attention when he mentions GM cutting times.
Tech school can only teach you theory and operation. So much of diagnosis is using ALL 5 of your senses. Yes, even taste sometimes... 🤣🤣 Remember, they come in threes! Another one will be in next week!
Over the last 26 years in the trade I have work with so many people who just want to spin spanners and not want to do diag, me I got stuck in and left them behind. Suffer in the sort term to gain experience then in the long term u get the gains. And yes they are still at the same wage level, me I always get the highest level of pay in a garage. Hard work and take diag head on, when learning don’t be afraid of ask questions to work mates. Ps want to be good in the trade do what I did in my 20’s move garages every couple of years and gain experience. Stay away from dealers. Pointless
@EV exactly. I got some great factory training and also use universal stuff from guys like scanner danner. It's all good in the end. If it's slow there are always used cars to set up to keep the money coming in too. Good and bad techs at both places, but I can't ship a car somewhere else (to the dealer) like an Indy can, I've gotta fix it.
CLASSROOM TRAINING IS A LOT LIKE TRAINING WHEELS ON A BIKE. WHEN MY SON WAS 5, HE HAD ME REMOVE THEM. HE FELL OVER EVERY TIME HE TRIED TO GET ON HIS BIKE. DIAG TAKES A LOT OF "FALLING OVER" BEFORE YOU LEARN WHERE AND HOW TO START WHEN YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN. JUST LIKE A BIKE, WHEN YOU FALL OVER, JUST GET UP AND TRY AGAIN. EACH JOB IS DIFFERENT, BUT EACH JOB WILL HELP YOU LEARN HOW TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOP A ROUTINE THAN WILL HELP YOU FIND THE PROBLEM. TRAINING IS EXPENSIVE BUT EXPERINSE IS PRICELESS!!
Just retired from a GM dealership after 39 years,you would not believe the warranty labor time cuts.Guys bailing out in due to jumping through hoops to get paid for jobs that pay way less than they used to.
At my shop it's always something different, I would love to have some repetition for a change. The last time we had repetitive time of work was on the GM 3.1 intakes and cylinder head s that was over 10 years ago, but I guess that breaks up the monotony !
When I left the independent world, I was surprised at the amount of repetitive work there was in dealerships. It took me a couple months to get the hang of how to work in that kind of environment. Once I hit the ground, man I started making money like never before. I learned way more about "mechanic"ing in general being at independent shops. That helped me a lot when I transitioned to dealership world.
Just like a coworker thinking he knows everything trying to beat the clock by not doing it 100% correct on a AC job that took two weeks for him to figure it out that it was him and not the parts... lol Replace the part and introduces debris into it during charging...
In late 02 or early 03 I asked my boss if I could be the "diesel dept tech" he said that a more experienced tech was going to run that department so basically I was told to pound sand. About 3 weeks after that conversation the more experienced tech tore down a 6.0l excursion (6.0l had just come out) right head off in cab. He took the whole front end of that truck apart and apparently got in way over his head. We left work on a Friday and when we got to work on Monday the more experienced tech had packed his tools up and quit, gone. My boss then told me (I was basically working heavy line gas t the time) that if I could get that vehicle running I could have the "Diesel dept tech position". I had never worked on these trucks yet but jumped at the opportunity. It took me almost a week but I got the head back on (in cab mind you), also replaced 2 lifters and 2 push rods). The vehicle started up and had a small fuel leak and a small coolant, both easily fixed. The popping noise it came in with was gone and that's how I became the diesel tech at Ford of Orange in Orange CA. My boss sent me to training, 5 classes in 2 months, bravo to him for keeping his word, I needed training certs so I could work on warranty jobs and at that time all or most 6.0l jobs were warranty. I got a raise from $18.50/HR flat rate to $25.50/HR flat rate. Now don't get me wrong, it was a struggle but eventually the vehicles came in had the same or similar concerns as vehicles that I worked on before. I became very efficient at what I did. My boss left that dealership and took me with him to Fairview Ford and then I left to Redlands Ford, assistant service manager at Redlands For Redlands knew I wasn't happy (my former boss was forced out) $35/HR flat rate at Redlands Ford. I became familiar and efficient with the 6.4l and then the 6.7l and of course I had always worked on the 7.3l. It was all hands on, that's where you learn and get well at your craft. Now I'm powerstrokejude, lol sorry for writing a book. I like your videos F.R.M.!!#
Nice
Yeah, I get better with every diagnosis, but there are some fundamentals that I've learned from watching videos that apply. I had a Ford van the other day the lost it's key programming or so I thought. My IDS just came up with a weird error message when it went to where it should go to the 10 minute timeout screen. I finally told them I couldn't program it for some reason that they would need to call a locksmith. Locksmith had the same issue with his tool. The key they had had a removable chip that had fallen out, they replaced it with a new chip and it programmed right up. The lesson here is 1, some aftermarket keys have removable chips that fall out. 2. That weird error message means that there is not chip currently present in the ignition. I won't go into key programming unless is sees some type of chip present. Good information for next time!
Your right on with experience. When it comes to getting diagnostic experience I ended buy my own scan tool, thats the only way you learn shop owners and very reluctant to let you use that big of a piece of equipment.
unfortunately the big X factor is those around you
if you hire on to good shop that accepts the TEAM concept you will thrive BUT if you hire onto a shop full of cut throats that will take your diag time and repair and then hide from you how they fixed it those are the shops you have to leave quickly from.
if you learn how to diagonse from good folks things get easier if learn on your own how to diagnose it a long tuff road but just have to stick to it and things get better in the long run
I was at a couple of places with cut throats when I started out in the early 80s. One dude would actually tell a lie if you asked him anything. Others would say "If you want to a mechanic you have to figure it out for yourself". I learned a lot by hard knocks. When my feet got firmly planted and they realized I wasn't going to be bothered by them being assholes, if I was asked how I did a things so fast and I replied "Ohhhh, I just figured it out because I'm not stupid". Other than those guys, I always helped people when they ask.
@@meabob been there myself
Take clear notes if you like to take notes for refreshing your memory.
I was a therapist and I am a teacher, nothing prepares you like real life
Very well said, and you're right it has touched all avenues of workplace situations! Although we all know this, the reality is that we all have to practice this daily to get what we want as well. THANKS for sharing and reminding me of this as well!!
I believe all beginning techs/mechanics should have a good grasp on:
basic electricity
basic electronics and computers
reading and writing
Too many can't read Mitchell or Alldata and comprehend what it says and can't write a simple paragraph when storying the concern, don't know how a simple lighting circuit works, or don't know what a communication (network) circuit does. LOL too many older techs can't either.
Soap and water solve my air suspension issues...no text book will tell you that...my techs are afraid of air suspension....I find leaks at the compressor outlet usually...and I fix it with an hour (100$) and .39 cent o-ring. Customer is happy with a $100.39 bill plus tax cause some other shop said “your bags are blown, 1800$ please”
Messaged you on facebook on the weekend and took your advice today. I didnt turn down any diag work. I diagnosed a bad compressor(ironic) and a stuck window. Thank you for the knowledge!
Here's the problems I've been seeing myself 1. Guy comes out of tech school and thinks he knows it all 2. New guys who don't wanna put in the time to learn to diag and just wanna change parts 3. Older guys who never had to do heavy diag and don't want to do diag at all. When I first started out I went home and read service manuals every night to learn more about what I was doing and now I tell people that and they think I'm crazy
Don’t help those people
Thanks.
Yea the one time I did a XTS pump it came with the lines and I said well the lines aren't the problem, I reused the existing lines.
You know FRM pays attention when he mentions GM cutting times.
That is an XTS platinum, I have an XTS myself and I love it
Experience is the true teacher. I agree 100% on the tech school problem
In my experience it does seem like stuff comes in 2s and 3s.
Tech school can only teach you theory and operation. So much of diagnosis is using ALL 5 of your senses. Yes, even taste sometimes... 🤣🤣
Remember, they come in threes! Another one will be in next week!
Over the last 26 years in the trade I have work with so many people who just want to spin spanners and not want to do diag, me I got stuck in and left them behind.
Suffer in the sort term to gain experience then in the long term u get the gains.
And yes they are still at the same wage level, me I always get the highest level of pay in a garage.
Hard work and take diag head on, when learning don’t be afraid of ask questions to work mates. Ps want to be good in the trade do what I did in my 20’s move garages every couple of years and gain experience. Stay away from dealers. Pointless
Why do you say dealers are pointless? I like when I get cars towed in from other shops to fix.
Matt Harradine cos in aftermarket shops u gain way more experience.
@@mrmusicmanic I agree. I've worked at both, but that doesn't mean dealerships are worthless. Pros and cons.
@EV exactly. I got some great factory training and also use universal stuff from guys like scanner danner. It's all good in the end. If it's slow there are always used cars to set up to keep the money coming in too. Good and bad techs at both places, but I can't ship a car somewhere else (to the dealer) like an Indy can, I've gotta fix it.
CLASSROOM TRAINING IS A LOT LIKE TRAINING WHEELS ON A BIKE. WHEN MY SON WAS 5, HE HAD ME REMOVE THEM. HE FELL OVER EVERY TIME HE TRIED TO GET ON HIS BIKE. DIAG TAKES A LOT OF "FALLING OVER" BEFORE YOU LEARN WHERE AND HOW TO START WHEN YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN. JUST LIKE A BIKE, WHEN YOU FALL OVER, JUST GET UP AND TRY AGAIN. EACH JOB IS DIFFERENT, BUT EACH JOB WILL HELP YOU LEARN HOW TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOP A ROUTINE THAN WILL HELP YOU FIND THE PROBLEM. TRAINING IS EXPENSIVE BUT EXPERINSE IS PRICELESS!!
Just retired from a GM dealership after 39 years,you would not believe the warranty labor time cuts.Guys bailing out in due to jumping through hoops to get paid for jobs that pay way less than they used to.
At my shop it's always something different, I would love to have some repetition for a change. The last time we had repetitive time of work was on the GM 3.1 intakes and cylinder head s that was over 10 years ago, but I guess that breaks up the monotony !
I feel your pain, I get lucky to do the same job twice as well.
When I left the independent world, I was surprised at the amount of repetitive work there was in dealerships. It took me a couple months to get the hang of how to work in that kind of environment. Once I hit the ground, man I started making money like never before. I learned way more about "mechanic"ing in general being at independent shops. That helped me a lot when I transitioned to dealership world.
Well said FLM.
Yeah I no
got my new sticker today go flat rate
💯💯💯
Just like a coworker thinking he knows everything trying to beat the clock by not doing it 100% correct on a AC job that took two weeks for him to figure it out that it was him and not the parts... lol Replace the part and introduces debris into it during charging...
GM is the one of the worst about time