Welcome to Technicians Only/ Introduce yourself

[EricTheCarGuy]

This forum is started by suggestion from one of the forum members, SpawnedX. The idea behind it is to have a place where technicians can talk about their experiences and ideas concerning their careers and profession. Think of it as sort of an extension to ETCG1 were we talk about things that concern us and the automotive industry. This is for technicians only so please don’t post automotive questions here. If you are a technician welcome to this forum, if not please stay behind the yellow line. Perhaps we can start by introducing ourselves.

I’m Eric Cook aka EricTheCarGuy. I’ve worked as a professional technician since 1996 and have been an ASE master technician for the past 15 years. I worked for Acura at the dealer for about 8 years and spent the rest of my time working at aftermarket shops on both imports and domestics. I’m also an Acura certified master technician which I got as a result of my training at Acura. For a brief time I ran a Carx after I lost my job at Acura, that was interesting and challenging in many ways but I did work with some good people there and learned a lot about running an automotive business as a result of that experience. Now I have a successful auto repair show on the internet as well as a successful website and forum. To be honest my favorite job so far has been working as ETCG, it seems my entire career including my termination from Acura has led me to this place and I could not be happier with the result. I suppose that just goes to show you never know where you’re going to end up.

Welcome to the Technicians Only forum, I look forward to getting to know you and your work better.

ETCG

Topic

[leonard]

My name is Leonard
I live in Ireland
I work at my fathers garage in my early days, mostly mechanical work at the beginning,
then I move on to auto electrics
In the early 80’s the electrics were basic stuff, no computors or o2 sensors to worry about
I then went on to the electronic repair business, mostly repairing televisions and cameras to component level.
while I could take out an ecu, and remove the surface mounted components no problem,
I find myself back where I started, auto repairs, and I find I am a little rusty here

[leonard]

My name is Leonard
I live in Ireland
I work at my fathers garage in my early days, mostly mechanical work at the beginning,
then I move on to auto electrics
In the early 80’s the electrics were basic stuff, no computors or o2 sensors to worry about
I then went on to the electronic repair business, mostly repairing televisions and cameras to component level.
while I could take out an ecu, and remove the surface mounted components no problem,
I find myself back where I started, auto repairs, and I find I am a little rusty here

[Maario]

Hi. my name is Maario. I live and work in Estonia (go look it up if you like) I’ve been working as an automotive tech for past two years while also studing atomotive engineering.
I work mostly on european and asian makes but have worked on american cars also.

[Maario]

Hi. my name is Maario. I live and work in Estonia (go look it up if you like) I’ve been working as an automotive tech for past two years while also studing atomotive engineering.
I work mostly on european and asian makes but have worked on american cars also.

[Klown]

Hi guys..I am the infamous klown (klowny1969) from youtube..ive been working on cars since i was five years old..i still remember my dad sending me to get parts off abandoned cars while he would keep a lookout for cops..ahh the good ole days…

Ok lets see what else..i beleive im the only klown in the world that works and teaches people about cars..i do everything from regular hondas to all out race cars..u name it..i’ll do it …literally 😉

Anyway..i wanted to show some love to Eric..cause i enjoyed watching alot of his vids!! Eric also inspired me to start my own channel…U da man etcg!!

[Klown]

Hi guys..I am the infamous klown (klowny1969) from youtube..ive been working on cars since i was five years old..i still remember my dad sending me to get parts off abandoned cars while he would keep a lookout for cops..ahh the good ole days…

Ok lets see what else..i beleive im the only klown in the world that works and teaches people about cars..i do everything from regular hondas to all out race cars..u name it..i’ll do it …literally 😉

Anyway..i wanted to show some love to Eric..cause i enjoyed watching alot of his vids!! Eric also inspired me to start my own channel…U da man etcg!!

[Brandon K.]

Hello all.

I’m Brandon. Worked on my own vehicle in high school and was always fascinated by automobiles as a child. I decided to make the automotive industry my career choice. Once I graduated high school I went to Sinclair C.C. in Dayton, OH for Automotive Technology. There I studied all makes and models (with the economic uncertainty of the industry at that time, I didn’t want to tie myself down to one brand).

I got my first automotive job while in college at a Sears. It sucked and I quickly and luckily got hired on at a local Dayton area Ford dealer. I graduated college on the deans list and was given a Certification in Automotive Technology, an Associates Degree in Automotive Technology, and a Ford MLR Certification. I continued to work at Ford for two years before moving back home to Cincinnati, OH and working for the City of Cincinnati’s fleet garage. I did that for two years until I got a better opportunity with the City of Blue Ash, OH working on their fleet.

Fleet work is amazing, one day your on a fire truck, the next a chainsaw, then a tandem axle dump truck, only to be followed by an Escape Hybrid. Not to mention the benefits vs. a dealership are night and day. I’m always attending courses and seminars on the industry and want to get my ASE Masters (Ford didn’t care about ASE, never got them).

[Brandon K.]

Hello all.

I’m Brandon. Worked on my own vehicle in high school and was always fascinated by automobiles as a child. I decided to make the automotive industry my career choice. Once I graduated high school I went to Sinclair C.C. in Dayton, OH for Automotive Technology. There I studied all makes and models (with the economic uncertainty of the industry at that time, I didn’t want to tie myself down to one brand).

I got my first automotive job while in college at a Sears. It sucked and I quickly and luckily got hired on at a local Dayton area Ford dealer. I graduated college on the deans list and was given a Certification in Automotive Technology, an Associates Degree in Automotive Technology, and a Ford MLR Certification. I continued to work at Ford for two years before moving back home to Cincinnati, OH and working for the City of Cincinnati’s fleet garage. I did that for two years until I got a better opportunity with the City of Blue Ash, OH working on their fleet.

Fleet work is amazing, one day your on a fire truck, the next a chainsaw, then a tandem axle dump truck, only to be followed by an Escape Hybrid. Not to mention the benefits vs. a dealership are night and day. I’m always attending courses and seminars on the industry and want to get my ASE Masters (Ford didn’t care about ASE, never got them).

[jon]

i already introduced myself in the newbie area but i figured i would post here

im jon i have been in the field all my life my father was an A.S.E. certified master tech with 35+ years of experience in the field. he was my mentor all my life, teaching me alot. i went to solano county regional occupational program for automotive technology. currently working at les schwab due to a lack of shops/work in my area. going back to school to learn to weld and fabricate next semester

[jon]

i already introduced myself in the newbie area but i figured i would post here

im jon i have been in the field all my life my father was an A.S.E. certified master tech with 35+ years of experience in the field. he was my mentor all my life, teaching me alot. i went to solano county regional occupational program for automotive technology. currently working at les schwab due to a lack of shops/work in my area. going back to school to learn to weld and fabricate next semester

[Jeremy]

My name is Jeremy, some of my friends refer to me as Jeronimo (I’ll leap right into pretty much any automotive situation). I have worked in automotive for over 15 years, starting as a pit-guy at a busy Jiffy lube to running shops for major chains. I did body and restoration for a couple years, found it dusty. I’m currently doing double duty as tech & service manager for a corporate retail chain service center. I got into automotive because as Eric says, car stuff is fun. My experience has been with the general public (haven’t made the move to a dealer although I’ve considered it) and as such I see most popular makes/models <60k on the road. Saw/worked on a lot of classic iron during my body years. I certainly haven't seen it all though I've seen a bit. 😉 Love to help out where I can. Looking forward to chatting with everyone.

[Jeremy]

My name is Jeremy, some of my friends refer to me as Jeronimo (I’ll leap right into pretty much any automotive situation). I have worked in automotive for over 15 years, starting as a pit-guy at a busy Jiffy lube to running shops for major chains. I did body and restoration for a couple years, found it dusty. I’m currently doing double duty as tech & service manager for a corporate retail chain service center. I got into automotive because as Eric says, car stuff is fun. My experience has been with the general public (haven’t made the move to a dealer although I’ve considered it) and as such I see most popular makes/models <60k on the road. Saw/worked on a lot of classic iron during my body years. I certainly haven't seen it all though I've seen a bit. 😉 Love to help out where I can. Looking forward to chatting with everyone.

[Todd]

Hi Everybody, my name is Todd

well for starters I went to a Tech school here in Colorado, Bollman Tech back in the day and graduated in 1985, didn’t do much with it besides my own stuff, for the past 4-5 years been working at the airport for a company as a GSE Maintenance, I work on stuff from the tug’s that pull the big luggage carts, to the Big push Back tractors that move Aircraft around, to the Big can loaders to load large luggage cans on the aircraft to regular trucks, vans, cars that the company owns. It is a big learning curve since most of the big equipment there is no school for, but most of the principles are the same, we have stuff from gas to diesel to hydraulics operated equipment.

Eric I love this web site, it is packed with tons of information. You do a great job.

My one question is if someone could please answer for me, when I left the Tech School back in 1985 all we got was a certificate and on back showed what ASE course we had and passed for each module, Is this good enough for a job in a real shop or dealership or would I need to go back to school to take the tests again or is this good?? thanks for any help Todd

[Todd]

Hi Everybody, my name is Todd

well for starters I went to a Tech school here in Colorado, Bollman Tech back in the day and graduated in 1985, didn’t do much with it besides my own stuff, for the past 4-5 years been working at the airport for a company as a GSE Maintenance, I work on stuff from the tug’s that pull the big luggage carts, to the Big push Back tractors that move Aircraft around, to the Big can loaders to load large luggage cans on the aircraft to regular trucks, vans, cars that the company owns. It is a big learning curve since most of the big equipment there is no school for, but most of the principles are the same, we have stuff from gas to diesel to hydraulics operated equipment.

Eric I love this web site, it is packed with tons of information. You do a great job.

My one question is if someone could please answer for me, when I left the Tech School back in 1985 all we got was a certificate and on back showed what ASE course we had and passed for each module, Is this good enough for a job in a real shop or dealership or would I need to go back to school to take the tests again or is this good?? thanks for any help Todd

[Ed Curry]

I’m Ed. I’ve worked as a GST and tire tech couple years back. Although I might as well been considered an auto tech with the amount of work/jobs I had to do. professionally..its just embarrassing but overall I’ve worked on cars for about 5 years now. Not certified nor formally trained at a school, least yet anyway.

[Author]

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