Welcome to Shotgun Diagnostics

Our Mission:

Create a place for technicians that want to collaborate, improve, and engage in continuous training

Develop and deliver innovative training that empowers technicians with confidence in themselves and their diagnostic judgement

Host a roundtable event each month that allows technicians to share their case studies, cars they are struggling with, or experiences they've learned from to enrich and improve fellow technician's perspectives

Facilitate open and honest communication in the automotive community amongst all levels of stakeholders including: owners, technicians, service advisors, parts specialists and anyone else in the field!

Automotive Roundtable Case Studies Event (2024-08-19 18:03 GMT-5)

Automotive Roundtable Case Studies August 2024

In this episode we had a great case study from Mike Christopherson on a ECM driver circuit. Mike Blacconiere gave us a tutorial on the comprehensive battery, starting, and charging test using the MT Pro Oscilloscope. Haakan performed a bench programming of a Ford BCM using the Topdon RLink with the Godiag GT100 breakout box. Hope you enjoy!

Meet FAFO Ferret:

Your Automotive Information PSA Messenger!

The Decline of Critical Thinking SkillsHere's how to get back this important life skill.

Check out This Article On Psychology Today!

This article talks all about critical thinking. It's interesting because much of what is discussed in the article (especially the numbered bullet points) really encapsulate what you need in order to be successful both as an automotive technician AND in life.

Shotgun Diagnostics AI Shootout Webinar (2024-07-31 10:58 GMT-5)

AI Exploration/Shootout

In this webinar we did a "shootout" of sorts between 3 AIs. Two of these are not automotive specific, one is. We fed each AI the same prompts and then compared the results. Hopefully you find this eye opening and useful. There will no doubt be many changes and improvement to AI options in the future. We will do another "episode" like this again down the road to see where things are at.

Automotive Module Programming: a 40k ft Overview

Are you or your shop looking at getting into automotive module programming? Then this video is the perfect introduction for you! In this video I explain the different types of programming: Scan Tool Cloud-Based, J2534, OEM Interface, and Cloning.

Transmission Programming, Coding, and Learning/Relearning

If you are interested in becoming more comfortable and knowledgeable on the foundations of transmission servicing, take some time to watch this video. This will provide you with a strong foundational understanding of transmission coding, programming and learning/relearning.

Thermal Imaging:

Basic Principles and Everyday Use Tips

Oscilloscopes 101

In this video I cover a number of Oscilloscope Basics. You will find this helpful if you are just getting started with Oscilloscopes. You might pick up a thing or two if you are a veteran user as well.

VW Diagnostic and Training on a 2015 VW Jetta

In this video I will walk you through a problem on a 2015 VW Jetta that had a cruise control problem. We will discuss the entire diagnostic process and examine some tools that may help you in how you think about any diagnostic problems you encounter in the future.

Fault Code Logic: A different perspective on diagnostics

This video will discuss the logic behind fault codes, how a control unit determines or judges when a fault occurs, and some of the limitations of that design. This training will change how you think about diagnostics and make you a better diagnostician. Stay tuned as this class will be expanded into a 3 or 4 hour class likely to be presented at Vision 2023!

Identifix Training: a means to improve your efficiency as a technician

In this video I will walk you through a number of the finer points of navigating Identifix. This training is primarily made for technicians, but will also help service advisors. We cover many of the commonly needed and used features of the site and ways you can increase your overall efficiency and effectiveness with the site.

Here's the calendar for our upcoming roundtable events! You can access the link for the event by clicking on it.

May24 Roundtable Case Studies Event (2024-05-06 18:30 GMT-5)

May 2024 Roundtable

Back again with some awesome cases! We've got a Porsche Panamera with strange symptoms and scope captures, a harley that won't start, some strange Ford DPS6 transmission issues, a Chevrolet Suburban with a network communication issue and a Jaguar with a parking brake concern.

Feb24 Roundtable (2024-02-22 18:35 GMT-6)

Feb 2024 Roundtable

Join us again for more case studies! We have an FCA Transmission Solenoid concern diagnosed with Pico Scope by Mike Blacconiere from 710 Diagnostics, an interesting situation with a VW ECM presented by Mike Christopherson from EEPROMICON, and a Chevrolet Equinox with communication issues presented by Andrew Fischer (Trainer for FACTS, WTI, Techfix, and CTI). Then, things get a bit....interesting after the cases.

Automotive Case Studies and Technician Roundtable Event (2023-12-06 18:40 GMT-6)

December 2023 Roundtable

In this session we talked about a number of interesting cases including a Mercedes with a strange misfire issue, 2 Jeeps with different interesting issues, a Dodge with a Network Problem and a whole lot more. Tune in and enjoy! If you'd like to come and present at a future episode, please reach out to us!

Automotive Roundtable Case Studies Event (2023-04-03 18:19 GMT-5)

Automotive Roundtable April Session 1

In this session we have a case on an older vehicle that was very challenging to pinpoint the issue on. We also discuss a Volkswagen with a code that doesn't make sense! Brian Mann joins us to share a couple of his cases as well and we have some thoughtful conversations on ADAS and calibration requirements.

Roundtable January Session 2 (2023-02-06 20:07 GMT-6)

Automotive Roundtable Jan Session 2

In this session Chad from Topdon USA joins us to discuss their upcoming Augmented Reality glasses! He takes feedback from our community on the opportunities and use cases for the product as well as suggestions for the design features. Jeremy joins us to discuss an ABS sensor fault on an FCA vehicle and thoroughly explains system operation. We also have a GM with a fuel composition sensor fault code and dive deep into how it works!

Roundtable January Session 1 (2023-01-23 18:06 GMT-6)

Automotive Roundtable Jan Session 1

In this session Leo joins us to discuss some Subaru VVT issues in a case. Mike joins us again to show us the power of a simple tool (Curien N2 Neuron) on a diagnostic with a crank no-start Ford. Haakan presents a case on a fuel trim imbalance fault on a Ford using a thermal imager to aid in diagnosis.

Dec 1 Automotive Roundtable Case Studies December Session 1 (2022-12-19 18:12 GMT-6)

Automotive Roundtable December
Session 1

In this session we have a throttle body fault on a Volvo along with a bunch of other great content!

Dec 2 Automotive Roundtable Case Studies December Session 2 (2022-12-28 20:12 GMT-6)

Automotive Roundtable December
Session 2

In this session we talk about a Duramax diesel with an interesting problem, a history lesson and exploration on a Model T (Wow!!) and a Ford Escape with a power mirror issue along with some other great info.

Roundtable November Session 1 (2022-11-23 18:07 GMT-6)

Automotive Roundtable November
Session 1

In this session we have an ADAS case study as well as a great explanation on how a Snapon Scope works along with many great case studies! Join us and enjoy!

November Roundtable session 2 (2022-11-30 20:11 GMT-6)

Automotive Roundtable November
Session 2

Another ADAS case study as well and many other great cases presented again in this session. As always, huge thank you to all of our presenters and participants!

Roundtable Session 6 (2022-10-24 20:13 GMT-5)

Automotive Roundtable Session 6!

Join us for another excellent session of case studies and insightful discussion of automotive topics! This one is exculsively offered here (not on Youtube). Many of our future roundtables will be exclusively premiered here on the website, so make sure you visit regularly!

Roundtable Session 5 (2022-10-19 18:14 GMT-5)

Automotive Roundtable Session 5!

We've got some exciting cases to share this session! This includes a great case on a Ford that was misdiagnosed at another shop and had some misleading scan tool data!

Automotive Roundtable Case Studies Session 4 (2022-09-21 18:10 GMT-5)

Automotive Roundtable Case Studies Session 4!

Automotive Roundtable Case Studies Session 2!

Join us for some fascinating case studies on: Toyota, Chrysler, Ford, and Subaru! Some excellent presentations and discussion of some interesting cars! Come to the next session and participate!

Here are Some Podcast Episodes we Think you may Find Helpful: