In a previous video (https://youtu.be/Levfuxv2Oxs) I had a look at a customers 2014 Ford Focus that came in with a customer complaint of no headlight operation, or panel dimmer and no trunk release button. My attitude went south once I discovered the rats nest of addons under the dash so I needed to walk a way for a bit. Good thing I did because we discovered the real "rats nest." -Enjoy!
If an SMA Video has helped you out please consider giving using "Patreon" to help support us. The videos take real time to create and pull us away from real work that pays our bills. CLICK HERE: https://www.patreon.com/southmainauto
CHECK OUT OUR "SMA SWAG" STORE! Go on Teespring and get your very own SMA merch!
https://teespring.com/stores/the-sma-store
If you don't like Patreon feel free to use the "PayPal Me" link: https://www.paypal.me/SouthMainAuto
The South Main Auto Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/southmainautorepairavoca
AES Wave Automotive Diagnostic Tools: https://www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=2525b91fc8e906e8215984074c9d9e8f&go=https://www.aeswave.com/Miscellaneous-p9347.html
Thank you for all the continuing support!
--Eric & Vanessa O.
Feel like sending some swag to SMA because you love the videos but don't know where to send it?
Just ship it here:
South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
If an SMA Video has helped you out please consider giving using "Patreon" to help support us. The videos take real time to create and pull us away from real work that pays our bills. CLICK HERE: https://www.patreon.com/southmainauto
CHECK OUT OUR "SMA SWAG" STORE! Go on Teespring and get your very own SMA merch!
https://teespring.com/stores/the-sma-store
If you don't like Patreon feel free to use the "PayPal Me" link: https://www.paypal.me/SouthMainAuto
The South Main Auto Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/southmainautorepairavoca
AES Wave Automotive Diagnostic Tools: https://www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=2525b91fc8e906e8215984074c9d9e8f&go=https://www.aeswave.com/Miscellaneous-p9347.html
Thank you for all the continuing support!
--Eric & Vanessa O.
Feel like sending some swag to SMA because you love the videos but don't know where to send it?
Just ship it here:
South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
Mouse sucker 5000
In my opinion…I try to fasten electrical stuff like this with tape. I guess my idea is that I've seen zip ties rub their edges into things. Tape is kinda stretchy for wiggle room. All I'm saying is great repair, I would've taped the wire to something. Thanks!
I thought for an awful moment you were going to snip through your new repair wire when you went to trim off the zip ties. Then you repositioned the cutters and I was able to breathe again! Logical and effective as ever. Thank you
Nice job assoon as I look at my 2000 bmw 740i I get pissy lol so you have more patience then I do by miles..it was 105 in Dallas today..fun in the sun
Hiya Eric
Good job Eric, reminds me of a guy who thanked me for giving him a honest answer. where I worked there was a masarati sitting for years and the boss wanted this guy to fix it (electrical) it had a fire in the past repaired with butt connectors and telephone comm. wire (no color match) I couldn't not say anything and he was appreciative to not pull the rest of his hairs out. I know I have been that P.I.A. costumer before and try not to be lol.
With how complicated cars are today, it's understandable there's going to be days that you wonder if you chose the right profession! Then people have to "pimp their rides" even more and usually that involves electrical things which require splicing, connecting and all other sorts of electrical mayhem (fancy interior LED lighting). I'll bet there are days that you wish someone driving a 1972 Chevrolet would pull in for some work, that would be a walk in the park on a summer 75 degree day!
An automotive instruction keeping his hands in the shop? I like the guy already! Should help turn out some good students.
Nothin u can say can tear me away 😚 🎶
The Chevy Thunder Caprice PPV(Holden Caprice) were a Limousine over here 'back in the day' even all the Government Ministers & 'Prime mincer' got chauffeured around in them & to think they were just dumbed down & used as Cop Cars for you guys… Mine mostly just sits in the Shed & has done about 5000kms in the last 7 years!
Eric my friend your awesome person one amazing mechanic you take pride of what you do and you care about your customer
My friend I know some days are ruff buddy but you got this maybe it's time for ice cream God bless and stay safe your friend Danny
You need another sign off, because apparently only you can actually do it! If only the folks would come to you first…
I need to know what wire strippers those were! Were they OTC?
Zip ties are way of life
i’ll never criticize you. great fix. thanks for this !
If I knew where to send it, I’d give you a pair of flush cuts. Nothing more annoying than cutting your hands on zip ties..
Eric could you give make and part number of your "hammerhead strippers" the link for products in current video does not appear to work.
It's all good.
My buddy was out for a spin on his airhead the other day, drove by your Empire. I said he should have brought you ice cream. I can relate to pissypants days, or as my mom said once, me against the world.
Great video Eric. Warts and all! Glad you tell it how it is and no sugar coating. Keep it up!
I feel like you need a hug! Mrs.O.! Give him a hug!
I don’t know how you fix the stuff you show us! I don’t know how you show us the stuff you fix! Just freaking awesome!
Thank you for keeping it real. That's what we love about this channel. No BS
If anyone is curious those "hammerhead" wire strippers are Snap On 7" Inline Wire Stripper/Cutter 10 AWG–20 AWG model PWCH7
I'm really trying to talk myself out of buying them. They sure seem handy!
I want to know where to get wire strippers like those. Been looking many years for those.
I feel your pain Eric. I always find the junk days roll in surges and you just need to go home and forget you're a mechanic. But once those bad days roll through and the world returns to normal your brain can also return to normal.
your the best dude!
Excellent work dealing with the mess
I knew you would not let us down Eric , you even got the money shot , stay cool….
Nice recovery and wrap up on a not so nice job !
ALWAYS the last guy to get it and actually fix it. Fixed is fixed no matter how it looks Mr O
Guys like you are a rare find, actually solving the problem long after others give up . Guys like you also teach their kids a good work ethic and make people say “ those kids have parents who raised them right” . Keep the course and keep showing everyone that someone still cares.
Hey mister O hope your monitoring this off topic question ,I raised my chevy truck 2018 off ground to check if got bent rim (rear) put in drive and raised r p m now have abs light on is that do to front wheels not turning ? And now light wont go off on reset?please any input
Look into mini splits for the shop area. Not that expensive to buy. You're MORE than capable of installing them. And, they're pretty cheap to run. Have one in my garage and I'd be dead, (probably literally. I'm 67.), w/o one. Does wonders for an attitude when your sweat has sweat.
great job who handles bad days well. i seen guys start throwing tools. your going to mechanic heaven!
That's what makes you an excellent mechanic even when somebody else messes it up you can fix it don't get frustrated and I know you do as I said that's what makes you an excellent mechanic that's why I like watching you and you show people that you are human thank you for all the good views keep up the good work excuse me excellent work and I'll be watching you in the future and please drink a lot of water have a nice day
It's fixed… good job. nuff said
I’m the only tech at my shop even vaguely competent at electrical diagnostics and it’s all thanks to SMA. This week I repaired two rodent damaged transmission harnesses and everyone looked at me like I’m a genius. No way I’m telling someone to spend thousands on a trans job without checking the wires first.
The heat has been taking a toll on my mood too. Hang in there!
i get it they what to blame you about when they think you did something that you did not
Easier to crimp the butt connectors onto the repair wire first, then install it as an assembly. That way you have perfect easy access for half the crimps. Enjoy your videos.
Nice job, but I always crimp the "repair wire" onto the connector first, why make it hard on yourself?
I have similar issues when I get an after hours call for HVAC/R systems. You get there and they say yeah it went down this morning so we finally decided to call at dinner time when your favorite show starts, wtf. And it is always “grandma is there alone with the newborn twins”lol. Life sucks and then you get paid.
Fantastic job. I would not have blamed you if you folded em.
The best choices in life begins with never selling yourself short for anyone! Awesome video E 💪💯 you're the best mechanic period!
So was that a "Pissy pants Tuesday or a Pain in the butt Wednesday"? I've worked in shops on and off over the years and every now and then a vehicle would come in with an electrical problem and when you go to check it out you could tell that 92 or 3 sets of hands had been in there and at least one of them was Edward Scissorhands. And unless the problem had a big neon arrow pointing to it the boss or myself would be honest with the customer about the spaghetti junction turned on it's head issues and half of the time the vehicle would leave and the other half the customer would tell us to make it right. Ya got to feel bad for some folks though. They don't realize just what a hack job some shops or good ole buddies can do just to make a dollar and they end up paying way more than they should have in the first place.
because you're that guy!!
I would have routed the red wire back through the way it was meant to be ,but that's just me from doing marine installations where it's go to be perfect 😊😊😊
You can sleep easy now , because you fixed it ,looked after your customer regardless of the circumstances
Do you think that customers are like family ,you can't choose them ?
Not liking them ,not wanting them has some consequences,but you battle with them ,Mostly !
I often say you need to add value to the business,in this case sell them a Mouse catcher and bait 😂😂😂
Stay happy when you can ,like most of us it's ups and downs that we deal with .
Hi Eric,
Yeah, I know what you're talking about when the old frustration meter is bouncing off the peg. Its time roll on home. I found over my 24 years at the same place, most days were not too bad all. Lots were fun, exciting, great friendships were made, all good. However, there were those days when I wanted ring a neck or two, or three. Everybody has those times. No sweat man. As they used to say, I be feel'n yuh. Cool Video. Take'm easy bro.
Move to TN and i will bring every car to you FIRST!
This is why god created garages 🙂
It was funny how the lift started running as you pushed the wire into the connector 👍🏻
Looks good here.👍
Hi Eric, Great video, can you give us the part number for the Snap-on "Hammerhead" wire strippers? those are awesome!!! Thanks so much
A/C the shop! You buy it ,Ill install for nothing! HEAT PUMP INVERTER DUCTLESS! Save you a butt load of money!
Chicken chicken brown cow ❤️🚙🎥
hey I like those “hammer head” wire strippers. who makes them?
where can i get a pair? not in your Amazon affiliate list
I think you do good work
Your frustrations are appropriate. I'm positive your viewers fully understand your position (if not, take a hike). Due diligence = curiosity killed the cat? Did I pursue this enough? How do I know? You don't know unless you've verified it yourself. You're a gem in the automotive repair world. Thank you for sharing.
another great sma video😃
As always awesome job troubleshooting and repairing. Stay cool in the rust belt.
Just a thought,I wonder why you couldnt use gel filled WAGO connectors?
I see guys like you all the time in different fields… I tell them the same thing… When those jobs come up where you ARE the expert…. charge more money, just for you.
Great job! You are human after all!
Working in 95 degree heat and 80 percent humidity is enough to drive anyone mad. we got your back big E
Can't criticize you when you are absolutely correct.
Your right Eric. God bless
The frustration is real.
You're a good man Mr. O
Don't worry about Mr. O, just wrapped up a GM wiring nightmare that took over 2 months, I get it and understand, your videos give us knowledge, which is all that matters, keep up the hard work Mr. O! The growth of your channel tells you your value
Your a master of finding and repairing damaged wires, the most difficult job for a mechanic. The fine art of troubleshooting. 👍
I`ve said this many times. Do people a favor and they`ll stab you in the back any chance they get. I understand your frustration.
Such a nasty place to get to I would have done the same & as you said it's not a show car (far from it ).PS don't blame you for getting a bit pissy as they only come to as a last resort when they should know by now you're the best Cheers for the independent owner/operator. I only use guys like you Go Eric O .
I get the iv been elsewhere and put tons of money and parts all the time!!!
I can feel ya brother
We do what we can for my shop rate and I’ve had customers go away upset
Oh well. You want it fixed right the first time come see me!!!
And yes we keep track of repairs on each car a warranty our work!!
Thanks for posting these videos Eric and keep the faith.
I hope some day to shack your hand and say hi.
We have never met but your like family to me and my NAPA store here in Springfield, Ma
They watch you all the time also!!!
We all learn from you…
Give the family a big hug and relax
TOO HOT
Speaking of the PR NY got to sit on the Newburgh bridge the other day in traffic…
Life has taught me one thing it's hard to work on stuff when you get tears roll out of your eyes and sweat rolling down your head and everything is not going right it's just a tough day , hang in there
Ironically that day that you released that video, I myself had the same kind of day! They call me last to fix it right after the other yahoo,s buggered it up (different trade though). I did the same thing walked away and got an iced coffee, I'm betting it was ice cream for you lol. Which I'm currently going to UCONN dairy bar here in CT. I really enjoy working on cars as a side gig, I learned so much from you and Ivan, I think I can speak for a lot of us here that I greatly appreciate what you do for all of us!! Stay Cool and healthy my guy.
Those strippers are money.
“Chrome don’t get ya home”… “crimp and seals do”… 👍🏼 🐒&🦭💩
After watching you (and the lovely Mrs. O….let's be honest) for many years now, the difference is you know how to troubleshoot and (at least on video) you do the job right! That is all we as consumers ask. We don't know better than a mechanic but we do know there are very few mechanics that have a skill set like yours. And that is frustrating because repairs are expensive. Keep it going Dr. O – you give us hope!
REeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…..lol great job as always. you have a knack for explaining what you are doing and patients most times. I love watching the trouble shooting as it used to be my favorite thing when I worked on trucks. now I only do my own and its tedious with the technology. Doing it all and having it on here for public critique, all while the fam is there doing their thing…You demonstrate a lot of grace by not blasting other as some channels do..
It’s a Ford 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
won't criticize. you , as you said, are the port of last resort, well, you didn't actually say it that way,,one can certainly understand the "oh eff, not again," feelings,,but, you have the ways,, i know you say your just a local "joe" but, dude, you rock..
I'm a independent mechanic/shop, and I just don't charge someone if I can't fix it. Ive only been open since December and only had 1 so far I just couldn't figure out, and didn't have the means to program vtd on a hhr ss
My mechanic, that I helped for 6 months a couple of years back, always hated getting cars in that had been to THE OTHER SHOP(S). They were usually a mess…Sometimes when they had been to the local dealership, they were a mess….
It's OK mate. Everyone has days like that. The fact that you stuck at it is what makes you a great mechanic. Catch you on your next video.
Can someone tell me who makes those wire strippers. I've never seen those before
Good job on the Ratmobile! is your boy Phil a professor at Philco-Ford Tech? I graduated there in 1972. Everything I learned there is useless now. Who uses a growler to fix a generator these days?
It’s not only working on cars. I work on large printing presses and crap goes wrong. You never know what you are walking into that someone else has done. I had a guy years ago in our maintenance shop. He didn’t like the gear box oil fill hole where it was. So he took it off and flipped it backwards. Press ran forward that piece ran backwards. Came in third shift and had no idea what was wrong.
like old wise man once told me" if it was easy everybody would be doing it."
I thought you would let that one slide. I know, you just can't do that. I just spent my 2nd afternoon working on a friend's electric golf cart. It has a CAN bus, TPS sensors on the brake and accelerator pedal, and all kinds of shmoo. It goes thru a routine when powered up – checks for valid TPS reading, accel pedal not depressed, tries to run the motor each way and looks at motor encoders to be sure the electric brake is functioning, blah, blah, blah! The CAN bus can be accessed by a proprietary tool only EZ Go has – not OBDII. Know what? I'm gonna go over there again and keep checking for bad inputs. I don't know when to quit, either!
you know Eric is in a better mood when he hears a horn and says…."Hey!, it's that guy!"
no way!! zip ties for the win. Josh still around?
Long ago when I worked in a shop we would tell people that we would remove their aftermarket remote start but not fix it. A lot of poor work done on some of them
I know What you mean, been everywhere else ,then come In with $2.00 as if the power company give you your power on your looks
People don't realise the implications of going custom … a mechanic can only fix a vehicle because all of those types of vehicle are built the same … and are fully documented by the manufacturer … wiring diagrams / diagnostics etc. As soon as you add custom stuff in there … all that goes out the window … no one knows how that rats nest of wiring now works. Personally I think people doing custom wiring should document their wiring on the vehicles wiring diagram both for their own recollection and to assist anyone else who works on the vehicle.
great job Mr O.
Eric for Pissy Pants they make Depends for that- I like seeing find the shorted wire- thanks
You are an F'in WIZARD of electrical gremlins, pissy pants or not!
II like trying to learn what to do if I run into the same situations and maybe I'll be prepared when the time comes to use the education you've given me.
Vacuuming a mouse nest without gloves, respirator, and a Tyvek suit is illegal in California under Prop 65. You are a brave man.
Just remember folks if you can't do it, Eric can – for a fair and reasonable price. 😊 Keep up the good work.