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    Wrench Tales #8: Brian Culotta

    Sept. 19, 2024
    Technical know-how goes a long way in diagnostic approach and analysis. Brian Culotta takes one of the most challenging-to-diagnose issues and makes light work of it!

    We are back again with Motor Age Technical Editor Brandon Steckler, for the latest episode of Wrench Tales. That’s right, episode #8, and this time with his great friend and diagnostic mastermind Brian Culotta.

    Brian was faced with a 2017 Infinity QX60 experiencing a crank/no-start, as well as a stall under acceleration. Brian quickly obtained some basic information with the scan tool for this vehicle’s GDI driven powerplant. Although fuel rail pressure was present it was nearly maxed out at 2800 psi! Curious if the abnormally high fuel rail pressure was the cause of the issue Brian experimented, and inadvertently eliminated the symptoms! However, it was Brian’s knowledge of the high pressure GDI system functionality and some capable diagnostic equipment that led him to build the test plane that flushed the fault right to the surface. Brian didn’t have to dig deep for the problem. In fact, with his clever test procedure, the fault came right to him!

    You don’t want to miss this episode of Wrench Tales. Listen in on the discussion between Brian and Brandon and learn what it takes to be efficient and accurate when your GDI driveability diagnostics from the driver’s seat to beneath the hood!

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    About the Author

    Brandon Steckler | Technical Editor | Motor Age

    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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