Episode Summary: Ron Ananian – The Car Doctor


Car Repair is Getting Tougher:
Ron emphasizes that modern car repair requires constant learning. Vehicles are more complex, and assumptions can lead to misdiagnosis.


Case Study – 2015 Toyota Tacoma, Crank No-Start:


Towed into the shop with a crank-no-start issue.


Suspected fuel pump failure. Two options to access it:


Drop the rusted fuel tank (difficult due to NJ winters and corrosion)


Remove the truck bed instead — easier and safer


Diagnosed fuel system with wiring diagrams and voltage checks.


Found ~10.8V at the fuel pump resistor — enough to power the pump.


Checked for ground and continuity — both were good.


Considered immobilizer as a cause (Toyota uses fuel cut in anti-theft and overheating situations).


Scan Tool Confusion:


Snap-On scan tool incorrectly reported a fuel cut.


Opus scan tool and factory Toyota software showed no fuel cut.


Lesson: Don’t rely on one scan tool — use multiple tools and verify against known good data.


“Scan tools don’t fix cars — they gather information.”


Confirmed Bad Fuel Pump:


Used a test light (round headlight bulb) to confirm power delivery.


Replaced pump, truck started.


Gas gauge issue followed: showed empty despite a half-full tank.


Removed and reinstalled the pump to cycle float — gauge returned to normal.


Lesson: Sometimes parts need time or manual cycling to recalibrate.


Video Content Coming:


Recorded the repair in stages with help from the shop crew.


Will be posted online, tied into the radio show for deeper understanding.


Industry Insight & Customer Behavior:


Ron notes customers are increasingly anxious about car costs and repair timelines.


Reminder: Don’t keep calling the shop — they’ll let you know when your car is ready.


Listener Call – 2000 Toyota Tundra Brake Job:


Caller had trouble fitting new pads and caliper.


Ron advises:


Always replace rotors with pads to ensure proper bedding.


Be cautious about caliper piston not fully retracting.


Clean and inspect slide pins.


Older calipers may need replacement.


Scolds (gently): "You're doing it wrong, brother."


Listener Call – 2013 GMC Terrain with Tapping and Stalling:


Symptoms: Tapping sound, surging at stops, stalling.

Upcoming Appearance

📻 Ron will be on WOR Radio (NYC) at 9:40 AM on Monday, May 5, launching a new segment series on dashboard warning lights—starting with the Check Engine Light.

Visit us at https://www.cardoctorshow.com
Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian   
Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos 
Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900   
Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time 

 

 

Episode Summary: Ron Ananian &ndash; The Car Doctor
<ul data-start="190" data-end="2675">
<li data-start="190" data-end="365">
Car Repair is Getting Tougher: Ron emphasizes that modern car repair requires constant learning. Vehicles are more complex, and assumptions can lead to misdiagnosis.
</li>
<li data-start="367" data-end="980">
Case Study &ndash; 2015 Toyota Tacoma, Crank No-Start:
<ul data-start="426" data-end="980">
<li data-start="426" data-end="478">
Towed into the shop with a crank-no-start issue.
</li>
<li data-start="481" data-end="677">
Suspected fuel pump failure. Two options to access it:
<ul data-start="544" data-end="677">
<li data-start="544" data-end="617">
Drop the rusted fuel tank (difficult due to NJ winters and corrosion)
</li>
<li data-start="622" data-end="677">
Remove the truck bed instead &mdash; easier and safer
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="680" data-end="746">
Diagnosed fuel system with wiring diagrams and voltage checks.
</li>
<li data-start="749" data-end="819">
Found ~10.8V at the fuel pump resistor &mdash; enough to power the pump.
</li>
<li data-start="822" data-end="877">
Checked for ground and continuity &mdash; both were good.
</li>
<li data-start="880" data-end="980">
Considered immobilizer as a cause (Toyota uses fuel cut in anti-theft and overheating situations).
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="982" data-end="1306">
Scan Tool Confusion:
<ul data-start="1013" data-end="1306">
<li data-start="1013" data-end="1071">
Snap-On scan tool incorrectly reported a fuel cut.
</li>
<li data-start="1074" data-end="1144">
Opus scan tool and factory Toyota software showed no fuel cut.
</li>
<li data-start="1147" data-end="1247">
Lesson: Don&rsquo;t rely on one scan tool &mdash; use multiple tools and verify against known good data.
</li>
<li data-start="1250" data-end="1306">
&ldquo;Scan tools don&rsquo;t fix cars &mdash; they gather information.&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="1308" data-end="1683">
Confirmed Bad Fuel Pump:
<ul data-start="1343" data-end="1683">
<li data-start="1343" data-end="1414">
Used a test light (round headlight bulb) to confirm power delivery.
</li>
<li data-start="1417" data-end="1450">
Replaced pump, truck started.
</li>
<li data-start="1453" data-end="1525">
Gas gauge issue followed: showed empty despite a half-full tank.
</li>
<li data-start="1528" data-end="1607">
Removed and reinstalled the pump to cycle float &mdash; gauge returned to normal.
</li>
<li data-start="1610" data-end="1683">
Lesson: Sometimes parts need time or manual cycling to recalibrate.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="1685" data-end="1858">
Video Content Coming:
<ul data-start="1717" data-end="1858">
<li data-start="1717" data-end="1780">
Recorded the repair in stages with help from the shop crew.
</li>
<li data-start="1783" data-end="1858">
Will be posted online, tied into the radio show for deeper understanding.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="1860" data-end="2083">
Industry Insight &amp; Customer Behavior:
<ul data-start="1908" data-end="2083">
<li data-start="1908" data-end="1994">
Ron notes customers are increasingly anxious about car costs and repair timelines.
</li>
<li data-start="1997" data-end="2083">
Reminder: Don&rsquo;t keep calling the shop &mdash; they&rsquo;ll let you know when your car is ready.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="2085" data-end="2483">
Listener Call &ndash; 2000 Toyota Tundra Brake Job:
<ul data-start="2141" data-end="2483">
<li data-start="2141" data-end="2193">
Caller had trouble fitting new pads and caliper.
</li>
<li data-start="2196" data-end="2428">
Ron advises:
<ul data-start="2217" data-end="2428">
<li data-start="2217" data-end="2282">
Always replace rotors with pads to ensure proper bedding.
</li>
<li data-start="2287" data-end="2345">
Be cautious about caliper piston not fully retracting.
</li>
<li data-start="2350" data-end="2383">
Clean and inspect slide pins.
</li>
<li data-start="2388" data-end="2428">
Older calipers may need replacement.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="2431" data-end="2483">
Scolds (gently): "You're doing it wrong, brother."
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-start="2485" data-end="2675">
Listener Call &ndash; 2013 GMC Terrain with Tapping and Stalling:
<ul data-start="2555" data-end="2675">
<li data-start="2555" data-end="2611">
Symptoms: Tapping sound, surging at stops, stalling.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2677" data-end="2680">
Upcoming Appearance
📻 Ron will be on WOR Radio (NYC) at 9:40 AM on Monday, May 5, launching a new segment series on dashboard warning lights&mdash;starting with the Check Engine Light.
Visit us at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cardoctorshow.com">https://www.cardoctorshow.com</a>
<ul>
<li>Follow Us On Instagram&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp;@ronananian&nbsp; &nbsp;</li>
<li>Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos&nbsp;</li>
<li>Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900&nbsp; &nbsp;</li>
<li>Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive. Call us at 855-560-9900.

With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive.  Call us at 855-560-9900.

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, master technician, and trusted voice in car repair and consumer advice. For more than 30 years, Ron has blended real-world shop experience with straight-talk radio, helping drivers understand their vehicles and the industry with clarity, humor, and honesty. As host of the long-running Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor radio show—heard nationwide across major networks—he brings diagnostics, storytelling, and practical wisdom together in a way only a seasoned mechanic can. Whether it’s a tough trouble code, a buying decision, or a behind-the-scenes look at shop life, Ron delivers the insight listeners rely on.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, master technician, and trusted voice in car repair and consumer advice. For more than 30 years, Ron has blended real-world shop experience with straight-talk radio, helping drivers understand their vehicles and the industry with clarity, humor, and honesty. As host of the long-running Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor radio show&mdash;heard nationwide across major networks&mdash;he brings diagnostics, storytelling, and practical wisdom together in a way only a seasoned mechanic can. Whether it&rsquo;s a tough trouble code, a buying decision, or a behind-the-scenes look at shop life, Ron delivers the insight listeners rely on.

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor™

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - April 26, 2025 - Hour 1 - The Difficulty Diagnosing Cars - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/75c7952f-d170-4177-8e30-b2cb014b1be4/transcript

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