Retired auto techs or left the auto industry what do you do now?

Mobile programmers would be better. Reflash modules for shops that don’t want to pay for subscriptions and tools they will only use once in a while. I used one several times where I worked, for that reason. Wasn’t worth even a month subscription to flash a vehicle when I could call a guy and he would do it for a small fee.
 
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Penetrode Offroad said:
And blow you brains out?


One of the highest career paths for suicide last I knew.
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I’m always checking on the mental health of my dentist I’ve had for probably 20 years now. He’s laid back and does good work. He’s into baseball a bunch and I thought I might cut out a steel sign of the team he likes. Show some appreciation for the work he’s done on me through the years.
 
DMG said:
Half the shops dont charge for diagnosis now anyway, especially if they are flat rate and can make the tech eat it. I do some diag for a couple of shops that are a few years behind the times. If the owners weren't my friends and I didn't have a good reciprocal deal with them to do some of my motors and transmissions, I wouldn't bother.

The money is in doing small to medium job maintenance/repair. Brakes, suspension, axles, etc. The stuff the roads around here destroy anyway.
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You said you are good with your shop and business coming in.

Any mobile techs trying to compete, of course in the winter they are screwed, but nicer months they can drive from a job to another one...
Axles, brakes, some suspension stuff, engine/trans mounts can be done with a decent mobile setup.
Ofdering oil changes and such makes a nice upsell when in there already.

I watch YT from Quantum Mobile Mechanic and Quality Mobile Automotive from time to time, seems they stay busy. One is in California, not sure about the other one.
 
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gmcxt said:
Yes there a people that are greedy and look at there employees as a means to and end, but not everyone is like that. There will always be shishters and crooks in every trade. I could write a book brotha.

As for the guys who aren't up on training and throwing guesses around, they are gaming the system. This is a leadership problem on the management side and a disciple problem on the technician side. If you are on flat rate and you make a diagnosis and you are wrong, you should not get paid on that job and should either be back flagged or that job should take priority before other jobs are given to you. The customer should only pay for what fixes there vehicle. If it's not enforced then it grows like a tumor and become systemic in the shop. As a tech I've had to guess and I've been wrong and I own up to my mistakes, learn from them, and move on. In your heart of hearts as a tech if you know it's not right to throw a timing chain on that job that could have low oil pressure and a knock then don't be guilt of commission and omission on to the truth of matter. You must be honest and have integrity. This is part of making the customer like you. Even if you mess up they will still feel good about paying you to fix the real problem. A manager must also walk that walk keep your people in check and accountable. Good shops do exist. It starts on a personal level though.
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So, basically like I said earlier, parts replacers and true technicians who take pride in their quality of workmanship. That’s narrowing it down drastically honestly. There are some wrench monkeys who should never be near anything mechanical period, yet here they are working in a repair shop.

I firmly believe that some people are born with brains that can see how everything mechanical works and the true desire to lean more. I believe that you should always be pushing to learn new things everyday and accept big challenges, as once you’ve learned them, they’re no longer big and that knowledge reflects into similar things as well. You might have a big roll around tool box loaded with nice tools, the best tool you have is what’s inside your head, your knowledge.

I learned a lot back in my two years auto mechanics classes in high school. 3 hours everyday. Some class room and some shop work. I made friends with a guy there and he was big into German cars. Well, his dad married a German gal when he was in the service back in the 50’s when he was stationed there. She spoke broken English and was dumb as a box of rocks. But my buddy was a true technician, gifted. I was on his coat tails as I had the same desire just no means to explore vehicles like he did with his dad married they had a collection of old Benz’s. He had acquired a VW beetle and had removed the body off of it so it was just a running chassis. From there, we built a lot of VWs and a few big engines with dual 44idf’s. Beetles, fiberglass dune buggy we called the purple jelly bean. It did awesome wheelies. Got into building bajas and Chenoweth buggies. Then he started using heavy drugs. We had an agreement back in high school, no serious drugs or needle ****. I told him to piss off after that. Late 70’s into early 80’s.

I can envision things in my head in a 3D scan type way and disassemble and assemble it in my mind. Things I fabricate same way. I’m losing some of that nowadays, specifically after smashing my skull in the street when the punk hit me in his blaser.
 
For the shops that will not invest in training I say this "oh my God your dumb". Go to you boss have him open goodle and type in "will automotive training help a shop make more money". It's right there in plain old dumped down English. Have him read it out loud . YES is the answer if they need cliff notes.
 
gmcxt said:
For the shops that will not invest in training I say this "oh my God your dumb". Go to you boss have him open goodle and type in "will automotive training help a shop make more money". It's right there in plain old dumped down English. Have him read it out loud . YES is the answer if they need cliff notes.
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Like the Richard Branson quote "what if we train our people up and they leave? What if we don't and they stay?"
 
DMG said:
The money is in doing small to medium job maintenance/repair. Brakes, suspension, axles, etc. The stuff the roads around here destroy anyway.
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The quick in and out B tech work is a great way to put quick money on the bottom line. And techs quiet, because who complains about the gravy? Diags have to have a role in it, but you get a good repair, tack on the gravy, and happy techs, happy customers, and money in the bank.
 
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gmcxt said:
For the shops that will not invest in training I say this "oh my God your dumb". Go to you boss have him open goodle and type in "will automotive training help a shop make more money". It's right there in plain old dumped down English. Have him read it out loud . YES is the answer if they need cliff notes.
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1. Google results are influenced by reddit and AI and all kinds of stupid ****. You can find any answer you want.

2. Training will help a shop make more money IF the shop management makes the customers pay more. IF they charge for diag. IF they raise the labor rate because they do better work. You don't need training to upsell but you can build value with training.

3. If you do a lot of business with a chain parts store, they will invite you to free or cheap classes
 
Rttoys said:
Mobile programmers would be better. Reflash modules for shops that don’t want to pay for subscriptions and tools they will only use once in a while. I used one several times where I worked, for that reason. Wasn’t worth even a month subscription to flash a vehicle when I could call a guy and he would do it for a small fee.
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Last time I replaced a transmission in a newer GM truck I talked to the parts guy when I ordered the Trans and he arranged the reflash. I had a local rollback drop it off and it cost less than what the mobile programmer wanted.
 
DMG said:
2. Training will help a shop make more money IF the shop management makes the customers pay more. IF they charge for diag. IF they raise the labor rate because they do better work. You don't need training to upsell but you can build value with training.
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You train some Jimmy Numbers type who meticulously follows the flow chart into someone who actually gets the underlying systems and understands when to skip parts of it and he saves 15min every 10th job that's more billable hours through that bay in a given time period with no extra effort invested by the tech or management beyond the upfront cost of the training.

We've seen this **** in my workplace with our own L1 phone answering people. As they learn more they become faster and they do more in a given time period.

DMG said:
3. If you do a lot of business with a chain parts store, they will invite you to free or cheap classes
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My ass. Napa isn't that bougie. :flipoff2:
 
arse_sidewards said:
You train some Jimmy Numbers type who meticulously follows the flow chart into someone who actually gets the underlying systems and understands when to skip parts of it and he saves 15min every 10th job that's more billable hours through that bay in a given time period with no extra effort invested by the tech or management beyond the upfront cost of the training.

We've seen this **** in my workplace with our own L1 phone answering people. As they learn more they become faster and they do more in a given time period.
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1. IF the shop management doesn't lay down and give free diag. Customers like you will whine that autozone runs codes for free.
:flipoff2:

2. Unless it is a common failure, just follow the flow chart. Or that wire corroded down to 2 strands that looks fine but has big resistance one it warms up will **** you
arse_sidewards said:
My ass. Napa isn't that bougie. :flipoff2:
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They used to be the best
 
DMG said:
1. IF the shop management doesn't lay down and give free diag. Customers like you will whine that autozone runs codes for free.
:flipoff2:
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If diag is free then having techs that are good and quick at it means more time spent on actually turning wrenches (i.e. billable activity)
DMG said:
2. Unless it is a common failure, just follow the flow chart. Or that wire corroded down to 2 strands that looks fine but has big resistance one it warms up will **** you
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Yes and no. The flow chart will get you there every time but sometimes it will get you there slowly.

If you can add a bit of extra knowledge, like say by running something off jumper wires, you can sometimes rule out a lot of paths. Take a tech who really gets it to look at the whole process, look at what they know about the situation and then figure out what they need to also know (e.g. "the blower spins when I power it directly) in order to do that kind of thing. At the end of the day it's knowledge and judgement like everything else.
 
arse_sidewards said:
If diag is free then having techs that are good and quick at it means more time spent on actually turning wrenches (i.e. billable activity)

Yes and no. The flow chart will get you there every time but sometimes it will get you there slowly.

If you can add a bit of extra knowledge, like say by running something off jumper wires, you can sometimes rule out a lot of paths. Take a tech who really gets it to look at the whole process, look at what they know about the situation and then figure out what they need to also know (e.g. "the blower spins when I power it directly) in order to do that kind of thing. At the end of the day it's knowledge and judgement like everything else.
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You arent totally wrong but I am just happy to find employees that can follow a flow chart. It seems like only about 1% of the worlds population can do that, no matter the field they are in.
 
flow chart.jpg
 
I left 2 weeks short of 20 years. The owner sold the place to someone that I didn't want to work for. I worked for the new owner for one day to finish a long block job that I was in the middle of. The business that my wife worked for sold 2 weeks prior, and she didn't want to work for the new ownership either. Sold our place in the city, moved to the sticks, and now I'm self-employed.

I do a lot of remote programming from my office, which is in a little bunkhouse on the property. I also do a lot of mail-order programming and custom wiring harnesses. I'm also working on a bunch of designs to 3d print some car parts that will help with the other things that I do.

I do still have all of my tools and have put in a lift and other shop equipment, but I don't plan to work on anyone else's junk aside from close friends and family.
It should be noted that I am not making a ton of money with the programming and wiring thing, it was a side gig before the move. It does pay the bills, barely. But if I had a mortgage, it wouldn't be enough to cover that.
 
Day 5, most of my start up training is done. Got my svc van yesterday and packing it out today. Guys in the shop are cool and all the OTR techs are cool. Everyone has been almost too nice. Not sure if it's from being flat rate in cut throat environments where everything was suspect or what. Oddly enough most of the guys were auto techs that left the field.

The computer training has been a bit overwhelming. I'm sure it'll get better as I use it but everything including Dayforce is different. I also did new hire stuff, right into company safety E-learning and then Hyster/Yale. Monday I wrap up some stuff at the shop and start shadowing guys. Kinda ironic I mentored the guy who I'm shadowing the first week.

I know I left a particularly bad situation and carried a lot of it for way to long. My sleep went from 2-3 hours a night to a consistent 6-7 a night and I'm slowly becoming more relaxed. So far I do not regret my decision to leave auto.
 
Johnny Longrifle said:
Not gonna quote gmcxt on everything he said, but I am in a position where the shop owners (Indy) don't offer any training unless it comes at no cost to them. Training cuts into the bottom line, so they just won't do it. But still expect the techs (God I hate that ****ing word!) to get every diag right and make zero mistakes. The suits have no idea how complicated a car is now.

I'm glad you love what you do. I used to as well. I could throw down 50+ hours a week doing heavy line. Engines, Transmissions, diffs, suspension, using my hands. I like hard work, and I'm ****ing good at it. Now they have me doing 3-4 oil changes a day and upsell on 30% of my recommendations, and I end up with checks in the 35 ish hour range for doing bitch ass lube tech work.

The only reason I am still where I am is because my flat rate $ per hour can't be matched anywhere else. I'm at the top of the scoreboard in this corner of the state. I'm the most overpaid lube tech there is! But I'm willing and searching for a position that is less stressful and easier on my body, for a cut in pay.
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I still like cars but my own buggy has sat the last year. By the time my day is done working on it is the last thing I want to do. I loved doing big jobs and tackling issues others couldn't find.

My payroll was kinda like that and our shop got very similar. Flags dropped 30% or more in a month though. Suddenly the hourly pay cut made sense. My last FR check was 38 hours. New shop pays me more per hour minimum 40 and OT daily over 8 including drive time. I'd be dumb not to try it. Auto will always be there if this doesn't work.
 
DMG said:
Last time I replaced a transmission in a newer GM truck I talked to the parts guy when I ordered the Trans and he arranged the reflash. I had a local rollback drop it off and it cost less than what the mobile programmer wanted.
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We'd do the same. I could do some stuff but not everything. Simple coding wasn't a issue but some of the new stuff is intentionally made difficult.
 
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94toytruck said:
Day 5, most of my start up training is done. Got my svc van yesterday and packing it out today. Guys in the shop are cool and all the OTR techs are cool. Everyone has been almost too nice. Not sure if it's from being flat rate in cut throat environments where everything was suspect or what. Oddly enough most of the guys were auto techs that left the field.

The computer training has been a bit overwhelming. I'm sure it'll get better as I use it but everything including Dayforce is different. I also did new hire stuff, right into company safety E-learning and then Hyster/Yale. Monday I wrap up some stuff at the shop and start shadowing guys. Kinda ironic I mentored the guy who I'm shadowing the first week.

I know I left a particularly bad situation and carried a lot of it for way to long. My sleep went from 2-3 hours a night to a consistent 6-7 a night and I'm slowly becoming more relaxed. So far I do not regret my decision to leave auto.
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Being around people who are nice just because they're nice was one of the biggest adjustments I had to make when I got my current job.
 
These days, the higher-end scantools are integrating flashing into them. It'll guide you through, and just enter your credit card info. So, I don't think there is a huge future in mobile programming.

However, when it comes to accessing immobilizer functions, the OEM's are now requiring you to be registered with NASTF. Last I looked into it, that required hefty insurance and bonding along with background checks and fingerprints. Most smaller shops aren't going to want to jump through those hoops. So, it may lead to an increase in the desire for good mobile programming guys.
 
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How much do you need or want to make? You have any decent shop space at your house?

Nearing retirement age-ish, I’d consider starting a small engine repair business or buying a plasma table. No storefront, just word of mouth for decent people.

I had a couple service contracts for lawn care companies when I had my motorcycle shop. Change oil and fuel filters, sharpen blades, check for things like a throttle cable that’s about to break. Easy steady money, just usually has to be an evening or weekend gig unfortunately. Look for the guys running 2-3 crews. Just big enough the owner can’t do it all themselves, but small enough they don’t have a dedicated manager and shop.

On the plasma thing if you get a couple contracts for builders for things like stair railing brackets, you wouldn’t have to mess with the people sending a dozen emails about making a 12”x12” sign.

You’d probably make a little less and work a little longer at a slower pace, but most people are bored when they retire 100% anyway.
 
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I had a moment yesterday where I was kinda like what if I'm making a mistake? A little overwhelmed, packing out my stuff for a job I've only E-trained for and am kinda winging it. The lack of familiarity is definitely the hardest thing. Then I realized I'm at home, packing out my van, listening to tunes getting paid and it's not Saturday it's Friday.

I will say so far doing my training seems all updates are through my laptop which is provided. Also they have dealer level support similar to Alldata/Mitchell and dealer tech reps you can contact directly.

Enjoy your weekend fellas
 
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