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Reputable Mechanics -- Separating Fact from Fiction

91 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2009 at 4:17 AM

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What is this discussion about? Brakes, Electrical, Engine, Exhaust, Fuel System, Steering, Suspension, Transmission, Car Warranties, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV, Van

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#22 of 91 Clean Shop by jlflemmons Mar 11, 2004 (9:13 am)
Dad was a service manager for an award winning GM service dept. He had several "general mechanics" and a few who were amazing in a specialty. The "miracle workers" were top notch bumper to bumper, but it wasn't unusual for a car to come in that another dealer just couldn't figure out. One mech in particular was an auto transmission geru. He wouldn't be the fastest, but when he finished an overhaul you had a tranny that 1) wouldn't be coming back, 2)was better than the day it left the factory, and 3)was going to get more referral business than all the ads money could buy. Another guy could do stuff with carbs that was baffling. When he finished an overhaul, idles were smooth, starts on first crank, gas mileage where it should be, etc. In fact, Wayne had a standing annual vacation time during Speed Week at the salt flats where he was in demand from the racers. These were guys I grew up around. Might not have wanted some of them dating my sister, but I sure would want them making sure her car was safe and right.   Oh, and the shop was scrubbed floor and all every Saturday morning. My first job. 12 stalls, took 3.5 hours, paid $2.   Jim
#23 of 91 by q45man Mar 14, 2004 (5:42 am)
Many good technicans eventually and periodically get fed up with dealers [going to independents]only returning when they need retraining on models [especially BMW, MB, Audi, Infiniti, Lexus] as independents don't have access to factory schools or training modules.   The problem is with piece work and the differences in hours paid for warranty vs, customer paid.......Ford has some of the widest descrepencies.   There are 25,000 technicans jobs open at dealerships in US everyday, unfortunately 24,000 technicans just keep swaping around and dealers take what they can get.   It really can't be about quality work under these conditions.
#24 of 91 Alternator dead after security system removal by jwfbean Apr 23, 2004 (9:53 am)
Hi,   We have a 1995 Saturn SL-1. It had a security system that would disallow the car from starting unless you pressed a special button first. We always found this security system to be annoying.   We took a the car in for regular maintenance to a new mechanic. As part of the work order, we requested that the security system be removed. We picked the car up from the mechanic on Friday and did not drive it again until Monday.   On Monday, my wife noticed the battery light was on. By Thursday, the car was dead. We arranged AAA to tow it back to the mechanic. Miles driven from Friday to Thursday: 87.   The mechanic examined it and has concluded that the alternator is shot. Their technician disavows any responsibility for the problem, although on my end it seems entirely too coincidental that a mere few days after they remove a security system that was tied into the electrical system of the car, the alternator is completely dead.   I could definitely use some help separating fact from fiction here. Is there anything we can do to prove that the mechanic was at fault? Or are we supposed to accept their explanation that it's just a coincidence?
#25 of 91 Tough call... by isellhondas Apr 23, 2004 (1:54 pm)
" It never did that before you worked on it"   Any shop owner has heard these words before.   It's easy to assume that the problem was caused by the removal of the security system and it's possible that it was.   Coincidence? Perhaps, perhaps not?   Is it a high mileage car? It's not uncommon for an alternator to fail around the 80-100,00 mile mark.   I do question why your wife would drive it for FOUR days with the battery light on! I'm surprised it didn't quit sooner!
#26 of 91 by 0patience Apr 23, 2004 (5:11 pm)
I agree with Isell. It is what we call a sinceyou problem. Since you worked on it, it started this problem.   And I whole heartedly agree with the comment about why would she drive it for days with the light on.   If the light wasn't on when you picked it up, then I would say the it WASN'T a problem with the work done. If it had been a problem with the work done, then the light would have been on right away. Replies to this message: fossilface (Sep 20, 2007 12:24 pm) 0patience (Sep 20, 2007 4:07 pm) isellhondas (Sep 26, 2007 9:08 am) and 4 more...
#27 of 91 Exactly! by isellhondas Apr 24, 2004 (6:02 am)
I wonder what she would have done if it was the oil light?
#28 of 91 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Apr 24, 2004 (9:42 am)
I've also responded to this in another topic as the poster double-posted.   Since the charge light was not on when the car left the shop, it's the owner's responsibility.
#29 of 91 That's what I was thinking... by isellhondas Apr 24, 2004 (9:58 am)
If a careless mechanic accidently smoked the alternator and blew a diode it would have killed it immediately I would think and not later.
#30 of 91 by alcan Apr 24, 2004 (3:41 pm)
Now for the good news..... Saturn alternator failure because of oil contamination from an external head gasket oil leak is as common as bellybuttons with the SL1 engine. The car's due for a head gasket replacement if that was the cause.
#31 of 91 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Apr 25, 2004 (7:25 am)
And please do NOT shoot the messenger!

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