Shaken JCI or car inspection WTF???

[TheLastDon]

Ok, I always do the Shaken for both of my cars but this is the first time I have heard of this crap. Checking for the seatbelt light. I freaking failed my inspection because the stupid seatbelt light would not come on. I had to rip apart the whole freaking dashboard just to replace a 10 cent LED for the seatbelt light. That stupid inspection shhhh it gets more and more rediculous everytime.

[socalheart]

did you go through the military for jci or do it yourself style? i've never failed a jci, but i drop off my car at my mechanics and let them do what's necessary to get it to pass jci. after 30 years, no complaints.

[DoctorP]

They added that check in the last 2 years...it was never checked on me until this year and I was shocked that they would check for it! The only thing I can guess is that someone (several someones) must've used it as an excuse to get out of tickets for not wearing their seatbelts.

Sounds lame, but I can see it happening.

I do my JCI myself, and rarely have problems passing. I keep an English copy of the inspection and prep my cars about a month out to ensure that they are ready.

[TheLastDon]

Socialheart, I did it myself at Foster JVRO. I have always have done it myself there because I think the Shaken is a joke and the biggest ripoff BS in Japan. People have always told me that the people at Foster are aholes and will try to fail you for the dumbest stuff. I never believed until now. I am curious how much do you pay the garage to do yours? AND that's the first time that they have checked the seatbelt light. If someone could point me to a reasonable garage to do the work it would be much appreciated.

[TheLastDon]

Totally lame and I was thinking the same thing as you DoctorP BUT JC how many stupid people get in thier cars and see that light and think to themselves "Oh I better fasten my seatbelt"

[DoctorP]

I feel your pain man...but there are so many stupid people in the world...look at how many drive down the street with brake lights out and they have absolutely no clue.

[TheLastDon]

Don't get me started on brake lights. The 3rd brake light on the wing of the trunk was burned out as well and I couldn't find a replacement. Luckly my friend helped me out and took one from a van and cut that stuff to fit. Just curious if you know Doctor P. Do you know how much I have to pay if I don't bring it back on the same day and the current JCI is still good? Do I need to pay the AFFES inspection fee again and/or the tax stamp?

[P_chan]

You need to pay the tax stamp and the inspection fee again if you bring it back the next day. I think the tax stamp, I can't remember. I know the inspection fee for sure.

[DoctorP]

I believe the inspection fee is good for 2 weeks...like PChan said, you have to pay for the tax stamp (about Y1,500).

If you fail inspection, you can go through on the same day at no charge.

I failed before and went through the line like 5 times just to check headlight adjustment...but no extra charges to do it.

[socalheart]

my last jci was done with kanji plates as non-sofa. it cost approximately 85000 yen. i dropped off the car, picked up a loaner and came back a couple days later. :shrug:

[TheLastDon]

Yes, I could not remember either. It does not really matter I have to pay it anyway. Shooganaii! I just couldn't remember. I know your feelings too DR.P. I used to drive behind the Commissary with a piece of chalk for the stupid headlight adjustment. If you know what I mean.

[P_chan]

Last year they didn't fail me for my headlights. I could have swore they were going to because once I turn my lights on, it looks like the right one is angled slightly upwards. Or maybe the left one is angled down, I don't know

But my JCI is due in march so we'll see.

[Fonze]

I leave next July and one JCI episode was enough for a lifetime.

[DoctorP]

my last jci was done with kanji plates as non-sofa. it cost approximately 85000 yen. i dropped off the car, picked up a loaner and came back a couple days later. :shrug:

Big difference between 85,000 en and $450!

I'll take the $450 and do it myself.

Yes, I could not remember either. It does not really matter I have to pay it anyway. Shooganaii! I just couldn't remember. I know your feelings too DR.P. I used to drive behind the Commissary with a piece of chalk for the stupid headlight adjustment. If you know what I mean.

I just wish someone would explain why Typhoon Motors doesn't open until 11AM! :cursing::cursing:

You go down early, get the car inspected, something fails, then you either sit and wait until MCCS decides to open up...or pay AAFES your next born child to let them do the work!:cursing:

[socalheart]

i have to get a parking light changed before i switch my kanji plates to y plates. i think that's it though. need to remind my husband about it...

[TheLastDon]

My one friend who works at typoon motors told me that even though he knows everything about the inspection he pays a garage to do it at the LTO(Land Tranportation Office) because he knows the dicks at Foster will look for any little thing to try and fail you. One more thing that pissed me off was they tested the sound level coming from my exhaust. One guy stood behind the car with a decibel(SP) meter and another guy got in the car to rev the engine. The guy who was reving the engine got done and said I only went to 4500 rpm should I do it again. The other guys says yeah go ahead. BUTTT listen to this the fcker honked the horn while he was reving the engine both times. I was like WTF and he was like WHAT? The othe guy said hey you passed don't worry about it. Those buttholes should relize that some guyjins speak japenese. Yeah I passed that test but failed already anyway so on top of the other crap they wanted me to replace he freaking muffler as well?!?

[Fonze]

The place were I bought my Honda after my Surf tanked the test told me if I was still on Island to bring it back to him and he'd get it passed.
He got my honda passed with my tires sticking out to far, something I failed with the surf.

[newvalor]

hey where exactly is this place that you can do your own JCI???
My car is stock but I can do all the work myself since it's simple stuff to me. I have heard the dreaded things about CV boots being a big thing to go bad, I know mine are almost worn out.

But I would definately like to save some money here since I'm just gonna be selling it a yr after the JCI is done.

[DoctorP]

It's called the Auto Hobby Shop (Typhoon Motors). There's one on Kinser, Foster, Courtney, Hansen...and occasionally Schwab. There is also a hobby shop on Kadena...Knock yourself out.

[newvalor]

what you just go in there and ask to do a JCI? I never done this junk before, I thought you had to go to the road tax place on foster.

[DoctorP]

what you just go in there and ask to do a JCI? I never done this junk before, I thought you had to go to the road tax place on foster.

Ok...here, let me see if I can explain this clearly.

1. You can go to AAFES or Typhoon Motors and request a "pre" JCI inspection. It will cost $$, but they can point out possible problems. Then it is up to you to either fix it yourself, pay them to do it, or go to an outside garage for the repairs.

2. You take a good look at your own car, fix what is obviously wrong, then go through the inspection line yourself...not hard, just takes a little of your time to do so.

3. Forget the whole thing, pay someone to do the JCI for you.

I'll post more later about this.

[Tanimaga]

The Hobby shop on Kadena can only do a pre-JCI for your vehicle, and not a complete one.. no light alignment, emmisions, or dB check. Best bet is to get a pre-JCI checklist from one of the shops, look it over, and fix what you can yourself.
If you have a fairly well maintained vehicle, I recommend the "do it yourself inspection" thru base. If not, Mercy Auto or Gushikawa Auto Palace (GAP) are both good places for inspection.

[P_chan]

lol I love the term 'light alignment'. Usually all you have to do is tighten some screws and it's fixed. Matter of fact, my lights are slightly off, yet I passed JCI last time.

[DoctorP]

IMO GAP will rip you off...way too much money. I never used them, but I've had a few friends that did.

[DoctorP]

lol I love the term 'light alignment'. Usually all you have to do is tighten some screws and it's fixed. Matter of fact, my lights are slightly off, yet I passed JCI last time.

News Flash...that is how you align them! :rolleyes:

[P_chan]

yeah I know, but they make it seem all technical once it's really simple. Kinda reminds me of the 'headlight fluid' story I heard a long time ago.

[DoctorP]

I love when they fail people for lights. One lady was PO'd one day and almost crying. I took her car to the commissary, pointed the lights on my truck, adjusted them...she went back and passed 10 min later!

[Tanimaga]

I think the key is to use the same shop more than once. GAP did my truck (mini A plate) for 30,000 (includin scrapping fee). Got it back the same day.

Nothing is technical once you know how to do it..

[DoctorP]

I've only paid to have someone do JCI for me once...that was enough. I'll never pay again.

[Tanimaga]

I don't blame you, but if your in the "biz" so to speak.. it gets cheaper and simpler.

I had a "rod" that never left the house for JCI. Cost a little more, but well worth it.

[newvalor]

dang DP I know you've probably answered the question a dozen times, but don't act towards the rude side some. Just breathe man

anyways, I'm gonna do the pre-jci myself and fix it myself. like I said my car is fully stock so working on it is nothing. So when i'm ready I just go to typhoon and tell them I'd like to have the JCI done. wow, that does seem really simple. I've just never seen one be done or seen where they do them at typhoon the times i've been out there.

Hey I know cars, but when it comes to having this JCI done I'm a NOOB.

[DoctorP]

They can't do it for you...they will do a Pre JCI inspection to let you know what may fail...I think it costs around $70.

Only private garages can do the JCI for you. Typhoon Motors has contracts with garages where they can send it out for you to be done, but that too will run a little pricey!

If you have even a little knowledge of cars, you can do it yourself easily and save a few hundred dollars.

[newvalor]

They can't do it for you...they will do a Pre JCI inspection to let you know what may fail...I think it costs around $70.

Only private garages can do the JCI for you. Typhoon Motors has contracts with garages where they can send it out for you to be done, but that too will run a little pricey!

If you have even a little knowledge of cars, you can do it yourself easily and save a few hundred dollars.

thats exactly why I ask the questions. thanks Doc, sorry if it's a pest of a question for ya.

[DoctorP]

no, not at all. I just wasn't clear enough when I explained it earlier. Glad that you understand better now!

[Tanimaga]

Actually, you do not need a garage at all to do the shaken. You can have a go at LTO near Kinser yourself. My friend does it when he needs the cash. BUT they will be a little more picky. But you will be doing all the footwork yourself. Sometimes not worth the hassle.

[Tanimaga]

You can go to the LTO and get your plates, inspection, pay all the fees, etc.. yes. You still must go to the Vehicle Registration Office on base for the final paperwork. Rules and Regs change almost daily..if you are interested, I can get the complete info, and get back with you.
If you are talking about the Korean lady who works there, I had an arguement with her just a couple months back.

[newvalor]

dang it guyjin and tanimaga, those are what keep me asking questions. I have no clue where and what to do at these places. All I've figured out is to get the checklist from a hobby shop, check all/replace all, then go to typhoon to have the JCI done. Or am I still on the same page and you guys just lost me with some other things now?

[Tanimaga]

Ok...Once I get all the info, I will start a new thread in the car section.

The lady at VRO does have a way about her. Her husband is ex-Army, and about the most laid back cool guy you could ever meet. My buddy does JCI's and always has clashes with her. Most everyone that comes thru our shop has experienced her special brand of customer service.

The hobby shops are a good place..usually they will have an inspection sheet you can go thru yourself. Keep in mind though, the more cheaper you try to make it, the more difficult they will make it for you. For example, if a garage does a JCI for you, most the little things will get thru. Small hole in the exhaust, nick in the windshield, etc.. will be overlooked. If you do it yourself, they will hit you up for these things. If your at LTO everyday, you could probably get a golfcart JCI'd.

[DoctorP]

I hear a lot of people complain about JSVRO...the lady you speak of is actually quite nice. Picture yourself answering the same questions hour after hour, and listening to people bitch all day for not being prepared!

Now... as for the inspection itself. I find that if you have the car ready, they may look harder, but they do not purposely try to fail you. I have been through the inspection twice with no findings doing the JCI myself. A few times I was stumped by small little things, but I find that generally if you go in with a good attitude, and are nice to the people working there, they are very accommodating.

[Tanimaga]

I understand that better than most, as her job is very close to mine. There are ways of dealing with people, and ways of dealing with people. Then again, I've been called every name in the book...until they walk a mile in the shoes.

I could tell you some stories.

[DoctorP]

"walk a mile in someone's shoes"

Think about that a minute. You see her...maybe 1 or 2 times every couple of years. She sees probably 15,000 people a year (minimum), couple of hundred a day, and 3/4 of them come in there unprepared, and 1/2 of them are ticked off for no reason other than they were ill prepared!

Most of the instructions anyone needs is online. If you can't follow instructions, then you should just pay the extra money to have someone do this stuff for you.

I don't know her personally, but I would not want her job either!

[DoctorP]

Then I am sure you have your Shut together and are not a problem when you go in there, and all of your paperwork is in order? If so, then she is in the wrong and should obviously kiss your toe!

Customer service?...bs! This is not Wal-Mart or Burger King. You do not have a right to own and operate a car here. It is a privelige, and people should be a bit more curious when they go down there. Have you ever watched how others act there? It's like as soon as they walk through the door, someone hit the bitch switch on them and they are ready to unload on whoever is in front of them.

Don't get me wrong. I've seen her act poorly, and I do not condone it, but I can understand why it happens. I think if most of us worked there just a few hours, most of us would never go back.

[Tanimaga]

If you read the post with "Walk a mile in someone's shoes", you will notice I was saying it in defense of the lady. That I've been called plenty of names before, but once they see things from my prespective...they understand my actions.

But..

After being here going on 18 years, doing many, many JCI's (working for a garage) I do have my "shut" together. Still I get some attitude.

I see at least the amount of people a year that she does...not paperwork, but the repairs that their vehicles require. When they come see me, they have failed their JCI's, already pissed, have a time limit, husband/wife TDY, need it done now, now, now,...etc..
Put her in MY shop with no A/C, and every customer wanting her to fix all their car problems "really quick"..."It'll only take you a couple seconds..." Turns into 30 min. of heavy labor. I'd swap jobs with her any day of the week.

Customer service IS a necessary skill, and IS preached by the Marine Corps.
Otherwise, I have just as much (if not more) justification to take out stress on customers. Few arrive prepared, and most wont follow the most basic of rules or instructions.
I supervise 12 people (IHA/MLC/Local hire/military), and if employees (or patrons) get out of line, I have to take action. No one should feel abused when they are in my shop.

Driving is a privilege on Okinawa, but driving is a privilege on ANY city, state, or county road in the US. That should have absolutely no impact on how someone treats you at VRO or the DMV.

[Tempestuous]

I think we paid something like $500 to have someone deal with it all for us.
$50 bucks is worth not having to deal with all the headache and running around. Drop it off, pay the fee, take it home. No waiting in lines, no dealing with attitudes, you don't have to order parts & then fix it, and it isn't eating up all your time off.

Time is more valuable than money in many circumstances.

[Muku]

I think we paid something like $500 to have someone deal with it all for us.
$50 bucks is worth not having to deal with all the headache and running around.
If I had a choice I would rather pay the $50:D

[Tempestuous]

The $50 I was referring to was the $50 difference between the $450 cost DrP mentioned and the $500 we paid.

[Muku]

The $50 I was referring to was the $50 difference between the $450 cost DrP mentioned and the $500 we paid.
Gotchya!:thumbup1:

[Fonze]

The Korean lady has always been helpful and courteous to me BUT without a smile. I also know she has another job after that and acts the same way. some people refer to her as one of the most powerful people on the island. I think the one with a problem there is the black lady she just is rude and seems like she hates her job.