Wrench Tales #15 ”To ‘Dodge’ a Bullet” w/Keith Perkins

April 30, 2025

Symptoms are just that! Focusing on the root cause of the symptom is in the best interest of any tech out there!

Welcome back to another episode of Wrench Tales! This time Brandon is joined by long-time friend and fellow instructor, Keith Perkins. In this episode, Keith and Brandon discuss a driveability issue on a vehicle exhibiting multiple DTCs, a malfunction indicator lamp illuminated, and a lack of acceleration. Included in the list of DTCs was the dreaded “P0420!”

Approaching this vehicle with the info above, Keith cleverly discovers the real cause of the issue in almost no-time at all and it’s this observant approach that is the topic of conversation.

Join Brandon and Keith in this laid-back discussion demonstrating not only how easy it is to overlook a simple piece of information but also how easy it can be, getting to the root cause of any issue when you have the correct approach and a system that works for you and your team. Please pull up a seat on join us on this episode of Wrench Tales!

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Due to factors beyond the control of Endeavor Business Media, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information or improper use of this information. Endeavor Business Media assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Endeavor Business Media recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Endeavor Business Media, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Endeavor Business Media.

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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.