Matt Fanslow, Pedro de la Torre, and Justin Morgan discuss the challenges and frustrations of working in the automotive industry. They talk about the difficulties of diagnosing and fixing cars, the pressure to perform, and the industry's changing landscape with new technologies and complex vehicles. They also touch on the importance of staying positive, time management, training, and skill development, dealing with module failures, and the impact of mental health on their work. The conversation revolves around the struggles and frustrations of working in the automotive industry and the need for support and collaboration within the industry.

Show Notes

• The challenges of working in the automotive industry (00:00:51) Discussion about the frustrations, feeling of being in a slump, and pressure to perform in the automotive industry.
• The changing landscape of the industry and increased complexity (00:05:14) Discussion about the increased complexity of vehicles, network issues, intermittent parasitic drains, and the challenges of working with new technologies.
• Staying Positive and Networking (00:07:58) The importance of maintaining a positive mindset, networking with others, and sharing both the good and the bad experiences.
• Seeking Wins and Building Confidence (00:12:23) Advice on finding small victories in the midst of challenging situations to improve confidence and performance.
• The struggle to find direction (00:13:35) Discussion about the frustration of not having a clear direction in diagnosing cars and the importance of gathering research and data.
• Prioritization and dealing with intermittent problems (00:14:40) The challenge of prioritizing tasks and dealing with intermittent issues.
• The struggle of identifying unknown signals (00:18:21) The difficulty of identifying unknown signals in diagrams and operation descriptions.
• The struggle with intermittent misfires (00:19:28) Discussion about the challenges and frustrations of diagnosing and fixing intermittent misfires in cars.
• The frustration with EVAP systems (00:20:14) Conversation about the difficulties of working with EVAP systems, including the long wait times and temperature requirements for testing.
• The struggle with ADAS modules (00:24:25) Discussion about a specific case involving ADAS modules in a Nissan vehicle, highlighting the challenges of identifying and obtaining the correct modules for repair.
• The struggle with older vehicles and changing technology (00:28:14) Exploration of the challenges posed by older vehicles and the changing landscape of the automotive industry with new technologies and complex vehicles.
• Issues with aftermarket parts and software compatibility (00:32:27) Conversation about the problems caused by aftermarket parts, specifically a fuel pump driver module that was designed to clear fuel pump relay trouble codes but ended up causing issues with memory and code deletion.
• The terminating resistor issue (00:33:09) Discussion about a recurring issue with terminating resistors in certain vehicles and the frustration of dealing with it.
• Misnomers in the industry (00:33:47) Exploration of the miscommunication and mismanagement of parts recalls and the blame game between manufacturers and suppliers.
• Tracking parts and communication (00:34:41) Suggestion for an app or system to track parts, receive recall alerts, and provide feedback to manufacturers for better communication and product improvement.
• The frustrations of using incorrect parts (00:39:59) Discussion about the challenges of using the wrong parts in car repairs and the lack of proper reporting to manufacturers.
• The importance of honest parts returns and bug reporting (00:41:13) Emphasis on the need for technicians to be honest when returning defective parts and reporting bugs in scan tools to manufacturers.
• The benefits of journaling and documenting experiences (00:45:01) The value of journaling and documenting experiences to avoid repeating the same mistakes and to track personal growth as a technician.
• The challenges of relying on one scan tool (00:46:27) Discussion about the disadvantages of having only one scan tool in the shop and the potential issues it can cause.
• Issues with snap-on scan tools misreporting codes (00:47:32) Exploration of a specific problem with snap-on scan tools misreporting force motor codes for ABS systems in older General Motors vehicles.
• The frustration of dealing with unresolved issues and lack of support (00:48:19) Conversation about the frustration of encountering known issues with scan tools and not receiving timely updates or patches to fix them.
• The challenges of rewriting your mental code (00:52:33) Discussion on the difficulties of changing thought patterns and coping mechanisms in the face of mental health issues.
• The future of automotive technology (00:54:10) Exploration of the upcoming changes in the automotive industry, including the potential elimination of ICE engines and the introduction of new technologies like variable valve timing and exhaust after treatment.
• The importance of networking for emotional support (00:59:16) Recognition of the value of networking in providing a space for venting and emotional support during times of frustration and despair in the automotive industry.
• Being stuck in a rut (01:00:18) Exploration of the feeling of being stuck in a rut and the value of having someone to bounce ideas off of and understand that others have experienced similar struggles.
• Learning from mistakes in the industry (01:01:10) Conversation about the importance of sharing mistakes and learning experiences in the automotive industry, and how it humanizes the industry and helps everyone to learn and grow.

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech napaautotech.com

Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.com

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