🎙️ 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.

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 

 

 

🎙️ Ron Ananian: The Car Doctor &mdash; Episode Recap
Main Topic: The True Cost of Diagnosis &amp; 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 &mdash; starting with the infamous Check Engine Light.
<hr data-start="505" data-end="508">
🔧 This Week&rsquo;s Opening Rant: Diagnosis Costs Are No Joke
Ron opens the show addressing a hot topic:
<blockquote data-start="617" data-end="687">
&ldquo;Why are diagnosis costs so high &mdash; and why are people so shocked?&rdquo;
</blockquote>
With today&rsquo;s vehicles functioning more like rolling computers, diagnosis isn&rsquo;t a matter of swapping a part or running a quick test. It requires training, tools, and time. As Ron says:
<blockquote data-start="873" data-end="945">
&ldquo;Have we taken things to an extreme? Maybe. But this is where we are.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr data-start="947" data-end="950">
📢 Coming Next Week: Jared Wilson &amp; the Fight for the Right to Repair
Ron previews an upcoming conversation with Jared Wilson, a farmer-turned-activist who&rsquo;s become a key voice in the Right to Repair movement.
<ul data-start="1176" data-end="1456">
<li data-start="1176" data-end="1268">
Jared made national headlines fighting for access to repair his $600,000 farm tractor.
</li>
<li data-start="1269" data-end="1370">
When it broke mid-harvest, the only option was to tow it to a dealer &mdash; risking total crop loss.
</li>
<li data-start="1371" data-end="1456">
Ron highlights how this battle affects everyone &mdash; including the food on your table.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="1661" data-end="1664">
📞 Caller Spotlight: Eric in PA &mdash; 2013 Chevy Suburban
Eric shares a bizarre issue with his Suburban:
<ul data-start="1773" data-end="1975">
<li data-start="1773" data-end="1841">
After a GM crate engine swap, the voltage drops while driving.
</li>
<li data-start="1842" data-end="1905">
The A/C shuts off, and the truck goes into limp mode.
</li>
<li data-start="1906" data-end="1975">
The fix? Turning on the headlights restores the voltage to 14V.
</li>
</ul>
Ron&rsquo;s take:
<ul data-start="1989" data-end="2406">
<li data-start="1989" data-end="2112">
This could be tied to GM&rsquo;s energy-saving mode, a headlight circuit anomaly, or even a network module failure.
</li>
<li data-start="2113" data-end="2406">
Suggests digging into:
<ul data-start="2140" data-end="2406">
<li data-start="2140" data-end="2195">
Scan tool data: Are any modules dropping offline?
</li>
<li data-start="2198" data-end="2240">
Wiring harness &amp; cluster connections
</li>
<li data-start="2243" data-end="2332">
The oil pressure sensor, which might be feeding bad data to the instrument cluster.
</li>
<li data-start="2335" data-end="2406">
Rule out any aftermarket electronics or engine swap side effects.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Ron&rsquo;s philosophy:
<blockquote data-start="2428" data-end="2506">
&ldquo;Tell me what&rsquo;s good. Before we chase ghosts, let&rsquo;s confirm what&rsquo;s working.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr data-start="2508" data-end="2511">
📞 Caller: Joe in NJ &mdash; 2003 Malibu with Low Miles
Joe scored an '03 Malibu with only 66k miles but had to replace the water pump. Ron says that&rsquo;s not shocking for a 22-year-old vehicle. Key tips:
<ul data-start="2721" data-end="2993">
<li data-start="2721" data-end="2805">
Test coolant for acidity using litmus strips (basic chemistry flashback!).
</li>
<li data-start="2806" data-end="2879">
Perform a coolant flush using a machine, not just a drain-and-fill.
</li>
<li data-start="2880" data-end="2951">
Stick with DEX-COOL (modern versions have resolved early issues).
</li>
<li data-start="2952" data-end="2993">
Brands like PEAK are a good choice.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="2995" data-end="2998">
📧 Listener Email: Bob in SC &mdash; 1996 Ford F-150 Transmission
Bob&rsquo;s E4OD reman transmission:
<ul data-start="3097" data-end="3483">
<li data-start="3097" data-end="3203">
Intermittently slams into reverse, loses all gears, and sometimes resets by cycling the key.
</li>
<li data-start="3204" data-end="3339">
Ron suspects a possible control or electrical issue, but with a nearly 30-year-old truck, it's also about parts availability.
</li>
<li data-start="3340" data-end="3483">
Advice:
<ul data-start="3352" data-end="3483">
<li data-start="3352" data-end="3409">
Consider another reman while parts are still available.
</li>
<li data-start="3412" data-end="3483">
Or bench it and inspect &mdash; especially if this isn&rsquo;t your only vehicle.
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="3485" data-end="3488">
🧠 Ron&rsquo;s Final Thought:
<blockquote data-start="3517" data-end="3700">
&ldquo;You&rsquo;re not driving a car &mdash; you&rsquo;re driving a computer on four wheels.&rdquo; Diagnostics today are about interpreting networks, modules, and signals, not just checking spark and fuel.
</blockquote>
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 2 - Tricky Electrical Problem on a 13 Suburban - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/28475ad8-a874-4741-93ba-b2cb014fc78e/transcript

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