🎙️ Ron Ananian: The Car Doctor — Episode Recap

Main Topic: The True Cost of Diagnosis & What It Really Takes to Fix Modern Vehicles
Special Note: Catch Ron on WOR Radio (NY) at 9:40 AM, Monday, May 5 to kick off a special series on Dashboard Warning Lights — starting with the infamous Check Engine Light.

🔧 This Week’s Opening Rant: Diagnosis Costs Are No Joke

Ron opens the show addressing a hot topic:

“Why are diagnosis costs so high — and why are people so shocked?”

With today’s vehicles functioning more like rolling computers, diagnosis isn’t a matter of swapping a part or running a quick test. It requires training, tools, and time. As Ron says:

“Have we taken things to an extreme? Maybe. But this is where we are.”

📢 Coming Next Week: Jared Wilson & the Fight for the Right to Repair

Ron previews an upcoming conversation with Jared Wilson, a farmer-turned-activist who’s become a key voice in the Right to Repair movement.

• Jared made national headlines fighting for access to repair his $600,000 farm tractor.

• When it broke mid-harvest, the only option was to tow it to a dealer — risking total crop loss.

• Ron highlights how this battle affects everyone — including the food on your table.

📞 Caller Spotlight: Eric in PA — 2013 Chevy Suburban

Eric shares a bizarre issue with his Suburban:

• After a GM crate engine swap, the voltage drops while driving.

• The A/C shuts off, and the truck goes into limp mode.

• The fix? Turning on the headlights restores the voltage to 14V.

Ron’s take:

• This could be tied to GM’s energy-saving mode, a headlight circuit anomaly, or even a network module failure.

• Suggests digging into:

  • Scan tool data: Are any modules dropping offline?

  • Wiring harness & cluster connections

  • The oil pressure sensor, which might be feeding bad data to the instrument cluster.

  • Rule out any aftermarket electronics or engine swap side effects.

Ron’s philosophy:

“Tell me what’s good. Before we chase ghosts, let’s confirm what’s working.”

📞 Caller: Joe in NJ — 2003 Malibu with Low Miles

Joe scored an '03 Malibu with only 66k miles but had to replace the water pump.
Ron says that’s not shocking for a 22-year-old vehicle. Key tips:

• Test coolant for acidity using litmus strips (basic chemistry flashback!).

• Perform a coolant flush using a machine, not just a drain-and-fill.

• Stick with DEX-COOL (modern versions have resolved early issues).

• Brands like PEAK are a good choice.

📧 Listener Email: Bob in SC — 1996 Ford F-150 Transmission

Bob’s E4OD reman transmission:

• Intermittently slams into reverse, loses all gears, and sometimes resets by cycling the key.

• Ron suspects a possible control or electrical issue, but with a nearly 30-year-old truck, it's also about parts availability.

• Advice:

  • Consider another reman while parts are still available.

  • Or bench it and inspect — especially if this isn’t your only vehicle.

🧠 Ron’s Final Thought:

“You’re not driving a car — you’re driving a computer on four wheels.”
Diagnostics today are about interpreting networks, modules, and signals, not just checking spark and fuel.

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