Where is that machine?

Where is that machine?

You know, that one that thing that tells you what's wrong with the vehicle!

Those "machines" are the men and women working on your vehicle; walking, talking, diagnostic machines. They use the tools and equipment they own to solve the problems with your vehicle. Scan tools and meters are machines that can only do so much in the way of formulating a diagnosis. These devices provide strategic direction for the repairs needed, allowing the trained technicians to know a general path at which to take. The technicians are the "real" machines who have the ability and training to pinpoint what is wrong with the vehicle. But for some odd reason, the public likes to believe that there is a "magical" machine that does all the work. 

It's beyond me where people get the idea that we can just hook up a scan tool and all of your car problems magically disappear. I have been told many times by irate customers that fixing a car is not rocket science, so it shouldn't cost that much, or take that long. Diagnosing vehicles isn't always a walk in the park, it's endless hours of trying to figure out electrical issues, bolts breaking, and just the every day stresses of life in the field. You will always have that question of "how much longer, how much longer." Sometimes the best we can do is show up, and never give up!