Are You Diagnosing Vehicles or Just Throwing Parts at Them? [THA 509]

THA 509 ASTA 2026 matt brin rich

Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

Watch Full Video Episode

Recorded at ASTA 2026, Rich Falco, Senior Curriculum Developer at CTI, Brin Klein of Assured Auto Works, and Matt Fanslow of Riverside Automotive and the Automotive Field Theory podcast, challenge the industry’s approach to electrical diagnostics, technician mentoring, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the service bay.

Rich and Brin also share insights from their sold out, hands-on electrical training class, where participants worked through voltage drop testing, circuit fundamentals, and real world diagnostic challenges. Their experience reinforces an important lesson: Advanced diagnostics require a solid understanding of the basics.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How hands-on electrical training helps specialists develop stronger troubleshooting skills.
  • Why outdated repair habits and ignoring OE service information can create expensive mistakes.
  • How shop owners can develop more effective technician mentoring programs instead of relying solely on experienced employees to teach new hires.
  • How AI, smart glasses, and remote mentoring could transform technical education and diagnostic assistance.
  • How to communicate the value of diagnostic labor and address customer requests for waived diagnostic fees.
  • Why AI-informed customers are changing conversations about repair estimates, pricing, and trust.

Great specialists understand electrical fundamentals, follow proven diagnostic processes, and continually develop their skills. For shop owners, investing in education, mentoring, and properly valued diagnostic time builds a stronger team, more accurate repairs, and greater customer confidence.

Rich Falco, Senior Curriculum Developer at CTI

Brin Klein, Shop Owner, Assured Auto Works

Matt Fanslow, Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN, https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Automotive Field Theory

ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo

Thanks to our Partners: NAPA TRACS, Today’s Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training, six days a week of support, and local representation. http://napatracs.com/
Optimize training with Today’s Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. https://www.todaysclass.com/
Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. https://www.kukui.com/
You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/
Connect with the Podcast:

The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/