bdubsee.....

Well stated....I congratulate and concure !!!

Observation from me then a few questions for you....

While not trying to degrade the certification "SAE Certified Master Technician", I will say it does not make you an expert on any specific line or model of vehicle. It certainly is worthy of noting and those with the credential should be commended. But, frankly it is general training in many things and then specialized training and certification of specific area (generally, not related to a specific vehicle), i.e., A/C, fuel injection, etc. Many technicians have this credential to work in dealerships. And, this is where a good amount of the service problems evolve, IMO.

Years ago, dealerships were required to have technicians attend training sessions conducted by GM Corporate personal. The cost was split between GM and the dealership. As an example, when GM was preparing to introduce the "throttle body injection system, each dealer had a few technicians participate in training at the GM Service Training Centers. Those tech's would return and "tutor" their associates. Thus, it would provide a better prepared tech, for the dealer, than "Joe's Auto Service" down the street.

Another example....if the Chevrolet dealership wished to sell Corvettes, they were required to have Certified Corvette technicians in a ratio proportion to the number of Corvettes. This training was also provided by GM. I'm not sure any of this item specific-model specific training is done any longer (Corporate budget cuts, etc.)

Afterall, now even the neighborhood auto repair could have the same skill level as the dealership. I have a friend who has about 25 Goodyear Stores in Arizona (they provide other services than just tires) and he hires only SAE Certified Tech's. The more training/levels/credential, the more pay.

Now the questions....

Do you remember this GM specific training?? Do any of the members who are ex-GM technicians remember it...and can you provide info???

Do you believe this difference is affecting the quality of service from the dealer?

 

 

Snoopy,

Just a few tidbits you might find interesting - again, stories from my brother (certified Mechanic).

When he worked at our local Chrysler dealer there was only a single tech allowed to work on the Viper. I don't know if that was due to specific training, or if he was the only one they would trust

At the Ford dealer, there were A LOT of courses! They were short sessions that involved videos, texts, and online testing. He worked there only a few short years ago so I imagine manufacturers still have on going training to get their techs as well trained as possible.

 

Thanks, Kris......how long ago for either of the 2 dealerships.

Also, GM's training was conducted at THEIR training centers, around the country. So, transportation and lodging costs were considerations.

You know, now that you mention it, I believe i saw a Ford Training Center next to one of our freeways. I might check and see what it is for.

 

The Chrysler dealer....jeez...must be at least 10 years ago...

He left the Ford dealer around 2 years ago.

The training that he was on was generally conducted at the dealership. Sometimes it was done solely with videos/computers, and other times a couple of guys would show up at the dealer to conduct the training. I think when he worked for VW they had a training centre - but he never went as he only worked there a short time!

 

Thanks....Kris

 

I think I am going to drive to your dealership from now on

It just might take me a few days of driving..

I wish I could say the same about my dealership...gotta keep looking.

 

One post from someone claiming to be a tech. does not make it so.No name,no address,and everyone is getting excited.It may be my suspicious nature,but this person could even be one of us stirring the pot so to speak.If this poster is really a tech. from the Detroit area,one of our Detroit area members should make his/her acquaintance and perhaps all of us can benefit from any knowledge he/she can share with us.Sorry if I come across as "oh,really?" but I am not a stranger to online forums and have seen similar anonymous postings to just get a rise out of the membership for the sole purpose of the poster's vicarious pleasure.Just my 2 cents.HB

 

bdubs amen bro.

as for the tech... being certified doesnt mean a thing to me. it only means that you took a text in which you could correctly select the right answers enough times to achieve a pass. Being certified only mean that you have a piece of paper that says you are allowed to look up the repair instructions in a book and follow steps 1 through X... You sound like one of the newb hires that have fallen for company brainwashing... "the company is good, the company is great, the company loves us, the company would never do anything to harm us, the company is always looking out for our best interests..."

i dont think so.

Dealerships are a business just like anywhere else. Their objective is to make money, not to be our best friend.

As for not being able to recreate a problem, how about not even attempting to listen to the customer troubleshooting the problem? In my ford the torque convertor was going bad and i needed new coil packs as everytime it would rain my engine would mis-fire. Dealership techs couldnt re-create problem and would not even look at what i said the problem was. How is that in my best interest? Changed the coil packs and the tc myself and wonder of wonders no more problems.

In my firebird, had a bad thermostat, valve body on the tranny, and the fly by wire accelerator was not allowing high rpms. they couldnt re-create any of it, but they did manage to cross wire the sparkplugs in the wrong firing order when they put them back on. why they took them off i dont know.

so forgive me if i dont think that the dealership and its techs sit and the right hand of the father, casting down blessings and quality parts at a resonible price upon us. your people just like us.

 

They could be a poll taker on service issues.

nuff said..

and, and I have a F.P.S.M.H.M behind my name..