Disney's Auto Shop Top Tips

[Ashley P 2,932]

I've fabbed some little plastic stuff outta cheap walmart "nylon" cutting boards.  The trigger on my impact broke, I copied it outta cutting board.

 

[Ashley P 2,932]

GM fuel pumps are junk, but sometimes the relay is to blame.  I dissected a relay and zip tied the contacts closed to use as a test relay.

[KNIGHT347 410]

lol I soldered one together

[Disney 2,645]

Power Probe. The single most useful electrical tool i've ever owned. I have the "Master" kit with the open and short finder tools and extra leads, etc. etc. But 90% of the time I just use the basic tool. It is a game changer for electrical diagnosis. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/POWER-PROBE-Case-Acc-Automotive/dp/B00NPY02EW

[Ashley P 2,932]

^ Very interesting.   Danny Devito likes it....

 

Edited 9 April by Ashley P

[Tino 2,906]

I need to get me one of those 

[Disney 2,645]

Game changer for sure. I use mine very frequently. I have the PP 3 which isn't as nice as the new IV. I will probably upgrade mine to the IV this year.

[Mike 5,052]

I see lots of people love the power probe. I’m interested but other than a 12v supply what does it do that a test light and a meter doesn’t?

My shop tip.  Cap plugs, buy some.  I saw a kit when I worked at Nissan and thought that was an awesome idea.  Keep from spilling junk everywhere when you pull a motor or radiator.  I think I bought this kit (middle) off ebay.  The vacuum caps are even more useful.

 

Tip 2.  Buy toolbox organizers.  It makes you quicker and you can tell what’s been left in the car when you finish a job.

That hose clamp plier set with the long cable is awesome.

 

[KNIGHT347 410]

Power probes can supply both 12v+ and 12v- depending which way the switch is pressed, I use one daily at work for various things including trouble shooting components or short circuits

[Ashley P 2,932]

Ditto Mikes tool organization.   I love my cheap little tool cart that I added a 2'x2' plywood "shelf" on the end for holding parts.   Due to socket trays and wrench holders it holds about 90% of all the tools I used in a day (multiple US and Asian makes).  Wheels under that many tools makes it easy to have the right tool at the offending portion of the car.  I'm one step away from having a "mechanical tech" hand me my tools.   

[Disney 2,645]

14 hours ago, KNIGHT347 said:

Power probes can supply both 12v+ and 12v- depending which way the switch is pressed, I use one daily at work for various things including trouble shooting components or short circuits

Exactly. It's not just a test light. I would say I use mine more to power or ground circuits than I just test for + or -. And the tool had a ground lead right off of it so you can ground something and power it right there. Makes testing motors and relays a breeze.

The button on the tool is a momentary toggle switch. Push up to send 12v+ out the lead, push down to send 12v-. Has a built in circuit breaker also for when you power up those ground circuits. It works... Ask me how I know. 

Edited 10 April by Disney

[KNIGHT347 410]

Yeah Ive tripped the breaker on mine a few times

[JohnC 5,027]

Every shop needs a shop gato right Diz?

Anyone who likes a gato is a friend of mine.

[Disney 2,645]

That's #1 thing to do once the walls are up.

[Ashley P 2,932]

When washing a bare engine block I like to take the garden hose off the hydrant, pour a couple teaspoons of Dawn into the hose, then reconnect the new suds blaster.

[Disney 2,645]

If you don't mind an initial investment to save money in the long run, this is a sure fire way to do it! 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035FH906/ref=twister_B075FFMXGR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I have a 55gallon drum of brake parts cleaner and I just fill this little guy up when I need some. Beats the pants off of $5 every time you walk into the parts store. 

[Ashley P 2,932]

^  Used that at the Toyota dealer.  Worked well. 

[Disney 2,645]

I've bought a second one that I use for other chemicals/cleaners. I htink I can get different size nozzles for it if needed. So far, been fine as is.

[Cannon Fodder 434]

I have been meaning to get one of those.

[Ashley P 2,932]

Disney (any others), beware the XM antenna on a GM truck if you put it on a lift. The antenna may miss the "height over ride" bar and get crushed.  I almost did that.

I love the 2 gallon bucket that I graduated into 1 quart segments.  AFT can be measured and that much added back, then a quick check and done.

Screenwire over a drain pan/funnel keeps splattering to a minimum.

If a customer says "I'm in no hurry" they'll call 75,372 times before you're done.

[Disney 2,645]

Here’s a low buck tool that I use a lot. About $6 on Amazon. 

[Disney 2,645]

Top Tip: You're not as smart as you think you are. There's a lot to be learned, young buck. Even though you aren't in school, you should always seek out more education. Where do we do that these days? Youtube! Find people that are smart and know more than you do on a subject you are interested in, and learn.

Some of my personal favorites.....

https://www.youtube.com/user/dgelbart/videos

https://www.youtube.com/user/mrpete222/videos

https://www.youtube.com/user/BanjoBen1/videos

[Ashley P 2,932]

^ A few folks have asked about becoming an auto tech.  I tell them they'd better enjoy learning because cars change every year as fast as technology changes.

My favs:

https://www.youtube.com/user/destinws2

https://www.youtube.com/user/AirSafetyInstitute

https://www.youtube.com/user/honkytonkblood

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXIkr0SRTnZO4_QpZozvCCA

 

Edited 2 May by Ashley P

[Disney 2,645]

Love that channel!

[Ashley P 2,932]

Disney, I turn to youtube for auto repairs that are either new to me or so complicated and unfamiliar that I need a guide.  Ford 6.0 diesel oil coolers and HPOP stuff are covered well by https://www.youtube.com/user/DieselTechRon  and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdmd1PKI1-22QEm_uXDj6IA

In light of how well a vid can teach, is your auto maker pondering a youtube service instruction video series?