High-tech vehicles pose trouble for some mechanics

AP via Yahoo ^ | 12/26/09 | DAISY NGUYEN

[DemforBush]

LOS ANGELES – A sign inside the Humming Motors auto repair shop says, "We do the worrying so you don't have to."

These days, owner David Baur spends a lot of time worrying in his full-service garage near downtown Los Angeles.

As cars become vastly more complicated than models made just a few years ago, Baur is often turning down jobs and referring customers to auto dealer shops. Like many other independent mechanics, he does not have the thousands of dollars to purchase the online manuals and specialized tools needed to fix the computer-controlled machines...

[DemforBush]

I thought this was kind of an interesting read.

[ClearCase_guy]

Once upon a time, high school kids fixed cars in their own driveway, or even modified them and make cool hot rods. But society decided that really complex, fuel-efficient and environmentally sensitive cars were a better idea.

I miss the old days.

[Hegemony Cricket]

This is why I work on my own vehicles - I can do the ‘plug-&-pray component bingo game’ just as well as most “certified” mechanics, and for a heck of a lot less per hour.

[ladyvet]

This was a good read. My husband and I have several vehicles. Only one has computer crap in it. The others he can fix on his own and that is why we keep them. He's been known to visit junkyards just to keep spare parts for them.

[Balding_Eagle]

Thank goodness, all todays cars are designed to prevent Global Warming.

[doc1019]

You and me both. Sad times. My father taught me how to fix cars, now all I can do is tell my son … take your car to a dealership, I can’t help you.

[AlexW]

“I miss the old days.”

We will all miss the old days as the new computer controlled and hybrid cars come on the market.
The equipment to service one will cost as much as the car.

It will also be a big problem if you are out in a rural area,
were Joe’s auto shop, will have no clue.

[ColdOne]

The bill, which has been sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, would require automakers to provide all information to diagnose and service vehicles.”

Is there any part of daily life the government is NOT part of. Although it seems it is needed for this story.

[1rudeboy]

Working as intended.

[CitizenUSA]

I can fix just about anything given the right tools and information. That’s the problem. The automakers, I believe, are intentionally writing the firmware, withholding information, and designing parts so that experienced mechanics, like myself, can’t do the work. Even if you have the skill and tools to replace a part, you might not have the ability to program/recalibrate the computer properly (as mentioned in article). Of course, that’s their right, but it’s also one of the reasons why I’m less likely to buy newer cars.

[Cold Heart]

My rule of thumb is to take the car to the dealer while it is warranty. Once out of warranty, anybody but the dealer. I don’t want to reward bad behavior.

[Newtoidaho]

The real issue with the compterized-everything engines is they charge you $100 or more just to diagnose a potential problem, before they even attempt a repair.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Another consequence of being able to patent computer algorithms.

You should be able to copyright software, but patenting an algorithm is like patenting the Pythagorean Theorem.

[doc1019]

Just using dealerships as an example of the inability of the average citizen to repair their own vehicles. I use local repair shops and encourage my offspring to do the same.

[al baby]

I miss the good old days too the cars ran even after you turned of the ignition

[buccaneer81]

Thank goodness, all todays cars are designed to prevent Global Warming.

But not EMP.

[Flavius]

Autozone will do it free for you

You can buy a diagnosis kit for 200

It’s pretty easy to diagnose

Expensive to repair do

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Remember the days when a fuel pump was on the engine?Now its in the gas tank and cost about 500.00 bucks and then the labor which is about half more.The after market stuff wont hold up but is cheaper.I buy parts off of evil bay for a fraction of a new one.How I long for a 1969 anything.

[Kirkwood]

I don’t miss the old days at all. Cars were somewhat easier to fix, but you also spent a lot of your spare time fixing them or hunting for parts because they were constantly falling apart. Unless you liked to tinker with your car, it was a PITA. Plus cars back then handled poorly and had none of the features that modern cars have. For actually getting around, I’ll take a modern car. If I want a hobby, I’ll get an old clunker.

[RC one]

My first car was a 62 buick. My father and I replaced the lifters and pushrods in his driveway. There was nothing on that car I couldn’t fix myself. Later on I bought a 72 jeep. I broke the motor mount on the way to college my freshman year. I fixed it in the parking ot of an ace hardware store with a couple of bucks worth of chain and a cable tensioner - then I drove it down to school and used it like that for a couple of years. While I was in school, I broke the clutch connector too. I fixed that out in the parking lot with another cable tensioner and some bailing wire and drove it like that for a couple more years. Try to do any of this with a new car and you’ll probably just make your inevitable trip to the dealership more expensive. I really miss those simple machines.