Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor -October 18, 2025 - Hour 2 - Sticky Steering, Cold Thermostats & “Intermittent” Compression - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline
In this hour, Ron tackles real-world fixes: a 2017 Jeep Wrangler with sticky steering (steering shaft u-joints + PB Blaster), a P0128 thermostat rate-of-rise code and murky coolant, a 2012 Honda CR-V catalytic converter myth (why cats do wear out), and a 2013 Chevy Silverado low-compression mystery (leak-down tests, borescopes, and a $20 vacuum gauge). Practical diagnostics, parts advice (MotoRad, CRC), and smart ownership tips—all in plain English. If you’re chasing misfires, no-starts, or slow warm-ups, this one’s your roadmap. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - October 18, 2025 - Hour 1 - GM Transmission Shudder, Toyota ECM Failures & the Truth About ‘Lifetime’ Fluid - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline
This episode demystifies Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and why they’re not recalls. Ron breaks down GM’s 23-NA-072 low-speed TCC shudder—what “ATF degradation” really means and why a full transmission fluid exchange matters. Then: the Toyota RAV4 P0755 shift-solenoid fault and why many were cured with an updated OE ECM, not a transmission. Plus a quick diagnostic for a 1994 Chevy Blazer speedometer that dies on bumps (VSS → DRAC → cluster, use the cruise test). Practical, no-nonsense diagnostics that save parts—and wallets. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - October 11, 2025 - Hour 2 - Battery Drains, Gear-oil Myths & Two Diesels That Won’t Behave. - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline
Ron walks a caller through the right way to measure parasitic draw (use a real meter with min/max and leave it connected), then tackles GL-4 vs GL-5 confusion on a ’99 Sentra—plus where to find stubborn drain plugs when OEMs say “obsolete.” We hit hybrid maintenance realities with a ’22 Prius CVT service, a cold-start 7.3 Power Stroke that likely needs cleaning for stiction and better cranking strategy, and a 2017 Colorado Duramax with a first-gear slip that may respond to additive—before facing the cost of a rebuild. Ron also flags industry ripples from parts-maker bankruptcies and why cheap, mystery-brand components are costing drivers more in the long run. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - October 11, 2025 - Hour 1 - Diagnosing Fuel Injector Faults - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline
Code P0203, winter-readiness, and two electrical gremlins. Ron opens with a 2015 Jeep Wrangler 3.6L that set P0303 (misfire) and P0203 (injector circuit). He walks through smart diagnostics: verify injector resistance against known-good cylinders, check the circuit from PCM to injector, then confirm with a scope or a swap test—because a component can ohm “good” cold and fail hot. From there, he pivots to fall-and-winter driving prep in response to an RV-fire traffic shutdown: fuel up, pack essentials, and plan for long, no-exit stretches. Classic-iron detour: documenting a ’67 Chevy II Nova (VIN/cowl tag and build sheet beat a window sticker). Then it’s a ’96 Olds Aurora with a fickle charge (don’t trust the dash—test the alternator feed and wiring) and an ’09 Escape no-crank likely flirting with anti-theft/steering-lock issues. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - October 4, 2025 - Hour 2 - Busy Phones & Great Conversation
Ron Ananian The Car Doctor - Hour Recap ’72 Dodge Dart (Kevin): Skip octane boosters/race gas; a true ~10:1 flat-top can run on quality 93. Focus on plug heat range, timing, and jetting. “Mild goes wild.” ’75 Chevy Van (Greg): Hot-soak flooding. If no boil-over or needle/seat drip, likely needs a pro Quadrajet rebuild/flow test after decades of service. ’08 Kia Rondo (Beth): After repeated A/C failures, weigh repair costs vs. replacement. Consider a well-kept Toyota Solara; one trusted shop > bouncing around. ’03 Buick LeSabre (Sam): With exhaust off at 250k, replace both O₂ sensors with OEM-grade parts. Changing courtesy-light delay likely requires GM Tech-2 (if BCM supports). Listener Email (Miles): Trickle-charging a 2025 Camry Hybrid is generally fine; “deprogramming” refers to adaptives, not OS. Confirm specifics with a savvy Toyota dealer. Ron’s button: We’re “the last Jedi” of hot rodding—keep the torch lit. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive. Call us at 855-560-9900.
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