I compliment you on your descriptions & the reasoning for your diagnostic procedures. Your video is of immense help for those who are not very well skilled in electrical troubleshooting. Well Done!
I am impressed with your dedication to problem solving and integrity. You and your shop are a shining examples of customer service. Your customers are at your mercy in that they don't know what the problem might be. They have yo trust you. And you live up to that trust. You give it your all. And that's a lot, given your experience, intellect and integrity. Your customers are lucky to have you looking after their cars. And we are lucky to have you sharing your knowledge and values with us. I wish you the very best, sir.
Great video! I love troubleshooting wiring problems. I worked at new car dealerships for over 30 years. You might be surprised to know most techs don't know how to use a scope or troubleshoot. The dealer usually has one trained diagnostic tech. and the rest are just parts replacers. Enjoyed the video.
I know you were so relieved when u found the issue lol. But this is probably the best diagnostic videos out here. You stayed consistent with the information u had. This video has def changed how I troubleshoot. THANKS
Excellent diagnosis I learned that what you said at the end of the vid makes a whole lot of sense, I think it's having patience that counts because this can wear you down!
I wish more mechanics agreed with your methods. Especialy in dealerships they just throw parts at the problem instead of cleaning, repairing, or restoring. I'm sending the link to this video to my friends. Awesome Video!
Your information and videos are very well worth the time I spend watching.. I appreciate very much the time you take making them. I purchased your pedal pumper tool as a way to thank you.
Thank you very much for putting these videos out there. Such a great help to us younger technicians. I learned so much from this, seriously. It's amazing how we can find such great info available right there! I need to remember to have that detective mentality, I love how you mentioned that we don't want to convict someone until we have enough facts to have proof. Thanks again :)
This was my car that I was having problems with. Thanks to my boss Dwayne we figured this out. If I would have taken this to the dealer it would have cost me about 6 hours in diag time plus the fix. This is why we stayed with the issue and didnt give up.
Nawton1 - And... dealer, among other repair places, would've often times charged cust for a computer, car would've been right back and cust charged again for smthn else, then, eventually, cust poss sells or parks car & buys another vehicle! Just gives up out of frustration.
This is a classic demonstration showing the difference between a 'fitter' (of parts), and a mechanic. The latter diagnoses and repairs and can apply problem solving techniques to any situation. Unfortunately, these days, they are a rare commodity. My guess is that a 'fitter' would replace the coolant sensor, then the computer, then the wiring loom before getting to the bottom of the problem - and the customer would have a far higher bill. Nice work!
gracias por todo su voliso tiempo y sus conocimientos, por que hay personas que valoran su esfuerso y su dedicasion, GRACIAS ATODOS los que hacen posible estos videos
Brilliant video .....I really enjoyed watching your fault finding procedure ...Its the engineers like you with your perseverance that clear up the difficult problems and others can benefit ...Well done
Very dedicated in finding the problem. You did a lot more work at finding the problem than most would do!! Good work. Price for parts........10 cents. Price for time and labor...........$275.00
@Colombianfunk I have been a certified tech for 45 years. The common problem is that the customer does not want to pay for your diagnostic time. As you see in this video, It can be a long tedious task to diagnose an intermittent problem. I think ALL customers should see this video. Thanks, Bill
boaterbil - Exactly! They want to pay you 5 bucks to put a butt connector on! Literally! And get pissed off when u say NO and charge for 4 or 6 or 8 or whatever amount of hours. Even if ended up costing 300 bucks for that "butt'" connector, that's still a hell of a lottttt less than another vehicle! Soooo, custs should be afforded the option BEFORE we start. "Mr/Mrs cust, this prob wasn't corrected with a flat rate cts replacement job so its going to have to go into "hourly rate mode" to try to fix it right, will this be approved by you, or not? We promise to do the best we can on price when completed!" THEN it's on them, not us, therefore we don't get screwed with "flat rate" bs on a lot of jobs anymore!
Industry standard of a flat rate technician would barely be able to pull up a wiring diagram let alone a fix. Lol. Great video. I hope you are paid by the hour
Your troubleshooting methods are so much like mine that if your shop was around where I live, I'd come and work for you in a second even if it meant takin a cut in pay.
man this is the best vedoe so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your the man!!!!! wish i could work at ur shop and learn from u i have a 2002 ford focus 1.8 sohc keep getting this P0720-P0721 and P0722 all about the out put shaft speeed sensor. also the speedometer comes and goes intermittent. not to mention that the transmission ocassionally shifts to neutral while driving and wont kick back into gear unless i sow down to atleast 20mph. please help
its an amazing video. you can probably do this with out a lab scope. all you would need is a DMM. Check ohms at the sensor then check for ohm from wiring to the computer. The scope does help a lot though.
Sad part is this was would only happen on hard acceleration. Weird but that is the only time it ever showed up. I know this as a fact because that was my car. 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. No mods or anything it just broke the wire for some reason in the harness going to the ECM in the air box. Dont know how it happened but it did. Glad we found this after 2 days.
First rule before any diags, "THOU SHALL CHECK ALL VOLTAGES !" this one rule will save you alot of time. Is ground present and steady? Is the ref voltage present and steady? If yes, then look at the signal from the sensor. The sensor can not function without the Vref and a good ground.
Thank you I'm having a similar is due except no communication to OBD II unfortunately I replaced the Computer because in Selkirk NY where I'm at not one mechanic I found wi work on a Chrysler I've been turned away from at least 15 mechanics so I'm trying to do this on my own welcome to th capital if NY such pride they have but not much mechanic knowledge I'm ready to come up wit a phobia name for them for Chryslers not wanting to work on them I'm leaving us hanging out high and dry!
If Dragon Speaking were hooked up to the onboard computer. The computer would tell you where it feels the problem is. Codes are cool, but time consuming. GM is working to fix the code for rear-ending a semi trailer at 40 mph. The A-pillars have to be immensely strengthened. Until then I will stick with my trusty dog sled team.
when it comes to throwing a part at it and that part is $500+-$ you should always check voltages and wireing continuity it has been my experience with my car that it is generally 1st bad conector, 2nd bad sensor, 3rd bad wireing. Unless you had some electrical failure like a regulator that shot pure alt. voltage through your system, happened to me once, or you connect your battery backwards because the new ones posts were swapped then your componants/computer should be OK. just my exp.
funny that you mention this I worked for toyota and our robots are mostly from japan.. While processing some of our fastest parts even our robots wiring has litterly melted apart. nothing like stopping a 60 million dollar machine because a 100k dollar robotic arm's company used to thin of a wire.. even during usual speed the main power wire would gain like 40 degree F...
A lot of customers throw a bunch of parts,and when it don't fix car they expect us to diagnose it for free because they already spent a bunch of money in parts.I have repaired a lot of cars and wiring fails before sensors.Diagnostics are not as tangible as parts replacement to the customer.
'Lume' mentioned a couple of times after 16:00- I think you meant to spell 'loom'. Thanks for sharing your depth of knowledge with this ASE Master & L1.
Good work. BUT WHY did that yellow wire have such a clean cut. Its certenly not brocken from over flexing (wiguling). CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT YELLOW WIRE.
it is good to investytigate---the reason why so many just throw parts at it is 99% of time it is a part--but in cases like this--we do not get paid to be detectives----I see guys spending hours and sometimes days to find a problem and only get paid an hour for diagnostic---flat rate needs to go
Thanks for responding Bill. I agree, flat rate is corroding our industry from the inside out. Doctors, Lawyers, Finiancial advisers all get paid for the time they spend on a job. Techs get paid what some book says the job is worth. We need to change the system. I'm thinking about writing an article about this. I'd like to know what you and others think about it. Please let me know. Duane
well-for one--who is coming out with these book times??? and more importantly HOW???---I don't work at a dealer so I see different cars and the first time you do something it is a little funny and takes some time--the only way flat rate works is if u are at a busy shop with a steady supply of strut and suspension jobs all day
The standard by the book rate is there for a reason. It is considered the reasonable time it should take to do the job. This makes it possible to get an estimate. Otherwise you got Bill who does a job well in reasonable time at shop A versus Tim at shop B that just loafs along charging customers for his donut break. Most jobs can be done by the book time. Troubleshooting is not one of them. You get Rick who shows up with a wiring problem and you pop the hood and discover a rats nest of wires for all the aftermarket crap he has added and removed over the last 15 years. You charge those jobs by the hour. Same for trailer wiring. Some of those jobs can actually be done quicker by running new wires. How many shorts for the electric brakes have you discovered inside an axle tube on a trailer? You charge that diagnostic and repair by the hour. It's simple. Predictable jobs on unhacked rigs you charge by the book. Unpredictable jobs get charged by the hour. :) And you charge Rick extra for standing there watching. And you charge him extra for teaching him how to actually do the job right. So for the same job you charge Sally 120 bucks and you charge Rick 280 bucks. :) Works for me. But then I work for myself.
bill durning Thats when you charge for the job and charge extra by the hour time to fix it. Sounds like he blew a head gasket. not your fault of course. But hey he wants that fixed too eh? More money for you. ;)
You should teach Chrysler how to do their jobs. They had my truck in 6 times and on the 7th replaced my tranny. Guess what? It still gives the over temp light and drops into limp mode... Same problem, different tranny... and MIGHTY Chrysler can't fix it. Last Chrysler jeep dodge product I'll ever own.
There is NO way you can get some of these modern mechanics to look that hard for a broken wire. They would just have you buy that part, then another, then another.... until your pocket book is empty and they get more money. Not too many honest guys out there like this one. If you find an honest mechanic... Hold onto them like grim death. Make them part of your family... Ha ha.
@realfixesrealfast thanks, now i just got to find one somewhere,maybe you could do a video on it sometime that would be great, by the way great videos.
The wire insulation piercing test probes at 11:12, did you get those off the Mac truck? If so, could you give me the tool number please. I know Mac makes screw-in insulation piercing test probes but my Mac man can't find the tool number for them.
I have an intermittant problem on my 1998 Buick century 3.1l and not getting any CEL light/code. What or where do I look for a place to diagnose using a a lab scope? I live in Mesa Arizona.
I compliment you on your descriptions & the reasoning for your diagnostic procedures. Your video is of immense help for those who are not very well skilled in electrical troubleshooting. Well Done!
I am impressed with your dedication to problem solving and integrity. You and your shop are a shining examples of customer service. Your customers are at your mercy in that they don't know what the problem might be. They have yo trust you. And you live up to that trust. You give it your all. And that's a lot, given your experience, intellect and integrity. Your customers are lucky to have you looking after their cars. And we are lucky to have you sharing your knowledge and values with us.
I wish you the very best, sir.
Thank you. I appreciate your comments, and you taking the time to send them. You are why I do this.
Great video! I love troubleshooting wiring problems. I worked at new car dealerships for over 30 years. You might be surprised to know most techs don't know how to use a scope or troubleshoot. The dealer usually has one trained diagnostic tech. and the rest are just parts replacers. Enjoyed the video.
I know you were so relieved when u found the issue lol. But this is probably the best diagnostic videos out here. You stayed consistent with the information u had. This video has def changed how I troubleshoot. THANKS
Excellent diagnosis I learned that what you said at the end of the vid makes a whole lot of sense, I think it's having patience that counts because this can wear you down!
Great video, I enjoyed seeing the whole process of diagnosing this problem.
Thanks!
I wish more mechanics agreed with your methods. Especialy in dealerships they just throw parts at the problem instead of cleaning, repairing, or restoring.
I'm sending the link to this video to my friends. Awesome Video!
I may have said this before but it bears repeating, I would be honored to have this guy come anywhere near my car.
Very informative. Will definitely use a similar technique next time I'm hunting down an intermittent. Thanks for the video
Your information and videos are very well worth the time I spend watching.. I appreciate
very much the time you take making them. I purchased your pedal pumper tool as a way to thank you.
Thank you very much for putting these videos out there. Such a great help to us younger technicians. I learned so much from this, seriously. It's amazing how we can find such great info available right there! I need to remember to have that detective mentality, I love how you mentioned that we don't want to convict someone until we have enough facts to have proof. Thanks again :)
This was my car that I was having problems with. Thanks to my boss Dwayne we figured this out. If I would have taken this to the dealer it would have cost me about 6 hours in diag time plus the fix. This is why we stayed with the issue and didnt give up.
Nawton1 - And... dealer, among other repair places, would've often times charged cust for a computer, car would've been right back and cust charged again for smthn else, then, eventually, cust poss sells or parks car & buys another vehicle! Just gives up out of frustration.
This is a classic demonstration showing the difference between a 'fitter' (of parts), and a mechanic. The latter diagnoses and repairs and can apply problem solving techniques to any situation. Unfortunately, these days, they are a rare commodity. My guess is that a 'fitter' would replace the coolant sensor, then the computer, then the wiring loom before getting to the bottom of the problem - and the customer would have a far higher bill. Nice work!
gracias por todo su voliso tiempo y sus conocimientos, por que hay personas que valoran su esfuerso y su dedicasion, GRACIAS ATODOS los que hacen posible estos videos
The world would be so much better if everyone was more like Dwayne! He's awesome!
I am grateful every time I see your videos, things that only your many years of study and experience can explain thanks
It make's us feel great to find intermittent problem's like this! This is why you get paid for what you know! This is MASTER TECH / L1 WORK!
THANK YOU !
this is very, very, very ,interesting and instructive.
Brilliant video .....I really enjoyed watching your fault finding procedure ...Its the engineers like you with your perseverance that clear up the difficult problems and others can benefit ...Well done
Thank you for your diligent troubleshooting!
I like this guy. He is very thorough. I like the "finding the active short video" both very good.
People like OJ Simpson fear the thought of you ever becoming a detective. Lol That was a great job.
good speach to the backyard mechanic or part changer shop all over.
U are a good diagnostic tech thanks for sharing experience !
Mr. Duane you are a true Master Technician...
If it was me i would be mad for the $ bill for a broken wire.
But as a mechanic proud that i fund the problem.
Thanks for the Info and vid
Very dedicated in finding the problem. You did a lot more work at finding the problem than most would do!! Good work.
Price for parts........10 cents. Price for time and labor...........$275.00
woohoo, I hope when I am Mr. Duane's age I could work like him and still keep going.
wonderful video thanks for taking the time to share with us
@Colombianfunk I have been a certified tech for 45 years. The common problem is that the customer does not want to pay for your diagnostic time. As you see in this video, It can be a long tedious task to diagnose an intermittent problem. I think ALL customers should see this video. Thanks, Bill
boaterbil - Exactly! They want to pay you 5 bucks to put a butt connector on! Literally! And get pissed off when u say NO and charge for 4 or 6 or 8 or whatever amount of hours.
Even if ended up costing 300 bucks for that "butt'" connector, that's still a hell of a lottttt less than another vehicle!
Soooo, custs should be afforded the option BEFORE we start.
"Mr/Mrs cust, this prob wasn't corrected with a flat rate cts replacement job so its going to have to go into "hourly rate mode" to try to fix it right, will this be approved by you, or not? We promise to do the best we can on price when completed!"
THEN it's on them, not us, therefore we don't get screwed with "flat rate" bs on a lot of jobs anymore!
Industry standard of a flat rate technician would barely be able to pull up a wiring diagram let alone a fix. Lol. Great video. I hope you are paid by the hour
I`m sure a lot of people would like to have you as their mechanic :) Including me.
Very thorough diagnostic work! Thanks for sharing.
Engine light
More than excellent.
nice way you tracked that one down, I have seen wires that looked fine until you turned them over and the whole back side had been worn away!
Nice video. Well put together. Thanks for compiling it.
Great deduction Holmes. 👍
Nice video that was great and very educational.
Nice video , instructive , conclusions back up with evidences , great.
Dwayne is in the wrong job!!!!!!!, Nasa needs him!! great video as always
Very nice video once again!
Great video, great troubleshooting, keep up the great work.
Your troubleshooting methods are so much like mine that if your shop was around where I live, I'd come and work for you in a second even if it meant takin a cut in pay.
wow very profetiona you guy are great thank you for these tip
THANKSSSSSSSS
man this is the best vedoe so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
your the man!!!!!
wish i could work at ur shop and learn from u
i have a 2002 ford focus 1.8 sohc
keep getting this P0720-P0721 and P0722 all about the out put shaft speeed sensor.
also the speedometer comes and goes intermittent. not to mention that the transmission ocassionally shifts to neutral while driving and wont kick back into gear unless i sow down to atleast 20mph.
please help
You're a great mechanic.
its an amazing video. you can probably do this with out a lab scope. all you would need is a DMM. Check ohms at the sensor then check for ohm from wiring to the computer. The scope does help a lot though.
Sad part is this was would only happen on hard acceleration. Weird but that is the only time it ever showed up. I know this as a fact because that was my car. 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. No mods or anything it just broke the wire for some reason in the harness going to the ECM in the air box. Dont know how it happened but it did. Glad we found this after 2 days.
First rule before any diags, "THOU SHALL CHECK ALL VOLTAGES !" this one rule will save you alot of time. Is ground present and steady? Is the ref voltage present and steady? If yes, then look at the signal from the sensor. The sensor can not function without the Vref and a good ground.
Precious videos you've uploaded. Like gold for me
Champion well done matey
Thank you I'm having a similar is due except no communication to OBD II unfortunately I replaced the Computer because in Selkirk NY where I'm at not one mechanic I found wi work on a Chrysler I've been turned away from at least 15 mechanics so I'm trying to do this on my own welcome to th capital if NY such pride they have but not much mechanic knowledge I'm ready to come up wit a phobia name for them for Chryslers not wanting to work on them I'm leaving us hanging out high and dry!
You guys are awesome, I wish I lived around you all.
great video.
is always a pleasure to see your videos 👍
That was an awesome video, very informative!
love it
If Dragon Speaking were hooked up to the onboard computer. The computer would tell you where it feels the problem is. Codes are cool, but time consuming. GM is working to fix the code for rear-ending a semi trailer at 40 mph. The A-pillars have to be immensely strengthened. Until then I will stick with my trusty dog sled team.
when it comes to throwing a part at it and that part is $500+-$ you should always check voltages and wireing continuity it has been my experience with my car that it is generally 1st bad conector, 2nd bad sensor, 3rd bad wireing. Unless you had some electrical failure like a regulator that shot pure alt. voltage through your system, happened to me once, or you connect your battery backwards because the new ones posts were swapped then your componants/computer should be OK. just my exp.
Great troubleshooting.
Great. Thats how u do it.
funny that you mention this I worked for toyota and our robots are mostly from japan.. While processing some of our fastest parts even our robots wiring has litterly melted apart. nothing like stopping a 60 million dollar machine because a 100k dollar robotic arm's company used to thin of a wire.. even during usual speed the main power wire would gain like 40 degree F...
My dear sir you are my teacher...
amazing content keep it up please :)
Good job fixing it without unneeded parts
great videos I have been needing to brush up on all this :)
Great video, awesome skills
Another great video!
This is what I do every day
Tom
another great video!!
"Finding an intermittent"
I looking forward to Episode - II -
;-)
A lot of customers throw a bunch of parts,and when it don't fix car they expect us to diagnose it for free because they already spent a bunch of money in parts.I have repaired a lot of cars and wiring fails before sensors.Diagnostics are not as tangible as parts replacement to the customer.
'Lume' mentioned a couple of times after 16:00- I think you meant to spell 'loom'. Thanks for sharing your depth of knowledge with this ASE Master & L1.
man i want that scanner
That was really good!
Nice fix! I hate trying to find intermittent wiring problems. Kinda odd (to me any ways) that the computer is inside the air box.
great video!
Really good vid! Thanks!
Great vid thanks
thx for sharing sir
@jtech23 yes, they work great
Good work. BUT WHY did that yellow wire have such a clean cut. Its certenly not brocken from over flexing (wiguling). CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT YELLOW WIRE.
Honey, Look at this! LOL
I HATE FLAT RATE! (and love it too sometimes) IT'S A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP! (kind of like me & my ex)
good video
it is good to investytigate---the reason why so many just throw parts at it is 99% of time it is a part--but in cases like this--we do not get paid to be detectives----I see guys spending hours and sometimes days to find a problem and only get paid an hour for diagnostic---flat rate needs to go
Thanks for responding Bill. I agree, flat rate is corroding our industry from the inside out. Doctors, Lawyers, Finiancial advisers all get paid for the time they spend on a job. Techs get paid what some book says the job is worth. We need to change the system. I'm thinking about writing an article about this. I'd like to know what you and others think about it. Please let me know.
Duane
well-for one--who is coming out with these book times??? and more importantly HOW???---I don't work at a dealer so I see different cars and the first time you do something it is a little funny and takes some time--the only way flat rate works is if u are at a busy shop with a steady supply of strut and suspension jobs all day
The standard by the book rate is there for a reason. It is considered the reasonable time it should take to do the job. This makes it possible to get an estimate. Otherwise you got Bill who does a job well in reasonable time at shop A versus Tim at shop B that just loafs along charging customers for his donut break. Most jobs can be done by the book time. Troubleshooting is not one of them. You get Rick who shows up with a wiring problem and you pop the hood and discover a rats nest of wires for all the aftermarket crap he has added and removed over the last 15 years. You charge those jobs by the hour. Same for trailer wiring. Some of those jobs can actually be done quicker by running new wires. How many shorts for the electric brakes have you discovered inside an axle tube on a trailer? You charge that diagnostic and repair by the hour. It's simple. Predictable jobs on unhacked rigs you charge by the book. Unpredictable jobs get charged by the hour. :)
And you charge Rick extra for standing there watching. And you charge him extra for teaching him how to actually do the job right. So for the same job you charge Sally 120 bucks and you charge Rick 280 bucks. :) Works for me. But then I work for myself.
bill durning Thats when you charge for the job and charge extra by the hour time to fix it. Sounds like he blew a head gasket. not your fault of course. But hey he wants that fixed too eh? More money for you. ;)
consaka1 - this Pontiac was un hacked.
Shoot can't imagine diagnosing that problem in my backyard with a voltmeter and a cheap test light.
No. I work on American, German and Asian.
What I'd like to know is how does a wire buried in an air cleaner break like that.
Yeah i'd like to know how that wire got severed. Looked like someone took snips to it.
You should teach Chrysler how to do their jobs. They had my truck in 6 times and on the 7th replaced my tranny. Guess what? It still gives the over temp light and drops into limp mode... Same problem, different tranny... and MIGHTY Chrysler can't fix it. Last Chrysler jeep dodge product I'll ever own.
wow, how does that even happen? That wire looks like it was cut!
i see you have a teslite tool, the yellow lead that you were probing the ecm connector with. Do they work like they are supposed to?
Thanks.
There is NO way you can get some of these modern mechanics to look that hard for a broken wire. They would just have you buy that part, then another, then another.... until your pocket book is empty and they get more money. Not too many honest guys out there like this one. If you find an honest mechanic... Hold onto them like grim death. Make them part of your family... Ha ha.
@realfixesrealfast thanks, now i just got to find one somewhere,maybe you could do a video on it sometime that would be great, by the way great videos.
How long did it take to find the cause of the problem?
The wire insulation piercing test probes at 11:12, did you get those off the Mac truck? If so, could you give me the tool number please. I know Mac makes screw-in insulation piercing test probes but my Mac man can't find the tool number for them.
@realfixesrealfast thanks, now i just got to find one somewhere, by the way great videos.
so how much what the charge because you didnt charge for the ecu but the labor fee must have been there the roof
I have an intermittant problem on my 1998 Buick century 3.1l and not getting any CEL light/code. What or where do I look for a place to diagnose using a a lab scope? I live in Mesa Arizona.