Just got back from a quick trip to Texas. It seemed that my sons 07 Focus had lost headlights function so we figured a quick visit and I'd repair whatever was ailing it. After about a 15 min diagnoses, it turned out to be the combination turn signal and hi/low beam selector switch on the steering column. Expecting it to be like an older car I was going to have him take it to a local mechanic, but after a quick google search it turns out that all that needed to be done was to unsnap the steering column plastic clam shell, release the clip for the switch, pull it out, unplug the connector, and then reassemble in reverse steps. It took longer to drive to the auto parts store to get the switch than it was to replace it. $30 and 15 minutes start to finish and it was done. If it were my Cutlass...

Had a nice visit with my son and some old friends.

 

Exactly...

 

I am going dash diving in the HO after that this winter. My old 97 Explorer would lose wipers. The left stick had: forward for hi beams, back for flash, up for right turn, down for left turn, a ring going around it that was spring loaded one way for washer, then all the delays, then low, then high, and the tip of the lever could also rotate for rear wiper speed one and two, and push in for rear washer. That is a LOT to put on one stick. 20 bucks per at the junkyard, I could change it in 5 min.

 

I work on modern cars day in and out. It's only hard if you haven't kept up with the times. I can go back and forth between old and new.

I did a heater core on a Jeep Wrangler not too long ago. The job pays 16 hrs !!!!! As a good tech felt I did it much less time but the entire dash had to come out along with brake booster and a few fire wall items. I just go in expecting a struggle lol. Then it turns out to be easy. Plus we do alot German cars . Once you figure those out everything else is gravy.

 

I have an 04 Mercedes CLK and I have to say that has been so simple to work on. Very surprising. Everything from the main drive belt to water pump to interior items.

 

Actually, If you have the modern diagnostic computer with software updates, troubleshooting newer cars is way easier than our older cars. The diagnostics will tell you exactly what is wrong and what to change. With our older cars, you actually need to have a mechanical intuition as to what is wrong. When I've had problems with my '07 Duramax, I've borrowed my work lead's Snap On diagnostic. That thing will tell you way more than you ever asked for!

 

Not necessarily. Although the diagnostic tool tells alot many systems can throw one system off. If you ever worked on cars heavily using can buss set ups you will know you will get like 10 DTC's for 1 bad fault. So then you have to check and find 10 grounds to narrow down what system is actually bad lol. Unless you know where to go to. Older cars are easier and all of those diagnostic intuitions are still needed on newer cars.

 

That has been both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes the computer throws codes that can be caused by other problems, so the not so mechanically inclined tech starts throwing parts at it because that is what the scanner told them was wrong.