He tries to solve all the problems you take to him based on speculation. When a mechanic is in the habit of not using basic diagnostic tools or equipment to properly identify automotive problems before telling you to start buying spare parts. And when, after the first round of spending, the problem is not resolved and he tells you to buy another thing. He’s either ignorantly wasting your money or deliberately fleecing you.
He tells you that any obvious warning light on the dashboard of the car doesn’t mean anything. Or, that’s how it is.
He does not show you (indeed, return to you) the old part/s he claimed to have changed in the vehicle.
When the goal-post of what he claims to be working on shifts every time you speak with him. Especially, when the problems he claims to be working on are not related to the original one he identified for repair.
Don’t ever let a mechanic bully you into using that particular service garage. You can have it towed for a second opinion or call up other places for an off-site evaluation. Some mechanics might try to even suggest that you’re putting your family or other loved ones in danger by not having something fixed immediately.
When your mechanic uses words like, “You wouldn’t understand,” or “It’s complicated.” Most people don’t know anything about what’s under the hood of that 2004 Honda Accord they’ve had for eight years. They can’t point out the radiator from the alternator or the radiator cap from the dipstick. It’s an unfortunate reality that mechanics can easily prey on. If you’re paying as much as you’re paying for repair work in a workshop they should respect your intelligence enough to explain the problem and the solution to you.
When you mechanic says, “I wouldn’t drive that car anywhere else”. This is almost a threat. It’s intended to scare or frighten you into leaving your car there and letting those guys have free reign over your vehicle. If they know that you’ll fall for this, then they know they have a great chance to overcharge you for a bunch of things you didn’t need. Find out from somebody else whether or not it’s okay to move your car, then make your decision.
He tells you that the oil-quality/texture, fluid-specs or recommended pressure for any particular system of the car as defined by the manufacturer “doesn’t really matter.”
REACTIONS TO AUTOMEDICS
What is the optimal tyre pressure for M/Benz E220?
Anonymous
The air pressure specification “Decal” is always pasted on the inside of the fuel tank door. However, I believe Mercedes Benz is around 28PSI on four wheels.
I drive a Honda Odyssey 1996 model and the D4 light is blinking on the dashboard, as it used to when I was using the old gear box that had a fault. Now I bought another gear box but the light still blinks. What I do?
James
The D4 light blinking is an indication of a fault within the transmission. It is better for you to run a scan on the transmission, the interpretation of the scan result will guide you on what to do.
I own a Mazda 626 2000 model. The car jerks and sometimes goes off on slow speed. I ran a scan but it didn’t indicate anything. What is the probable cause?
Hyacinth
With the way your car is behaving it should have triggered a fault code, maybe the scanner is not communicating at all with the car ECU and you have been deceived. However, the symptom seems as if the engine is starving of fuel, which indicates a fuel pump fault.
I want to buy a Ford Explorer (new). I’ve always been using Toyota. Is it easy to maintain? Is its fuel consumption reasonable? Please advise.
Lanre
It is easy to maintain, depending on who is doing it and having the right tools. Also, it is good on fuel management.
I drive a Nissan Primera 2003 model. At times, it’s difficult to start the ignition, at other times it starts normally. Please what could be wrong?
Lai
The problem could be with the electrical part of the ignition switch. Also, you need to have it diagnosed by a good auto electrician.
Some mechanics often advise that tokunbo spark plugs are better than new, Moreso, it’s difficult getting genuine plugs in the market. Please what would you advise me to do?
Idris
You can get genuine and the right specification spark plug for any vehicle from us, just call any of these numbers and ask for Mr Ekisola 08023025022 or 08096234625. You can also visit our website www.automedicsafrica.com and place your order.
How can one know if a car’s air bags are working? Thanks.
Olu
The easiest way is to run a scan on the body system and focus on the “SRS” the result will reveal the faults.
I drive a Mercedes C 220 1999 model. Usually, when I start the engine, its sound goes up then comes down. Lately, about a year after purchase, instead of the usual way, now when the engine starts, it vibrates, shakes (jumpy-like) and then comes down again. At times, the engine stops in the process. When I restart the engine, it comes up normal again. This happens in the morning or when the car stays inactive for some hours.
Pope
I believe the car needs a proper tune-up service; which should include cleaning out carbon from the throttle body and idle control solenoid airway.
I drive a Toyota Rav4. When I drive it up to 30 km/hr, my car shows a warning light saying “high transfer case oil temperature”, afterwards the car cannot increase speed beyond that limit. When I continue driving it at that speed (since it cannot go further), it changes to check 4×4. I have changed the front and rear axle oil, transfer case at the front, propeller and the back axle along with the geomagnetic coupling that comes with the axle. I have also checked the tire dimension – They are all 235/65R17 and also had the right wheel balancing done.
Despite doing all these, the problem still persists. This problem started some months ago. It displays high case transfer oil temperature when I get to gear 3 ( it’s manual transmission) and then changes to check 4×4 as I continue to accelerate; in this case the speed is not usually prohibited. After a mechanic changed the hubs at the back and the driver’s side shaft at the front, it suddenly started showing the fault described above and would not move beyond 30 km. Surprisingly, whenever the ABS sensor is removed it moves normally but with check ABS sensor messages. Please can you help? JIde
Yes we can help, but we will need to run a diagnosis on the vehicle. Also you probably have no reason to replace all the parts you changed.
Please, I need a new condenser for my Golf 3 car, a 1995 model. Thanks.
Adeyemo
What we need is the make, year of manufacture, model and VIN/Chassis number of the vehicle before we can order for any parts.
I drive a Honda CRV 2003 model. When the check engine light came up in 2013, I scanned it and had to change two coil wires. I observed thereafter that whenever I drive out and park at about three different places, the check engine light goes off on the third or fourth time and for d rest of the day. What could be responsible?
Chris
You need to oblige us with the result of the scan. The interpretation of the scan result will guide us on what to do.
I drive a Camry 1996 model. l changed the engine and transmission and the car runs perfectly well, but the gear doesn’t select. What could be wrong?
Babajide
Please run a scan on the transmission, the result will guide on what to do. Also let your mechanic check on the kick down cable adjustment.
When I kick down my Honda Pilot 2005 model, it does not move at times. Also, many times it jerks as if I stepped on the break.
Anonymous
Run a scan on the powertrain of the vehicle.
I am a mechanic. I recently scanned a Mitsubishi Gallant 2007 model and I got p1541 undefined code. What do I do?
Martins
P1541 Mitsubishi – LIN Communication Check By PCM Receiving Message To Radiator Sensor
Possible causes: Faulty Radiator Sensor, Radiator Sensor harness is open or shorted or Radiator Sensor circuit poor electrical connection.
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