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    Mastering Diagnostics #11: Fueling the Fire

    March 14, 2024
    Stick with Brandon as he discusses not only how to capture the data but also how to perform the necessary research to build anticipation of the waveform to be captured.

    In this episode of Mastering Diagnostics, Motor Age Technical Editor Brandon Steckler is back in the second video of his mini-series, “Learning how to learn.”

    This time Brandon captures the story to be told about the fuel injection system. Implementing a Pico 4-trace lab scope and amp probe, Brandon captures the signal from the crankshaft position sensor, the command to the fuel injector, and the current (amperage) for all four fuel injectors. Stick with Brandon as he discusses not only how to capture the data but also how to perform the necessary research to build anticipation of the waveform to be captured. Witness what happens “LIVE” as a real-world wring fault is introduced to the PCM's input (the CKP signal) and how it responds in the output (the fuel injector control). Follow along as Brandon takes the time to analyze the data with you. This “Action/Reaction” type testing is what Brandon has been implementing for most of his career and directly correlates to the success he has realized in the trenches. 

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    About the Author

    Brandon Steckler | Motor Age Technical Editor

    Brandon began his career in Northampton County Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was a student of GM’s Automotive Service Educational program. In 2001, he graduated top of his class and earned the GM Leadership award for his efforts. He later began working as a technician at a Saturn dealership in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he quickly attained Master Technician status. He later transitioned to working with Hondas, where he aggressively worked to attain another Master Technician status.

    Always having a passion for a full understanding of system/component functionality, he rapidly earned a reputation for deciphering strange failures at an efficient pace and became known as an information specialist among the staff and peers at the dealership. In search of new challenges, he transitioned away from the dealership and to the independent world, where he specialized in diagnostics and driveability. 

    Today, he is an instructor with both Carquest Technical Institute and Worldpac Training Institute. Along with beta testing for Automotive Test Solutions, he develops curriculum/submits case studies for educational purposes. Through Steckler Automotive Technical Services, LLC., Brandon also provides telephone and live technical support, as well as private training, for technicians all across the world.

    Brandon holds ASE certifications A1-A9 as well as C1 (Service Consultant). He is certified as an Advanced Level Specialist in L1 (Advanced Engine Performance), L2 (Advanced Diesel Engine Performance), L3 (Hybrid/EV Specialist), L4 (ADAS) and xEV-Level 2 (Technician electrical safety).

    He contributes weekly to Facebook automotive chat groups, has authored several books and classes, and truly enjoys traveling across the globe to help other technicians attain a level of understanding that will serve them well throughout their careers.  

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