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Old timer at the shop counter made me feel like a hack for using scan tools
I was at the parts counter in Phoenix last Tuesday picking up a water pump. This older guy, probably 70, hears me asking about a coolant temp sensor and jumps in. Says "you kids just plug that thing in and let it tell you what to do. Back in my day we used our ears and a test light." He wasn't mean about it, but it stuck with me. I do use a scan tool for diag, but I also bust my knuckles on the physical stuff every day. I turned around and asked him how he'd figure out a random misfire on a 95 Civic without one. He said "check the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, then fuel pressure with a gauge. Process of elimination, takes 20 minutes." And honestly, he's got a point. I spent 2 hours chasing a code last week that turned out to be a corroded ground. Has anyone else had an old timer drop some wisdom that made you question your whole workflow?
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jamesblack4d ago
That Civic guy is right about one thing, the basics catch most of it. First thing I do now on any misfire is pull the plugs and look, takes two minutes and tells you more than a code ever will. Scan tool just narrows it down after, it don't replace your eyes.
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