Had to choose between a 3-hour diagnostic or just replacing the alternator on a 2008 Civic

Dylan Smith · 2026-03-12T16:05:06.566836+00:00

I went with the diagnostic, found it was just a corroded ground wire, and saved the customer almost $400, but man, I really had to argue with the service writer who just wanted the quick sale.

hayden7206mo ago

That service writer probably sees a dozen Civics a week with bad alternators. It's an easy guess that's usually right. Doubt they were too pressed about missing one sale.

5

avery_nelson5mo ago

Yeah, that "salty" look is real. I've had to pull service writers aside before and just lay it out. You gotta tell them that doing the actual diagnostic builds way more trust with the customer than pushing the easy part. That customer will come back and tell their friends. Missing one alternator sale is nothing compared to that.

2

sarahh816mo ago

So what did the service writer say when you showed them the fix? Bet they were salty about it.

-2