I am contemplating getting certified finally.
After checking around, I am under the impression that since I have 2+ years of "relevant" work in an automotive environment under my belt... that I can just register for the tests, waltz in there, get a passing grade and be certified?

Yes, I know how to wrench on cars, and good. But this seems pretty simple.
Is this true? Can anyone attest to this?

Because total cost for the tests and all is less than $300.00, and it will make a NICE difference in my take-home pay. So what do you guys think?

 

ASE master tech here
Some of you guys got it wrong though learning how to turn wrenches isnt were you make your money its learning how to figure out the electrical and drivability. Its like you gets paid more the guy who put you clutch in or the the guy who tuned your turbo kit?

 

The only ASE certified guys I know in the import modifying scene are jokes. Their cars alone show you how little they really understand and then if they ever open their mouths you will really know I'm no automotive genius but I feel really bad for them. Thats my experiance with ASE techs...

 

Read all threads created on H-T from the beggining and you'll pass those tests. Im working at a shop right now so I can say Ive officially had 2 years experience. Im also taking a few business and auto tech classes at the local community colleges so some day I can run my own business or at least manage one. If you hang your ASE certs on the wall of your own business your customers will be comfortable handing the keys over to you.

I would try to get ASE certs. Its fun bragging. Plus you might surprise yourself on how much you really know.

 

I'm ASE certified. Like everybody else said, it doesn't mean anything except that you can take tests, which I'm not very good at. Experience is the #1 thing you should have. Experience wins over everything. Now haveing your resume say you are ASE certified does look better and you will probably get paid more.

 

Here's the real deal on ASE certifications. I'm 28 now and I got started at age 19 as a Honda Pact grad. Back then I made $7.50 doing nothing more than oil changes and warranties. Well I'm currently an ASE master, ASE L1, Phase2 smog certified, and a gold level honda tech certified. Now, I make $25.80 an hour flat rate making about 60-70k a year. Doing electrical problems, emissions repair, engine over hauls, transmission over hauls, drivability problems, and maintance repair.

In this businese, I've met alot of people that are ASE so and so certified and can't fix a car. ASE certification just states that a technician has two year experiance and as base understanding in automotive repairs. ASE does not always mean more money also, you also have to prove to your employer that you can fix a car the first time, no come backs, and be productive at the same time. Well here's story, About two mouths ago we hired a tech that was ASE master and an ASE L1 certified. He was then fired after two weeks and yes he was paid alot when he was hired. I think he got $22 an hour flate rate. Anyways within his first week, he had 3 that came back and they were from service repairs. Then the following week he was given an drivability complaint on a 90 accord. That was bucking and had an hesitation. He was repairing this vehicle to what I like to call "trial and error" diagnosing. where he would throw in parts to see which will fix it. Well after spending $500 or in parts, the following money the manager showed him the door.

Out of all of the dealers and independ shops that I've worked for, I only came across one guy that had zero come backs and fix customer vehicles on the first visit. He's been doing this for 40 years and counting. This is the only guy that I ever met that makes $45.00 an hour flate rate.
I remember going to the Honda training center in Portland a fews years ago. A district zone manager and a tech line manager total me that out of 100 Honda techs 80% of them can't fix a singal problem campare to the 20% that fixs customer complaints the first visit. Now, how many guys do think are ASE so and so in the 80% compare to the 20%? Well according to Honda only 1/4 of the 80% are ASE certified compare to 20% 3/4 that was ASE certified.
Perhaps, this is the same reason now Nissan and other manufactures have mandate that only ASE masters technician can diagnose check engine lights or any related smog repairs that comes in the dealer.

in short ASE certified techs have a better understanding in automotive repairs, in some cases, then who are not. ASE does not mean that you can fix a car or make you a smarter tech or even a better tech.





Modified by 500hpsi at 8:55 AM 2/17/2004


Modified by 500hpsi at 9:00 AM 2/17/2004

 

Nice info

 

I am not ASE certified.

 

yep Iam ASE master certified with L1 and EX tests only helped when the boss told me I would get a dollor per test and 3 for L1 so i took them got the raise and nobody cares....only some shops look at that....

 

Being a good mechanic goes beyond the ability to fix a drivability issue, on one brand of car, on the first try. Having an understanding of mechanical and electrical systems and the application of that knowledge is what makes a good mechanic. The familiarity of your own brand of car does not justify you as a mechanic. That's cognitive memory, monkeys have that.

ASE certified
A+ certified
Electrical engineering student

 

I know I'm hitting this again but..

Just curious, how many of you guys out there work for a dealership?.. Because I currently work at one and from the looks of things, when I'm done with class and all, I don't really want to work there at all.. From what I see, it's all warrenty work. And then when a real problem comes in, none of the Tech's can really figure out anything.. And from class I understand that at a dealership it's all about flat rate and not about a diagnosis on a vehicle.. That's why after I'm done with school I'm thinking of joining the family owned shop just because I don't want to lose my diagnostic skills..

Can anyone back me up on this?? The only reason I can see that I'd stay at a dealership is for the benefits.. --Later.

 

26 years old
ASE master certified (and recertified)
ASE L1 certified (and recertified)
Honda Platinum Level Certified

Got the patches, cetificates, rings, watches, jackets, shirts, awards, etc., etc.

Definitely helps with pay anywhere you go. Doesn't necessarily mean you are a great technician though. After 6+ years, I finally left the Honda dealership about a year ago and went to an independent repair facility that specializes in Lexus/Toyota and Honda/Acura. They both have their likes and dislikes.

Dealerships have a lot of warranty work anymore but you also get latest training and get to work on newer lower mileage cars that aren't necessarily grease pigs.

Independent shops don't have any warranty work but almost every car you work on is higher mileage and definitely has it's fair share of driveability complaints. You also sometimes have a harder time finding good training on latest technology.

As far as money made in either shop, if you are good, you can make a lot of money in either place IMHO. In 2002 I made 80K+ and in 2003 (bad year) still made 70K+ .

Making money anywhere is easy if the work is there and you know how to find it .

Extremely strong diagnostic skills are an absolute must, as well high quality and very low comeback rate. I held a dealer record here in KC for 2002 year with a 13 month consecutive Fixed First Visit rate. This means no comebacks at all for well over a year. Could have been longer but had a customer that that had another tech work on his car roughly 4 times for the same concern and couldn't fix it and then got sent to me where the car was repaired the first time I looked at it but customer got sent a survey on the repair visit and he slammed the dealership in regards to past repair visits. Oh well though.

The best advise I can give you is to strive more for learning and expanding your diagnostic and driveability skills. If you are good, your reputation will proceed you and you will be able to go anywhere and land a job.

At the shop that I currently work at, I wasn't even looking for another job when they called me at the dealership I was working for and offered me a much better opportunity (better pay, fixed 4 day work week, 3 day weekends, etc.)

This allowed me to devote more time to my own business (Forward Thrust) so that I will be able to make that my full time job by mid-year.

Driveability skills are a must have anywhere you go but be prepared to also get less 'gravy' (easy work) in place of more check engine lights and driveability and intemittent problems, but again the money is there if you know how to find it.

Good luck