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Where do you take your car/suv for repairs?

A

Arkitech

Diamond Member
Well my truck has been sporadically flashing the "service engine soon" light so I took it to Autozone where they do a free diagnostic using those handheld code readers. My reading said something about a misfiring plug, something with the ignition system and some other code. So I'm gonna take the truck in to a shop today.

Any recommendations on a honest place?
 
Chuck's Radiator and Repair. Of course, you're probably not going to want to take it to Racine, WI.
 
Replace plugs, wires, and if it keeps comming on the coil. You can do it all by yourself and get some satisfaction of doing by yourself and save the money. Also nobody will treat your car better than you will.
 
Maybe I am lucky, but I have had the best service and prices at the dealership. Except, though, when it came to body damage from a minor accident (dumb woman in a big truck).

I had some problem and did not want to take it to the dealer because I thought I would get raped in prices, however upon suggestions from others I did and I found out that the main problem was associated with the catalytic convertor which under law the emissions stuff has a much much longer warranty. Big problem that ended up not costing me a dime. If I went to some non-dealer place probably would have cost me a grand.

That being said, all your problems very well may not be covered under warranty. It would hurt, though, to find out.
 
Originally posted by: Fingers
Replace plugs, wires, and if it keeps comming on the coil. You can do it all by yourself and get some satisfaction of doing by yourself and save the money. Also nobody will treat your car better than you will.
Click to expand...

He either wires or coils - not both. A flashing CEL is the kind you want to address right away - because it can lead to further damage of emission components (e.g. catalytic converter). A flashing CEL typically indicates an ignition failure (as you have found out). If you have ignition coils, my bet is you have a bad coil pack. If you are near a 30/60k service interval you may want to replace the plugs (or have them replaced).

What year/make/model is the vehicle?

When Autozone pulled the codes stored in the cars computer - (that triggers the CEL) - the codes may have just mapped to a general ignition failure or they may have been specific and pinpointed a specific cylinder, e.g. Misfire detected, Cylinder 3. Get the exact code and find a local mechanic to do the work. Avoid chains like Pep Boys, Midas, etc.
 
trial and error among the local places around you. Once you find a mechanic you can trust, never leave him.
 
I do my own stuff, I could recommend Bob's repair, they have always done a good job for my inlaws.
 
Hey - just noticed you are in the Chicago area - that makes two of us. If you don't mind the drive, I know a guy that does good work in Bookfield. PM me for me more info.
 
Originally posted by: Fingers
Replace plugs, wires, and if it keeps comming on the coil. You can do it all by yourself and get some satisfaction of doing by yourself and save the money. Also nobody will treat your car better than you will.
Click to expand...

These days I barely have time to eat dinner. Between working all day and trying to start up a business on the side I literally have no free time.
 
Originally posted by: njmodi
Originally posted by: Fingers
Replace plugs, wires, and if it keeps comming on the coil. You can do it all by yourself and get some satisfaction of doing by yourself and save the money. Also nobody will treat your car better than you will.
Click to expand...


What year/make/model is the vehicle?

When Autozone pulled the codes stored in the cars computer - (that triggers the CEL) - the codes may have just mapped to a general ignition failure or they may have been specific and pinpointed a specific cylinder, e.g. Misfire detected, Cylinder 3. Get the exact code and find a local mechanic to do the work. Avoid chains like Pep Boys, Midas, etc.
Click to expand...

I have a 99 Chevy Tahoe. My CEL is'nt flashing its more like intermittent, sometimes it comes on and other times there's nothing.
 
Originally posted by: njmodi
Hey - just noticed you are in the Chicago area - that makes two of us. If you don't mind the drive, I know a guy that does good work in Bookfield. PM me for me more info.
Click to expand...

Brookfield is a bit far for me, I stay in the so burbs. Not far from Orland Park
 
I get all my car repairs done by the b/f, he in addition to being an owner/operator, he is also a heavy equipment mechanic... he can fix anything... and he is deamy, too.

😉
 
Originally posted by: KarenMarie
I get all my car repairs done by the b/f, he in addition to being an owner/operator, he is also a heavy equipment mechanic... he can fix anything... and he is deamy, too.

😉
Click to expand...

hmm don't think that would work for me, if I tried to get a mechanic boyfriend my wife might get upset. 😛
 
Originally posted by: SampSon
Mabey you should be more specific as to where you are located.
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I was just kind of looking for recommendations on one of the big chain repair shops. I probably should have mentioned that.

But location wise I live in Olympia Fields, its a small suburb south of Chicago. R Kelly has a house a few streets over from me. Good thing I don't have any young daughters. :Q
 
1. Dealership -> take some vaseline with you
2. Ask R. Kelly who works on his cars 😀
3. Go to the Cartalk section of NPRs website and go to the Mechan-X-Files section and search for shops that have good feedback in your area.
 
Originally posted by: njmodi
1. Dealership -> take some vaseline with you
2. Ask R. Kelly who works on his cars 😀
3. Go to the Cartalk section of NPRs website and go to the Mechan-X-Files section and search for shops that have good feedback in your area.
Click to expand...

whats a npr website
 
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