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crcook84
New User

Feb 17, 2022, 3:58 PM

Post #1 of 4 (932 views)
  post locked   Reparable Cars  

We got a 2019 Suburban probably 2-3 years ago now. Last year, an error code showed up on the display. We took it to our regular mechanic of 35+ years and they told us they couldn’t figure out exactly what the error was. Basically, the car is so advanced that the manufacturer has designed the car to require specific tools to be able to diagnose it. They won’t give those tools to anyone who hasn’t undergone a specific certification process. They were able to determine that it MIGHT be the airbag sensors. But, their tool wasn't giving them enough information.

We had a similar problem with a Dodge Dakota over 10 years ago when the environmental sensor kept tripping and, despite everything our mechanic tried to do, we had to take it to a certified dealership where they, either, recalibrated the sensor or replaced it entirely.

Our mechanic has been good to us. They kept our 1999 Suburban running for around 20 years (not sure exactly when we bought it) and our 1996 Corolla running for 8 years until both engines blew out. Before that, we had 3 other cars they kept running. Besides, the automobile industry isn't the only one by which manufacturers are making it more difficult for third-party repair shops to be able to repair products. look up "john deere repair" on YouTube and you'll see what I mean.

I have two questions:

1) Does anyone know what the last model year was that a Suburban was reparable by a regular mechanic without requiring special certification just to own a special tool?

2) Is there a website I could browse that gives information in regards to what cars are easy to repair vs what cars require special certifications just to be able to acquire the tools to diagnose a problem?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 17, 2022, 4:24 PM

Post #2 of 4 (925 views)
  post locked   Re: Reparable Cars  

Your mechanic sounds more like a wannabe technician.

Your Suburban is not different than most any car in the last 20 years. The Suburban is one of the easier ones in comparison. All cars require a lot of electronic equipment to repair these days and any shop that is serious about repairing cars will purchase this equipment. There is very little that is dealer only these days. The equipment is available to Independent shops but it's not cheap. If they are serious about being in this business, they will buy the equipment.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



crcook84
New User

Feb 17, 2022, 4:46 PM

Post #3 of 4 (921 views)
  post locked   Re: Reparable Cars  


In Reply To
Your mechanic sounds more like a wannabe technician.

Your Suburban is not different than most any car in the last 20 years. The Suburban is one of the easier ones in comparison. All cars require a lot of electronic equipment to repair these days and any shop that is serious about repairing cars will purchase this equipment. There is very little that is dealer only these days. The equipment is available to Independent shops but it's not cheap. If they are serious about being in this business, they will buy the equipment.


Either you're ignorant or you don't realize how much more restrictive manufacturers are getting in terms of making sure their products are difficult to repair. Massachusetts recently passed a bill labeled "Right to Repair Law" requiring manufacturers that sell vehicles with telematics systems in Massachusetts to equip them with a standardized open data platform beginning with model year 2022 that vehicle owners and independent repair facilities may access to retrieve mechanical data and run diagnostics through a mobile-based application.

The opposition was:
General Motors
Toyota Motor North America, Inc
Ford Motor Company
American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Nissan North America Inc

There's more information here:
https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Question_1,_%22Right_to_Repair_Law%22_Vehicle_Data_Access_Requirement_Initiative_(2020)

Louis Rossman did a video in regards to the car manufacturers fighting this bill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZg4OIpSMiM


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 17, 2022, 4:53 PM

Post #4 of 4 (915 views)
  post locked   Re: Reparable Cars  

Buddy, I have been in this business for over 50 years and I have been repairing those and many much more sophisticated systems for many years. It's all in how much money you are willing to spend. The equipment to access these system has always been available.

Now that you had the balls to call me ignorant, I'm sending you on your way.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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