Horrific Automotive Repair

turnsouth · **on:** January 28, 2013, 08:13:53 PM

I don't remember if I ever shared this. I had a customer come in that had a newly installed (at another dealer) remote start that wasn't working. Now, being the particular guy that I am, when I install accessories on new vehicles I make an effort to make it look as though I was never there (as much as possible).

But when I removed the lower steering column panel on this vehicle, here is what I found:

When I got done basically redoing the entire install, it looked like this:

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2013, 08:26:33 PM

Nice. This is a large part of why I don't trust mechanics I don't know.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

enki_ck · **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2013, 08:55:29 PM

Quote from: turnsouth on January 28, 2013, 08:13:53 PM

(Image removed from quote.)

Nice work straightening the mess out.

kmanct3 · **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2013, 09:02:04 PM

I am an ASE Certified Auto Tech and it really pisses me off to see work like this when I go out of my way to do a nice job, for what its worth when I worked for GM we sent all of our remote start jobs to a car stereo guy across the street. I can assure you that if you ever bring your car to me a job like that will NEVER happen

Whoey · **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2013, 09:03:52 PM

nice job!

just another reminder that I need to find a mechanic I can trust now $:-\$

turnsouth · **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2013, 10:12:31 PM

Quote from: enki_ck on January 28, 2013, 08:55:29 PM

Nice work straightening the mess out.

Thanks

I don't mind doing them, I just hate having to redo shoddy work.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2013, 10:48:10 PM

Top job mate

I've seen wiring jobs that bad in boats several times before, but never in a car

Nikos · **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2013, 10:51:08 PM

That's probably the wiring counterpart to GOTO-ridden code...

nuphoria · **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2013, 10:54:00 PM

Good grief

Romanoat · **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2013, 11:01:23 PM

Holy crap that's horrible. I'm a tech myself, and I would never be able to let a car go looking like that. In fact, I probably wouldn't even get involved, and just suggest the owner take it back to the dealership that did the work and raise hell.

derekmac · **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2013, 01:46:36 AM

Ohh wow. I don't know how people can care so little about the work that they do. I could never leave a mess like that, even if it was in a hidden spot.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Landrew · **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2013, 02:05:43 AM

I can understand getting frustrated wiring, but there's always a way to get help and get it right.

Some neighbors of mine got a new car, and their grandson insisted on installing a security system for them. I saw him working on it around noon under the dash with his feet sticking out. Around 5 o'clock, I returned to see the car engulfed in a ball of flame. Apparently he wasn't qualified enough.

AdmSlc · **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2013, 02:08:17 AM

Wow you cleaned up a huge mess. That guy owes you a beer.

turnsouth · **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2013, 02:18:45 AM

Quote from: Romanoat on January 28, 2013, 11:01:23 PM

In fact, I probably wouldn't even get involved, and just suggest the owner take it back to the dealership that did the work and raise hell.

We did that, but he said he is never going there again. He said "Do whatever it takes, I don't care what the cost is, because they are paying for it."

They handed him a check when he showed them my pictures.

turnsouth · **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2013, 02:19:36 AM

Quote from: AdmSlc on January 29, 2013, 02:08:17 AM

Wow you cleaned up a huge mess. That guy owes you a beer.

He bought us doughnuts

turnsouth · **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2013, 02:27:49 AM

Quote from: 50ft-trad on January 28, 2013, 10:48:10 PM

Top job mate I've seen wiring jobs that bad in boats several times before, but never in a car

Thanks Al, I've been there too: "Hey man, take a look at my ignition switch, I have to giggle it to get the engine started." So I squeeze my fat stomach under the wheel and it looks like monkeys with sledgehammers have been at the wiring. Walked away from that one...

jzmtl · **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2013, 04:07:20 AM

You sure the first installer wasn't a former bomb maker? You know, crapload of jumbled wires so you don't know which one to cut?

AdmSlc · **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2013, 04:53:04 AM

I'm glad he brought at least something delicious for you.

Rory · **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2013, 03:06:02 PM

Nice, but easily rectified by a skilled man, off which I am most certainly not. I don't trust electrickery.

Try working on a 58 year old, positive earth, dynamo powered vehicle owned by several before, ALL, I am sure, thought themselves qualified car sparks , you end up chasing gremlins round the loom for months.

Landrew · **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2013, 05:34:30 PM

Reminds me of the jury-riggin we had back on the farm. Jackknife wiring repairs were the norm. Just keep splicin' wires until somethin' works. Keep your water bottle handy 'case it catches fire again...

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2013, 06:38:59 PM

Quote from: turnsouth on January 28, 2013, 08:13:53 PM

(Image removed from quote.)

What? I don't see any duct tape...

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