<p>Well, my car is acting like a 2-year old and doesn’t want to start. I’ve spent some time trying to find review sites for auto mechanics, but haven’t had any luck thus far. </p>
<p>This is my first time having to deal with finding an auto mechanic well outside of my comfort zone (i.e. not having parents help). So, I’m calling out to all of you parents. Anyone know how I can find a good auto mechanic in Madison? Anyone happen to know a good auto mechanic in Madison?</p>
<p>I tried asking around here, but it seems most of the professors just take theirs to a dealer to get fixed and that’s not really an option for me.</p>
<p>Reluctant to start in Wisconsin may just mean a bad battery. How old is the battery? Places like Sears and Goodyear will check the battery and tell you if you need a new one.</p>
<p>If it’s not the battery, I’d get an estimate with the local dealer, first. There may be a recall or something that should be done at the same time.</p>
<p>If I didn’t like that estimate, THEN I’d look for a non-dealer mechanic. I’d do that by asking everyone I knew who owned a Japanese car where they went, including my professors, floor-mates, TAs, and so on.</p>
<p>I’ll give them a call tomorrow (if they are open).</p>
<p>dmd77:</p>
<p>It’s not just the battery. That was the first thing I checked. I got a new one, installed it, cleaned off the contacts, etc and it didn’t help any.</p>
<p>I tried calling the dealership up here but said they don’t give out quotes. I suspect its the starter and he wouldn’t even give me a quote if it was the starter. All he told me is they charge $90/hr to even diagnose problems.</p>
<p>OPHIOLITE - my gal is far from home with a car - we had her go to a quick oil change place and inquire who fixes their cars - they gave her the name of someone who was great and didn’t charge an arm and a leg to students - we have been pretty pleased with the outcome Just an idea for you - and yup - it was a water pump LOL - but could be tune up related - like points/plugs/distributor - or alternator related. Could it be wet from the weather??</p>
<p>If no, do the accessories work (headlights strong)?</p>
<p>If accessories problematic and battery recently replaced, I’d guess alternator died and has discharged your battery.</p>
<p>If accessories fine and no crank, I’d guess bad brush on starter motor.</p>
<p>If it cranks but won’t start, then electrical is probably fine and I’d move to fuel next. First guess fuel pump or if you are lucky clogged fuel filter.</p>
<p>If starts and immediately dies, I’d start looking at air components. Too many to guess at though.</p>
<p>NJRES - hey - maybe a bit behind the times LOL - I drive a Jeep so … rofl - but I try :D</p>
<p>UUUmmm cracked distributor?? I am still thinkin LOL. One of the first things we did when our gal took her car back to school was to set her up with a quickie oil change place - when you are a repeat customer - they tend to be a bit more helpful when help is needed.</p>
<p>GOALIEDAD - I like your diagnosis - sounds very logical. It reminds me of when my gal calls and says ‘’ my jeep is sick :(‘’ and I have to play 50 questions to help diagnosis the thing - gotta admit she is getting better at mimicking the sounds and noises LOL - to get even remotely close. I hate to even think of taking my jeeps to a dealer - all ya see is $$$'s :(</p>
<p>I hate to see college kids taken advantage by auto fixin - especially the gals!!! ggrrrrr</p>
<p>Another good resource is the auto parts stores - sometimes the even have helped to diagnosis what is wrong - and even help too sometimes :)</p>
<p>Make sure any kiddo who takes a car to school gets AAA for xmas - and if a great distance - AAAPlus - sure can be helpful when needed at times - and they can use it no matter whose car they are in too - even better.</p>
<p>In days past finding a good mechanic was akin to finding a good barber or butcher. I have long thrown off those days and now take our cars to the dealer. The reason is that cars are much more electronics intensive now and frequently require specialized devices for diagnosis and specialized, brand/model particular training and periodic updates. </p>
<p>Further, virtually all automakers now have service bulletins and other updates and recalls (publicized and unpublicized) specific to certain models. You will never know about recalls and in-warranty parts replacement (even if your car is out of warranty) unless you go to the dealer and they run your vehicle identification number through their database, which they are required to keep by law.</p>
<p>Since your car is likely out of warranty, you can go where you want. However, from someone who used to do many of his own repairs and adjustments I now select the best performing dealer of my make of car for service, except some basic maintenance work like oil changes.</p>
<p>As an example, a 1998 vehicle we own was repaired, for free, by the auto manufacturer due to an unpublicized recall. This kind of stuff is important and to me is worth the few extra dollars the dealer <em>may</em> cost. Another example with one of our cars (still in warranty) required the dealer to consult with automaker engineers due to a complex problem with several sensors. Your basic, shade-tree mechanic cannot properly address such problems and this allows a situation where they may replace - and charge you for it - parts that are not defective, because they cannot figure out what’s wrong and just start replacing components willy nilly. It’s far more efficient and cost-effective for us to just get the work done correctly the first time - by the dealer, who is committed to seeing it fixed correctly or having the car possibly come back to them through a state Lemon law.</p>
<p>parent2noles, it is great that you have found a good dealer, but in my experience the dealers often give mediocre (if not down right horrible) service. This is substantiated in the poor ratings the dealers have gotten in our local ‘consumer reports’ publication. My vote goes to an independent with a good reputation anytime. </p>
<p>I’ve finally found a good independent for my Subaru. One of the few complaints I’ve had about owning a Subaru is that there are not many independent mechanics that work on them in Northern California. And believe me, the dealers service was mediocre.</p>
<p>When I turn the key the radio comes on, the dome light comes on, it beeps at me (normal beeps like ‘your door is open’ beeps), and headlights work. Nothing else occurs, no clicking, no nothing, it seems like only electrical stuff is working. That’s why I thought it might either be the starter or something electrical not allowing the starter to, well, start. </p>
<p>I don’t think it’s the battery being drained down by something else working poorly as we tried to start it immediately after changing the battery and even tried to jump that battery with my fiance’s car when that didn’t work (thinking the battery wasn’t charged properly). </p>
<p>The reason I’m avoiding a dealer is because my parents are graciously paying for my repair, I’m super-broke right now from moving this summer. </p>
<p>I’ll start with barrons advice on the garage and then go down the list of well-rated garages on the CarTalk website. </p>
<p>Thank God, my parents’ 16th birthday present to me was a AAA membership and renewing it from then on so at least I can get it towed to the garage for free ;).</p>
Just an idea for you - and yup - it was a water pump LOL - but could be tune up related - like points/plugs/distributor - or alternator related. Could it be wet from the weather??</p>