MP.net Auto Service Center

[shocker1]

Hey everyone,

Long time reader, first time poster. Just had a question for all you vehicle savvy mechanics out there. First, a little background information, my truck wouldn't start, sounded like a start problem. So I took it in and had it looked at and had the starter replaced. Truck ran fine for about a week after that and then all of a sudden stopped starting again. Same noise, turn the key *click* and thats it. It was replaced with a brand new starter so I doubt thats the problem. Battery is fine, only thing I haven't ran a check on yet was the alternator. Anything else you guys can come up with?


I appreciate the help.

Tuercas sent you in the right direction to verify power supply integrity. I myself have seen multiple starter failures due to power and ground problems. Say if the voltage was dropping just enough to over current the starter it would make the starter fail soon enough. The more likely cause of multiple failures is ground path integrity. The starter grounds through the starter body to the mating surfaces of the drive train. If it was oily and dirty when they installed the new starter then they did not clean the mating surfaces and could be causing you troubles. Check the voltage difference between the starter body as a ground and then the engine block or trans case to positive battery. Make sure your battery terminals are clean. In the end it is not unheard of to get a bad starter. Bench testing it may find it to be good but under cranking load of the engine it will fail. This is how these bad ones make it through the rebuild shop. Anyway let us know and also make sure you tell us the year make and model of the vehicle in question. That is important in making a diagnosis.

Sorry for the late post, I have been busy and have not had time unfortunately for MP.net.

Just a heads up on mechanic lingo, no start means the engine turns over but will not start. No crank means engine will not turn over to start. I know what you mean though.

[shocker1]

For those thinking about a career in the Automotive/Heavy Truck service field I have some good info on the job market. Here is a list of Professionals currently certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. More here.. http://www.ase.com/Content/Navigatio...Statistics.htm

The following lists the number of professionals currently certified by ASE. The information is accurate through the Spring 2007 ASE test series. It is updated twice a year, after ASE's Spring and Fall test series. ASE certifications are valid for five years, after which time, technicians must retest in order to keep up with changing technology and to remain in the ASE program.

1. Automobile Technicians 289,936
2. Master Automobile Technicians 95,423
3. Automobile Service Consultants 19,044
4. Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Technicians 48,750

[shorty]

Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Technicians

That one piques my interest, Shocker. What exactly does that entail?

[shocker1]

That one piques my interest, Shocker. What exactly does that entail?

Download the L1 pdf file here http://www.ase.com/AMTemplate.cfm?Se...ContentID=5151

It is for advanced drivability diagnosis skills, emissions failure diagnosis, using oscilloscopes, scan data ect.... I have been waiting on an EV HEV certification but all they have right now for alt. fuels is natural gas. You must be a Master Technician or have the engine performance with 2 years shop time can't remember which.

[Aerosoul]

Check out this news story on Jiffy Lube.

[shocker1]

LOL Jiffy Lube is NOT a Professional Automotive Repair facility. This bait and switch marketing is happening at all Fast Lubes. Look for a clean ASE Blue Seal shop that does more than fluids, filters and air up your tires when needing service. You get what you pay for.

[Aerosoul]

Yeah, wasn't surprised at all to see that. Still left me with a kind of "wow", though.

[shocker1]

I hate it when people go by the Autozone get it scanned and then come by my shop after making their own conclusions. Not good, let us say you have a quad driver module code. This driver switches ground for the coolant fan relay, EVAP solenoid, IAC and the Torque Converter solenoid. Do not ask me what it could be cause I would not tell ya what or how to find out.

[shorty]

Yea the same thing happens at Wal Mart. I can attest to that. I used to work the counter in the TLE department. I promptly quit that job after seeing some of the shady antics. Horrible!

[shocker1]

Finding an automotive professional is like finding a good Doctor. When you find him/her you stick with them. They should become a trusted friend, I mean you get naked for your doctor not that you should at the shop unless you have nice ****s.

[shorty]

Finding an automotive professional is like finding a good Doctor. When you find him/her you stick with them. They should become a trusted friend, I mean you get naked for your doctor not that you should at the shop unless you have nice ****s.

Exactly. In my family we have a specific tire guy that we go to and a specific mechanic we go to. Sure we may pay a little more, but we know these guys and we know our sh*t isn't gonna get messed up with them. Not to mention the discounts we get sometimes....

[shocker1]

Stories like that Jiffy Lube stuff are really stretching the word repairs. I my self have a degree and certified in several things. Why not do a show on the true professionals that take what they do very seriously? I could be involved in some office job but I prefer working with automobiles. I became addicted to it long ago. Now technology is catching up and automotive technicians are becoming more educated. Those small numbers on the ASE site should be a wake up for those doubting the market and income potential. Even with that said I think Automotive techs are underestimated and not seen as highly educated. Sad that Jiffy Lubes and Valvoline get a status as one of America's largest auto repair chains.

[Aerosoul]

True that.

[zonk]

Stories like that Jiffy Lube stuff are really stretching the word repairs. I my self have a degree and certified in several things. Why not do a show on the true professionals that take what they do very seriously? I could be involved in some office job but I prefer working with automobiles. I became addicted to it long ago. Now technology is catching up and automotive technicians are becoming more educated. Those small numbers on the ASE site should be a wake up for those doubting the market and income potential. Even with that said I think Automotive techs are underestimated and not seen as highly educated. Sad that Jiffy Lubes and Valvoline get a status as one of America's largest auto repair chains.

seems most people when you mention a mechanic think of buckweed johnson from a garage way back in the woods. most mechanics i have ever met a very smart nice people. I have a friend who does all the work on my families vehicles, i know i can give the job to him and it is going to get done right, although it may take a little bit of time because he still has his regular 9-5 to go to.

[Kingswat]

my car is falling apart and im debating what to go for next. my 98 mercury sable is like a deathtrap on wheels and I don't want to put anymore money in to it, I just had the brakes replaced and bought some all season tires to get me through the winter, but other then that, the electrical system is fried, the tranny is about to go, and god knows what else is wrong with it.

But right now since my stocks are doing well, I'm debating going for a benz or a saab.