Didn't need an ECM, didn't need a fuse box. Needed an advanced, patient, very smart auto tech, is all.

Eric. That was a great diagnostic video. I am literally completely entranced by watching you work. I am actually a heart surgeon that likes to work on and fix things (besides people) and am totally struck by the similarity in logic and thought process in breaking down a problem to its root cause. There are doctors that are what we call doctor's doctors..that fix problems others can't...you are a mechanic's mechanic... Your videos should be mandatory training for medical students....Keep up the good work!Cary Passik

I think these are your best videos. The ones that get you excited and you just show your thought processes. This is stuff you cant learn in the books, forums, Google etc.

It's not the fact that you know what wrenches are needed and what sizes are needed for a certain job. It's not the fact that you can do a 45 minute job in 20 minutes flat. Not the fact that you've seen this same problem before a dozen times that makes you the best mechanic I've seen. It is the fact that you can diagnose a problem without a doubt to what it is. You're the king of diagnostics.

Love how a lot of shops misdiagnose a code and just want to throw in a new ecu. My experience with this occurred about a year and a half ago. I have an 05 Dodge Durango Limited, with the power moon roof (this comes into play). Started throwing code for ecu error (can't remember which code or the specific error), after a day or two it would go away. When it came back, I took it in and had them diagnose it. They told me ecu was going bad and needed replaced. Price was astronomical so I started pricing myself. Cheapest route was sending it in for a rebuild, but it was a 10 day turn-around so that was out of the question as Beastie (kids' name for it) was the only vehicle we had that could carry all of us, wife and 4 kids. During this time I realized this issue would only occur after a heavy rain, and after a couple of days drying out, it went away. I started researching and checking the Dodge forums and found this was a common issue with Dodge trucks of that era with the moonroof. In their infinite wisdom (yes, I am a Mopar Maniac, but I still shake my head at some of their design decisions), they put the main fuse box behind the kick panel of the driver's side footwell. Well, as we all know, sunroofs or moonroofs leak, so they do install drainholes for the water to drain. Apparently, the drain holes can plug up and in Dodge trucks, when they do, the water runs down the A pillar under the molding and straight down into the fuse box. When I discovered this, I pulled out the fuse box and found that, indeed, my fuse box was full of water. I dried it out, (only use my wife's fancy hair dryer saw for a year) checked for corrosion, circuit board was clean, but had to pull out my files and handy dandy torch tip cleaners and clean up all the contacts. Replaced questionable fuses and relays, doused all exposed contacts with dielectric compound and put it back together. Once I got the moon roof open I cleaned all the drains by running grass trimmer string all the way through them until it came out the bottom clean. Haven't had an issue since. Just took a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon and about $40 in fuses and relays. Twice a year I clean the drain holes as a preventative measure. Only time the moonroof gets opened

Eric: this is the kind of video that separates you from the rest .

Man ...these 215.000 subs should be multiplied by ten based on the content quality.

Eric, Thanks for not being the guy who just grabbed the money and ran as we all know you are not. well done and much respect.

I’m a retired aircraft technician and it was a pleasure to watch a good technician logically troubleshoot and repair a short to ground. Also scary seeing a wire in place of a fuse.

I'm not a professional mechanic, and I hate dealing with electrical problems. But I love watching Eric diagnose a problem. Hate dealing with them, love watching him explain how he finds the problem. Very informative!

So they put a new TPS AND a used fuse box, then said it "ALSO" needed an ecu?!?! This is what gives technicians a bad rap...lots of wasted time/money parts hanging and not looking for the real problem. When I was a service manager at a dealership and a tech came up with a laundry list of parts like that, I always sent them back to find out what the "real cause" was. Eric O. you are a credit to the automotive industry!! Love your diagnostic/thought processes...And, on every video you say something (or many things) that crack me up!! 😂 P.S. it is a cardigan Marie is wearing (they don't always have to be button up!)

This is the difference between a real mechanic, and a parts changer! Having worked in the parts side of the business for many years, I've seen plenty of both... and the best mechanics use logic and reasoning to make repairs. Eric, you're a natural born diagnostician! Love your videos!

How in the world 33 people dislike this is beyond me. Point set match. Saving customers $$$ Much respect Eric

As long as I don't have to wear one, she can call it a sweater, a jacket, a coat, a parka,or even "a winter blanket with buttons ". Great video and even better diagnosis. Keep up the good work.

“Spanners”! Thank you Eric, from all of us in England who follow you!

That is really stupid. As an electrician, I see this when people work on their own electrical equipment. Thanks, Eric for doing it correctly. I can't believe people blame fuses for blowing. They blow to protect the wiring and the electronics. Shorting with a wire across a fuse terminal just causes arcing, heat, burning, and damage. It's completely useless unless you are trying to find a breaker that feeds a circuit far away. You can short a circuit to ground and then go find a tripped breaker. This is useful with unlabelled circuits and breakers. You can narrow it down by voltage and number of phases. Anyway good video and proper troubleshooting techniques (splitting the circuit in half is an age-old method and extremely useful). They taught me that in the US Navy back in the 80's.

Awesome video! As a DIY guy I am forcing myself to not be intimidated by electrical issues. Your videos are a great tool!

Incredible diagnostic skills. I can't imagine a "normal" shop going through this level of trouble shooting.

Thank you for doing man work and doing a proper diagnosis, too many "repair" shops just changing parts. Just glad to see an old schooler doing it right

The vehicles come to you when everyone else gave up. I'm almost 70 years old and still am learning from you. Thank you and keep them coming. You are one of the two best auto mechanics on the tube hands down. No, the other isn't Scotty Kilmer. He doesn't fix anything. He just talks about fixing cars. ECG is very smart and fixes everything. Thanks for this video. Excellent.

Using the shorted wire as a ground to energize the 4 amp light ,genious. Enjoy your videos.thank you .

Excellent diagnostics Dr O! A testament to your ability to find the real problem, because changing the ecm wouldn't have solved the problem. Lucky that folks in your area have you available.

Thanks Eric for showing us your process. Your conviction and tenacity for getting to the root problem is why all your subscribers are admirers also

It's great watching a mechanic who knows his craft. And what a bonus seeing your lovely family.

You should do follow ups and let us know how your customers react when you fix something that someone else has misdiagnosed or couldn't find the problem.

Pro tip: Jump the fuse and be patient. Eventually a fire will erupt and at the center of the flames you will find your short.

What else can I say but YOU DA MAN , Eric. ........ All hail the King of Frayed Wires

Excellent video. Goes to show you that these shorts can develop anywhere. I bet you(and it's just my opinion) that maybe this car had its front windshield replaced not to long ago and that plastic clip got released during that process. I can't think of any other reason that would have anyone in there down at the base of the windshield. I really like the use of the light to tell when the signal would drop in and out. Very smart diagnostics. Btw, it's a sweater with a zipper! Lol.

As a fellow shop owner and technician I appreciate this video because the customer don’t understand the process. Good job.

Automotive ASE = "Another Sorry Experience" Good thorough mechanics are hard as hell to find. Avoca, NY is home to the finest mechanic that I know of who actually does have and takes pride in the work and job. Eric, you are "THE MAN"

If I could like this, and all of your electrical diagnosis videos, twenty times I would. You friggin' rock Dr. O!

Now this is the most useful video you can watch. Tracing a short is hair pulling!

AWESOME TROUBLESHOOTING....while everyone else goes straight to the parts store,you always take the path less traveled.I hope the customers you get from other shops appreciate what you do for them.I also hope, that the next time their automobile requires maintenance,they remember you.

I really hated finding shorts, but the money and how few guys can do it made me love it

It good that you do you your own determination on the diagnosis because the "customer" wouldve said "see see you should've checked to see if it ok blah blah blah" after shorting the new ecm out ! Good job Eric as usual!!

Eric, sell the shop and start teaching automotive diagnostics.... I will be the first to sign up. Like for real... Ohh and it’s definitely a sweater!

24:52 *Raises hand* I have to admit, when you hit those wipers, and it flickered... I got pretty excited. And confused. "The best tool you can have is common sense and a wiring diagram, otherwise it is just a poke and hope game. -Enjoy!"

Eric you and Mrs "O" Need to write a book about Auto Repair and Business. You 2 have a story to tell. You 2 are AMAZING!

Nice job! I understand, that is what I do all day. Never easy working across multiple platforms with imperfect information. As an old timer, I'm glad 2 c I'm not the only one still using a test light. At least I'm not the only one who solders and shrink tubes electrical repairs. Now I know there are at least 2 of us.

A true mechanic’s mechanic! I always learn something from every single SMA video I watch.

*this very thing is the EXACT reason i watch these videos. Using the logical steps learned here has already saved me hundreds in unnecessary replacement parts and time. The time isn't as huge of a deal as the money is but following along has saved both so Bonus! Thanks for posting all of this kind of video*

Just started watching one night now I find myself watching often, a real honest smart mech. If I lived close you would be my go to guy love the vids and the no swearing policy fun to watch, great work

awesome Eric as usual. those clowns are not mechanics they are simply ....part exchange personnel.....they look like fools every time they send you a car that the parts cannon can't fix .... You are a pleasure to watch. and you should be very proud of yourself... no im not being silly you are the best mechanic i have ever seen by far . respect from England. take care of yourself pal

We need more mechanics like you, not lazy, not wiiling to just throw useless expensive stuff in, and actually look into it and see why its happening thus realuzing the real problem and what needs to be done to actually fix it, great work man, keep it up

The previous repair group were not good diagnosticians. That wire jumper they added was a very bad idea. Your approach Eric was correct. Bravo for your logic and your curiosity! 🖖🏻🍀

Wow Eric, great detective work. You are a wire short bloodhound.

Wish my neighborhood here in Canada had mechanics like you. Also it is a sweater not a jacket.

awesome video Eric. have ran into a lot of vehicles that other shops have called the pcm/ecm and its a wire or sensor.

An absolutely critical video for any technician to watch. Thank you SMA

You'd think the parts changers would hear about your videos, then actually watch some & then perhaps actually LEARN something.... OUTSTANDING video! THANK YOU for posting it.

As Eric always does, he WORKS the problem with scan tools, diagrams and common sense , not guesses! Thats why he fixes cars that others cant and his customers are very happy... You can see the result of using a wire instead of proper fuse. The wiring now is forced to carry too much current and without a weak point like a fuse, it can even catch fire worst case and do a lot of expensive damage. Thankfully if you dont have a power probe, a simple multi meter ($50) can be indispensable in checking for hard/soft shorts and voltages in wiring/alternators as well as resistance for bad grounds on bodies and engines. So a little practice using one, you will find it one of the most useful electrical test tools you can have in all basic electrical work The light trick works great as it protects the shorted circuit with resistance but instantly tells you when you are near the short by flickering. when the bad wire is disturbed.

Supreme diagnostic skills and excellent explanation. Keep up the awesome content, Eric. Thank you!

Dr O solves another mystery!

I have a short on my ac line.I am so inspired by you Eric that I want to get at it now.I have to wait until morning.Thanks Eric.

This guy is a beast truly an A+ mechanic I don’t believe in throwing parts at a vehicle I like to get to the root of the problem I Work in The heavy trucking industry I see these kind of issues all the time these videos help me keep my diagnostic skills sharp thank you south man auto keep up the great work.

A quick and easy way of tracing wires is using a tone generator. Hook it up to one side of the wire then you can follow the path on where the wire goes.

Hey Eric, i see that you get a lot of work from these other shops, you must love that, great job👍👍👍👍👍

This was a great video, I made my wife watch it with me on the second viewing and she was amazed with your mechanic skills!!!!!

When I look for similar faults, I replace the fuse with a lamp so that the lamp lights under fault conditions so I can chase wiring and the fault in jig time and not spend time replacing fuses. Wire and connector flexing whilst watching the lamp can trace intermittent faults too. Time is money. I see you do something similar at around 22 minutes. Good work.

The entire world is jealous of your ability to find the problem and fix things. It makes it almost want me to move to your town but then there is winter. I'll have to think about that. Another great video. Thank you

Todays lesson? Have a short? ALWAYS goto the wipers first! P.S. tell marie its a swacket..😛

Great job finding that short. Mrs O was stunning today.

Your videos are amazing! You are such a talented tech that hopefully is inspiring others to follow a process and have the knowledge and do the work to get it right! Awesome!

Nothing but admiration for your knowledge and tenacity. More Eric O's are needed in the car world. Marie is wearing a SMA fancy work sweater.

One of the best ele diagnosis vids I've seen. Always making the beat vids on youtube! Keep it up!

The dreaded hide and seek shorted wires....Outstanding work!

Hands down, you're one of the best master mechanics I've seen in a long time. Keep up the good work

The patience you have with stuff like that is amazing. Outstanding diagnosis. 🤓

Great video - showing a very methodical approach to a common set of problems. Oh...and its a sweater Miss Marie.

I just want you 2 know I have been watching you for like almost a year. I have been trying to get my electric windows 2 roll down and up. I appreciate you I wish you were in my town so I could take my car to you .I watched 200 mechanics and you're the best you're genuine and kind and I got an nack for feeling these to things out.😊 that thank you

Your thought process is amazing to watch, thank you for this video.

This is the most entertaining and satisfying movies I have watched in many years. I have not watched any Hollywood movies in at least 15 years. They are so dumb. I only watch you tube videos of intelligent people like you. Thank you for your intelligence. I have watched many of your videos. Over the years as a carpenter, I have had the opportunity to fix leaks in roofs, after a new roof was installed and no one could seem to find the problem. Bottom line, any one can shingle a roof. Not everyone can shingle the right way. Any one can be a mechanic, not everyone can do it with wisdom.

5:17 "E124!" "You sunk my battleship" That had me dying lmao, this guy is hilarious and a great mechanic

Mad respect Eric. So many shops just throw parts at a problem at customers expense and you take the time to do an actual diag on the problem and saved a good chunk of change I am sure. You are a Mechanic Jedi.

Eric, EXCELLENT WORK in isolating the short! I want to say more about your GREAT work, however everyone below has already commented and said it, You are a mechanic's mechanic!!! That is why other shops come to you to clean up their messes..... THANKS MUCH FOR THE EDCATION!!!!

Very impressed with the idea of putting a light in the shorted circuit, to keep the fuse from blowing, while you moved the wiring harness around. I train maintenance technicians for industry, and I'm going to tell them about this.

Love your videos Eric, they're methodical, logical and entertaining. Keep up the great work!

you are absolutely an amazing electrical wizard!!!! LOVE your videos!

Your electrical troubleshooting ability is outstanding.

Thanks for the lesson Mr Eric O. It inspires me to work on cars watching your videos.

Don't you just love how the manufacturers use just enough wire on components to assemble the vehicle,? but there is no way they will give you an extra couple inches of wire to be able to work on the darn thing That might cost them an extra few cents per vehicle. Eric ,your tenacity at tracking down the problems is always enjoyable to watch!

This method for finding the short worked well, but wouldn't your Power Probe ECT3000 have pointed you to it more quickly? However, if you showed this method so that those without one could find the short, I understand & applaud that. Great fix as usual.

"There's your problem lady, you just had to wiggle your wipers" Dead

The difference between a parts changer and a diagnostic technician. Great find.

Your videos on wiring issues is where I get out the popcorn and enjoy the ride. The suspense!

It's a sweater jacket. Oh, and awesome diagnosis as usual. :)

When are you going to open the school to get those other mec-a-nix in line. When they can earn the South Main Auto certification, they can toss that ASE out the window. ;)

I love ❤️ the fluid film test light bulb 💡 is so good 👍 for testing broken wires

I know this has been here for a year or so, but I just found it. Far and away one of the best, most informative, videos of ever seen. Thanks for sharing the awesome wisdom!

I showed my ASC Certified 25yr mechanic buddy this video... i think he subscribed now

Nice video Eric! Also,... Marie, nice modeling of a Swacket!

We need guys like you in the uk mate yes we call them spanners coz ermmm i dno why 😂 pretty much all tool names are the same ish! Haha good vid again eric much love from the uk 😎👌

You're a diagnosis ANIMAL! Thanks so much for your channel!

That was the best troubleshooting an electrical short I have ever seen. Nice job!!! You are a great mechanic.

I agree with Garth, this is what separates you from the rest. Some out there will just sell you parts based of codes when a real genius will find the fault. Kudos, excellent video and brilliant job.

Okay, couple things. First it's a sweater. Next, another excellent video. I admire how you start with common sense and work your way to diagnostic tools. Third, why don.t you have your shop 4000km closer to me?? I have a couple cars with electrical problems that would make awesome videos...you could fix them for me, I'd pay you lots...please come to Canada and fix my Jaguar.....😉

What kinda genius puts a jumper in a fuse box; I'm no mechanic, and I know that if you keep blowing fuses, the problem ain't the fact that the circuit has a fuse... these clowns that gave you the referral do not seem like the shiniest wrenches in the toolbox. I wonder how many hundreds in parts and hours of labor they spent just throwing random electrical stuff at the problem.

Impressive! Being an electronics engineer myself, I KNEW this would be a tough issue to find. Thank you for going through the whole troubleshooting process as this helped reinforce what I thought I knew both electrically and common sense wise. Kudos for staying focused and using logic to narrow down where the short was as you had to dig deep. P.S. Marie is correct. It's a knitted-style jacket, not a sweater. A sweater does not have a zipper. Sorry dude.

Late to the party here, but this video was extremely helpful! I learned about breaking the circuit up into sections, to isolate the short. And I learned the “test lamp + shake it” trick to help locate the problem. I was able to find a short in my Saab’s interior lighting circuit, at the sunvisor mount of all places, with these after spinning my wheels for several hours. Thanks Eric for sharing your expertise!

He is the best. good to see honest automotive shop operators.