Service Repair

Mastering Diagnostics #24: Furthering Knowledge from Known-Good Data Captures

May 8, 2025

Knowledge begets new knowledge. And that motto couldn't be any more applicable than it is in vehicle diagnostics!

Mastering Diagnostics returns with another contribution from Motor Age Technical Editor, Brandon Steckler. In this video, Brandon applies his 28 years of technical experience (both good and bad) and leverages the information captured from known-good vehicles.

Time and time again, as technicians we hear technical instructors urging us to capture data from known-good vehicles. Many of us think to ourselves “Who has time for that?” and “How is that really going to help me fix cars?” Well, in this video, Brandon is going to show you exactly how and why. That’s right! Brandon is going to demonstrate proper analysis of data captured (some from almost 15 years ago) so it can help him in the heat of battle today!

Learn how data captured from the driver’s seat can and should tell a diagnostic story about system/component functionality, and where you should spend your time testing next. Follow along as Brandon takes you from the driver’s seat through several data captures in multiple systems like EGR, Automatic Transmission, Fuel Injection System, variable valve lift and duration systems, and engine mechanical.

Learn how the data captured, analyzed and leveraged from the scan tool led to furthering knowledge and understanding of system functionality, and increased accuracy when developing hypotheses. It’s the concept and motto that Brandon sticks by daily (that is, “Knowledge begets new knowledge”). It’s the same motto that allows him and other successful diagnosticians to leverage the power of a multi-trace lab scope effortlessly and when the time is right.

Whether you are new or experienced with data capture and analysis, join us on this fun and interactive episode of Mastering diagnostics as Brandon demonstrates both scan tool and lab scope data capture analysis. This is a Mastering diagnostics episode that you won’t want to miss.

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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.