Taking a Short Trip Back to the 1970s
In a service and repair world filled with CAN/BUS systems, scan tool diagnoses and iATN archives, I found a recent repair interesting due to its lack of these technical needs.
My customer arrived with a 1971 Chevy C10 long-bed pickup truck and a concern that his dash lights did not function. I was excited to accept this repair because I hadn’t had my hands on one of these in quite a while! Besides, how hard could it be to find out why his dash lights weren’t working?
Elevate Yourself from Order-Taker to Salesperson
Every time you answer the phone, you have an opportunity and a choice.
The opportunity: Somebody is calling you because they need or want something.
The choice: You can give them information or you can give them a reason to buy from you.
Before you answer that next call, think “What’s my goal?” Hint: If your goal is to give them prompt, courteous information, you’re only a fraction of the way there.
Wasted Marketing Dollars
Transmission shop owners throw away thousands of dollars every year on advertising that does not work. Why ? I have been a shop owner and visited with a lot of transmission shop owners over the years and I am convinced that they just don’t have time (or haven’t taken the time) to figure out exactly how they should be spending their marketing dollars.
January 2015 Issue
In This Issue
EVT Evolution Underway – Including Volt
Taking the Mystery Out of Clutch Adjustment with Concentric Slave Cylinders
Proper clutch adjustment is a must for correct operation and durability of the clutch components. For many years, clutch engagement and release was performed with a manual linkage or an external hydraulic system. The manual linkages were adjusted by threaded rods that were set to provide proper engagement and proper clutch release, which was relatively simple to achieve. External hydraulic systems used an externally mounted slave cylinder that actuated the clutch fork and were adjustable through a threaded rod from the slave cylinder to the clutch fork. Hydraulic systems have their own challenges, which mainly revolve around proper bleeding technique to ensure that there is no air trapped in the system.
‘Test, Don’t Guess’ When Lightning Strikes
I have had the opportunity to deal with several vehicles that were actually struck by lightning. Usually, various modules are fried; however, there was one that just threw me for a complete loop. The vehicle ran, but no electrical circuits in the body worked (windows, door locks, radio, etc.) I expected to find a main power circuit problem, but much to my dismay, there wasn’t a single blown fuse. The problem turned out to be on the ground side of the vehicle. The main body ground circuits that ran along the rocker panel under the driver-side doorsill were completely melted away.
Diagnostic Protocol Saves Time, Money
Anyone who has been in the automotive repair business long enough to remember when repair bulletins were accessible only by either fax or snail-mail can appreciate the ease of access that electronic communication has afforded us in the modern repair environment. More amazing still, is the fact that there are still techs in the industry that fail to seek and use this information to save themselves (and their customers) time and trouble when attempting to diagnose a repair.
The Art of the Silver Bullet
Folklore has it that bullets cast from silver are the most effective means of dispatching werewolves, witches and vampires. Ever have one of those dreams where you conquer the bad guy and save the world? While this is possible in the fantasy realm, silver bullets don’t always provide heroic results in the real world, where many problems need to be solved with brains, not blind luck.
Training at Hotel Hell
Training at Hotel Hell
A Little Help
Author: Art Little
Subject Matter: Management
Issue: Sales Training
“What Do I Do When the Phone is Ringing Off the Hook?”
This is article is part of a series of reader submissions, questions, and topic suggestions. I like answering your emails because they are real world and they may relate to your job, your life and your sales efforts. If you have more questions, my inbox is open.
Is Your Shop in a “Bad Mood”?
When your whole shop has somehow worked itself into a bad mood it affects everyone. Customers, suppliers and employees are uncomfortable, and as a result, you lose productivity and sales. The spiral effect just continues downward until it reaches critical stage. Then, if something isn’t done to turn it around, all could be lost. So once the symptoms are recognized, changes need to be made quickly.
Toyota Flex Lock Up Converter (A Rose by any other Name)
Although one of the first lock-up torque converters to be used in an automatic transmission was in a Packard Ultramatic back in the fifties, lock-ups were just not that popular. Transmissions back then either used a fluid coupling or an “open” torque converter.
