How Can I Become a Mechanic?
 

I know this a kind of a personal question, however this forum has a few current and retired mechanics and I was wondering if you guys could give me some insight on getting my foot in the door in this career field.

This isn't off the whim, I've been pondering it for quite some time. How should I present myself? How should my resume be written? Do I apply in person etc.


Can someone like me, get in? I have no prior professional experience and at best an old ASE student certificate from high school and some DIY experience. Truth be told, I have more experience and mechanical inclination after working on my 300SDL than the day I came straight out of high school with 2 years of "autotech" vocational training.


What are shops I should avoid and things to watch out for? I won't give you my life story but I'm tired of my current job which is low wage food service. Friends and family always ask "Why don't you go in?" So I thought I'd ask you guys.

My end goal is to work my way into Diesels if possible either big rigs or heavy equipment, however I'll start off via any means necessary.


Looking forward to the discussion.

Any mechanic shop would die to get anyone with some mechanical aptitude and willingness to show up on time with enthusiasm to work. Sure, you may not get hired instantly at the Mercedes dealership, but any decent mechanic shop is always looking for good help, and a lot are so desperate that they are willing to train.

Go fill out some applications and I guarantee you’ll have an entry level mechanic job in a week.

Try to find an independent, big rig diesel repair shop and and approach them with what you have told us to see if they will let you get some entry level experience to start.

First I think it is great that you had that ASE Certification and the Autotech vocational training....
It shows you have had an interest for a long time....
I would try to find a company which needs Diesel mechanics.... first.. not try to work up from gas... and one which will promise to send you to the FACTORY TRAINING school that they use.... Factory Training for a particular make of engine gives you flexibility quickly....
Get a paper copy of the 617 Factory Shop Manual.... if you can understand the fuel injection systems described there.... you will be way ahead of the game....

I would think the quickest path to the shop floor is a certificate from a known trade school. Check and confirm their placement relationship with shops that interest you.

[Harshness follows]
I don’t hire mechanics for a modern shop but familiarity with a 30 year old MB Diesel won’t get you an interview with me unless my shop that caters exclusively to 30 year old MB Diesels. I imagine if there is such shop it’s fully staffed. It might help if you’re at least 60 and your name if Jurgen or Dieter or Wilhelm :p Seriously, you need to know your way around systems like SDS if you’re going to be useful in a modern shop. I can’t imagine pure shadetree mechanic skills getting you further than Jiffy Lube. Maybe Midas or Firestone if you know someone.

Maybe you present yourself well so give it a try. Just be ready to invest in certification if it’s really your goal.

Here are some listings near you:

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/trd/d/auto-technician-mechanic/6439444779.html

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/lab/d/diesel-mechanic/6439020014.html

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/trd/d/mechanic-needed/6440738549.html

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/trd/d/auto-tech-monday-fridayalso/6439006880.html

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/trd/d/automotive-technician/6434907782.html

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

One path I've seen bring career success to a number of folks is a short military enlistment. There are certain skills that are in demand in both the military and the private sector, and heavy diesel mechanic is one of them. Unlike private sector, you can enlist for 2 years in the Army with zero existing skills, and they will train you. You get out once your 2 years are up, and you are now a heavy diesel mechanic with 2 years of experience on your resume. Obviously this path is not for everyone, but it is a sure way to get training and experience in a specific technical field like heavy diesel equipment, in order to jump start your career.

Sounds like a great idea honestly.

After 40+ years of assorted professional mechanical experience I'll pass on what one of my first tutors told me. He said, when I informed him of my career choice, "Ya know how God made the first mechanic? He took an idiot and beat his brains out".:D

Can't complain about my former profession. Made a decent living, ALWAYS found something new to wonder at, learned many new skills (whether I wanted to or not), stayed in good physical shape and ended up with a boat load of tools, some of which I don't even remember what they are for.:eek:

I was in the next town over the other day and a fairly late model C300 pulls into the parking lot. I handed the driver a card for my MB repair shop and he asked me if I was ASE certified and I had to admit I was not but I did mention I was a mechanical engineer with 37 years experience. He said something about his extended warranty requiring any shop that did work for him hold ASE certs:rolleyes:.

Now that I think about it, I'll buy scanner danner's book and study from front to back for a few months, that way I'll have an advantage in applying and negotiating pay.

That why I'll also be specialized in a certain skill set. *

I went to a tech school in high school, pursued after high school training at a vocational school for diesels at night. Started as a mechanic at a small shop for mercedes and worked there for awhile and got lucky when I applied to the dealer for MB.

I wouldn't suggest going to school. It's expensive and the loans aren't cheap. It's an extra $200 a month in payments I'll make for 13 years probably. Start from the bottom and work your way up in a small shop.

20 years ago i was able to get a job at a Goodyear tire store with zero documented experience (other than many years of wrenching on my own stuff).
we did lots of tire and front end work but the shop was full service and i was able to learn how to do a lot of things on many different cars.
i'm not sure if it's still the same but i would think you'd be able to gain some experience in this way that would allow you to build a skill set and a decent resume.
best of luck and happy new year!!
G
edit: much like jake suggested

No School loans to pay off
 

That is why I suggested finding a large company which would promise to send him to the Factory School for their brand....

Agreed ,Specialize ,go for some part of the field that needs you and your training,similiar too the medical field and doctors.Newer Diesels are truly specialized.A diesel fleet service needs that 24/7 care ,this due too the way the shipping industry is on an upswing like Amazon ,eBAY and others .All shipping is and will become even a bigger giant service .Diesel power will be 90% of its ground power.As a young man you can stake your bet here .Work yourself towards one that you want to work for ,go ask some of the workers if they like their job and how they got in ,theyll tell you.

I'm looking to specializing in electrical trouble shooting (body control, engine performance, everything under the sun), being vehicles are getting more and more complex, I think I have no choice but to specialize in such a skill.

His Ebook is only $50, one heck of deal for the tons and tons of info and case studies it has. Really with that info you can work in or on just about any automotive electrical and computer control system.

All I have to do is stop talking and start doing. :)

Good news for you there's 140 computers in a 2018 e-class! You can electrical troubleshoot all day. :)

great idea....a young guy that was helping me out around here got a job at the local subaru dealer as a lube tech (this kid was an amazing mechanic already at age 18!)
he was passed over for a promotion and his GF broke up with him:(so he ended up joining the army, but it is still a viable route as i'm sure he would have eventually been promoted and trained in a specialty.

Jesus Christ!
Hmm, looks like I know where I'm headed... I have a Mercedes dealership in the neighboring city not too far from me.

And that's way too many...

Being a service tech is not an easy job to be successful at. By that I mean making steady money. It is one of the few professions that get paid commission, not hourly. You have to be employed at a business that has steady work. But the steadiness of the work depends in large part on the economy and the reputation of the business.
You can take a course at Tidewater Community College. It's a 2 year course.
When you complete that you can get a job at a local shop and start at maybe 20 an hour. Maybe some benefits.
My son is a tech at a busy dealership in Norfolk. Took him 10 years before he found a place that offered steady work. Not an easy road.
You should consider an apprenticeship at Newport News or Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Better pay, benefits, and long term job security. Shipyard work is booming right now. Norfolk Naval is looking to hire 1500 people this year.

HVAC trades are dying for mechanically skilled techs to apprentice and work...

Maintenance,
Service,
Install,
Electrician...

Appliance repair is a six figure gig if you are good and owner operator.

Just go and take the tests. I believe their are 12 general areas. Test Series - ASE

Obviously it's not a subsitute for experience, skill, or talent, but getting a few of those under your belt cannot hurt. Unless they changed the rules, you don't have to go to a tech school. Around 5 years ago, I was going to take a bunch of them and never followed through. There's enough practice tests floating around and it's not a killer amount of money.

I was told at the dealer they don't even care about ASEs anymore. The school told me to get them and yadayada but I didn't have the cash with having to save up money for tuition all the time.

Maybe that's a geographical deal. The few want ads I saw required them but that was a few years ago. I wonder how a candidate would compare? That is, someone who invested around $500 bucks and had around a dozen or so certs versus someone who had none? Take a 21-year old or someone in their late 50's who wanted to start a 2nd career. They could write down all sorts of "hands-on" experience, but I am guessing the distinguisher would be the certs. ASE is still the benchmark and golden standard out there. Wonder how much real wrenching goes on these days? The Firestone does tires, brakes, and oil changes and A/C "diagnosis" but otherwise I suspect most of those guys really don't know that much from what I can tell.

Take the practice tests you find on the net and see how you do. I think 80 % is passing. The practice tests seemed pretty easy. I might waste $40 bucks and take one to see how it goes. I could always get the little patch and sew it on one of my flannel shirts .. lol

I manage a heavy equipment shop and can tell you certifications will only carry you so far. I look for techs that have basic knowledge of electrical, mechanical and hydraulic. I will train them on any brand specifics. If they show drive and safe practices I will invest all the training they want. Most shops are the same. Research a tech field that interests you and apply.

The dealers don't care about the generalized tests. They are concerned with specific models and usually provide the special instructions/instruction regarding their models. That's good and bad.

The Kookawinga models you work on daily might use the same principle of operation but the Bullsamingo car has a completely different way to achieve the same results.

" A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

-Robert A. Heinlein"

You want a good field to go into mechanic-wise? Try fleet maintenance. Usually a salaried position, steady work, benefits and you are employed by a larger company which lessens the risk of your job disappearing at the owner's whim.

You WILL learn everything there is to know about full and complete maintenance of vehicles. Much, much more than you ever wanted to know. Bumper to bumper, tires to the sky, EVERYTHING becomes your problem.

I've been doing this since I was 5 (pretty much observing at that point) and I'm now 70, almost 71. I worked my entire career as a mechanic and then a mechanical engineering technician for the Federal Government. I'm pretty sure I've leaked at least a gallon of blood all over the projects I've done. So I suggest you skip all the training, etc. and just give a gallon of blood and get it over with.

My years as a mechanic taught me that the mechanic thing was great training but the technician thing was a better lifetime gig - I did 31 1/2 years in the Gov't.

Dan

"stayed in good physical shape"

I suppose you did not work as an auto mechanic? I can't see bending over the engine compartment all those hours be good for your back, nor breathing toxic fumes all day long. I know a friend's father who owned an auto repair shop his whole life. Don't know if related, but two years after retirement he was diagnosed with throat cancer (never smoked) and died one year later.

While I enjoyed working on my own cars as a hobby, learned a lot/ saved a lot of money over the years, I would never want to work on other people's greasy cars to make a living.

Some things to think about:

I started at 10 by pulling mowers from the junk, fixing then selling them. At 12 a bought a car to learn more about mechanical things. Over the next few years learned about body work , cylinder head removal and replacement , transmission replacement and a while world of other systems. This was all unassisted as no one in the family did much beyond general home repairs. Cars are convenient multi system machines and a great learning tool.

I opened my shop at 25 and closed it at 34 to work as a machine tech at a factory. More $ / less emotional - physical stress / better working conditions. Even though the machine tech job was viewed as a higher level than an auto mechanic, it was a much simpler job. I'm now at another factory in an equipment / manufacturing engineering position making 2X of any medium sized shop mechanic.

I have nothing beyond standard college prep high school and didn't take tech in school. I got the full boat Auto / heavy truck ASE cert as soon as I was 18.

Working in a day to day shop can mostly ruin your desire to work on your own stuff for " Fun". Having my shop wasn't all bad and I did have a core group of great customers but I could see it was a loosing battle and something I didn't want to do until I was 65

Customers _WILL_ be screaming at you because they don't want to spend $ 10 to have something fixed. You _WILL_ have customers tell their kid / wife that " See , we can't go on vacation because the bad man is taking all our money" ( Yes this really happened to me and a friends shop had a similar experience. )

Just look at the postings on the diesel side of things where home "mechanics" berate "working for a living techs" for charging X or not knowing every subtle detail of a 30 year old car.

Working for a car dealer is more or less of a revolving door, work for a while until the place becomes unbearable, find another shop, ride it for a while then repeat the process.

How are you with a blaring radio in the shop? I've seen too many sometimes less that competent shops have a radio screaming in the background as a distraction that they can little afford.

If someone has 2 years of tech in high school, I'd expect them to be fully functional as a mechanic. I'd teach them specifics about a specific car, but I'd expect them to be able to change a common part like a ball joint / tie rod end / fan belt without any assistance.

If you do go down the mechanic or any other related path, go to the local community college and take: Basic Physics , Electronic circuits , Welding , Business management. If you know how the world behaves, you can figure everything else out. These don't have to be full program classes, many schools have 1 - 2 nights a week for 8 week classes.

Consider machine tool repair, companies like Mazak and Hass are a few big players in the CNC mill / Lathe arena.

There is more but this will get you started.

interesting views, there are many good points, from passion to a job it is a long stretch. It is always a good point to see what you can do in 10 years or 20 years from now. I have been fixing my own for over 50 years and people always ask why are you doing it for $$$, then the fun stops... poorly heated space in the winter, or poorly cooled space in the summer will let you think twice when I visited the in-laws mechanice working in a wind tunnel.
Otherwise check these guys thinkings

https://www.indeed.com/forum/job/automotive-technician/AUTOMOTIVE-TECHNICAINS-DONT-GET-PAID-WELL/t32112

Much less back breaking work than an auto mechanic and very little toxic fumes to boot! I have done all of my (and my 4 sister's) home appliance repairs ...TV's, washer/ dryers, gas / oil hot water heaters, heating system, refrigerators, hair dryers, microwaves etc. you name it, just about anything electrical or electronics.

More info.

Just took a car to a new to me shop for an inspection and conversion from salvage certificate to a reconstructed title.

Told him what crash repairs were done and the general " change parts before they fail " reconditioning I typically do. " You must have a shop. " was his first reply.

Told him " used to, then went to a factory for machine repair now working at another factory in an machinery engineering position." He said " Good choice " after we talked about the troubles working / running an auto shop.

This was coming from a guy in his late 60's working a shop that his father started in 1940.

Whoop, There It Is
 

" All I have to do is stop talking and start doing. "

There you go .

I just purchased Paul Danner's (aka Scanner Danner) Engine Performance Diagnostics book, seems like a great way to learn the system inside and out, of course the book alone won't magically turn me into a master, but I should have a solid foundation. I plan on buying the power probe hook and an amp probe. That should cover a very broad assortment of tools for the time being.

I'll practice trouble shooting and diagnostics on all of my friends and co-workers vehicle's before I even apply for a shop job. That way I have something to bring to the table.

Getting sick of low wage jobs, I know being a tech won't make you rich, but at least I'll be comfortable and not living paycheck to paycheck.

Pity party over, time to hit the books, this is honestly the first time in my life I truly looked forward to studying.

Any other material you guys recommend I should look at when it comes to electrical and engine performance diagnostics?

This is how it's done ~ look at and learn on your freind's cars .

Avoid any for profit schools .

Many Adult Education Schools offer evening classes, take every one you can, begin at at the lowest level as the basics are more important and few Mechanics to - day really understand what they're doing .

No job is too small or un important to do well .

As older professional mechanics retire, there will be a big lack of skilled labor that is able to maintain our nation wide vehicle fleet.

If you really want to make big money (high five or low six figure depending on market), learn your skill as best as possible, take a business management course, and start your own garage.

There are lots of perks to being your own boss. Setting your hours (if you have a well run shop) is one of them!

I was thinking the same thing. I was draft age in '72. Vietnam was just too whack so I stayed out. But I've often thought that serving would have been a useful experience. I'm not the neatest mo-fo, not the best housekeeper. I gather that a stint in the army will inculcate the value of tidiness in a big way.

Aside from that I'd recommend a good Community College auto tech training program. I attended about 3 quarters, not full time at Alameda CC (a small island town near Oakland). Great learning experience. I was looking for more knowledge, was really too old to switch careers at that point. If you do a quarter or two at such a place, better chance that you'd get the mechanics assignment in the military that you want.

Or you could stay with a CC for a couple of years. I'll second what I just read above, be wary of for-profit schools. The CC I went to was a good scene. You were encouraged to bring in your own rig, put it up on a lift, a diagnose and fix problems. With good advice on hand. Good garages would come in asking for promising student to be sent over.

I have been on this forum since 2007, and as time has gone by, there are less and less posts from some of the smartest "mechanics" I have ever come across. Some no longer post because age has taken its toll and they can no longer work on their cars, but a lot no longer post because they can no longer work on their cars due to the complexity of the modern day automobile or truck. With todays modern vehicles, the only thing a shade tree mechanic can work on are the physical parts of the car. Front ends, mufflers, body work and anything else that can be fixed with a WRENCH. As far as engines, transmissions, and vehicle electronics, you need to own the software and machines that can get you the answers you need to make the repairs. The days of "guessing" at the problem and finding the answer are over. Brought my wifes 2012 versa with a cv transmission into the dealership with a problem. The check engine light was on, the code that I came up with gave about 12 different modules that could cause the issue. At the dealer, ten minutes after bringing the car in they had the answer and replaced the entire transmission under warranty. As some other posters have said, try to hook up with a DEALERSHIP that will put you through their training program so you can gain the knowledge you need to work in the automotive car or truck field.

This might help
 

This is specifically if you want info on getting factory training, which I think is what you were asking.

I went to this show a few months back suggested by forum members.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/388336-mega-meet-so-cal-sept-9-all-you-diesel-heads.html

The site was an MB west coast dealer prep and training center. There were a lot of students and instructors on hand to plug the training center. The teacher I spoke with was the vehicle electrical specialist (go figure). He was a young guy in his 30s.

I specifically asked what a high school kid needed to do to get training. He said graduate HS, go to a trade school preferably a public community college or trade school. Then after a couple of years of general automobile training apply with them at MB to get factory training. At that point you get sponsored by a dealership (not of your choice) and you train a year at the Long Beach facility. Then you are required to report for work at that dealership and work something like a year for them. As time goes by you’ll train periodically at the factory training center in Long Beach. They have these regional places all over the country.

You also could just be a regular tech working at a big garage and get sent there by your boss.

Personally I’d not take this path. But I’m not an auto tech type. It might work for you if you want to wear the blue and gray shirt with the star.

Just saying because this is the only place I met “factory techs” given my avoidance of the dealership.

excellent choice, I dont have his book or anything but my educational background went through all that his book has, You can earn a very decent wage depending on how good you are at it.

Modern cars are all electric gizmos and computers on wheels and knowing the inner nitty gritty and being able to literally "see" a failure show up on an O-scope is jackpot in a repair.

To get the full potential of his book I would suggest you get an oscilloscope (even an old analog one at first) and hook it up to some VR or hall effect sensors on any old car to see what they behave like.

e.g. old GM fast start systems on a 3.4 litre v6 have two crank position sensors, one feeds the ICM and one goes to PCM direct, but the actual rpm info of the engine is generated by the ICM to the PCM as a 5V digital sine wave and is actually referenced by a VR sensor which is feeding the ICM with 7 pulses from the crank. The direct to the PCM sensor is just for idling quality surety, thats why those engines idle like glass.

The whole story is to say that once you have a scope in hand you can easily "see" the failure and decipher hows its built rather than just reading an OBD tool and shooting parts at it.

[QUOTE=Father Of

Any other material you guys recommend I should look at when it comes to electrical and engine performance diagnostics?[/QUOTE]
Look up Jim Morton. They call the guy Sherlock homes with a wrench. He was my teacher.

I'll look him up too, I saw one of his videos so far.

I actually don't want to work for MB specifically, it also seems like a lot of work to do so if you wanted to.

Thanks, I was unaware of this, I'll definitely save money for a high quality scope too.

This sounds pretty interesting. I'll look into that.

I did the tech school route going for a 2 year associates in automotive tech. Id recommend it personally. Yeah you end up with loans or whatnot, but chump change compared to a 4 year college, and most tech schools are well integrated into the field and are fantastic at achieving job placement for graduates. For instance Ford swooped in and grabbed numerous graduates and sent them immediately to factory training and placed them in local dealerships. Great first step to get into the industry.

Its also a huge draw for shops for employment during your education. Hire a kid, or hire a kid whos currently enrolled in automotive courses? One choice shows a lot more motivation and interest in the field. Another nice thing about most tech schools is they are organized around someone holding down a job. I held two jobs and attended school either very early in the morning, or late at night. It was a tiring few years, but very rewarding.

Before you buy anything, post exact model numbers of what you want to buy so we can see if the tools will do you any good ( or are too much $ )

Good you want to gain skills, generally higher skills pay more $. If you follow what I had outlined in prior posts, you can move to a machine tech position at a factory post sutomotive.

Even at this point, contact a CNC machinery dealer like HAAS or Mazak to see if they have a future position for you / apprenticeship / what skills you need to attain / if they are looking for entry level help for machine installs. They will train you on machine specifics and , especially with HAAS , most all of the machines under a brand have the same basic electronics. Even across brands the basics are similar.

I'd play is as: Contact machine dealer asking " What are you looking for in a machine tech ? " Then ask, "What classes should I take from this CC brochure to fill your requirements. " Letting them know you are willing to work for a position but are somewhat down on funds so a 2 or 4 year degree isn't in the offing.


Take a basic _electronics_ course at the local community college ( nights / weekends ) you _need _ some electronics basics in order to become a proficient electrical mechanic.

Let the instructor know your goals, you need practical hands on knowledge not formula memorization. Don't be too concerned if you don't do well on a test that has piles of formulas or " name the resistor value by color code by memory. " , real life is open book and memorizing this kind of stuff doesn't do much in normal troubleshooting.

Terrific !
 

You guys are great ! offering him all this good advice .

When I started out long ago, many of the Mechanics I'd ask said " I already know that, you don't !" then turned away .

I learned much from my various factory and dealer training but the best came from Veterans who took the time to teach me what to know, what to look for and most importantly, HOW THINGS WORKED .

Knowledge is useless/worthless unless freely shared .

Have a look at the HAAS employment web site. Don't let the job titles put you off. Talk to someone at the dealership to see if there is a place for you.

https://int.haascnc.com/career_hfo.asp?intLanguageCode=1033

No matter what you finally pick, at least investigate a wide variety of careers with similar core skills so you know what is out there.

I just wanted to give an update, got Paul Danner's book, and it's so information dense while being concise it's amazing.

This might be the best investment I've made in my life. Me being completely oblivious to anything electrical, his videos are a god send because you're able to fully grasp the concepts in action. I'm only 14 pages in and learned so much, I'll start from the beginning and take detailed notes so I become fully competent. I'm reading it before going to work so I'm not really hitting the books full force yet.

I'll update again, good while from now (months, maybe a year from now) once I acquire some diagnostic tools and actually attempt to step foot in the trade, i'm willing to save a pretty penny for a good scope too.

FOG, when I went to school, I heard all about the scopes and the stuff that guy says in the book. In the real world, in the Mercedes dealer, you don't use any of that garbage. It's not at all like that. All you need is a multimeter, test light and the scan tool at the dealer and that is all you use. My job mostly consists of recalls, brakes, tires, A&B services and PDIs. The most difficult electrical things goes to the foreman and I've never seen him once use those overpriced tools and he has the problem figured out within an hour or two.

Don't waste your money man. Get a grasp on series, parrelel circuits and learn how to read a diagram and what your meter does and you will figure anything out.