By George Witt. There is sure a lot of talk about this subject. I hope this helps give you a strategy to deal with “the competition”. I am surprised and disappointed that so few of us truly understand the business we are in and who our target market really is. I hope that none of you really believe that those people laying on their backs in the parts store parking lots all across this great country of ours are really any kind of prospect for our repair businesses. Good Heavens.

Fort Myers Florida — Automotive Video has released two *NEW* Bill Fulton classes this week! In Fuel System Testing Strategies and Anatomy of the Waveform, Bill gives you comprehensive tactics to expand your understanding and deliver accurate diagnostic repair.

In this fun video clip Jim Linder presents some ‘teknical’ information you need to know if you work with ‘bubbas’.

In this video Tip Clip Bob Pattengale presents information you need to know if you need to perform relearns after replacement of any vehicle components. He talks about how to do the research to determine if a relearn is needed and shows us how to best prepare for the relearn or reprogramming process.

Bob Pattengale demonstrates how to use the National Automotive Service Task Force’s website as a guide for flashing and reprogramming. He shows us how to use the NASTF website to learn how to navigate the OEM sites and prepare you for the job ahead.

By Gary Goms. During the summer, the speedometer on the Taurus would quit on an intermittent basis. Of course, when the speedometer would quit, the automatic transmission would default into an intermediate gear and fail to shift into the higher ranges. Although a local transmission shop installed a new VSS and performed other repairs as well, the Taurus ran only a few days before the problem resurfaced.

By Gary Goms. Although digital storage oscilloscopes or “lab scopes” have now become standard equipment for most modern automotive repair shops, they still possess a mystique that tends to intimidate many technicians. Right off the top, a lab scope is basically a voltmeter that displays voltage signals along a time base. The vertical scale measures the amplitude or amount of the voltage and the horizontal scale measures an incremental time line along which the signals are displayed.

Fort Myers, FL – October 13, 2010 – A5 ASE Test Prep for Car and Light Truck Brakes is now available from AVI. Automotive Video is bringing you the latest ASE test prep videos with everything technicians need to know to be ASE Certified. The program is a complete A-Z for brakes service and will be a great training experience for any new tech doing brake jobs or they tech studying for the ASE A5 brakes certification. A5 addresses the symptoms and causes of the extensive hydraulic system, drum brake, disc brake, parking brake, power assist unit and anti-lock brake system diagnostic information. It also covers repair information, detailed assembly, cleaning, inspection, and adjustment procedures.

For 31 years, the mission of MACS has been to provide training, education and compliance programs. It is the unique technical training and networking opportunities that separates the MACS Convention […]

Fort Myers, FL. – November 8, 2010 – Automotive Video Inc. wrapped up its annual 2010 Training Conference during Industry Week on Friday November 5 with a positive buzz from exhibitors and attendees alike. The exhibitor show floor opened up with a Hospitality Party featuring an appearance by Vegas showgirls, a live jazz band, and the magic of Dan Sperry. The training classes were packed as instructors presented cutting edge material on topics like hybrids, diagnostics, and diesel engines.

In this video Tip Clip Bill Fulton presents several hands on test you can quickly and easily perform when diagnosing GM Pass Key antitheft issues and problems. Watch this video and learn to use your multimeter to check and diagnose the various components of the antitheft system.

A 2003 Chevy Trailblazer with a rough idle condition comes in for repair with variable cam timing engine with P0106 and P0017 codes. Bill Fulton goes into detail talking about these codes, the conditions that can causes them, and how to complete your diagnostics by using your scope to accurately interpret the related data you get from the scan tool as well as your scope.

Automotive Video brings you the Top 10 Automotive Training Products! AVI provides top-notch automotive, diesel, diagnostic, management, transmission, and equipment specific training programs for professional automotive service technicians and independent shop owners. Bring high-quality, professional training right to your shop!

By Gary Goms. MIL diagnostics continues to be a “hot” topic for many import shops simply ­because the definition of the word continues to change. Looking at the history of modern vehicle diagnostics, most veteran technicians can remember the days when vehicles had no on-board diagnostic systems and, subsequently, ­required time-consuming pin-out procedures to diagnose electronic systems failures.

By Scott “Gonzo” Weaver. When I was a kid, I saw a movie called the “Juggernaut” with Richard Harris as the main character. It was about a cruise liner that was about to blow up because a terrorist had planted 55 gallon drum bombs all over the ship. The premise of the story line is that Richard Harris was going to save all the people on the ship by defusing the bombs. All through the movie, there were references to the different relays and electrical circuits.

Automotive Video recently had the chance to have Bosch trainer Bob Pattengale down to AVI to spend a week with us. While he was here, Bob worked with the our crew to create three new training programs that will be available in the coming months. We look forward to getting these programs completed and available to technicians everywhere looking to gain new diagnostic knowledge and skills.

The Automotive Video Training Resource Guide is filled with valuable information about all of AVI’s training opportunities, resources, products and services. So what are you waiting for? Take a look and get started with the training information that suites your needs today. The training resource guide makes it easy to learn about and choose the training resources that make sense for your needs.

By Tom Ham. What have you done about lost customers? Have you looked extensively at your website lately? Do you have any plans for your sign? Check out the latest Auto Shop Monthly Management Tips from the Automotive Management Network to get inside secrets on managing your shop and increasing your bottom line.

Fort Myers, FL – October 12, 2010 – The AVI Training Conference in Las Vegas, NV is less than a month away! Automotive Video, Inc. aims to bring high level […]

In this clip from the Fuel Pump Manufacturers Council, shot here in the AVI garage and presented by instructor Dave Scaler, we are presented some great ‘must know’ tips regarding fuel pump diagnostics. The clip contains info on voltage drop testing and on car hands on demonstrations.

Instructor Mark DeKoster discusses and presents some helpful time saving and common sense tips on brake line and hose replacement in this clip. This is a segment from the complete ASE A5 Brake Systems Test Prep training program. Mark extensively covers the A-Z’s of brake functions,service and repairs in the complete program.

Automotive Video brings you the Top 10 Most Read Articles on Scope It Out! The most popular articles include everything from J2534 to Duramax, waveforms to labscopes, tpms to fuel injectors, as well as parasitic battery drains. Check out what other readers are into and post your comments and questions.

In this excerpt, Bill Fulton current ramps the fuel pump on a high-mileage 2004 Dodge Status with P0300 and P0171 codes. In doing so, he determines whether there is a weak fuel supply or a bad pump. Watch Now.

In this excerpt, Mike Cleary gives you several quick fixes on various Powerstroke engine problems. Tech tips include 1994 ½ EEC tests, injector spill spouts, camshaft position sensor codes, and dead accelerator pedals. He also covers dual mass flywheels, air cleaner updates, injector replacement procedures, and loose IPR jam nuts, as well as injector performance analyzers, oil consumption, no start relay ratcheting, and much, much more!

By Gary Goms. Right now, the service opportunities lie mainly in the future as hybrids move out of warranty and into the independent service bays. However, it’s entirely realistic to expect hybrids to become a growing part of the automotive service market.

In this tip clip from the Ford Powerstroke 6.0 class Mike Cleary shares some diagnostic procedures that are a shoe-in for profit potential. Fuel in Oil, Inferred EBP, Fuel Filter Replacement and Stiction are just a few of the items diagnosed here. Mike answers these questions with some tips and procedures on how to use your scan tool to aid in your diagnosis.

In this clip instructor Jim Wilson talks about TPMS sensor service tips that will save you time and money by outlining the appropriate tools and procedure you should be using in order to avoid sensor failure.

In the article “Gasoline Direct Injection” in the Winter Issue of the Blend’r, we uncovered the disadvantages of the gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine…

John Thornton’s new training program coming soon from AVI is an in-depth class on ‘In Cylinder Pressure Transducer Diagnostics.’ As you know, for many years in our industry we have used a compression gauge to assist us in diagnosing mechanical problems. Well, today, electronics have vastly improved the techniques we can use to analyze in cylinder mechanical problems.

By Gary Goms. Although modern OBD II technology has simplified catalytic converter diagnostics, it’s still important to understand the basics of catalytic converter operation when dealing with a P0420 or P0430 diagnostic trouble code (DTC). DTCs P0420/P0430 indicate that ­catalyst efficiency is below predetermined thresholds on cylinder banks 1 and 2, respectively. In the following text, I’ll explore the basics of catalytic converter chemistry and summarize how common catalytic converter failures can be diagnosed.

Part 3: Precision Low Current Measurements for Driveability Diagnosis. Automotive technicians often use a DMM connected to a clamp-on current probe to measure current flow (amperage) in a circuit. Typical items tested are starter motor draw, blower motor draw and alternator output. The current probe clamps around a wire in the circuit under test and using voltage from its own battery (usually 2 AAA’s or a 9 volt) sends a signal to the DMM. Most current probes output 1mV for each amp detected in the circuit.

By Omar Trinidad. Illustrating the internal operation of a voltmeter while a technician is testing a series circuit with one or two loads is a helpful way to explain how the tool works. We’ll start right off with an example.

Fort Myers, FL – September 2, 2010 – Automotive Video, Inc. is kicking off the 2010 AVI Training Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 4th, with a Hospitality Party featuring the magic of Dan Sperry! Dinner will be hosted from 6:00-7:30 pm at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, followed by the cocktail party and live entertainment.

Automotive Video announces an Engine Rebuilding DVD that will show any mechanic of any skill level, the complete and proper processes to complete a rebuild for almost any type of engine. The building techniques shown are just as useful for V8’s as they will be for straight 6, V6, or even 4-cylinders.