The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: Thermostats, Cold Misfires, Dual-Tank Gremlins & Shop Truths

Ron opens with “the good, the bad, and the ugly,” then dives into rapid-fire diagnostics: a 2019 Chevy Blazer that loses A/C and power assist when a bad thermostat skews engine temp strategy; a 2017 Ford Explorer with P0300/P0316 cold-start misfires and how to prove cause using Mode 6, freeze-frame, power balance, and residual fuel-pressure tests; a 1996 Ford F-350 dual-tank fueling issue caused by check-valve logic/recall history; a quick clutch-interlock switch hack; and a Toyota Highlander Blackstone oil-analysis follow-up. Plus: why parts updates (hello, brake pad tape) and better shop communication matter. Practical steps, scan-tool tips, and straight talk for DIYers and pros.

Chapter Markers (condensed)


00:00 – Tease: “Good, Bad & Ugly” open; straight to the phones


01:11 – 2019 Chevy Blazer: thermostat fault, A/C & EPS cut by strategy


05:44 – 2017 Ford Explorer: P0300/P0316; Mode 6, freeze-frame, power balance, residual pressure plan


17:50 – 1996 Ford F-350: dual tanks pumping into each other; check valves & recall history


24:02 – Quick tip: clutch-interlock switch adjustment workaround


26:14 – 2015 Toyota Highlander: Blackstone oil-report results & contamination prevention


30:39 – Close: parts changes (pad adhesives), customer approach, and shop relationships
Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com


Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes


Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel


Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900


Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

 

 

 

 

The Good, the Bad &amp; the Ugly: Thermostats, Cold Misfires, Dual-Tank Gremlins &amp; Shop Truths
Ron opens with &ldquo;the good, the bad, and the ugly,&rdquo; then dives into rapid-fire diagnostics: a 2019 Chevy Blazer that loses A/C and power assist when a bad thermostat skews engine temp strategy; a 2017 Ford Explorer with P0300/P0316 cold-start misfires and how to prove cause using Mode 6, freeze-frame, power balance, and residual fuel-pressure tests; a 1996 Ford F-350 dual-tank fueling issue caused by check-valve logic/recall history; a quick clutch-interlock switch hack; and a Toyota Highlander Blackstone oil-analysis follow-up. Plus: why parts updates (hello, brake pad tape) and better shop communication matter. Practical steps, scan-tool tips, and straight talk for DIYers and pros.
Chapter Markers (condensed)
<ul data-start="854" data-end="1447" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">
<li data-start="854" data-end="920">
00:00 &ndash; Tease: &ldquo;Good, Bad &amp; Ugly&rdquo; open; straight to the phones
</li>
<li data-start="921" data-end="995">
01:11 &ndash; 2019 Chevy Blazer: thermostat fault, A/C &amp; EPS cut by strategy
</li>
<li data-start="996" data-end="1100">
05:44 &ndash; 2017 Ford Explorer: P0300/P0316; Mode 6, freeze-frame, power balance, residual pressure plan
</li>
<li data-start="1101" data-end="1195">
17:50 &ndash; 1996 Ford F-350: dual tanks pumping into each other; check valves &amp; recall history
</li>
<li data-start="1196" data-end="1264">
24:02 &ndash; Quick tip: clutch-interlock switch adjustment workaround
</li>
<li data-start="1265" data-end="1357">
26:14 &ndash; 2015 Toyota Highlander: Blackstone oil-report results &amp; contamination prevention
</li>
<li data-start="1358" data-end="1447" data-is-last-node="">
30:39 &ndash; Close: parts changes (pad adhesives), customer approach, and shop relationships
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-start="67" data-end="172">Grab your Car Doctor gear &ndash; T-shirts &amp; more at <a href="https://www.cardoctorshow.com" data-start="120" data-end="170">CarDoctorShow.com</a></li>
<li data-start="173" data-end="260">
Follow the wrench &ndash; Instagram @ronananian for shop life &amp; behind-the-scenes
</li>
<li data-start="261" data-end="333">
Watch &amp; learn &ndash; Auto repair tips &amp; videos on our YouTube Channel
</li>
<li data-start="334" data-end="419">
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 &ndash; (855) 560-9900
</li>
<li data-start="420" data-end="485">
Join the conversation LIVE &ndash; Saturdays 2&ndash;4 PM Eastern
</li>
</ul>
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&nbsp;
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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 - September 13, 2025 - Hour 2 - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/02d4fa42-a100-4aa1-ba0e-b3570155ab88/transcript

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