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Mechanic Question.
Fatstrat
Member Posts: 9,147
My usual MO is to do every other oil change myself at home, and have every other done w/chassis lube. Usually at Wal Mart.
Now one would think that a lube/oil change would be pretty simple. But ABS brakes appears to have changed that. At some point, every vehicle I've owned that has ABS brakes has come out of the Wal Mart bay w/the ABS light on the dash on. Eveidently indicating an ABS problem that wasn't there when we took it in.
I'm curious if anyone knows what happens during a Wal Mart lube that causes this?
Now one would think that a lube/oil change would be pretty simple. But ABS brakes appears to have changed that. At some point, every vehicle I've owned that has ABS brakes has come out of the Wal Mart bay w/the ABS light on the dash on. Eveidently indicating an ABS problem that wasn't there when we took it in.
I'm curious if anyone knows what happens during a Wal Mart lube that causes this?
Comments
They probably change the brake fluid instead of the oil[;)]
I'll buy chinese computers, telephones, fishing lures, camping equipment, garden equipment, groceries, and even GUNS at walmart, but I won't let those idiots work on my car or truck.quote:Originally posted by reloader44mag
They probably change the brake fluid instead of the oil[;)]
I expected these kinds of responses. And while I understand your sentiments, it's really not the answer I'm looking for.
My daughter works at Wal Mart and IMO just working there does not make a person an idiot. But I do agree that modern vehicles w/things like ABS seem to pose problems that the average HS educated Wal Mart service bay employee isn't trained for. But then, niether am I.
That's why I'm asking. I want to try to learn what is happening.
I know taking the vehicle to "Mr. Goodwrench" (at twice the cost) is the safest bet. But finding one open or getting car in on a weekend is a MAJOR HASSEL. Even if I was willing to pay the Extra.
Then there's the "Quik Lube" places that probably employ the same type of low trainng people as Wal Mart.
I need to take my car someplace that's available when I have the time. And if I know what they are doing wrong, I can hopefully point it out and tell them NOT to do it to my car.
abs brakes have pulse sensors built in , unlike the old ones where you could squeeze the caliper and force the brake fluid back to the reservoir saving the bleeding process, the sensors will fault if done incorrectly, you must open the bleeders, squeeze the calipers , install the brakes, top off the reservoir and bleed the brakes. those sensors are made for fluid to travel past them in one direction i understand. forcing it the other way faults them i'm told
So how does a Wal Mart lube, which should have nothing to do w/the brakes, cause this fault?
It seems evident to me that they are attempting to grease something that they shouldn't be.
Tomahawk...you might be right. I put a set of front brakes on my Jeep the other day and after I finished and started her up, the ABS light was on! Went off after I drove it a few miles though. Sounds like Wal-Mart might be mistaking the brake bleed fittings for zerks and trying to force grease into them.
By GOLLY I'll bet that's it!!!
quote:Originally posted by VinhlongVet71
I'll buy chinese computers, telephones, fishing lures, camping equipment, garden equipment, groceries, and even GUNS at walmart, but I won't let those idiots work on my car or truck.quote:Originally posted by reloader44mag
They probably change the brake fluid instead of the oil[;)]
I expected these kinds of responses. And while I understand your sentiments, it's really not the answer I'm looking for.
My daughter works at Wal Mart and IMO just working there does not make a person an idiot. But I do agree that modern vehicles w/things like ABS seem to pose problems that the average HS educated Wal Mart service bay employee isn't trained for. But then, niether am I.
That's why I'm asking. I want to try to learn what is happening.
I know taking the vehicle to "Mr. Goodwrench" (at twice the cost) is the safest bet. But finding one open or getting car in on a weekend is a MAJOR HASSEL. Even if I was willing to pay the Extra.
Then there's the "Quik Lube" places that probably employ the same type of low trainng people as Wal Mart.
I need to take my car someplace that's available when I have the time. And if I know what they are doing wrong, I can hopefully point it out and tell them NOT to do it to my car.
Quick service usually includes anti-freeze check, washer fluid, brake fluid, etc. Sometimes they try to sell you an air filter too.
With respect, I can't see how mistaking the bleeder for a zerk would do anything but make a pneumatic greasegun mess all over the mechanics hands unless it was opened first.
Quick service usually includes anti-freeze check, washer fluid, brake fluid, etc. Sometimes they try to sell you an air filter too.
One possibility might be overfilling the brake reservoir. Topping off fluids is SOP. Some of the young mechanics are pretty zealous. Try specifically instructing them not to service the brake system.
We have a winner!!!
vinhlongvet...I have used Wally World here on a few occasions when I was up against a wall and HAD to have the oil changed. Never had a problem, and never noticed anything unprofessional at all. At least they have never done like the Ford dealer did to a friend of mine. Those bozos forgot to tighten the drain plug!! Halfway home (his wife was driving) the engine seized. Cost Ford a new engine!
thank you fastrack,,,, my point exactly,,, those dumb azzes in the walmart bays are there for a paycheck,,, thats it! They were probably hired in there because they could change tires. Go to a walmart service bay and sit in the 'waiting room' and watch them and tell me if they are professional.
What do you expect for $7.00 an hour? I did the SAME job back in the 1970's working P/T at full service gas stations for $2.00 PH.
But that was before ABS. And we were perhaps trained a little better.
As I said before, just being employed at Wal Mart doesn't make one an idiot. Obviously they are not highly educated or they would likely have a better job. But they are just blue collar (mostly kids) working for a living like anyone else. If I blame anyone, it's WAl Mart for not giving them enough training.
But then, how could you train someone to be an expert for the vast number of different make/model/year vehicles that come in there?
Thats why I'm preaching if you want someting done right you need to do it yourself. Then you know its done right. I'm not gonna depend on some highschool grad to change my oil or lube my vehicle. I'll just do it myself. And why did you HAVE to have the oil changed,,,??? Right there? Right now? You couldn't go home and change it? Geeeeezzeeee!quote:Originally posted by iluvguns
vinhlongvet...I have used Wally World here on a few occasions when I was up against a wall and HAD to have the oil changed. Never had a problem, and never noticed anything unprofessional at all. At least they have never done like the Ford dealer did to a friend of mine. Those bozos forgot to tighten the drain plug!! Halfway home (his wife was driving) the engine seized. Cost Ford a new engine!
You have a point. Provided everyone has the time/tools. The only reason I take mine in is for the chassis lube. Which should be simple. Obviously I found out different.
quote:Originally posted by VinhlongVet71
thank you fastrack,,,, my point exactly,,, those dumb azzes in the walmart bays are there for a paycheck,,, thats it! They were probably hired in there because they could change tires. Go to a walmart service bay and sit in the 'waiting room' and watch them and tell me if they are professional.
What do you expect for $7.00 an hour? I did the SAME job back in the 1970's working P/T at full service gas stations for $2.00 PH.
But that was before ABS. And we were perhaps trained a little better.
As I said before, just being employed at Wal Mart doesn't make one an idiot. Obviously they are not highly educated or they would likely have a better job. But they are just blue collar (mostly kids) working for a living like anyone else. If I blame anyone, it's WAl Mart for not giving them enough training.
But then, how could you train someone to be an expert for the vast number of different make/model/year vehicles that come in there?
quote:Originally posted by bigcitybill
One possibility might be overfilling the brake reservoir. Topping off fluids is SOP. Some of the young mechanics are pretty zealous. Try specifically instructing them not to service the brake system.
We have a winner!!!
That would be my guess also.
Now keep in mind that brake fluid will remove paint. Overfill anything and the excess has to go somewhere. Take a look and see.
My new '08 Ford F250 SooperDooty is due its first service. Gonna watch and see just how professional the local Ford stealer, I mean dealer is.
Speaking of grease fittings........ Just how many greasers wipe the dirt off of the zerk before pumping in new grease or do they just pump in the dirt right alsong with the fresh?
You must not be married! [:D] The evening before we are scheduled to leave on vacation, I realize it's time for an oil change. Like the wife was going to look at the sticker and remind me! Had to have it done. You can crap on wally world all you want. I haven't used them but 2-3 times, but ANY one who hires someone to service cars (purely service cars) isn't going to get anyone with a PhD. And they aren't going to pay much over minimum wage. Not just wally world. ALL of them, dealers included.
Dirt on the tone Wheel. (each wheel has a 'gear' lookin deal that the sensor 'sees' if the end of the sensor crsts up, then you get a fault.
Is it an 'ABS' light, or a 'brake' light? If it's a red brake light then yeah, it could be that they over-filled it.
Also, WALMART will go no further into the deal than tires, belts and light service in these parts.