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In this video I bring you along as I have a look at a customers 2019 Chevrolet 1500 that was at the local dealer to address a customer complaint of no power steering, ESC and service trailer brake light coming on. They made the call and told the customer that he needed a new rack and pinion, a trailer brake control module and a new transmission control module! That is a $4000 repair! Then they charged him over $900 for diagnosis and "restocking fees" because he wanted a second opinion. Good news is I fixed it for wayyyyyyyy less and only $20 in parts 😉.
-Enjoy!
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99 thoughts on “Gm dealer made huge mistake! $500 diagnosis $3900 in repairs!”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mice InOz says:

    Worry not Eric, you will work on these new cars soon enough, like in another few years when they are a little older. Maybe the dealership should use your services for their diagnostics, they clearly are not much good at it!

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andy E says:

    Nice find! My 2016 has 52k on it now and has a ton of electrical problems so far! Relay box(Tipm) and fuel pump all before 40k the starter wire was gone at about 45k. Never have had this many problems with a new gm until my 2016

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steve Adams says:

    Need to do a tic toc video interview with this dude & id this dealer & put them on blast

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Oscar Garcia says:

    Great going! Come- on GM GIVE THEM THE MONEY BACK plus a free oil charge,,, at least

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Aaron Johnson says:

    Well damn, ain’t that some shit. A bad ground can make so many things go cuckoo.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars arvind singh says:

    Eric when you say it's a simply problem to figure out and that the other tech who looked at it should have found the problem , you are not taking into account that the other tech doesn't have your
    experience or mind set . It's like wow watching you diagnose , thanks

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scotty Miller says:

    I bet Erics hourly rate is through the roof but he’s well worth it I mean the stuff he comprehends and pays attention to most shops don’t (well they don’t here where I live)

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars billylyle1 says:

    I am simply amazed…Love this channel…
    A true master of the art…Well executed!!!
    Diamonds and Rust…equal in value….

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jay ceasar says:

    great work..you are an honest mechanic.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Drak Noir says:

    One of the best Diag videos I have ever seen Eric O do, I do hope the dealership refunds the Guy, But a true Master teaching us all a simple lesson. We have all learned today

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TENN-DEE says:

    Gm owes this dude some money!!

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TENN-DEE says:

    Soo why not replace the engine to body ground as well so the guy doesn't come back in a few months with a non runner

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Odorized Ramblings says:

    You are the MAN! Great video and as always thank you for helping all of us.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ginoinny says:

    You are savage!!! Please relocate to Western New York.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Anthony Nixon says:

    Brilliant diag

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mice InOz says:

    Yep, stay away from SR. Not the first time they have tried to rip off customers if memory serves.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Redzero Iceman says:

    good job

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rick Gaine says:

    with the low mileage and only three years old, why is this not still under warranty? Dealers suck

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gordon * says:

    Well done !!! Again !! Greetings from an "Old " retired Motor Mechanic in Australia 🙂

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Isaac Keen says:

    Refund his money they should. Last year I spent over 500 dollars on A/C vacuum line repairs on my Taurus only to have it recur, for which they wanted 1200 bucks in labor to remove the instrument panel to repair. I determined that I could use the old plastic vacuum line as a fishtape to pull a 36 inch vacuum hose through the firewall and used an interior section of the old line to splice the new hose to the vacuum harness. Also replaced a check valve I found to leak. It took me a total of one hour to complete, and my total cost was under thirteen dollars!

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stacey0Keith says:

    JR…don't be too hard on the fellers and fellets working as technicians at the stealership. This is an engineering issue from GM engineering that should have never been placed into production. Don't make enemies with the locals (in the shop)…go after the original design!

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Justa Hasbeen says:

    712 thousand emails from SMA viewers would wake up this dealership 😅

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Cody Adams says:

    Eric you are a rock star. Man that was a great find, your dedication is fantastic and it is so weird that north and south cars are diagnosed so different. Thanks for the entertainment and the explanations you are one of the absolute best.

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stacey0Keith says:

    Eric O…my hat off to you! Excellent approach and diagnosis that lead to the culprit…bad ground (familiar). I think that these videos really point toward a need for better "basics" technicians at the stealerships.

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Gray says:

    I bought a used Chivee and its only a matter of time before my ground strap gives up.

    Can we all try to fluid film our connections at preventative maintenance?

    Thanks to Dr O and the owner for taking is on the journey.

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars turman41 says:

    Give him his money back…..

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stacey0Keith says:

    I feel that this is one of those cases where a stealership has staffed with not enough "basics" technicians…not a slight! I am just saying that going back to the basics is a very important pathway to a proper diagnosis. Data is king, period. If the frame is not talking the same language as the battery posts, there is something basically wrong. Every dealership needs a technician that can smell out a rat in favor of the customer from time to time.

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Raymond Reiff says:

    Just had a similar situation with a 2017 Prostar International Truck, Driver Complaint my Radio and front cab fan randomly stops working turns themselves off while driving, He told me the truck dealership replaced the Fan Motor and Resistor, while hooked to the fan resistor input voltage I found a massive voltage drop from the cab frame versus the truck frame rail, The repair replaced the melted down 30 amp breaker feeding the fan resistor block, installed an additional ground right from a Negative post on one of four batteries right to a stud on the cab, Now Radio and fan stays on no more massive voltage drop. O in this case the factory grounds looked ok but it's done Stupidly by using the truck main frame as a ground extender to save on two feet of cable because the cab ground from factory hooks to the truck frame about 3 1/2 feet from the cable coming from the batteries. Looks like GM needs to salt proof those grounding straps like You just did with a little fluid film, Great Content as always TOP SHELF from SMA 😎👍.

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MB says:

    Damn This dude is just smart…he wouldve been great at anything he pursued, Imagine him as a doctor tracking down what rare disease you have based on your symptoms lol he's the Dr House of mechanics without the drug problem, narcissism and limp lol

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Buddy Kidd says:

    Great job and you are the man

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TEAC Fan says:

    Eric, you are DAMN GOOD at what you do! I watched the video and was lost amid all the wiring and computers that these things are loaded down with. It came down to a crusty cable and GM was going to replace all that stuff and then it wouldn't have fixed the problem! Stealerships! Hope the customer gets his money back, that was a total ripoff.

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Walt Nash says:

    Money back

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars morris claing says:

    That was good keep up the good work we need more shops like yours

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars simpleman523 says:

    my daughter had a GM dealer miss diagnose a starter issue. said she needed new injectors,power trane modual. and change the brand new gm performance super charger pulls. I told her get it out of their they are miss diagnosing the problem. I checked it out. and the fuse box had multiple bad connections.

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars dlg48081 says:

    Thanks Eric, This video is now in my top3 videos of S M A.

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jason Marks says:

    the local dealers just hire warm bodies…

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ItsAlwaysRusty says:

    One of your best diagnosis videos. Matter of fact, simple thought process. Hopefully this will be another "refund" by a shamed shady dealer. Can't remember how many times your hard work and videos have saved someone from being ripped off. I remember the used car you checked out that was basically ready to fold in half and sold to an unknowing customer. What you found and put online I'm sure was a factor in getting a refund for that poor customer. Great job..Eric

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars wakcedout says:

    The dealer mechanics clearly arrnt stopping to consider that the engineers design for the ground cable doesnt work well in the region they're in.

    My diagnostic of my vehicle is always what sounds different than usual, but even I could follow your trail that there's a crazy power issue. I wouldn't know where to look like you did even with those tools at my disposal, but id be wondering is it suppose to do this when I turn the wheel.

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Peter Mitchell says:

    You have the same problem with flashlight gravity as they do in Florida !

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bradley Macaulay says:

    That scan/diag system/tool looked awesome!. Can really drill down in to the systems. Great vid.

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alex B says:

    Great troubleshooting. Made my evening.

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul Akers Jr says:

    Great diagnosis, but what I can't get over is a 2019 truck has that much rust already!!