
Automotive Diagnostic Podcast
A space to explore the diagnostic & technology side of automotive repair. We discuss tools, techniques, & ideas to sharpen your skills. We'll also interview experts in the automotive field.
Episodes
341 episodes
316: Wrong Part, Wrong Keys
This week on the show I share challenges with incorrect control modules and keys when doing mobile programming. I'll share some tips to finding the correct part numbers and if we can determine whether the used module will work or not. I'll also...
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Episode 316
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40:46

315: Clayton Olive & Vasko Serovski
Vasko and Clayton Join Tomi and I this week all the way from Australia! We chat about what's going on in automotive on that side of the planet and discuss Tomi's trip. PS- I'm out of town and didn't bring a mic to record the intro/o...
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Episode 315
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2:14:04

314: Crank-Start-Stall
Expanding on the topic from last week's episode on tips for determining if a vehicle is immobilized or not, this week I touch on the car exhibiting a crank-start-stall symptom. While an immobilizer system CAN cause this in some vehicles, there ...
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Episode 314
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31:22

313: Is This Vehicle Immobilized Or Not?
Quite often we get called into shops for a vehicle that does not start or starts but does not continue to run and it's a perceived immobilizer issue. Sometimes it is immobilized for various reasons, but frequently, there is no actual issue in t...
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Episode 313
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29:44

312: Mario Rojas, Family, Faith, & Taking a Step Back
This week on the show Mario Rojas of Super Mario Diagnostics joins us to share his personal journey of taking a step back from the spotlight of the automotive world to focus on his family and his faith. This is an open and honest conversation a...
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Episode 312
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1:38:24

311: CAN BUS Diagnostic Tips
This week on the show I share some key diagnstic tips on diagnosing CAN bus faults! So much of our diagnostic work centers around communicaiton faults, and we've developed an efficant way to get to the source of the problem quickly. Join me to ...
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Episode 311
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41:51

310: Andre McDonald With Blue Origin
Andre McDonald joins me on the show today to share his path from automotive technician to working for the rocket compony Blue Origin. We talk about the struggles and challenges of dealer life and the transferable skills gained in the automotive...
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Episode 310
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1:34:08

309: Dean Sharpe & Chris Lawson on Finding—and Becoming—a Great Shop
This week on the show Chris Lawson and Dean Sharpe join me on the show. Chris (returning guest) from Technician Find helps connect auto shops with technicians. Dean is a tech-turned owner in the San Diego area. We chat about what a good shop lo...
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Episode 309
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1:38:24

308: Single Module No Communication Tips and Tricks
Today on the show I share my process for diagnosing a single module commuication failure. What to check for, what pitfalls to avoid, and some helpful tricks I use to be confident in my diagnosis. Website-
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Episode 308
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37:03

307: Nollan Worrell With Rivian
Nollan Worrell joins Tomi and I on the show today. Nollan is a trainer with the Rivian technical trades program. He'll share he journey from working at Toyota to the role he's in today, along with some knowledge about Rivian and EV's in general...
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Episode 307
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1:54:51

306: Ford F-150 No Start Takes An Interesting Twist
This week on the show I share a case study from a 2017 F-150 3.5L that is a crank- no start. The problem ends up being intermittent in nature and ends up starting for us during test both times we visit it, but we take a unexpected turn that end...
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Episode 306
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45:43

305: Jeep Module Configuration Error Diagnosis
This week on the show I walk you through diagnosing a C2206 setting in the 4x4 module of a Jeep Liberty. The transfer case is stuck in 4 wheel drive and the shop has replaced several components in attempts to fix without results. This code pert...
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Episode 305
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29:51

304: Andrew Fischer
Andrew Fischer Joins Tomi on the show this week! Andrew is a technician and trainer from Illinois and owner of FACTS- Fischer Automotive Consulting & Training. He joins us to discuss training in the automotive field and the various options ...
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Episode 304
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2:00:44

303: Charger Squad Car Smart Key & RF Hub Challenge
This week on the show I share a case study on a 2011 Former squad car Dodge Charger. It arrived to the shop as a no start and the original RF Hub missing. We attempted several different RF Hubs and key combinations before coming to a solution. ...
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Episode 303
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35:28

302: The Evolution Of Industry Events With Cody Gaddie
Cody Gaddie Joins Tomi and I on the show this week to chat about the event he recently hosted in Tucson, Arizona. We'll discuss the our thoughts on industry events, running your own business, and several other topics. Website-...
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Episode 302
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1:55:49

301: Kevin Roth With Tech Fix
Kevin Roth joins Tomi and I this week on the show. Kevin is going to share the details of TechFix and TechFix academy. TechFix is committed to providing thorough and ongoing online training for automotive technicians of all levels. ...
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Episode 301
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1:35:48

300: Episode 300! With Matt Fanslow & Tomi Oliva
300 Episodes of the Podcast! What a ride its been! Matt and Tomi have been 2 of the biggest contributors to the show, and there's no one else I'd rather have on for this milestone. We'll discuss what we've learned in the last 5 years, Entrepren...
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Episode 300
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1:43:05

299: Is Mobile Right For You? With Cory Schack
Cory Schack joins Tomi and I on the show this week to discuss his path in the automotive industry, leading to doing mobile programming and diagnostics. We'll discuss the challenges one faces going down this path. A great Listen if your consider...
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Episode 299
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1:37:08

298: John Thornton
John Thornton joins Tomi and I on the show this week! John is going to share with us his start in the automotive industry and instructing world. Also his process for documentation in the field, how that develops into class material, and m...
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Episode 298
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2:06:28

297: Just Some Kids From Chicago, With Pedro De La Torre
Pedro De La Torre Joins Tomi and I on the show this week. We discuss both their experiences growing up in Chicago as children of first generation immigrants. They share how this affected their journey in the automotive industry as well.
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Episode 297
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1:27:11

296: Miguel Cruz
Miguel Cruz "Mikey" joins Tomi and I this week on the show. Mikey is apprenticing at Tomi's shop and recently attended Vision in Kansas City. We'll discuss his experience at his first industry training event along with plans for his future in t...
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Episode 296
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1:19:10

295: 2017 Buick Lacrosse Parasitic Draw
Per request, I'm sharing a case study this week on the show. A 2017 Buick Lacrosse that sometimes will die overnight, but other times does not. We brought this one to our shop to set up for intermittent parasitic draw testing. I'll share my pro...
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Episode 295
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39:25

294: Keith Perkins & Brandon Steckler, Headed To A Land Down Under
Brandon Steckler and Keith Perkins join Tomi and myself this week on the show to talk about their upcoming trip to Australia (June 2025), for the Autocare 2025 event in Brisbane. They share the subjects they'll be instructing on, what they're m...
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Episode 294
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56:25
