I am always looking to expand my OE capability and will be purchasing more (Such as Hyundai Kia) in the near future. This does NOT mean I am unable to diagnose or work on Hyundai Kia vehicles, because I do also have more than a dozen aftermarket scan tools and programmers such as Snap-on, Autel, I-Scan, VCDS, X-pad Pro, Audek and many more. In addition to all of the scan tools, I also have some of the best diagnostic equipment available. Including multiple Oscilloscopes, Pressure transducers, meters, gauges etc. The Pico Automotive Oscilloscope is hands down the absolute best oscilloscope for automotive applications.

I have devoted many years to studying diagnostic approaches and methodology. I create and teach diagnostic classes to many techs and shops in the Atlanta Area. I have spent over 30 years learning how to diagnose the toughest of problems. Problem vehicles that multiple other shops and even dealerships have given up on. But WHY do I have so many scan tools and so much diagnostic equipment when 99% of shops get by with just 1 or 2 aftermarket scanners? Why do I devote so much to diagnostics?

I started my other company “Mobile Diagnostic Solutions” 15 years ago. I was an ASE Master L1 technician working in a general repair shop. I began to notice that about a dozen or more shops in my general area would bring me their difficult problems, or they would call and ask for advice. I decided to take this opportunity and so I started out alone. With 3 or 4 scan tools , and old but good oscilloscope and an old Van, I began traveling to the other shops to help them instead of having them bring the car to me. Although I had been a master tech for over 15 years at that point, my new company didn’t do much in the way of repair work, but instead just diagnose problem vehicles and instructed them on how to complete a successful repair.

Mobile Diagnostic Solutions was an instant success. I quickly began increasing my capabilities by purchasing more and more scan tools. I became close with a small group of the absolute BEST automotive technicians in North America. We pushed each other to develop new methods of testing and learn much more about these inner workings of modern vehicles than was published by the manufacturer. Many of our group are the ones that write the ASE tests. ASE is the certification program that tests the abilities of automotive technicians and gives them the proper certification if they show that they are competent. We have all formed a lasting friendship and still push each other to be better technicians.

More than once, I have assisted Ford, Chrysler, and Nissan dealerships that had a particularly troublesome vehicle. A couple of times I met with the field engineers and showed them my test method and how I was able to find the issue they had thus far failed to diagnose. Since I have so many factory scan tools, I am able to program new control modules and perform software updates for many aftermarket repair shops in Atlanta that previously would have been taken to a dealership. Modern cars and trucks are controlled by many on board computers. Sometimes 75 or more computers on a single vehicle. These computers must have software updates to fix bugs, the same way your laptop does. Also, if one of these computers is replaced, it generally comes blank as a new part and must have software loaded into it. In the past, shops would have cars towed to a dealer to have it programmed, however, since I have the exact same tools as the dealers, I can program these vehicles and we travel to the shop. Programming and updating modules for other repair shops makes up about 50% of Mobile Diagnostic Solutions’ Business.

I have reached a point where I have a good crew for Mobile Diagnostic Solutions, including some of the best diagnostic and programming techs in Greater Atlanta, so I have decided to start up my own general repair shop as a second business. Not only will you get the absolute best diagnostic possible if your car has a Check engine light or has died or runs poorly or has some kind of electrical problem, but you also get quality maintenance and repairs.