If a Toyota product is starting yet still has the 1604.. it’s not a big deal. It won’t turn the light on. It’s just a code that pops up from time to time in the obd2 memory. Typically just a moment of weak voltage to trip the code. If it’s starting, it’s all good. I’ve seen this code on Toyotas with less than 5,000 miles on them. That code is generic AF. Chase the p0420 if the vehicle is starting.

Time is money

i thought my phone was ringing, wtf

Dude, you are a wizard at diagnostics. But slow down on your video technique. Pan slower, pause a bit longer, while you chat about the issue you are disussing.

I totally agree, you need to be paid for your time. If I ever ask for pro help, I leave a note on the drivers seat with a clear description of what I've already done. Never assume the service writer you spoke with will take the time to record and relay what you said to the tech who actually works on the car.

P1604 on a Toyota without symptoms is a "note it, clear it, and see if it comes back" for me 🙂

An unscrupulous shop would have thrown a few parts at the car and charged about $500.

Thanks for including the DTC in video title.

Many memories in that old car!

All dude had to do was say that in the beginning. Time is money people! Value your time.

Hey Ray, the start ability malfunction for toyotas( scion, lexus) usually is when the battery is changed just the ecu's take a second to re communicate with each other. Characterized by starting after disconnecting the battery or changing the battery and then the engine cuts out after a couple of seconds i.e. stalling

Great video as usual..! You need a coffee mug that has Do, do, do, do, do on it. That’d be cool or even a tee shirt 😊

For repairs that I can not do myself; I ALWAYS give the shop a written (actually typed) letter explaining all the details.
BUT that only helps if the mechanic is responsible enough to read it.

Example; Once had pinion seal go bad. Did not want to change that myself. So took to local mechanic.
My truck has an aftermarket diff cover with drain and fill holes.
Diff cover manufacture's instructions say for my model truck do NOT use the cover's fill hole; use the stock fill hole in diff.
Gave copy of those instructions to mechanic.
He threw the instructions out, never read them, overfilled the diff, caused the axle seals to leak, and contaminated trucks rears brakes.

I wish I could like this twice! Thanks Ray!

Most important lesson: Don't go to quick oil change places. Well at least don't let them sell you other services.

Yes you did DO SOMETHING you spent your time and expertise to give the owner answers he wanted. time is valuable you could have been on another job.

Details is exactly what we need when fixing your computer. Doesn't matter to us what you may have done to it just tell us. But, I bet the exact same can be said to plumbers, carpenters, doctors, dentists, and so many more professions. As for me in IT, every single time someone tries to skirt around or hide what they were doing with their computer, smart device, printer, or what have you, it takes me way longer to figure it out and you get charged way more than if you had just been honest. You downloaded torrent files? Ok, show me the ones you got and let's see if any were infections. You were watching porn? Cool, what websites and let's see if any are trying to do something malicious to your computer. Just give us all the details so those of us that fix something for you, can just fix it and go on about our days. Please.

I never realized how handsy you were when you talked.

Yes, 30 minutes spent diagnosing something that needs no repair after a follow-up discussion with a customer is time (money) spent. In business to make money, not loose money.
Also, good point Ray about techs and customer understanding/communication. However, I’ve got a better chance of getting hot-fresh food that’s sanitary from a drive through at 3am than a solid service at a 20 minute lube joint. Where, when and quality counts.

Toy Yota……japanese VW these days. Why i love Honda cars from the end of 90'? 🤔

"Moist Monday"? I like it! 🙂

I guess my only complaint about charging is it needs to addresses before hand that there is x amount for a garage bay fee if no work is done. Sort of like how a plumber or electrician has their service fee. Fee can be waived or not at management discretion. This helps avoid unwanted encounters.
Now I don't know how rays shop works etc but I've been around enough retail/service work to see some epic s-storms over trivial fees

He did not omit a detail, he quite clearly lied about the main bit of the story. No one is that stupid….

It's more likely he felt he might have indirectly caused damage to his car when it would not start after being convinced to do a procedure which he did not understand.

Techs should always get paid for their time, when they do the job proper.

Nothing wrong with charging for time spent. So long as your honest it's all good.

Never feel guilty to charge for your knowledge and time–both are valuable. And if it's not you, it may be someone else less scrupulous.