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Home » Categories » Automotive » Automotive Repair » What Type of Auto Mechanic Are You? » Printer Friendly
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I guess there are three types of men as they relate to vehicle repair. Men that are mechanics, men that think they are mechanics, and men who know they are not mechanics. Now the first ones are those with natural abilities that are augmented by experience born of necessity, innate ability, or vocation. They include the Mr. Goodwrench of GM fame and they are able to diagnose and repair everything they may encounter during a repair of a vehicle. They know where to get answers, where to buy parts, and they own or have access to the tools needed to do the job properly. The last group is made up of the men that realize that doing mechanic work is not their talent. They keep the first group in business and have no problem paying for the proper care and service. Women are smart enough to realize the different types and choose to use group one as much as possible. Unfortunately, I fall into the second group. The group that refuses to pay top dollar to have another person repair their car. Tossing the keys to a stranger to fix what is traditionally your second largest investment after your home is alien to me.
The alternator on my 2000 Nissan Frontier recently died. I knew it was the alternator because of my mechanical diagnostic skills and the fact that for over 2 weeks the electrical system seemed to show signs of weakening. Dimming lights, radio turning off intermediately, and the battery light would blink off and on gave the best indication. These symptoms were reinforced by internet search explanations of dieing alternators.
I grabbed my bucket of tools with the stylish red tool saddle bag shaped like my bucket and my socket set, which is really a collection of 3 or 4 socket sets I have accumulated over the years stored in a plastic tub, and set out to replace the alternator. Identifying the alternator I was able to decide the best point of attack and it was on my back. My large hand worked meticulously and successfully to remove the unit. I loosened and remove the belt from the pulley, disconnected the positive and negative terminals, and finally found myself trying to remove the 7" alternator from the 6.87" available opening. There was also a wire connector that I could not remove. Finally, determining that the connector simply plugged into the alternator I pulled and the wires in the connector gave way. I rationalized that I did not pull the alternator in a fit of rage, but tried to coax it out carefully but the substandard workmanship given way. No problem, I simply resolved that I would have to buy a new connector with my new alternator.
Now, making the story shorter than it really was after phone calls to every auto store in the phone book, the alternator was located. I simply asked to get the connector while I was there. “Wow, you might have to buy the whole wiring harness!" the salesman said knowing what type of mechanic he was addressing. “And, you will have to go to the dealer to get it."
My wife, sensing my frustration with the simple task of changing an alternator, asked diplomatically if she could help by ordering the part from the dealer. She found out that the harness was not currently in production but would only cost $80. She ordered it from the local dealer and they located it 7 states away in Texas . When it arrived, my one broken connector was connected to 7 other connectors on the same wiring harness.
Today I will install the new harness, carefully and without a flare of temper. If after I replace the wiring my truck does not work, I will do the right thing. I will have my wife take my truck to the real mechanic.
Over the years the mechanic work that has resulted in added costs that I swore would never catch me again such as when I replaced the head gaskets in a 1976 Ford Mustang and broke out several bolts, overhauled the brakes on a 1982 Renault Alliance and cracked the brake drum, and rebuilt the carburetor on a 1979 Ford El Camino and decreased the mileage from 18 mpg to about 7 mpg. The only problem is that none of these same opportunities have again presented themselves.
In years past I would justify my mechanical attempts and reluctance to take my vehicles to a proper repair shop by announcing “I have more time than I have money." Luckily life has been good and financial reward has followed. Also, cars have gotten more complicated and require computer interface and proper operator training.
More money and increased technology will be perfect excuses next time my bucket of tools calls for me to look at my mechanical friends and exclaim “I would do it myself, but the automakers now require special computers and tools I just can’t afford."
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