Working in a dealership

35 plus years dealerships mech + burned out

 

Worked in a few dealerships, Buick,Olds,Mazda,Volvo,Chevrolet,GMC trucks,Infinity,Lincoln-mercury and a bunch of independent body shops. Don't tell my parents, they thought i was a piano player in a whorehouse.

 

I may have to go back to dealer life...I swore I wouldn't but I just haven't made enough to get ahead, just barely survive. Oh well, I do have a really good offer right now.

 

Worked in Ford and Chevy dealerships back in the 1970's for about 10 years after about 5 years in a gas station . I was way into hotrods long before that but the learning I got in the dealerships surely helped me get more experience . I was an engine mechanic and rebuilt many engines back then .

Retro Jim

 

i've got about ten years into dealerships as a line tech now. i can't complain, the trade has been good to me. plus, reprogramming ecms and bcms is so far at the other end of the spectrum from what i do at home i never get burned out.

 

Just curious, for anyone who has been working as a tech in a dealership for a while:

Would you say working on cars now (say 91ish to present) is easier or more difficult than working on cars then (say pre 85ish)?

Today there is nothing but electronics and computers, but after you understand them, are things actually easier to diagnose and fix?

Or are things just too complicated?

 

25 years working for BMW as a tech.In th old days it was harder to diagnose cars but easier to make money.Now its easier to diagnose but a motherfucker to make money with all the hoops you have to jump through.Oh almost forgot BMW cut our flat rate by 20% a couple years agnly reason i stay is insurance for kids.

 

I worked at a Dodge dealership as a heavy line tech for several years. Working on other peoples junk all day long made me not want to work on my junk. I had to force myself all the time to do anything to mine. It was really good money but no fun day after day.

 

My Chevy dealer closed March 22nd, I left as a GM Master after 23yrs of service. I wasn't out of work for one minute!!! I had offers to go to 3 other GM dealers, but chose to take an offer from one of my customers who owns a manufacturing company. I now maintain the machines in a union shop with a pension!!! Never would have had one from working in a dealer. The hours are awsome, and I'm making more money with some overtime. The flat rate pay system is antiquated!!! You get punished for your experience. The less experienced guys get the gravy, while the more experienced guys get the warranty driveability and trans work! I won't miss the flat rate rollercoaster ride! The dealer repair industry climate is changing drastically, unless they change the flat rate pay system, all the older experienced technicians will be leaving as soon as they get the chance.........like I did!!

 

I actually enjoyed working on the computer systems. It is still basic circuitry. Just need to know what the modules do, and why. Just couldn't make enough money doing it anymore.

 

I'm 66 YO and worked for Chevrolet Motor Division for 28 years in dealerships here and abroad. Made a good living ...... yeah worked hard but loved every moment of it.

 

i'd say that drivability diagnosis on OBDII cars is relatively easy about 90% of the time. it's that other 10% that can kick your ass.