KG Automotive

05/14/2023

Intermittent Problems: Labor Policy
Very often vehicles exhibit problems intermittently. The problem might happen once a day, once a week, once a month...maybe only a few times a year! Issues like this are understandably very difficult to track down.

If you are contacting KG Automotive to look at an intermittent issue, it is crucial that you keep the following points in mind to maximize the chances for a successful diagnosis:

Make specific notes of when the issue is most likely to occur. For example, I might ask the owner:
How often does the problem occur?
When did you first notice the problem?
Were any repairs done prior to the start of the problem?
Does the problem occur when...
the engine is cold or warmed up?
cruising on the highway or idling in town?
accelerating or decelerating?
turning left or right?
it's wet or cold or hot outside?
To complete a 100% accurate diagnosis, I MUST be able to reproduce the problem.

If I cannot reproduce the problem within the first hour, I will not proceed further unless the customer requests further testing. Customer will be billed for one hour labor, with a diagnosis "no problems found at this time."

I can still provide a general recommendation based on the described symptoms, history codes stored in the vehicle computer, and available Technical Service Bulletins. However, I would strongly encourage the customer to wait until the issue gets worse, at which point it will be , at a later date (separate diagnosis fee will apply).

05/14/2023

KG Automotive unconditionally guarantees the accuracy and quality of our work:
The customer doesn't pay a cent until KG Automotive completes a thorough diagnosis and recommendation for repair. We document all findings with notes, photos, and sometimes a video camera if the issue is unusual.

If the initial diagnosis is incorrect (rare, but we are all human), we will perform the diagnosis again FOR FREE. Lost labor time and parts costs due to an incorrect diagnosis are NOT covered by KG Automotive.

If the recommended repair is completed by KG Automotive, we guarantee the repair for 30 days.

If the recommended repair is completed by a third party, KG Automotive cannot be held responsible for an improper repair. If a problem still exists after the recommended repair is complete, we will gladly take another look at the vehicle. However, if we find that the repair was completed improperly, or that the replacement part is defective, a separate diagnostic charge will apply.

The diagnostic process often requires test driving the vehicle and partial disassembly to gain access to electronic components or wiring. KG Automotive will perform the necessary work and return the vehicle to the customer as it was prior to beginning any work.
KG Automotive is fully insured, so any accidental damage to the vehicle is covered.

The KG Automotive 100% Guarantee in action:

Below are three real-world examples of when the "recommended repair" did not fix the vehicle, and KG Automotive was called back for a follow-up diagnosis:

Example 1: Misfire on 1989 Ford Bronco II V6:
Initial customer complaint on his '89 Ford Bronco II V6 was an engine misfire and low power. The initial diagnosis was a clogged fuel injector #3, and the recommended repair was to replace the #3 injector and clean the fuel rail.
After completing the repair at another shop, the engine was still misfiring. Kevin came back for a second diagnosis, and found that the technician did not fully plug in one of the six fuel injectors! After the injector was plugged back in, the truck ran fine.

In this case, the second diagnostic call was NOT FREE, since the comeback was caused by an improper repair.

Example 2: Blown fuse on 2003 GMC Safari van V6:
Initial customer complaint on his 2003 GMC Safari V6 van was that a fuse kept blowing for the reverse lights every time he shifted the vehicle into PARK. We diagnosed the problem as a faulty (shorted) Park-Neutral Safety switch. The switch was replaced at a shop, but the the fuse kept blowing. Kevin performed a follow-up diagnosis, and found the actual problem to be an intermittent short to ground of the Park-Neutral Safety Switch wiring harness rubbing on a sharp metal bracket.

In this case the second diagnostic call, including tracing the shorted wire, was FREE. We also repaired the harness for a discounted additional charge. The new park-neutral switch and installation were NOT covered. In the end, the customer was happy and his van was fixed for good.

Example 3: Crank no-start after engine swap on 2003 Jeep Liberty V6:
Initial customer complaint on his 2003 Jeep Liberty was a no-start after replacing the engine. During the diagnosis Kevin found that the CAMSHAFT reluctor ring was incorrect for the 2003 control system, since the replacement engine came from a 2004 donor vehicle. Kevin recommended that the cam sprocket should be swapped over to the replacement engine, a 4-hour job. The shop technician swapped the cam sprockets, but the engine still did not start. We came back for a second diagnosis, only to discover that the CRANKSHAFT reluctor wheel was also different between the 2003 and 2004 engines! To replace this part would have required complete engine removal and teardown, which was not economically feasible. The particular engine swap should not have been attempted in the first place!

In this case the second diagnostic call was FREE. Even though the first diagnosis was correct, it was not complete. Four additional hours of labor were spent with no result, based on my initial diagnosis. Unfortunately, this case was an expensive learning experience for the diagnostician, the technician who performed the engine swap, and the owner of the vehicle.

05/14/2023

Diagnostic Services:
KG Automotive specializes in solving driveability and electrical issues on any year, make and model car, truck or SUV.

We use advanced diagnostic equipment (OEM-level scanners, oscilloscopes, meters) and OEM factory service information to efficiently pinpoint the problem with no guesswork.

Engine / Driveability:
no-start, long crank time
low power, rough idle, misfire
charging system (alternator, battery, parasitic drains)
overheating
transmission shifting problems (electronic controls)
4x4 and AWD systems (electronic controls)

Emissions:
"Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" light
EVAP (Evaporative Emissions System); on-site leak tracing
EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)
VVT (Variable Valve Timing)

Safety:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
VSC/TCS (Vehicle Stability Control / Traction Control System)
SRS (Safety Restraint System: airbags, seatbelts)
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)

Accessories:
Lighting
Gauges
Wipers
HVAC (heating, A/C, blower)
Power windows, door locks, seats, mirrors, audio, etc.

Once the diagnosis is complete, KG Automotive can perform the following repairs on-site:

Component Cleaning & Adjustment:
Sometimes a proper repair does not require new parts, but only a thorough cleaning or adjustment of a component. Examples include cleaning certain sensors, removing carbon buildup from a throttle body, or adjusting the ignition timing and idle speed on older vehicles.

Wiring Harness & Connector Repair:
Many electrical issues are caused by wiring or connector failure: broken wires, rubbed-through insulation, corrosion, etc. Often the most cost-effective and long-lasting solution is to repair the existing wiring or connectors. KG Automotive offers professional wiring repairs using high-quality solder and watertight shrink wrap. In some cases KG Automotive can also repair cracked relay and switch pins for a fraction of the replacement parts cost.

Programming Services:
As vehicles become more complex and computerized with each model year, often a module replacement and/or OEM programming is required to complete the repair.
KG Automotive offers module programming/flashing for GM, Ford, Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge, BMW, Mercedes, VW/Audi, Land Rover/Jaguar, Nissan, Toyota, Kia/Hyundai.

All services performed by KG Automotive are covered by the KG Automotive 100% Guarantee!

07/15/2017