Automotive Seminars

08/18/2026

Case Study: Diagnosing a P0301 (Cylinder 1 Misfire) on a 2019 Ford F150 5.0L Coyote
➡️ Full case study on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu09fzWD-Fw&t=4s

In this case study, John Thornton shows how to interpret a running vacuum waveform to diagnose a broken valve spring.

Watch how he got there — from a power balance test, to a relative compression test, to his reasoning for why a running vacuum test using a scope would isolate the answer.

08/17/2026

Join John Thornton for a live online class: Late Model Fuel Trim Diagnostics & Case Studies.
👉 Register here: https://automotiveseminars.com/product/late-model-fuel-trim-diagnostics-case-studies/
Fuel trim issues are a constant in driveability diagnostics. And because fuel trim and misfire codes so often show up together, the hard part is knowing what you're actually chasing.
This class works through a series of fuel trim and fuel control case studies using scan data, freeze frames, bidirectional controls, and scope testing to pin down where an engine is running lean or rich.
Topics covered will include:
✅ Fuel Trim Fundamentals
✅ 2017 Chevy City Express 2.0L – P0101
✅ 2012 Honda Civic 1.8L – P0171
✅ 2010 Lexus RX350 3.5L – P0158
✅ 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2.5L – P0171
✅ 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5L – P0300 & P0301
✅ 2017 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4L – P0171 & P0174
✅ 2011 Ford F150 3.5L – P0171 & P0174
✅ 2014 Dodge Challenger 3.6L – P2097
✅ 2018 Ford Ta**us SHO 3.5L – Multiple Misfire DTCs / Fuel Trim Imbalance Bank-to-Bank
➡️Follow the link to see detailed case study highlights
Every concept is tied to a real car, and these examples are what you're already seeing in the shop.
September 1 & 3, 2026 | $175
Shop Access Included
Attend Live Online | Watch On-Demand Afterward

08/07/2026

Diagnostic training only pays off if the technician brings it back to the shop. That's the whole point of our case study approach.
Every example shows how a diagnostic problem is approached, how the system operates, how to interpret the scan data, and the testing techniques that lead to confident repairs. These are the types of problems technicians see every day, and the full diagnostic process helps techs apply what's covered directly to the vehicles in front of them.
See our upcoming classes here:
https://automotiveseminars.com/product-category/advanced-diagnostic-training/?status=live-online-classes
https://automotiveseminars.com/product-category/technician-development-program/?status=live-online-classes

08/05/2026

07/21/2026

Upcoming Class: Scan Tool Test Drive with Tim Jones
A road test with your scan tool can be one of the fastest ways to pin down a driveability problem, but only if you have a plan in place to consistently point in the right direction. This class shows how to shape your test drive based on customer complaints and explains the relationships between specific PIDs such as absolute load, air-fuel, loop status, MAF, and more.
Topics covered include:
✅ Building a customer interview that points your test drive in the right direction
✅ Analyzing PID relationships on known-good vehicles so you know what "right" looks like
✅ Recognizing the types of problems that impact volumetric efficiency and fuel trims
✅ Understanding heavy load enrichment strategies
✅ Identifying the testing structure needed for specific driveability concerns
✅ Case studies: 2016 Audi Q5 (P0299), 2015 VW Passat (P0299), 2013 Chevy Silverado (P0300/P0174), 2012 Ford Fusion (P0420)
This class is part of our Technician Development Program schedule and is designed for new and less experienced technicians.
August 5, 2026 | $60
Shop Access Included
Attend Live Online | Watch On-Demand Afterwards
👉 Register here: https://automotiveseminars.com/product/scan-tool-test-drive-repeatable-routine/

07/11/2026

Speaking of Scot Manna, join him on Tuesday and Thursday night for a live online class:

https://automotiveseminars.com/product/advanced-diagnostics-when-only-a-scope-will-do/

06/30/2026

Join Scot Manna for a live online class in two weeks: Diagnostic Examples Where Only a Scope Will Do.
👉 Register here: https://automotiveseminars.com/product/advanced-diagnostics-when-only-a-scope-will-do/
Some vehicles get every part thrown at them before anyone pulls out a scope, but the original problem never goes away. This class walks through case studies of vehicles that looked unfixable until scope testing exposed what other methods missed. You'll learn how to recognize when a scope is required, what to test, and how to analyze the waveform to find the actual problem (and complete the repair).
Discussion Topics:
✅ 1997 Chevrolet Venture 3.4L V6 – Idle Misfire & P0300
✅ 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis 4.6L V8 – Intermittent No-Start
✅ 2004 Buick LeSabre 3.8L V6 – Hard Start When Warm
✅ 1997 Jeep Wrangler 4.0L I6 – Unstable Idle
✅ 2017 Nissan NV3500 5.6L V8 – Misfire Code
✅ 2015 Mini Cooper N18 – No Idle After Head Gasket Replacement
✅ 2013 Infiniti QX56 – Crank, No-Start / No-Code
✅ 2015 Jeep Patriot 2.4L I4 – Intermittent Engine Stall

Even though some of the examples are older vehicles, the techniques covered apply directly to the misfires, no-starts, and intermittent problems on today's vehicles.

July 14 & 16, 2026 | $175
Shop Access Included
Attend Live Online | Watch On-Demand Afterward

06/17/2026

Class Next Week: Catalyst Efficiency Diagnostics with Tim Jones
This class lays out a logical, step-by-step plan focused on catalytic efficiency using scan data. Techs will learn how to prove the cause of P0420/P0430 while avoiding replacing oxygen sensors or other components.
Topics covered include:
✅ Catalytic converter purpose, function, and common failure causes
✅ Using scan data, freeze frame data, and mode six data to evaluate the PCM's diagnosis
✅ A diagnostic flow chart to help navigate testing
✅ Discuss chemically inefficient vs. physical restriction causing performance issues
✅ 2009 Subaru Tribeca P0420
✅ 2015 Hyundai Elantra P0420
✅ 2017 Honda Pilot P0420

June 24, 2026 | 7 PM CST | $60
Shop Access Included
Attend Live Online | Watch On-Demand Afterward
👉 Register here: https://automotiveseminars.com/product/catalytic-efficiency-diagnostics-p0420-p0430/

05/07/2026

Different manufacturers display and calculate load data differently; pressure values are also commonly misunderstood due to differences in how they are displayed. This class explains what load and pressure data represent, how to interpret those values, and when those PIDs should (and shouldn’t) influence your diagnostic process.
Discussion topics will include:
✅ What factors determine “engine load”?
✅ Defining engine load PID’s and how they are calculated
✅ What diagnostic value does the load PID have?
✅ Discuss the different types of sensors used to measure pressure
✅ Illustrate how to quickly convert the MAP data value for engine pressure\vacuum into useful values
✅ 2018 Honda Pilot transmission pressure case study

This class is part of our Technician Development Program schedule and is designed for new and less experienced technicians.

👉 Register here for Understanding Scan Data Load & Pressure PIDs: https://automotiveseminars.com/product/scan-data-load-pressure-pids/

May 27, 2026 | $60
Shop Access Included
Attend Live Online | Watch On-Demand Afterwards