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!
Upcoming Training Webinar:
Audi and VW Diagnostics
May 13 and 15 from 630-830pm Central Time Zone.
Cost: $150 USD. You will also receive access to the recording for review after the fact. If you cannot attend LIVE, please let us know in the form.
Live participants will be invoiced BEFORE the webinar and will receive an access link to the LIVE webinar once payment is received.
Asynchronous attendees will not be invoiced until the recording is finalized. Once the recording is finalized, you will be invoiced, then once the invoice is paid, you will receive access to the recording.
VW and Audi Foundations Training Webinar
What will we cover?
1. Diagnostic Process Structure and its importance. Service Information and TSBs (where to find, how to research). Examination of our testing methods and tooling. Where do we find description and operation info? Module IDs in wiring diagrams and on the scan tool.
2. Fault code logic --> how do we solve problems with limited to no testing information? How does a Control Unit judge a fault? What is VW/Audi's Training "logic?" How do we map our data in complex diagnoses?
3. Real world case studies and discussion of key concepts and how they relate to each case
Meet FAFO Ferret:
Your Automotive Information PSA Messenger!
Copyright/Trademark Shotgun Diagnostics LLC 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
Automotive Roundtable December
Session 1
Session 1
In this session we have a throttle body fault on a Volvo along with a bunch of other great content!
Automotive Roundtable December
Session 2
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.
Automotive Roundtable November
Session 1
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!
Automotive Roundtable November
Session 2
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!
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!
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!
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!
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:
Here are links to other training resources we recommend:
AutoDiag Clinic (Tanner Brandt)
Automotive Seminars (John Thornton)
https://www.mechanicmindset.com/ (Darren Quinn)
https://www.standardbrandtraining.com/home (Standard Training)
Tool Brands We Use and Recommend
Helpful Automotive Podcasts We Recommend:
Diagnosing The Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow
The Automotive Diagnostic Podcast with Sean Tipping
Remarkable Results Podcast (Carm Capriotto)