So… I worked all day today and… lost money. 🙃
On the bright side, that charging issue that I’ve never been able to figure out before when the new alternator didn’t fix the charging problem? Well, for the first time… ever… today I found one answer.
The throttle body was dirty.
“Um… Stephen. Throttles aren’t part of the charging system. So… how is a dirty throttle gonna mess up an alternator’s ability to charge the battery properly?”
Answer: A dirty throttle (realized the Lexus from last night and this morning was idling at only 350 RPMs (only Toyota could make a car that runs incredibly well even at 350 RPMs. That’s just amazing. Smooth as butter at half what it’s idle RPMs should be.)
I realized that when I put the gas on, it was charging properly. Then I noticed the RPM gauge showed the RPMs barely registering. So I threw on my scan tool, and… 350 RPMs.
Some quick research, and other mechanics using the system I pay for mentioned dirty throttle bodies as having been the cause of low idle issues. So… I cleaned the throttle body, and boom. Low idle fixed. Charging issue fixed.
Wow! Learned something new today.
Refunded the customer $220 for putting in an alternator that he didn’t need, so he paid for the battery and alternator, and all my labor and diagnostics was free.
So that was expensive, but a good learning experience for me.
Another bright side is that when I got to my last car of the day and found that it was a much bigger job than I should probably tackle, I threw up the white flag, apologized to the customer, and sent them over to the shop that had referred them to me in the first place.
So… I didn’t send myself down a rabbit hole. 🙂
The result of today was learning and some good choices (I chose to go to the grocery store and just slow down and eat when I felt pressured with work), even if it was a day where I actually lost money instead of making money.
#1. I’m grateful for the things I learned today.
#2. I’m grateful I’m not bothered that it was a money-losing day.
#3. I’m grateful for the good things that are happening with my family.
#4. I’m grateful to have such wonderful family members.
#5. I’m grateful to be able to help people, to have the means to help people.
Goodnight, neverland
Lift the world.
~ stephen
Lift the World 