Yock's Auto Electrical (Cubao)

[joey81]

My car's alternator developed a problem a coupe of days ago. A respected(?) PHM member recommended Yolk's for alternator repairs. Yock's pala (thanks to another PHMer) kaya hindi ko makita sa yellow pages. :p

There are three Yock's in eyp.ph: one in Malate, one near Banawe, QC and another in Cubao.
Went to the one in Cubao because of its location and it was mentioned in other forums that it has been in business since the 70's.

Drove from Cainta with a non-functioning alternator and a half-charged battery. Syempre walang aircon. Bawal din bumusina. Dashboard indicators died on me when I reached the Kamuning U-turn slot. Buti na lang umaandar pa ang makina. Buti na lang green agad yung traffic light. Battery finally went dead when I was about to enter the driveway of Yock's. Photo finish! Hehehe.

They said the rotor was already broken. They have on stock a similar rotor that they already rewound. Swapped it in, replaced bearings. I was warned that sometimes the regulator "IC" (really an electronic module inside the alternator) gets damaged, too, along with the rotor. IC costs 2.3K

The alternator was then in the testing jig. I watched how he tested it (forgot to watch how he tested the rotor). He connected the alternator wires into the jig and turned it on. Dials and indicators showed 13V to 14V and about 18 to 20 amps. The was RED light thats continuously lit.
He said the IC is broken. I asked how did he know. He said "the red light should turn off when your battery is charging." Not convinced, I scrutinized how he connected the alternator: there are 4 contacts total, not counting the ground. I took note where he connected the red light.

He got an IC from their stock and started to took the alternator apart again. Nakabantay na ako. Hindi ko na hiniwalayan. He was acting strange while removing the IC. Parang malikot hindi mapakali.
Then he dropped everything. 12 noon, lunch.

Hindi ako nag-lunch. Hindi ko nilayuan yung alternator ko, baka masalisihan. After an hour he resumed removing the IC. I inspected the "broken" IC, looking for identifying marks, baka mapalitan, eh. Finally we got to test the alternator with the new IC. The red light now turns off.
But on a different wire!! Tinanong ko na. Bakit yang pula ang ginagamit mo ngayon, yung itim ang ginamit mo kanina, ah? Ibalik mo yung lumang IC, test ulit natin.

Doble bantay ako ngayon habang dini-disassemble ulit, baka may gawin na hindi maganda, eh. Just before he assembled it, I inspected again. One of the two contacts of the IC wasn't soldered!! "Hindi nakahinang ito, oh! Ihinang mo yan!" Another inspection, konti lang yung tingga na nakakapit. Inagaw ko na yung soldering iron, ako na ang naghinang. BTW, ngayon lang ako nakakita ng soldering iron na ganun kalaki. 3/4 yata ang laki ng tip.

Haba na pala. Fast forward... The old IC was working fine. And I kept close watch while he mounted it on my car.

Horsie is fine now. But I'm still wondering if the rotor is really broken. Maybe Jarod was right about the belt being loose.

P.S. I don't think this is the Yock's recommended by respected PHMer. Oo nga, Yolk's nga pala ang recommendation nya, :cool:

[JayL]

If the belt was loose before then most probably it will squeak.

[joey81]

Thanks, Jay. I can sleep soundly tonight. ;)

[rosy]

joey81, I'm glad to know that your kariton is in good condition again, its really a hassle if your car bogs down when specially this time maraming spots na mapupuntahan for a vacation or relaxation. Have a nice and peaceful ride again with your kariton.

Ingat lang sa pag mamaneho bro.

[balarila]

This is sad.

I've known Yock's for a long time. And it's recommended by many old hands I know. Even my office, which has a fleet of vehicles would go there for rewinding truck alternators. My old Vitara's alternator was resurrected by that very same dinghy shop in Cubao, without the broken-IC attempt.

I hope this was an isolated incident and was the act of a sinister employee and not the company's MO.

BTW, one other shop I go to for electrical repairs is Rey's Electrical in Marikina. I found they know what they're doing and reliable. Of course, nakabantay rin ako.

[willyfernando]

This is sad.

I've known Yock's for a long time. And it's recommended by many old hands I know. Even my office, which has a fleet of vehicles would go there for rewinding truck alternators. My old Vitara's alternator was resurrected by that very same dinghy shop in Cubao, without the broken-IC attempt.

I hope this was an isolated incident and was the act of a sinister employee and not the company's MO.

BTW, one other shop I go to for electrical repairs is Rey's Electrical in Marikina. I found they know what they're doing and reliable. Of course, nakabantay rin ako.


I agree with Ding. Both companies have been known to be very reliable with their work. There are a few rotten eggs even in the best places of business. I have been going to Rey's in GIL FERNANDO AVE. in Marikina near Sta. Lucia whenever the need arises and it's very near your area Joey81 so I guess that would be the best place for you next time (hopefully not in the nearest future). Glad your Horse is fine now.

[joey81]

@willy, ding, thanks for the info on Rey's. The old chinese lady said they've been in business since 1965. She also said Mitsubishi and Honda casas employ their services for repairs. I have no doubt on the quality of their work.

And the owner (old chinese guy with a car, so I assumed he's the owner) said that for corporate clients they automatically replace the ICs. Only with individual clients they test first before replacing. This was when the new IC was being installed.

I might need to drop by Rey's one of these days. When stuck in traffic the aircon's cooling power is not as good as it used to be. But its OK when I'm driving on the highway. I suspect its the condenser fan.

@rosy, yup! Vacation time, but no relaxing for me. Cleaning the room aircon now and then will move it upstairs. Another bedroom will be activated hopefully today.

[timber715]

mukha ka kasing mayaman eh... ayan tuloy :D

[jarod]

When stuck in traffic the aircon's cooling power is not as good as it used to be. But its OK when I'm driving on the highway. I suspect its the condenser fan.

As I see it, the only difference that may affect the aircon between highway driving and being stuck in traffic is that the condenser is not that aerated. One easy way is to check your condenser fins for debris. Not sure if the refrigerant pressure or volume has to do with it.

[balarila]

Rey's electrical on Gil Fernando Ave (karugtong ng Imelda) has an "annex" right beside it that does aircon. That's where I have my car aircon cleaned and maintained. So far happy with their service.

[jarod]

You just need to be very very very early as they have so many clients every single day!

[rosy]

@ balarila,

Great info sir ding on the aircon shop near REY's electrical, I'll give them a visit after the holy week, maybe monday or tuesday and have my van's aircon cleaned and checked. Been driving for the past two months without aircon, I don't know yet if wala ng freon or just need some cleaning. I've been also asking friends here a good reliable and reputable aircon shop, e wala dito sa area namin.

With regards to REY's electrical, yes I've heard before that they really give good service in that shop, satisfaction guaranteed nga raw sa customers.

[balarila]

Glad to be of help, Rosy. To be more specific of my experience at the aircon shop:

My Everest's aircon was not gettnig cold at the rear. Apparently, some ducting got cracked and came off. Casa estimated a few thousand pesos of repair. The aircon shop charged less than a tenth of that by using some super glue.

In hindsight, I could've done it myself but it would've been a hell of a job because I'd have to remove some panelling.

I also have my cars aircons cleaned regularly there. Dirty condensers can become very expensive.

Also had my Vitara's alternator replaced at Rey's. Afterwards, did some checking of prices and was happy to find I paid just right.

On the bad experience side, I would never go back to that automobile aircon shop at the corner of Xaviervlile and Langka. Can't recall exactly what was done but I couldn;t help feeling swindled. Classic case of repairman finding one thing wrong after another when sensing your willingness to pay just to get it over and done with.

[rosy]

Yes balarila thanks and some assurance coming from your experience will help a lot.

THANKS again.

[edtf]

There is also a Rey's in Cubao - 15th Ave. Always satisfied with their work.
The best part you can talk to the owner - Rey himself :) if you have any complaints