Get a Yesper jump starter here: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZNX667J

I would charge them, whether it works or not, they tell you what to do, it's their responsibility. You have to charge for your work and knowledge, don't get soft at the end you will lose money and you are out of business, charge fair but never undercharge. Be honest upfront and charge your time and knowledge. If they can get cheaper let them go, customers like that will bring your business down. Regards and be firm.

I would always do my own diagnosis. If they don't like it, then get someone else.

Well I'm glad he fixed that box truck

I had a new 1989 Camry for 11 years and it had a stick shift in the floor ...4 speed, short and very smooth. I sold it off an got a new 2000 Corolla that I have kept since 2000 and just turned 300K miles and is burning some oil.

We charge them when they tell us to install it! Than we charge them to diagnose it! Nice work!!!

You did exactly what he told you to do... Not your fault, and you shouldn't feel bad at all. Keep up the good work man !

You’re a good man Ernest.

This is exactly how my grandparents lost both of their 🗑️ Camry's a 1993 and a '97 they never bought a Toyota ever again after replacing engines in both of them!

At least you had your disc golf bag ready.

I would make my customer aware that if their diagnose is incorrect that they still pay the labor and they still buy the part if it isn’t returnable! Same if they provide their own part. I would jack up the labor rate to make up for the lost parts profit and if the customer supplied part is the wrong part or defective they still pay the labor!

Never would have made it that far. If it clicks a d doesn't turn.... STOP and ask why, or walk away

Always diagnose. If you wonder why your chasing something you are a fool!

I have an ear for sounds and I've noticed the louder click being a seized engine, the not so loud click being the starter and the soft click but not rapid being the ignition switch. I own a Ford escort 😂

I would recommend against taking a job without a diagnostic (unless your desperate for work) No one feels good at the end and it seems unprofessional even though its clearly not your fault. If a customer really wants someone to throw a part at it there are plenty of shade tree mechanics to do it for them. Thank you for another great video!

Replace the part, if the part doesn't fix it, then charge them a diagnosis. Realistically, most people do that to avoid a diagnosis fee, or they've had it diagnosed somewhere else and can't afford to have it repaired there. But ultimately, it isn't your fault it was wrong, and YOU weren't paid to diag it, but to replace it.

They told you change it, change it, charge em an be gone..if it doesn't work, let em know an let them decide from there

I do mobile work and my rule of thumb is no diag no repair. I've been burned also. That's when I said never again.

You put time and effort in the job the costumer tells you to do, you charge for it.

Not your fault at all they told you what to replace and you did the work

Definitely just replace starter, what customers think they know best..

I'd say do what they want but don't garranty results.

It must be understood from the start of work, that if I supply the parts and labor I get paid for my time, and parts, that once the part is installed it becomes the owners part, and must be paid for.

If they refuse diagnosis make them sign for work request and denial of diagnosis.

So as a service manager at a shop I charge people all the time for stuff like this. I let people know if I don't diag the issue and I put the part in and it doesn't fix the problem it still cost xxx.xx weather or not it fixes the issue. After letting them know 99% of people say diag it the other 1% like to gamble.

I used to be a mobile mechanic. My minimum was $180 applied to diagnosis and repairs. I always got the cash first and a signature to start work. In a situation like I always check ☑ if the flywheel turns. So if the motor is seized I apply the $180 for a rebuilt and if it's a starter - they pay for the part only.

Check motor quickly

If a customer ever asks me to replace a part without diagnosis, I just replace it. If their diag was incorrect, I gladly charge them for the correct diag. If they know what’s wrong with their car why don’t they just fix it themselves ?

If it was me, I wouldn't work on the vehicle without first getting paid for the diagnostic. From there, if the issue had a process or steps that needed to be followed in order to find the solution, I'd be sure to let the customer know. For example, if there's 6 possible solutions that need to be followed in order until I got to the solution that solved the issue, I'd be sure to inform the customer. I'd tell the customer, first we need to go with step 1 solution. If that doesn't work, then I have to move to step 2. If that doesn't work, then I have to move to step 3. I'd be billing for the hours the job calls for as I move along through the steps. If the customer says why am I following the process of steps to find the solution, I'd tell the customer that's what service manual from the dealer calls for.

If they say replace a starter, replace a starter … and absolutely charge them no matter what. You were hired to replace a starter, and that’s what you did 🤷‍♂️ And unfortunately people really believe they can go 25K on an oil change because that’s what the bottle says or that’s what their “book” says. And that’s the only reason these motors seize up. Neglect.

Bummer Ernest, you did what the customer asked for. There is nothing you can do about that.....

You have to be the professional. Sometimes being a professional means not allowing the customer to tell YOU what they need. No customer supplied parts, no self diagnostic. If they are not ok with that then there are plenty of shops that may be a better fit. Do not let customers dictate how your business is run.

If they don't pay for a diagnosis fee you should have them sign a contract. Something saying what you are doing and they are opting out of a diagnos fee and your not liable for anything

I normally test the old starter after I've taken it out then test the new starter before installing it You only did what the customer asked

I would always ck before you doing anything for peace of mind to avoid unnecessary repairs that me even it took ahour

I would atleast put a wrench on the crank and see if it is seized up. that only takes a couple minutes

Tell the customer that a $25 diagnosis is better than paying for a $100 plus parts and your time is $$$$

If you could diagnose your own car, you would be able to install the easiest starter to replace in the world. Bad part about the entire job is the "new" starter gets jerked out and returned. Then it goes back on the shelf and somebody else unwillingly buys a used part. Tell that customer what's up in the beginning. Saves everybody grief and hurt feelings.

Having sympathy all the time won’t make you a living, I’ve been in the Automotive industry for 11 years. Helping someone out is okay sometimes but doing it all the time won’t pay your bills. You have to pick and choose your battles. I wouldn’t offer a warranty on a customer vehicle that diagnosed and supplied the part themselves. Also I would still make them pay for my time if it didn’t fix their issue and explain why it is good practice to have it diagnosed first. Diagnostics is everything when it comes to being a good mechanic.

Just turn the motor every time brother

Wth they did to kill that legend of a motor?!

found your channel a few weeks ago... Been binge watching ever since... It seems like you "Pay it forward" alot with giving people breaks on their bill, etc. Good things will come to you in return for sure! Keep up the great work and entertaining content... the camera falling during the entire video was hilarious... keep the comedy in the videos...

Takes guts posting these kind of videos. Refreshing seeing real normal problems/issues.

Dude you turned the key before you put the starter in and heard the sound that sound was clear that the starter was not able to spin and was engaging. Plus the lights on the dash going dim indicates high power draw.

You tell them. I will only work on it unless I diagnose it. And explain it's to benefit both of you. Tell them a horror story why. It could hurt your reputation not doing so

Don't feel bad my man, i m feel sometimes like you but keep moving, is not the first customer and not the last how are thinking they due a good diagnosis of they're car

Charge him for your time Earnest why should you work for free you have a Family.

When the Jump box you are trying to sell doesn’t jump start the car 😂😂

The customer wants a install of a part with no diag. I ask them if they would like a?diag to confirm there suspension if no i say im not responsible if this doesn't fix the issue.

if you are just a parts changer they pay no matter the outcome

I don't know if this would work for you being a small independent guy but my shop includes the basic diag in with the shop labor rate. Our rate is slightly higher than others in the area but we offer free inspections. Obviously some people just use us for the free inspections and fix it themselves but it also brings more customers in the door which helps the business in the long run.

Without diag, just on the word of the owner, it would be understood from the get-go, that if what he or she wants done doesn't fix the problem I still get paid period.

Lmfao camera isn't feeling today 😭

1990 Camry the old no air bags we die like men car

That’s was your good deed for Ramadan!!(:

No diag or service call fee no takey job

But being a nice guy, I understand, but labor/time must be paid for.

Clients are cheap, I work in the web development field and I get this all time when it comes to maintaining thier website(s). Most don't want anything beyond the work you do but a year or so later, they end up calling to fix something that they did and didn't do (update) and it actually costs them more in the long run. Not much you can do with cheap clients, I normally don't bother going back to them or even acknowleding them (replying) due to the fact that they tend to blame you for whatever happens, not worth the grief.

You should have checked the oil level, after you pull an old starter out temporarily connected to the battery and see if it spins, and you would be on the right track if the motor seized or not

get paid to put in first or down payment and just do what they ask. But i think they will stab you in the back if they are wrong and try to bad mouth you.

Your transmission is whining pretty bad in your pickup bro

I’ve learned over the years to just say no to the customer who tells me what needs to be replaced, we as the professionals are the ones who really take the hit both professionally and personally. A lot of people look at us as shady and just out to take people’s money. No you didn’t make the call on the part and did what you were asked but it still hurts as you had the thought that maybe I should see if this engine turns over by hand. I’ve been there and done that. I’m glad you still charged for your time.

14:25 now next buyer going to be complaining that the starter dont look now 😂😂

I run a garden machinery shop, we do large estate contracts on site, we never trust what the customer says and always go on our own professional diagnosis. Just give the crank a wee try before next time saves you fitting and unfitting a starter. 👍😉

Dislike AutoZone parts now. Too many issues according to my mobile

Always some family member or friend that tells them the problem without proper diagnosis. Got a call about failing alternator that ended up being a seized water pump that broke the belt. The water pump runs behind the timing belt so it became a bigger job. Had them call their dealer since they had for 6 months and it was fully covered under warranty. Car was a Ford Fusion 1.5t. I caught that this time but have fixed cars misdiagnosed by customers before.

What you should do is charge half price for a diagnosis upon fixing the vehicle In full price if that's all they want

Make them sign a disclaimer that they waiver diagnosis and mark on paper what they wanted to change. In your disclaimer put that ",by signing this disclaimer that installing such parts may or may not remedy the issue and all funds will not be refunded.

If a customer requests a part changed undiagnosed.. Just tell them as a disclaimer that you will change the part as contracted to do but if he issue still exists that they are still liable for the charge and it is extra if further diagnosis is required

Why would you not charge????? What letting youtube pay your way

Ya these camary's balancer shaft box at the bottom end was a common issue

I always watch the lights when I try to crank suspected bad starter. If the lights don’t dim and you only get a mild clip or thud from the starter I can quickly feel comfortable about the state of the engine itself. If the lights dim hard and the thud is pronounced it’s a bad omen. But the customers dead battery doesn’t help either.

If a customer doesn’t want to pay for a diagnosis, make sure you reassure them that you’re not like that mobile mechanic in Ohio Semper Fraud that you do more than just hook an OBD scanner (a cheap one at that) and read back what it says. Probably why that loser keeps getting fired.

He would have pd

If customers want specific job done, pay for it then doit and be out. Did as they wish didn’t work as they didn’t want a diagnostic done for proper work. Had a few customers that way.

I always pause the customer at the beginning and tell them that I'm the professional and that I've saved customers hundreds with diagnosing issues probably, and that I don't care to waste my time. Customers usually follow the advice from their uncle, cousin, or friend who doesn't know a hole from their.. well, you get the point. I love the look on their face when I roll away with $80 in my pocket after 10 minutes of cleaning corroded terminals and jumping a battery. I make it clear that I charge a minimum fee and so far, they've been happy especially when they get to take the starter back and pocket the money.

Unloosening means. To tighten. Even though he didn't pay for a diagnosis. You being a pro should of put the socket on the crank to test it regardless.

Require a diagnosis before any repair. Even if another shop diagnosis the problem, confirm their diagnosis. Tell the customer you don't want to waste anyone's time or money by assuming the problem.

I would have charged parts plus your time. But make it very clear in the beginning because they don’t want a diagnostic they still have to pay even if it doesn’t fix the problem

I would explain that I would like to make sure this is what you need and not something more. If they decline that not much else you can do. Also I would say that this may not fix whatever issue you have or think you have because I have not properly diagnosed it.

Sometimes, for no start, I turn the key just to see what happens just to make sure you can save time and money. Trust your gut or path,You do your things. I got burned doing an alternator(making noise)once the customer said that the problem was .i just trusted him, but after swapping, it was a belt tensioner pulley. Stuff started breaking, etc, to get to the pulley, etc.. made some money but i learned to listen and see what they say customers first but remember regular people dont know very much about cars ( I can't blame them too much . Mistake made everyone has at one point no one is perfect , even vets. Win some lose mobile is rough

I would've checked to see if the engine rotated before replacing the starter motor. Scotty Kilmer had to diagnose that problem for a customer who was dudded because a mechanic kept saying that there was this & that wrong with his car so he offered to swap it for an Audi A4 which had a seized turbocharged 2 litre 4 cylinder engine in it. But he told him that it just needed a new battery which is what Scotty Kilmer fitted but it still wouldn't crank & he bet with its mileage that the engine was seized. He tried rotating it with a breaker bar & sure enough it was !

I wouldn't call you to change the oil in my ex-wifes car

Maybe take the old starter to the parts store and have it bench tested first before making a purchase. I do this with junkyard alternators for people needing a bandaid fix

Tell them if you put the part on they are going to pay you if it fixes that are not

You need to do a diag on every job where there is a problem with the vehicle, and state that upfront when they call. Exceptions could be if the car isn't having a problem, such as just wanting an oil change, or to change the spark plugs/wires, etc. Otherwise there has to be a diagnosis. That would save you from these sort of things. It's wasteful to be doing work and putting new parts into hopeless situations. Just get firm with customers that unless they give you a solid reason why they don't want you to diagnose, such as purely maint. request as stated earlier, or they looked under the car and took a pic of where their missing catalytic converter was that they want you to replace. Or tell them that if they did the diag and only want done what they say, then I'd make them pay the cost of the part and half of the labor charge up front when you arrive before doing any work. If they don't accept those terms, say good luck, and move on to the next job. If they pull any baloney on you, put them on a ban list and never again work for any customer who has jerked you around.

How much do you charge customers diag fees?

Hey Ernest, I asked in a previous video why you decided to junk your wife’s crv instead of swapping the transmission? Junkyard tranny is only about 400

Well dude - I'll bet you never put a starter on without turning that crank bolt first!😄

Like videos

you need to start charging more .. 150 for a s call thats crazy your way to cheap~ you should have all new trucks by now trust me everyone is charging 3 times what you charge.. your going to fall beghind if you dont charge more your going to them man.. i would of charge that guy 200 no less you had to put the stsarter in and out no way man thats crazy love your videos but please get with the times and start chgarging like you should love ya man

That’s his fault

I learned that you just do exactly what they ask even if you are gonna end up redoing it

You should have a contract in place of some sort with customers before you do repairs like this

I would recommend telling your customer ahead of time that this could be the outcome and you would rather diagnose most autozones' actually won't return installed electronic parts as for testing before hand you could have hooked up an amp clamp and seen it drawing probly in excess of 300 amps

You’re probably working with college students and they don’t know how to check the oil There’s your problem lady.

My opinion I would want to diagnose it first then you are not wasting your time if for some reason they don’t want to pay. Also if you feel it might be seized try that first.

Do you know what can cause RPMs to fluctuate at idle in park with short term fuel trim being around +22%?

As long as they understand the risk and expense you are OK? The diag would have cost the same since you uninstalled the starter and returned it. 🙁

I bet some Toyota enthusiasts would pay decent money for that car. Those are cool cars.