Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - April 26, 2025 - Hour 1 - The Difficulty Diagnosing Cars - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

Episode Summary: Ron Ananian – The Car Doctor Car Repair is Getting Tougher : Ron emphasizes that modern car repair requires constant learning. Vehicles are more complex, and assumptions can lead to misdiagnosis. Case Study – 2015 Toyota Tacoma, Crank No-Start : Towed into the shop with a crank-no-start issue. Suspected fuel pump failure. Two options to access it: Drop the rusted fuel tank (difficult due to NJ winters and corrosion) Remove the truck bed instead — easier and safer Diagnosed fuel system with wiring diagrams and voltage checks. Found ~10.8V at the fuel pump resistor — enough to power the pump. Checked for ground and continuity — both were good. Considered immobilizer as a cause (Toyota uses fuel cut in anti-theft and overheating situations). Scan Tool Confusion : Snap-On scan tool incorrectly reported a fuel cut. Opus scan tool and factory Toyota software showed no fuel cut. Lesson: Don’t rely on one scan tool — use multiple tools and verify against known good data. “Scan tools don’t fix cars — they gather information.” Confirmed Bad Fuel Pump : Used a test light (round headlight bulb) to confirm power delivery. Replaced pump, truck started. Gas gauge issue followed : showed empty despite a half-full tank. Removed and reinstalled the pump to cycle float — gauge returned to normal. Lesson : Sometimes parts need time or manual cycling to recalibrate. Video Content Coming : Recorded the repair in stages with help from the shop crew. Will be posted online, tied into the radio show for deeper understanding. Industry Insight & Customer Behavior : Ron notes customers are increasingly anxious about car costs and repair timelines. Reminder: Don’t keep calling the shop — they’ll let you know when your car is ready. Listener Call – 2000 Toyota Tundra Brake Job : Caller had trouble fitting new pads and caliper. Ron advises: Always replace rotors with pads to ensure proper bedding. Be cautious about caliper piston not fully retracting. Clean and inspect slide pins. Older calipers may need replacement. Scolds (gently): "You're doing it wrong, brother." Listener Call – 2013 GMC Terrain with Tapping and Stalling : Symptoms: Tapping sound, surging at stops, stalling. Upcoming Appearance 📻 Ron will be on WOR Radio (NYC) at 9:40 AM on Monday, May 5 , launching a new segment series on dashboard warning lights—starting with the Check Engine Light . Visit us at https://www.cardoctorshow.com Follow Us On Instagram - @ronananian Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900 Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.