"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message
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On 2/26/2021 4:42 PM, Fred wrote:


"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message
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On 2/26/2021 1:12 PM, Fred wrote:


Yes, I know many states do not regulate automotive technicians
with a mandatory licensing system - but they SHOULD.

That's completely mad. Anyone with real mechanical skills doesn't
need 4 years of study to do a decent job on modern cars.

And I know quite a few "mechanics" with university degrees
who went "back to school" to get a trade after their university
degrees didn't get them a "job"

And I know quite a few mechanics that never need to go back to
school to turn a pile of rusting metal into a fully restored vintage
car.

I know people like that too. Some could not change the radio on a new
car though, an a lot of the other electronics.

That stuff is normally left to car radio specialists.

Some won't touch them.

The specialists do.

Evidently you have not seen the complexity of these units and everything
they control.

Yes I have, and got an unlock code for one in one of the
used Mercs that a mate of mine buys off ebay, fixes and
sells for twice what he paid for them, by fixing their fault.

It isn't just a radio any more. Navigation, cameras, sat reception,
connected services, modems, and more.

Yep, and thats part of the reason its specialists that do most of the work.

You don't need 4 years but you need more than the old days.

Thats very arguable indeed given that there is very little
to do on modern cars now, just change the oil, redo the
brake pads etc as required, change the plugs etc. Even
with fault finding, its much easier to do now with the
OBD2 telling you which sensor has failed quite a bit
of the time and no timing etc to do anymore.

Makes no sense to require formal qualifications.

Without some training and qualifications you probably won't get a job at a
dealership aside from changing tires.

But will still be able to with the non dealer operations
and will be able to do it yourself. We have annual checks
for registration renewal every year and thats mostly
done by non dealers who do all the work on cars and
small trucks apart from the fancy stuff like radios.

Have you looked at some of the battery connectors?

Yep, I change batteries myself.

They are not like on your '72 Chevy any more.

Yes, but any decent mechanic can do it fine.

Where would you start looking for an error on the Automatic emergency
braking system?

Use youtube etc.

or the Lane Keep assist. How about lining up the cameras after a
windshield change?

You dont need 4 years of back to school for that
that wouldnt have taught you that anyway,

Some of the windshield companies will send you to the dealer for
calibration after they change the glass. Do you know how to do it?

Dont need to, get the dealer to do it.

And it still makes no sense for the state to require 4 years
of formal training before you can work as a mechanic.