ASE or backyard?

Question

The customers tranny is slipping and the ASE masters start talking about rebuilding, inputs, outputs, shift solonoids and the backyard mechanic say you may only need to replace the tranny filter as a first step and would be cost effective to attempt. Who should I go to?

The customers fuel isn't priming and the ASE master talks about replacing the fuel pump and the backyard mechanic says to try jumping the relay port... The backyard mechanic doesn't use big acronyms to confuse customers and explains to customers what he means... Who should I trust?

The customers read his own codes with a ckp sensor circuit malfunction and the ASE master say replace the sensor for a high price and the backyard says check the auto shutdown relay or ecm fuse first.

The backyard mechanic has devoted time to study to help ppl with simple solutions and the ASE master or tech went to school as well as studied but is known for ripping ppl off...

What do you think I should do?

Answer 1

There's two kinds of people when it comes to education:

A) "Book Smart". College educated, versed in terminology, and good with computer stuff. Usually don't have much
trouble-shooting experience and only know what they've read about.

B) "Street Smart". Learned the hard way by trial and error. As knowledgeable as the afore mentioned, just not certified on paper. Have had there hands on things, and trouble shot things with experience.

Fortunately, I'm both. and know my limits of education.

In a nut shell, who makes more sense to you? Go with your gut.
Try the simple things first.

Answer 2

I would guess that you are the backyard mechanic, who helps people as inexpensively as possible, and who also wrote out a lengthy slam disguised as a question, in order to make a point.

I do agree with the one answer that said a backyard mechanic is more likely to be simply helpful, since he is not trying to make his living doing it. Who is more likely to answer a possibly complex sewing question: A friend's mom who sews for fun, or a professional tailor? Who is more likely to tell you how to install an anti-backflow valve in your in-ground sprinkler system: A guy who put in his own system last summer (and had some learning to do along the way,) or someone who works for an in-ground sprinkler installer? Who is more likely to tell you how to sell your house, and by-pass a realtor: Someone who has helped family and friends sell their house, or a realtor? Of course, the professionals are going to be less likely to give you a bunch of knowledge for free. They have time and money invested in what they do, and they are making a living -- they have bills, too...just like you.

What do you do for a living? Want to take some time from your job, where you could be making a living, and give me a bunch of free information that would hopefully make it totally un-neccessary to have you make ANY money? Of course not! That doesn't make you a bad person, any more than any of these other professionals.

Finally, even though a lot of these ASE techs are talking about input/output sensors, and that kind of thing, does not mean that they don't start at the beginning of the diagnostic flow chart, and look at the simple things first. It might just mean that they are already thinking ahead to common problems, specific to that vehicle or component, and are flexing their knowledge muscles a little bit. It doesn't mean they don't know how to jump that relay to test it, or that they wouldn't, or that they would charge for something else, even if that was the problem.

Answer 3

It takes a long time to gain experience in repairing anything. Just like the shadetree mechanic the ASE learned how to repair your car. The difference is a shadetree mechanics with 49 years of experience will more likely be right than an ASE just out of school, especially if school is the only place he has learned. Shadetree mechanics were born of necessity, whereas ASEs are made with money.
Any time letters are added after a name, it means more money, and many times that is what they are after.
It does not matter what is broken on anything, always try the simple stuff first, and if it doesn't work, spend the big money or replace the broken item completely.

Answer 4

It seems an ASE is a replacement mechanic, they trouble shoot by replacing the most expensive item on the system first, and then work their way down.
A backyard tech tends to look for the simplest explanation/cause then work his way up.

case in point: A starter doesn't produce enough rpm to start a gas turbine. The company tech says replace the starter. The Mechanic does this. with no positive results. then the company tech says change the sensors,computers,switches and solenoids. An experienced mechanic comes on shift, and gets the low down on the situation. The first thing he asks "did anyone check the load on the batteries?" "no tech didn't tell us to check that" seems the batteries had the required voltage, but not enough load amps to do the job. took 5 minutes to change the battery.

Answer 5

As others have said, the ASE tech probably doesn't know as much as the "shade tree" who apparently has had many years of experience (as most shade trees don't know about the Auto Shutdown relay on Chryslers unless they got burnt on them).

On the language, It depends upon the shop owner.. Some will explain in technical jargon as they know it by that, I among others can explain a technical problem in simple english with no real problems (I have said, engine computers if explained correctly, probably could be worked on by many people.. It's as simple as a home computer in many cases)

Most shops I know will replace a part instead of trying to fix it as by replacing the part, I can give a 12month / 12,000 mile warranty.. If it messes up the owner nor me have to pay out of pocket to replace the defective part .. The shade treer's fix may work and you may wind up having to repay him to fix it right if the cheaper fix doesn't work .


Apparently your shade treer known computers and electronics on these cars better than the supposed ASE Master... But the Shade treer is willing to try stuff (changing the fluid) whereas the other shop doesn't want to take a chance.

Many shade tree mechanics are regular repair mechanics who make money during nights and weekends to sometimes pay for expensive toys or in some cases to pay bills.

I've seen shade tree mechanics who could out mechanic me, But I've seen some that have taken people to the cleaners.. same with shop mechanics

I say go with who you trust, as apparently your mind has been made up for Mr. Shadetree and you are just looking for some agreement on here.

Answer 6

Well it's rare that I say this but your back yard mechanic seems to actually know what he's talking about. I'd do a filter and pan service to your tranny first. It could actually fix your problem. As well as his other suggestions. The ASE mechanic seems to want to make a good paycheck with your car with out trying the obvious first and suggesting big money repairs first.

Answer 7

i own a repair shop,and i am certified ,but as a master mechanic ,and on this one you may have to use your own judgment,both party's can be half right on this particular car ,when it comes to a transmission ,its a different game all together,even experts cant get it right the first time,all they can do is offer advice on what they think it is,,on some of the older cars changing the fluid and filter would help.but its more electronics now days than anything else,,but you can try the fluid,and filter its a cheap fix to make ,but it may not solve the problem you having,,try what you would do if it was your car,and see if it helps,and if not,then you can say you tried,,bit i really don't think ts going to help it,,good luck i hope this helps,,happy thanksgiving.

Answer 8

you sat the tranny is slipping,then i would first change the oil and filter,then put some conditioner in it.and then about the fuel,just take off the fuel line and see if the pump is working,if not then replace the pump,also check the pump fuse.

Answer 9

I'm a field service mechanic for off-highway equipment . When I get to a machine, I tell myself "KISS, (Keep It Simple Stupid)". Look for the obvious things that will make your system malfunction.

Answer 10

with all those problems I would go with the back yard just because the ASE will cost to much... let the back yarder fix what he can the have an ASE go over it when he is done