Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

High-tech vehicles pose trouble for some mechanics
AP via Yahoo ^ | 12/26/09 | DAISY NGUYEN

Posted on 12/26/2009 7:35:28 PM PST by 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...

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: auto; congress; jobs; repair
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-57 next last
I thought this was kind of an interesting read.
1 posted on 12/26/2009 7:35:29 PM PST by DemforBush
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: DemforBush
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.

2 posted on 12/26/2009 7:41:33 PM PST by ClearCase_guy (We have the 1st so that we can call on people to rebel. We have 2nd so that they can.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DemforBush

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.


3 posted on 12/26/2009 7:45:52 PM PST by Hegemony Cricket (The emperor has no pedigree.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DemforBush
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.
4 posted on 12/26/2009 7:46:36 PM PST by ladyvet (WOLVERINES!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

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


5 posted on 12/26/2009 7:47:29 PM PST by Balding_Eagle (If America falls, darkness will cover the face of the earth for a thousand years.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

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.


6 posted on 12/26/2009 7:47:41 PM PST by doc1019 (To call Obama a bumbling idiot would be an insult to bumbling idiots worldwide.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

“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.


7 posted on 12/26/2009 7:49:25 PM PST by AlexW (Now in the Philippines . Happy not to be back in the USA for now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: DemforBush

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.


8 posted on 12/26/2009 7:49:30 PM PST by ColdOne (ColdOne(Vote Them Out))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: doc1019

Working as intended.


9 posted on 12/26/2009 7:51:14 PM PST by 1rudeboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: DemforBush

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.


10 posted on 12/26/2009 7:52:00 PM PST by CitizenUSA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DemforBush

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.


11 posted on 12/26/2009 7:52:55 PM PST by Cold Heart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DemforBush

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.


12 posted on 12/26/2009 7:55:24 PM PST by Newtoidaho (Liberals are nothing more than drooling buffoons. Spread the word.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DemforBush
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.

13 posted on 12/26/2009 7:57:40 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cold Heart

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.


14 posted on 12/26/2009 7:57:56 PM PST by doc1019 (To call Obama a bumbling idiot would be an insult to bumbling idiots worldwide.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: doc1019

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


15 posted on 12/26/2009 8:01:48 PM PST by al baby (Hi Mom sarc ;))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

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

But not EMP.

16 posted on 12/26/2009 8:02:13 PM PST by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Newtoidaho

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


17 posted on 12/26/2009 8:04:18 PM PST by Flavius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: CitizenUSA

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.


18 posted on 12/26/2009 8:04:41 PM PST by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life is tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: AlexW

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.


19 posted on 12/26/2009 8:05:54 PM PST by Kirkwood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: DemforBush

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.


20 posted on 12/26/2009 8:06:27 PM PST by RC one
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-57 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson