Ron Ananian dives into the complexities of automotive repairs, sharing a fascinating case about a 2020 GMC Denali with a recurring no-crank issue. After multiple starter replacements, Ron uncovers an intermittent battery problem that had gone unnoticed. He discusses the challenges of modern vehicle diagnostics, including the intricacies of electronic systems and the importance of thorough testing. Listeners will appreciate Ron's practical advice and humorous anecdotes, making this episode both informative and entertaining.
In this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens with a visit to the local liquor store and a simple question—“How’s business?”—that quickly turns into a bigger conversation about the crazy state of the world, the economy, and yes, auto repair. From there, he dives into a head-scratcher in the shop: a 2020 GMC Denali with an intermittent no-crank that’s already on its fifth starter in five years. The owner’s “hammer tap” trick has always worked—until it doesn’t. Ron walks through modern battery testing, why today’s algorithm-based testers can miss an intermittent failure, how his old-school carbon pile load tester finally cracked the case, and why he ended up replacing both the battery and starter with parts he trusts.
The phones light up and Ron tackles a grab bag of real-world problems:
A Toyota Tacoma with a long-standing rear “thump” that feels like someone hit you from behind – is it axle wrap, pinion angle, or something in the suspension geometry?
A nasty rear brake job on a Ford Transit, and a shop tip on using CRC Pro Series Brake Clean to tame the rust and mess.
An ’03 VW Jetta TDI with swapped engines and questions about injection timing, scan tool accuracy, and when you really need a dedicated VAG-COM tool.
A Ford F-250 no-crank with a remote start system in the mix, where Ron explains why you have to think in terms of wiring paths, junction boxes, and key fuses like 27, 13, and 31 instead of just “bad starter.”
And a quick, practical mini-clinic on tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS)—why you can’t judge a tire by kicking it, how temperature affects pressure, and what that little door-jamb placard really assumes.
If you want real-world diagnostic stories, straight talk about the insanity of modern car design, and practical advice you can actually use on your own vehicle, this episode’s for you.
"I had a 2020 GMC Denali in the shop this week and it was an intermittent no crank."
The GMC Denali is a fancy version of GMC's trucks and SUVs, offering more luxury and comfort. The 2020 model includes high-tech features and a smooth driving experience.
The GMC Denali is a premium trim level of GMC's trucks and SUVs, known for its luxury features and upscale design. The 2020 model offers advanced technology and a comfortable ride, making it a popular choice among full-size truck buyers.
"...it was an intermittent no crank. Now, something about this truck raised my eyebrows right away..."
'No crank' means that when you try to start the car, the engine doesn't turn over or make any noise. This can happen for different reasons, like a dead battery or a problem with the starter.
'No crank' refers to a situation where the engine does not turn over when the ignition is engaged, which can be caused by various issues such as battery failure, starter problems, or electrical faults. This term is commonly used in automotive diagnostics.
"The customer dropped it off and he said, I need a starter. And I said, how do you know you need a starter?"
A starter is a part of the car that helps the engine start. If it's broken, the car won't turn on.
A starter is an electric motor that initiates the engine's operation by turning it over when the ignition is engaged. If the starter fails, the engine won't start, which is why it's a common repair issue.
"...There's an anti theft process because the vehicles are so worried about people stealing it, which I'll tell you the story about the guys that were just indicted..."
An anti-theft process is a way to keep cars safe from being stolen. It includes things like alarms and special keys that make it harder for thieves to take the car.
An anti-theft process refers to the systems and measures implemented in vehicles to prevent theft, such as immobilizers, alarms, and keyless entry systems. These technologies are designed to deter thieves and protect the vehicle from unauthorized access.
"...1962 Chevy, a key, a purple wire, a battery, a starter, turn..."
A '1962 Chevy' is a car made by Chevrolet in the year 1962. Chevrolet is a popular car brand, and cars from this time are often considered classic.
The mention of a '1962 Chevy' refers to a vehicle from Chevrolet, a well-known American automotive brand. The 1962 models are part of a generation that includes various popular models, such as the Chevy Impala and Chevy Nova, known for their classic styling and performance.
"And sure enough inside opus, if you go look at park neutral switch, it's listed. However, we later found out in talking with tech support after some research that the park neutral switch position is an invalid parameter inside the scan tool and you don't use that."
The park neutral switch is a part that makes sure your car won't start unless it's in the right gear, like park or neutral. This helps prevent accidents when starting the car.
The park neutral switch is a safety feature in vehicles that prevents the engine from starting unless the transmission is in park or neutral. It ensures that the vehicle cannot accidentally move when starting the engine.
"The way GM decided to do it, because technology, the more technology is better technology when the vehicle is in park, there is a multi sensor switch inside the transmission, trans one, trans two, and it shows duty cycle or percentage."
A multi sensor switch is a part in the car's transmission that checks different things, like what gear the car is in. It helps the car's computer know how to work properly.
A multi sensor switch in a vehicle's transmission monitors various parameters, such as gear position and duty cycle, to ensure proper operation and communication with the vehicle's control systems. It plays a crucial role in modern automatic transmissions.
"inside the transmission, trans one, trans two, and it shows duty cycle or percentage. So if in park, trans one reads 25%, trans two has to read 75% in reverse."
Duty cycle is a way to measure how often something is working compared to how long it's being checked. In cars, it helps understand if parts are working correctly.
Duty cycle refers to the percentage of time a system is active compared to the total time it is monitored. In automotive applications, it often indicates the operational status of components like sensors or actuators, helping diagnose performance issues.
"...I got out my old carbon pile tester, which is the old school from 40 years ago. They tell you not to use it. They say it's not accurate..."
A carbon pile tester checks how well a battery works by putting a load on it and seeing how much the voltage drops. It's an older method that some people say isn't as reliable for today's batteries.
A carbon pile tester is a device used to test the capacity and condition of a battery by applying a load and measuring the voltage drop. It's considered outdated compared to modern testing methods, which provide more accurate results.
"...standing voltage 12.1 bringing up to 180 Amps, which replicates the amount of load a starter would put on it on average..."
Standing voltage is the amount of electricity a battery has when it's not being used. It helps you understand if the battery is charged and working well.
Standing voltage refers to the voltage of a battery when it is not under load. It is an important indicator of the battery's state of charge and health.
"...bringing up to 180 Amps, which replicates the amount of load a starter would put on it on average..."
Amps are a way to measure how much electricity is flowing. In cars, they show how much power is being used by things like the starter when you try to start the engine.
Amps, or amperes, measure the flow of electric current. In automotive applications, they indicate how much electrical power is being drawn from a battery or supplied to a component.
"...battery voltage went to eight, eight, eight, six, eight, two, seven and a half. And the machine shut off."
Battery voltage is how much electrical power a battery has. It's important because if the voltage is too low, the car won't start or run properly.
Battery voltage refers to the electrical potential difference provided by a battery, which is essential for starting a vehicle and powering its electrical systems. A healthy car battery typically has a voltage of around 12.6 volts when fully charged.
"I put a car quest advanced, right? I put an advanced auto parts starter in this truck, which some people might say, hey, that's a step down."
Carquest is a store where you can buy car parts. They sell things like batteries and starters that help your car run properly.
Carquest is an automotive parts retailer that provides a variety of parts and accessories for vehicles, including starters and alternators. They are known for their quality and reliability in the aftermarket parts industry.
An alternator is a part that makes electricity for your car. It helps keep the battery charged and powers things like the lights and radio when the engine is on.
An alternator is a crucial component that generates electricity to power the vehicle's electrical systems and recharge the battery while the engine is running. It converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy.
The Ford F-150 is a well-known truck that many people use for both work and everyday driving because it's strong and comfortable.
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup truck known for its versatility, comfort, and capability, making it a favorite among both work and recreational users.
"It just comes on the dash and says engine system fail or starting system failed."
This message means there's a problem with the engine that needs to be checked. It could be something simple or more serious, so it's best to have a mechanic look at it.
The 'engine system fail' message indicates a malfunction in the vehicle's engine management system, which can be caused by various issues including sensor failures or electrical problems.
"or starting system failed. But it cranks over, right?"
This message means there's a problem with the part of the car that helps it start. It could be the battery or the starter, and it should be checked by a professional.
The 'starting system failed' message indicates that the vehicle's starting system, which includes components like the battery, starter motor, and ignition system, is not functioning properly.
"But I also read we're all completely remote start. If it's failed or shorted, it might do that."
Remote start lets you start your car from far away, usually with a button on your key. It's handy for warming up the car before you get in.
Remote start is a feature that allows a vehicle to be started from a distance using a key fob or mobile app, often used for convenience or to pre-condition the cabin temperature.
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I went and saw Matt at the liquor store this morning.
I'm going to a big celebration tonight and I want to give the honoree a nice bottle of
scotch and I got him a nice bottle of scotch when we were talking.
And I said, how's business, Matt?
Because to be in a liquor store on the weekend and there's nobody in sight, he goes,
ah, you know, Ron, business is way off.
You know, he goes, it's really, I haven't had a great weekend since Fourth of July, which
and I looked at him and I said, is that normal?
And he goes, well, I don't know.
And the classic line right from Matt over there at my wall liquors.
He said, you know, he said, you would think in the state of the world and the state of
the economy and the state of everything else.
He goes, you're either one of two things.
You're either depressed or you're celebrating and either way you're drinking.
And I said, you know, that's, that's a fair point.
I never kind of thought of it that way.
And he said, you know, there's just insanity around in all of everything that we see going
on. I, you know, and I said, let me tell you this story and the story as I related
to Matt is this one.
I had a 2020 GMC Denali, good segue, huh?
I had a 2020 GMC Denali in the shop this week and it was an intermittent no crank.
Now, something about this truck raised my eyebrows right away when I first had it
brought in and this is the second time it's back in.
I actually, I sort of had a comeback.
It came in two weeks ago.
The customer dropped it off and he said, I need a starter.
And I said, how do you know you need a starter?
And he said, because watch, and he crawled under the truck, he had a hammer in his pocket.
It was the funniest thing.
He had a hammer right in it.
You know, he says, run, get in the truck and push on the button.
I push on the button and he hits the starter with a hammer and the truck starts.
And I shut it off and it won't start.
And I say, okay, I'm holding the button down and he hits the button with his hammer with
a button. I'm sorry.
He hits the starter with the hammer and it starts.
He says, I want you to put a starter in the truck.
Well, but we should, no, he says, I want you to put a starter in the truck.
He goes, that has worked on every vehicle I've ever run since the 70s.
He's an older fella.
And he said, my dad taught me that trick.
And yeah, you know, you kind of can't argue that, right?
You say, you know, you tap it, it starts.
It's a bad starter.
He said, I know it's a starter because this will be the fourth starter my truck has had.
And I'm adding it up.
I'm going, it's a five year old vehicle.
It's a 2020 GMC Denali, right?
He's put, this will be the fifth starter.
And I'm thinking, how is that possible?
Every 20, 25,000 miles, we put a starter in the truck.
Like it doesn't make any sense to me.
But listen, you know, it was reasonable to ask.
It was a reasonable thing to do.
I put a starter in the truck, went out and got the best brand new.
And you know what new means in my world, starter I could find.
All right.
Just like all the other brand new GM starters I could find.
So, so we put a starter in the truck, started right up.
Did it need the hammer?
I said, Chris, you're good to go, baby.
All right.
I said, it starts.
You can leave the hammer at home.
He goes, I'll keep it in the backseat.
You never know.
Just in case he goes, I'm getting used to it.
This is the hammer I bought for the truck.
All right.
So, you know, a couple of days goes by, three, four days goes by.
And somewhere around the fourth or fifth day I said, Oh, I'm feeling brave.
Let me just text Chris and say, Hey, by the way, how's the truck?
And he writes me back and he says, I think you jinxed me.
He goes, it just didn't start.
I'm in my driveway at my house.
It didn't start.
He said, I tried the hammer trick and it didn't work.
Oh, wait, it started.
He said, I'll be right over.
He comes over, he gets under the truck, we shut it off.
It won't start.
He taps it with a hammer.
It won't start.
I looked at him.
I said, you realize we're into something different.
He goes, yeah, I get that.
So, you know, it's a crazy business.
How do we go from one extreme to the next to the next?
You know, we're going to be on starter number six in five years.
And I'm looking for what did everybody else miss?
Remember, as Matt at the liquor store said, it's an insane world.
Well, auto repair kind of epitomizes this, right?
It really is crazy.
So I go through the truck.
I can't reproduce it because that's the other problem, right?
As soon as it was the next day, when I came in the next day, now I can't
duplicate the problem as far as I'm concerned, the truck's acting normal.
So I, you know, do diligence, tell me what's absolutely, what can I verify?
Absolutely positively is good.
I tested the battery.
I, I voltage drop tested the cables.
Now, when I, when I tested the battery, I used the industry standard
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