Custom Automotive Care

“My truck will start but will not stay running. It dies after just a few seconds. I replaced the fuel pump but it still does it.” In this case the fuel pump could be the problem or it could be something else entirely. The fuel pump was replaced without any formal testing or proof the pump was the cause. This was an expensive guess. As it turns out the fuel pump was not the issue. The computer lost the theft code because battery voltage was too low. All it needed was the battery charged (it had not been driven for a few weeks) and the theft system relearned. This was about a quarter of the cost of the new fuel pump that had been installed. Proper testing and diagnoses is usually more efficient than guessing and replacing unneeded parts. #fuelpump #theftlight #stalls #dies

Some people may be confused by charges for diagnostic services for a vehicle repair, even though many other services in life include diagnostic fees – things like computer service and appliance repair. Even when we go into the doctor for a medical problem, we’re paying her to diagnose our ailment and of course for the tests that go along with it. So receiving a diagnostic charge for a tricky automotive problem shouldn’t be a surprise. Automotive diagnostics can cover quite a range. If you hear a noise in your brakes, a quick visual check is usually enough to know what needs to be done. If you’re having an intermittent problem with your engine, diagnosis may be much more involved. Some think that when the check engine light comes on, the engine computer tells the technician exactly what the problem is. The reality is much different. The trouble code just tells your technician what engine parameter is out of range, not what’s causing it. Your tech ... read more