How to deal with "Runnables" and I'm not mechanically inclined to fix?

Ladies and Gents:
Ok so I have a bit of a quandary.. It has been one ever since I wanted to get into scrapping cars. Most of the time it was never an issue because the cars I pulled in were literal junk.. they had lived their lives and were ready for someone like me to come along and put them out of their misery. As of late I have been having a bit of luck getting calls from people who have just "given up" on the vehicles. They don't know what is wrong, or they know SOME of what is wrong.. and they just want it gone and am happy to take my offer and have it hauled away.



Here is the issue. Once I get them home I go through them and basically look to see what is wrong.. as best as I know how. Once I figure they may still have life left in them.. I have tried and tried to find someone.. anyone.. who may want to give it a try to fix it with me.. knowing that the deal is- we get it running, we get it safe, we sell it off.. we both make money and both are happy.

Case in point. I just pulled in a pretty decent 1996 4WD Chevy Blazer. Basically, it has a short somewhere in the system and it is slowly draining the battery. I plopped a good battery in it- it fired right up, runs excellent, and pulled it off the trailer. 2nd major issue is that someone has been messing with the shift cable. When the shifter is all the way up- it only goes to neutral and not park. The rest of the issues on it are cosmetic. It needs side-view mirrors, it will need some new tires by the next owner.. a few little things on it here and there. So when I say I drove it off the trailer- I did.. at a guys shop that I have known for a while. For nearly a year he has been BEGGING me to up my ante and look to find cars that we can fix together, over and over he tells me "I'm missing the boat just scrapping- we need to get ones that we can FIX and sell- that is where the real money is!!" His shop is slow- like near non-existent.. right now he has one vehicle that he is working on for his friend- it has been being worked on for months (should I answer my own question here) I dropped it off nearly a week ago- his conversation and mine went like this "Hey, do you want to look at this Blazer and see if we can't get it road-worthy.. we fix it, we both make money.. what do you think?" His response "Heck yeah.. I could use the cash.. bring it over here, we'll get that thing running and turned in no time" So we are both in agreement that AS IT SITS, it is a vehicle with problems, he'd sell it off to someone as is and omit the issues and still sleep at night- I personally wouldn't. I do it "right" or she goes to scrap.

My problem now is that I've pleasantly asked "Get anything done on the Blazer today? in couple day increments. Each time "Uh nope, well I was making doctor appointments, well it's supposed to be warmer tomorrow".. on and on So in a nutshell, it has sat for nearly a week- with absolutely NO progress- I swung by on Monday evening to see it literally hadn't been touched. Now mind you I'm not worried about the outlay of cash.. I got the vehicle for a good price.. but My point is.. I want to fix what needs to be fixed and move this down the road. Right now I can't even list it for sale.. if I get it mechanically correct- I can.. but right now- no dice!

I have another guy who is a car mechanic. He owes me for a tow, and gave me the same "We can do this and turn it" Hard to believe since the swap for the tow was for him to put in my fuel pump on my truck.. I ended up paying another guy to do it because I told him I had the part and never heard from him again until he needed ANOTHER tow.

So bottom line is this: I know my limitations, I'm great at tearing vehicles apart- not so good diagnosing them and fixing them. So I'm at a disadvantage right off the bat. This blazer is too nice to go to die, but in my current knowledge base.. I don't know how to begin to fix it.. so I'm at the mercy of someone else.. problem is- I can't even seem to find this "someone else" to work with- after a year of asking every single person I thought would even be interested they all "really want to make the money" but when I get one to fix.. they have other things that are more important. Any advice to find someone to help when needed? I'm a no B.S. kind of person, and everyone who knows me- knows that- we are talking- someone just pulled away with a vehicle me and "mystery mechanic" just fixed and flipped- I'm handing him his cut before these people are at the first stoplight!

It has been the one piece of the puzzle I have yet to find. As I said about 90% of the time it is a moot point.. but when you get a vehicle that in good condition 4WD, with winter coming, that books on Trade in in this area for about $2600 bucks.. it is tough to not want to fix it immediately and try my luck at selling it off.

Any advice out there. Thanks for taking the time to read this mountainous mind-puke!

The first thing you want when working on a vehicle is the repair manual.
You might do better to find a successful repair shop and do your business with them

You'll have a hard time getting every vehicle into a perfect condition. If you sell it cheaper, as a fixer-upper, I wouldn't think you'd be responsible for it from there

electrical shorts can be tricky, as well as difficult to locate, and needs a very electrically minded person to do

Sounds like a double barrel problem with the first one being a Partnership to an extent, and personally I just have the patients for it so if I can't fix it, rarely will I reach out to someone.

Second problem with fixing stuff...and since we are both have been in construction I think you can relate to the problem of opening something up to remodel and have a tough time knowing where to stop. Sometimes I won't even start something if my gut is telling me I will get in to deep money wise or time wise (same thing really).

Originally Posted by KzScrapper

Sounds like a double barrel problem with the first one being a Partnership to an extent, and personally I just have the patients for it so if I can't fix it, rarely will I reach out to someone.

Second problem with fixing stuff...and since we are both have been in construction I think you can relate to the problem of opening something up to remodel and have a tough time knowing where to stop. Sometimes I won't even start something if my gut is telling me I will get in to deep money wise or time wise (same thing really).

Ok so you are reading my mind. Yes that is a great way to basically outline my issues yes. I do work alone- in scrapping and in my contracting company. I have wanted to expand my contracting company as well- but after 3 years at it- on my own- I have only met 1 guy- yes 1 guy that I would be willing to allow to work for me- and I couldn't afford to pay him what he was worth (he decided he was moving south) but the point being, there are not too many people out there who seem to work as I do. To me, time is $, I want to do the gig, get paid, do it well, do it right, be fair to both parties- I have to eat, they have to realize I cannot remodel their bathroom for $100 bucks.

As far as car scrapping/vehicle dealing partnerships- yeah, no go there it seems, I had one informal "partnership" We both did our own thing- but I was far more internet savvy than he, and he could sell Ice Cubes to Eskimos. We had each others backs looking for stuff for each other- but quickly he took advantage of me being "green" and I'm a fairly sharp cookie- wasn't hard to see he was swapping core parts and stealing from me right off the bat so.. we fell out of touch since. Now I know for fact he runs dirty so it was best to have cut ties a long time ago anyway.

So yes a "partnership" isn't really what I'm seeking.. just a like minded person who can bring a skill-set to the table I don't have. It is like a lot of things in life for me, if I don't know, I ask, or refer someone to someone with that skill set. In this case I just need someone who is HUNGRY for the $ as I am! I don't do this for fun per-se. But I seem to be running into a heck of a lot of people who:
A. Have the skills to do the fixing
B. Have the drool on their chin over the $ to be made
but
C. Lack the motivation to get up off their arse and work for the $ I'm literally wanting to hand them.

do you have a test light?

Originally Posted by brandon

do you have a test light?

Like a multimeter?

I did not read the entire entry so if this has been covered, I am sorry. Troubleshooting is difficult but doable. If it goes dead sitting then pull all but one the fuses, take a photo of the fuse box first. Add fuses until you have discovered the circuit that has the short.

Look for any add-ons and/or repairs to wiring, this will most likely lead you to the problem. Add on alarm systems and changes to the radio or wiring for trailer lights are ones to suspect right away. If the battery drain becomes intermittent get under the vehicle and look for wires that have rubbed on the frame and short out only sometimes.

Once you find the short do a good job of using quality products to correct the problem. Mike. (I repaired electrical systems on helos in the the USMC)

Multimeter will work too but a test light is easier to see from a distance.
for your electrical problem: take the neg battery cable off hook your test leads to the neg cable and neg post, if you have a draw you will get a reading. (light comes on with test light)
start pulling fuses until the draw goes away, you should always have some minute draw due to radio and computer memory. you are looking for a large voltage drop. if that doesn't help you find the problem then check the starter and the alternator.

hope this helps

You guys are awesome! Thanks for the tips and ideas. Maybe its best to just drag her home and give her a whirl by myself? I've learned most of what I know in life by learning it myself- by reading or asking questions of people far more knowledgeable than I.

SirScrap: "find a guy who actually wants to do the work an make money" Yes indeed, that is the goal. I actually got into doing general contracting because I saw how many people that were "contractors" that never called back, took FOREVER to do a job, did a half-hearted one. I said "I KNOW I can do better than that!" 3 years later and not one day without a paying gig on the hook.. Not too shabby. But YES YES YES.. either finding the guy or gal (I'm equal opportunity here!) "who actually wants to do the work an make money" Is what I'm hunting for.. just needing to figure out a way to find said human being!

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

I've had fairly good success with Googling the year/make/model plus symptom(s). Also can find videos of just about any repair on youtube. Those have been really helpful.

I've been there, tried that with a mechanic buddy. He says he wants work, but when I find him stuff, it's like meh...

I have another guy that does pretty good work but it's spendy.

Not sure if this was suggested, but what about throwing it on CL as a mechanic special?

Great suggestions. Yes, Youtube is a godsend for certain. I've used it to diagnose things on my own vehicles.
As far as CL.. I've done it twice with vehicles- just as they sit. Honestly, the only emails I ever get is the same el douche sending these simpleton words "Scrap that POS"
I'm sure that if I had them up long enough he would be the guy to call and say "Give ya $200 bucks for it.. seeing as you still have it a week later" That is the game around here- a lot of scrappers- they'll use any tactic they can to try and lowball ya out of something!

Originally Posted by sledge42

Great suggestions. Yes, Youtube is a godsend for certain. I've used it to diagnose things on my own vehicles.
As far as CL.. I've done it twice with vehicles- just as they sit. Honestly, the only emails I ever get is the same el douche sending these simpleton words "Scrap that POS"
I'm sure that if I had them up long enough he would be the guy to call and say "Give ya $200 bucks for it.. seeing as you still have it a week later" That is the game around here- a lot of scrappers- they'll use any tactic they can to try and lowball ya out of something!

LOL the only replys I ever got on CL was from a very nice Marine Biologist who was currently out to see and offered me MORE than my asking price via PayPal and his friend would come get it...... Yeah, never had much luck with CL.. Good Luck.

Used to fix up EVERYBODY'S car in my younger days, just be very careful, the time and parts can EASILY eat up the profit for these things especially if you have to pay for someone to fix it, you are a reasonable person who wants it done right before it sells, the trick is knowing when to quit. He will get his cut and you will be left with the bag. With a 2600$ prospective profit -split-parts,labor and the inevitable haggling it had better be a real easy fix or its not worth it. Not trying to be rude just my own experience Ive lost my shirt on more than one occasion Good luck.

Originally Posted by Ironhunter

Used to fix up EVERYBODY'S car in my younger days, just be very careful, the time and parts can EASILY eat up the profit for these things especially if you have to pay for someone to fix it, you are a reasonable person who wants it done right before it sells, the trick is knowing when to quit. He will get his cut and you will be left with the bag. With a 2600$ prospective profit -split-parts,labor and the inevitable haggling it had better be a real easy fix or its not worth it. Not trying to be rude just my own experience Ive lost my shirt on more than one occasion Good luck.

Well put and spot on! That is what I'm trying to avoid! I've had two success stories with vehicles:
1. A wrecked F350, paid the insurance buyout. Hauled it.. sold it before it got off the trailer
2. A Saturn that had a main seal leak, figured out what I would get scrapping it, got an offer for HIGHER than that figure, sold it and walked away.

Wondering if this one may see the same fate!

Use the CL to look for a mechanic for a split. Just lightly touch base on what/who your looking for in the ad.

So yes a "partnership" isn't really what I'm seeking.. just a like minded person who can bring a skill-set to the table I don't have. It is like a lot of things in life for me, if I don't know, I ask, or refer someone to someone with that skill set. In this case I just need someone who is HUNGRY for the $ as I am! I don't do this for fun per-se. But I seem to be running into a heck of a lot of people who:
A. Have the skills to do the fixing
B. Have the drool on their chin over the $ to be made
but
C. Lack the motivation to get up off their arse and work for the $ I'm literally wanting to hand them.

I did that with a young man with the better computers I was buying. I gave him better parts when needed and he would install an operating system, throw a flat screen with and sell on CL and split it.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Use the CL to look for a mechanic for a split. Just lightly touch base on what/who your looking for in the ad.


I did that with a young man with the better computers I was buying. I gave him better parts when needed and he would install an operating system, throw a flat screen with and sell on CL and split it.

I have not resorted to CL yet for that.. but I may have too. That set-up is exactly what I am trying to do. Find someone that is willing and more able than I. I know a lot of guys who are good with cars.. but cannot break the "barrier to entry" of scrapping or even buying cars to fix. They aren't good enough with their money to have the means to buy a vehicle to fix and make money.. and definitely not equipped to fork out the dough for a trailer and all the gear needed to haul cars. These were the guys I sought out.. thus far it has failed miserably on my part of finding someone that I can bring to the table what I have (cash, and a trailer) to marry up with a guy with mechanical skills and not enough disposable income to buy and haul cars.

I am in northern central Indiana, I buy/sell/scrap cars as much as I can. There is good money to be made, for sure. The very first thing I do when thinking about flipping a car is do a walk-around with pen and paper in hand. Write EVERYTHING that the vehicle needs down, no matter how big or small, from wiper blades to body parts to mechanical parts. As previously stated parts add up quickly. I try to do most of the work myself - learn as I go.. I hate electrical issues, I don't have the patience.
I - much like you - want to sell something ready to go, safe & nice. I was out of a "regular job" for about a year, and flipping cars is what I done to stay afloat.
If you would like you can send me a pm, I'm always wanting to buy projects, clunkers, and parts, etc etc. Sometimes its better to start with a $1200 car that needs TLC put $350 into it and flip it for $2200
BTW - CL can be your best friend if used properly.

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

Another thing is don't be too concerned with what the seller says is wrong with the vehicle. Some of them don't really know, and/or are too lazy to do any maintenance so they just assume the symptoms mean something major needs replaced, when it may just need fluid/cheap part.

On a Caravan I bought a few years ago the guy said the transmission was going out and also that it needed the compressor replaced.

Paid a tiny bit over scrap price for it and hauled it home.

Transmission was low on fluid. Topped it off. Ran great after that.

Belt was shredded and tensioner was shot. Once that was replaced AC was blowing cold.

Yeah had experiences like that as well. Like the 99 olds I picked up, guy said it needed a starter, just needed a fresh battery. Going to pick up a taurus next week with a bad trany but fingers crossed Im hoping a quart of trany fluid fixes it. Ive never ran accross a car good enough to resell, if the interior is shot there's no need in trying sell it because no one will want it. It amazes me how people are too ignorant or lazy to roll up a f$@@ing electric window. I just don't understand it. And being a mechanic, like me, and having access to a good shop helps as well.