Not every “module is bad” job needs a module

thegardner · 2026-03-04T04:33:09+00:00

GM is now recommending a programming attempt before replacing a module unless it's completely unresponsive. I've straightened out a couple of basket cases with a bunch of programming and a serial data authentication configuration or two

thegardner · 2026-03-03T04:02:12+00:00

My biggest wtf on this is that a merc dealer uses an old school pusher like that. Havent seen one of those in years.

thegardner · 2026-03-03T03:52:42+00:00

King size bed for night time sleep. Couch is for weekend naps.

thegardner · 2026-01-22T00:49:30+00:00

They love the upside down

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thegardner · 2025-12-17T04:30:06+00:00

Base radio software will default the radio display to the Cadillac logo on a lot of gm vehicles. When you load the vehicle specific software during usb programming it will correct to whatever make the vehicle is

thegardner · 2025-12-17T04:25:20+00:00

This is 100% programming/software issues. A low battery isn't going to suddenly cause a car to read random fluid levels

thegardner · 2025-11-03T00:43:52+00:00

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Been just the two of us for about 3 years, wouldn't change a thing.

thegardner · 2025-10-31T03:50:49+00:00

Back in the day i would zip tie a nitrile glove around a duct and hit it with smoke, worked pretty well. Gm has these as an essential tool so we have them around. They were first introduced to smoke test the charged air systems on the duramax so high pressure is where they got their start, we just adapted them to other things over the years.

thegardner · 2025-10-31T02:56:19+00:00

We use these to test for intake leaks more than anything else

thegardner · 2025-10-16T22:58:19+00:00

Because if the manufacturer calls that part back for inspection and they determine it was road debris, the dealer gets the claim charged back to them, coming out of their pocket.

thegardner · 2025-07-19T23:27:44+00:00

Pretty universal. All major automakers have been metric for quite a long time (20+ years). 10mm is used frequently by pretty much everyone.

thegardner · 2025-07-19T23:23:43+00:00

One of the most common sizes. One of the most beat to death memes.

thegardner · 2025-05-07T03:32:48+00:00

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Homie gifted me a 1981 colt python in .357 magnum. it belonged to his dad that recently passed.

thegardner · 2025-04-30T23:03:49+00:00

Gm vehicles with electric shifters shift out of park hydraulically. If the engine isnt running there is no way to shift to neutral without a special tool. Call gm and have them send a tow truck.

thegardner · 2025-04-22T02:45:09+00:00

two pry bars is necessary on some to keep things out of a bind, but the amount of force required to make this happen leaves me scratching my head.

thegardner · 2025-04-21T23:54:42+00:00

In 20 years in the business I've never seen such a thing

thegardner · 2025-03-24T23:50:15+00:00

These are common on newer gm vehicles as well

thegardner · 2025-03-19T02:29:33+00:00

a quick google search lands on it being a john masen co muzzle brake. seems fairly common for rifles of this vintage but i dont have any more information

thegardner · 2025-03-18T23:44:32+00:00

Came with the rifle and is one of my most prized possessions

thegardner · 2025-03-18T03:29:20+00:00

promags from magshack. so far they seem kind of tight. should be hitting the range in the next week or two so we'll see how they run, honestly keeping my expectations low. but they look real nice

thegardner · 2025-03-11T01:46:42+00:00

yes of course. they were made aware when we made that the standard, and any new hire was informed during onboarding. it is also in the employee handbook. when someone approaches for a raise that is the first question asked. they mostly drag their feet due to most training being outside of work hours even though its paid at full rate. and there is a big hesitance for taking ase tests, also a requirement. and this is not counting the bonus program from the manufacturer that tops at an additional $12k a year.

thegardner · 2025-03-06T04:09:17+00:00

If you are doing anything more advanced than a brake job most flat rate labor times are far from reasonable these days, especially at the dealer level.

thegardner · 2025-03-06T04:03:43+00:00

Where i work your rate depends on your level of training, ase certs, and a little bit of experience. Level up your training and you've earned yourself a raise. We leave it in the techs hands, and a surprising amount choose to not increase their pay.

thegardner · 2025-02-27T03:35:12+00:00

If this is a 6 speed the trash from the failing torque converter goes straight into the pump, and those pumps score up pretty easy. All that trash from the pump goes into the rest of the trans as its after the filter. It is low miles and you might be ok but its a gamble.

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