What type of training do techs at the dealer have to go through?????

[roperteacher]

I was just wondering how " Trained" and what level of expertise your average dealer tech has ??? I know at my local dealers they have a " Specialist" for everything. THe guy repairing my rear end , thats all he does, and transmissions. . Then they have an electrical guy, and a fuel injection guy, etc etc. . SOme dealerships also have a " Diesel specialist" ... what are you guys/gals seeing out there???? I have about 7 dealerships within about a 20 mile radius of me here in so cal. I have used most of them at various times and have my favorites. Just curious as to your experiences.

 

[rbattelle]

Dodge Dealership Technician Required Class List, 2004:



Wild Rumors 101

Weaseling out of a screwup 202

Talking with confidence even though you're clueless 103

Throwing parts at the problem 201

"Creative" warranty processing 328

What to tell the customer to get him out of your hair 101

Avoidance: how to overcome diagnostics 138



:-laf



[strictly for fun... no offense to the many good techs like sag2!]

 

[RustyJC]

One of my 3rd generation-driving friends has a HP fuel pump pressure sensor going out. His dealer told him that, because no codes have been set, he can't help him.



I guess if the bed fell off the truck and no codes were set, that dealer still couldn't help him.



Rusty

 

[roperteacher]

Just came back from the dealer. Truck is done ( new Rear end). I asked this very question. I also mention "TDR" and they get very nervous. I love it!!! ANyway, I asked what training. He admitted that most were certified mechanics, but that he had some who were " On the job training". . very scary. I said " Why would DC want uncertified mechanics?? they are going to have mad customers, repeat customers, and doing warranty repairs over and over and cost $$$$$" He said DC does not regulate hiring practices. He also said that a head mechanic monitors them very closely... who knows... .

 

[DF5152]

list of qualifications









please read instructions and fill out all that apply





sign here___________________________.







if you pass that one simple test u r qualified to work at the dealer.



Dan

 

[klenger]

Certified mechanic test:



1) Breathe on this mirror. Result: moisture on mirror from breath.

2) Put this therometer in your mouth. Result: temperature over 90*



Congradulations, you are a certified Dodge CTD mechanic!!

 

[y-knot]

A while back I had to go in to the local Dodge dealership for a small warranty issue, too my amazement I saw a kid that I knew working their and wearing an official Dodge tech looking outfit, complete with certified this and that all over it. I asked the kid, when he had started working for the Dodge dealership, and he said about 4-5 weeks now. I asked if they sent him to school to learn about the cars and trucks they service, he said no but they give out booklets and you learn by doing the jobs. I found this to be very disturbing, you see this was the guy that had been working in the local donut shop for the past few years, now he's a tech.

 

[Dkevdog]

Boy do I feel sorry for you guys. Apparently, according to most of you, all service techs are incompetent. Makes me glad I have a trusty friend and very knowledgeable and competent tech at my local dealer!!!!!



John- I think you'll find that service varies greatly from dealer to dealer, and your best bet is to ask who will be working on your truck and what their qualifications are.



Kev

 

[RKohn]

Yesterday I couldn't spell technician... and today I are one.

"I know at my local dealers they have a " Specialist" for everything. THe guy repairing my rear end , thats all he does"



I think he made a mistake and took his truck to the hospital. Aren't those guys called... ... ... ...





Proctologists?





:--)

 

[roperteacher]

LOLOL Way to funny! Maybe he got sued because he messed up somebodys rear end, not he does it to trucks???? I wonder if he uses the same tools... . ???????????

 

[fishjack1]

Way back when my truck was under "warranty" I was told by my local dealer that they have a Cummins shop that they sub most of their diesel work out to.

 

[Prairie Dog]

rbattelle your killin me - ROFLMASO

:-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Tony T.]

Have it checked out first before the dealership.

You need to find you a good reliable mechanic that you can trust first. That's what I did, have known him for 35+ years. If there's something I can't handle I show it to him first before taking it in for the warranty work to be done. I know he want lie to me because he's my uncles brother an like a older brother to me. It is scary out there in some dealerships that you may end up with a patch job just long enough for the warranty to run out. My last visit to the dealership for the recall thing on the 03 (trans cooler line) I had to check their work an was glad I did, leaving my trans over a quart low on the stick. :--)

 

[mhenon]

New Test for Tech's!

Got this from a very reliable source... there is a new test proceedure for all automotive tech's.

" You have to take a perfectly good vehicle and turn it into scrap in under an hour".



Most dealerships qualify with no prolems.



Mike



ps: short of a blown engine or transmission

under warrenty... I wouldn'r consider going

to a dealer for service.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

You guys are killing me! ROFLMAO :-laf :-laf



And after a successful apprenticeship (two weeks or three if slow on the uptake) and completeing advanced coursework in:

• 
  
  a) Customer Intimidation 201
  
  
  
  b) Special Deals 303 (A bargain at any price)
  
  
  
  c) Upgrade 211(Blood from Turnip)
  
  
  
  c) TSB 314 (feigning ignorance)
  
  
  
  d) Expert Excuses 265 (They all sound/feel/drive/do like that)
  

there is always advancement potential to --ta dah--Shop Manager!

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Re: New Test for Tech's!

Originally posted by mhenon

ps: short of a blown engine or transmission

under warrenty... I wouldn'r consider going

to a dealer for service.

i would NEVER NEVER NEVER ever go to a dealer for service unless my total bill was $0. 00 or unless it was something that I just could not do elsewhere (e. g. set my computer for the new tirers... which I only let them do while I was watching over their shoulder. )



my transmission is going, and i'm worried that they're going to try to charge me $88 PER HOUR for diagnosis and then try to tell me that there's nothing wrong with it.



i'd rather spend $3500 on a DTT trans than pay them $88 to beat up my truck, start it cold like 100 times in a row without letting the grid heater light go off and slam it into drive while it's still in reverse.



so here is my question...



is diagnosis on a warranty item free?

 

[roperteacher]

Amazing on the # of warranty tickets. . it's rediculous! If something is broke, then the company should stand behind it and FIX IT!!!!! Not be dependent on how many warranty tickets they generate... . I'm appaled!

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Re: Re: Re: New Test for Tech's!

Originally posted by Dl5treez

Yes, if the failed component is under warranty the diag is covered. If the concern can't be verified/found/whatever, they still can claim the diag as a "no problem found at this time" repair--hence, no cost to you.



The reasons some dealers try to get the customer to pay for diag is because:

• 1)they get more money from customer-pay than warranty tickets
  
  
  
  2)it makes their total warranty ticket #'s lower so they don't get in trouble from the OEM for doing too many warranty repairs. Yep, if a dealer has more than their district/regional average on a typical repair they can get busted by the OEM.

Sad but true... . of course I worked for dealers so maybe I don't know WTH I'm talking about either.

Ah sorry for the rant! I know a couple guys who work for GM and are ASE certified up the wazoo.



In general if I can do it myself, I'll do it myself; if not I'll get a good private shop to do it... but if Chrysler is footing the bill, I'll let them have a shot first.

 

[DOUGMartin]

Originally posted by RustyJC

One of my 3rd generation-driving friends has a HP fuel pump pressure sensor going out. His dealer told him that, because no codes have been set, he can't help him.



I guess if the bed fell off the truck and no codes were set, that dealer still couldn't help him.



Rusty

I went to the dealer for the rusty door problume and was told sorry cant stick a pen threw it so we cant fix it. What the hell is that.