Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z

Automotive Repair Podcast
  • 4.8 (17)
  • Automotive
  • Updated Weekly

Matt Fanslow's Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z Podcast is a wide-open perspective on all aspects of the automotive aftermarket from a working diagnosticians' point of view. All topics and issues will be on the table.

  1. Why Customers Struggle to Trust Auto Repair [E240]

    1d ago

    Why Customers Struggle to Trust Auto Repair [E240]

    Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, and Autel Watch Full Video Episode In this episode, Matt Fanslow continues the conversation around game theory and economics in the automotive repair industry, focusing on one of the biggest invisible forces affecting customer trust: information asymmetry. Auto repair is a credence good service, meaning most customers cannot fully judge the quality of the work before, during, or even after the repair. A grinding brake noise may disappear after a $200 backyard brake job or a $500 professional repair, but the customer may not be able to tell whether the work was safe, complete, or performed to a professional standard. That gap between what the shop knows and what the customer can reasonably know creates distrust by default. Matt connects this to economist George Akerlof’s “Market for Lemons,” originally applied to the used-car market, and explains how the same logic applies directly to auto repair. When customers cannot reliably distinguish quality from poor work, lower-quality providers can drag down trust in the entire market. The episode then turns toward solutions: better documentation, digital vehicle inspections, before-and-after photos or videos, service information references, and clearer explanations that help narrow the information gap without trying to turn every customer into a technician. The goal is not to overwhelm customers with technical data. The goal is to give them enough context to understand what was found, why it matters, and why the repair has value. Matt also discusses how YouTube, forums, and large language models can complicate trust by giving customers information that may be incomplete, misunderstood, or flat-out wrong. Shops now have to compete not just with other shops, but with customer fear, confirmation bias, and online explanations that may reinforce distrust. Key Topics Information asymmetry in automotive repairAuto repair as a credence good serviceWhy customers often distrust repair recommendationsGeorge Akerlof and “The Market for Lemons”How poor-quality providers affect trust in good shopsThe role of digital vehicle inspectionsBefore-and-after documentation as trust-buildingUsing service information to demonstrate valueThe impact of YouTube, forums, and AI tools on customer expectationsWhy economic and game theory language matters in shop management Episode Highlights Matt explains that customers often cannot tell the difference between a good repair and a poor repair if the obvious symptom goes away. That makes trust harder to earn and easier to lose. He uses the brake job example to show how two repairs can appear identical to a customer even when one is much safer, more complete, and more professional than the other. The “Market for Lemons” idea is used to explain how low-quality or deceptive providers can create distrust that affects the entire profession. The episode stresses that documentation is not just paperwork. Photos, videos, voltage readings, service information, and before-and-after evidence are part of how shops demonstrate value. Matt argues that shops need to use economic and game theory terms because many of the answers to shop problems already exist in those fields. Without the right language, it becomes harder to find or explain the solution. Notable Quote “We’re insulating ourselves from a market for lemons.” Practical Takeaways for Shops Use digital vehicle inspections to show customers what is good, what is bad, and why it matters.Do not assume the customer understands the significance of a test result. Explain the before and after in plain terms.Show comparisons when possible: good versus bad, before versus after, failed versus repaired.Reference manufacturer service information when it helps explain why the job requires certain steps.Recognize that customers may arrive with fear, skepticism, or bad information before you ever speak to them.Trust is not built only by being honest. It is built by making honest work visible and understandable. Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com Thanks to our Partner, Autel From drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.com Contact Information Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

    22 min
  2. From Bogeys to Blown Fuses: Navigating Self-Doubt [E239]

    Jun 3

    From Bogeys to Blown Fuses: Navigating Self-Doubt [E239]

    Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, and Autel Watch Full Video Episode In this episode, Matt starts on the golf course and ends up right back in the service bay, because apparently, even a decent round of golf can turn into a cognitive psychology lesson. After shooting a personally strong nine-hole score, Matt catches himself doing what many technical and mechanical specialists do every day: ignoring the accomplishment and obsessing over the shots, tests, tools, or decisions that could have been better. That leads into a discussion of discounting the positive, upward counterfactual thinking, hindsight bias, expert bias, and the curse of knowledge. The point is not to stop improving. The point is to stop rewriting reality after the fact. A two-hour intermittent short diagnosis may feel “obvious” once the problem is found, but it was not obvious when the vehicle came in. The same applies to repairs, removals, procedures, and every job where experience only becomes obvious after you earn it. Matt also closes with some listener-driven Mount Rushmore talk, including an all-time basketball starting five featuring Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, LeBron James, and Hakeem Olajuwon. Key Topics Why a good result can still feel disappointing when you focus only on what could have gone betterThe difference between honest reflection and beating yourself into the groundDiscounting the positive and how it shows up in diagnosticsUpward counterfactual thinking: “If only I had done this sooner…”Hindsight bias in the shop after the failure is already foundWhy “that was obvious” is usually only true after the factHow technical specialists can learn from a job without erasing the accomplishmentThe danger of judging another specialist’s time after you already know the answerExpert bias, the curse of knowledge, and why experience can distort how we evaluate othersGiving yourself enough credit while still getting betterListener messages and future Mount Rushmore-style segmentsMatt’s all-time basketball starting five discussion Pull Quote Options “Once you know where the problem was, it starts feeling obvious. But it wasn’t obvious when you started.” “Why can’t both things be true? That was a good find, and next time I might do it faster.” “Learning from it does not require running yourself into the ground.” “Knowing what I knew at the time, that wasn’t bad.” Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com Thanks to our Partner, Autel From drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.com Contact Information Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

    26 min
  3. Game Theory for Auto Repair Shops: Pricing, Competition, and Strategy [E238]

    May 27

    Game Theory for Auto Repair Shops: Pricing, Competition, and Strategy [E238]

    Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, and Autel Watch Full Video Episode In this episode, Matt begins laying the groundwork for a larger discussion on game theory and how it applies far beyond poker tables, chessboards, casinos, or movie references. What starts with John von Neumann, poker strategy, bluffing, and imperfect information quickly becomes a broader conversation about how people, businesses, customers, competitors, and coworkers interact. Matt explains that “games,” in the game theory sense, are not just games. They are interactions where people make choices, respond to incentives, interpret incomplete information, and try to get outcomes. That means shop pricing, marketing, hiring, customer behavior, technician cooperation, and even where a business chooses to locate can all be understood through this lens. The episode touches on the difference between games of perfect information, like chess, and games of imperfect information, like poker. Matt uses poker as an entry point into bluffing, strategy, table image, and why mathematically sound behavior may involve moves that seem strange in isolation. He then connects that to real-world business decisions, where the “obvious” move, such as lowering prices because a competitor did, may not actually be the strongest response. Matt also walks through classic game theory examples like the Monty Hall problem and the Prisoner’s Dilemma. The Prisoner’s Dilemma becomes especially relevant to shop culture and business strategy because it shows how cooperation can often outperform pure self-interest, even though individual incentives may push people toward betrayal or defensive behavior. That idea becomes a bridge into behavioral game theory, which accounts for the fact that humans do not always make clean, rational, mathematically optimal decisions. From there, the conversation moves into automotive repair shop strategy. Matt discusses why competitors often cluster together, using examples like hotels, gas stations, Target and Walmart, Lowe’s and Home Depot, and auto repair shops. The point is not that a shop should always build next to competitors, but that proximity, customer behavior, friction, convenience, and visibility may matter more than the simplistic idea of “go where there is no competition.” The episode closes by encouraging listeners to start seeing shop life as a series of interactions, incentives, exchanges, and strategies. Not “playing games” in a manipulative sense, but understanding that every interaction involves expectations, investments, risks, and perceived rewards. Key Topics Covered Game theory as a way to understand real-world interactions, not just board games or gambling.John von Neumann, poker, bluffing, and imperfect information.Why poker strategy involves more than simply playing the cards.The role of Oscar Morgenstern and economic theory in the development of game theory.Why older economic models struggled with human irrationality.The difference between perfect information games and imperfect information games.Chess as a perfect-information game and poker as an imperfect-information game.The Monty Hall problem and why switching doors improves the odds.The Prisoner’s Dilemma and why cooperation often beats betrayal over time.Tit-for-tat style strategies: cooperate first, respond to betrayal, then return to cooperation.Nash equilibrium and the basic idea of making the best available decision based on known information.Behavioral game theory and why people do not always act rationally.How game theory applies to shop pricing, competition, and marketing.Why lowering price in response to a competitor may not be the right move.Why businesses often cluster near direct competitors.Shop location strategy and customer convenience.Seeing everyday shop interactions as “games” in the game theory sense. Memorable Ideas “The game” is not necessarily manipulation. It is the interaction itself.Poker is not just cards. It is incomplete information, behavior, bluffing, risk, and response.Cooperation can be a stronger long-term strategy than constant defection.A competitor lowering their price does not automatically mean you should lower yours.Sometimes the stronger move is counterintuitive.Customers may choose convenience and proximity over reputation, price, or even prior loyalty.A shop’s strategy is not just what it charges or how good it is. It is also where it sits, what friction customers face, and what alternatives are nearby. Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com Thanks to our Partner, Autel From drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.com Contact Information Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

    43 min
  4. The Targaryen Technician: When Shop Owners Become What They Once Despised [E237]

    May 20

    The Targaryen Technician: When Shop Owners Become What They Once Despised [E237]

    Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology and Autel Watch Full Video Episode In this episode, Matt Fanslow uses Game of Thrones, specifically the arc of Daenerys Targaryen, as a metaphor for what can happen when a mechanical or technical specialist moves from employee to shop owner. The comparison is not that former technicians suddenly “burn everything to the ground,” but that people can start with strong ideals, endure pressure, accumulate responsibility, and slowly rationalize decisions they once hated from the other side of the counter. Matt draws a parallel between Daenerys’ journey, from abused and powerless exile to powerful ruler, and the path of a technician who opens a shop after years of saying, “If I were in charge, I’d do things differently.” At first, that new owner may try to build the kind of workplace they always wanted: better pay, better equipment, better treatment, and fewer manipulative incentive structures. But then reality intrudes. Bills come due. Tooling, software, subscriptions, payroll, benefits, facility costs, and client pressure pile up. What once looked like greed from the employee side may start to look like survival from the owner side. A major thread in the episode is the difference between explaining behavior and excusing it. Matt is careful not to justify poor management, bad pay plans, or unfair treatment. Instead, he looks at how stress, fear, frustration, and financial pressure can slowly change a person’s beliefs. The former employee who despised production-based pay may eventually install a production-based pay plan. The shop owner who wanted to buy the best equipment may eventually stop doing that when employees fail to care for it. The person who promised to never become “that owner” may wake up, or perhaps never wake up, having become very close to the thing they once opposed. The episode also touches on incentive design. Matt discusses how incentive-based pay plans can increase production, but only if the surrounding system is fair. When a mechanical or technical specialist is paid based on production, but too many external forces affect their ability to produce, the pay plan can feel like punishment. Dispatch, workflow, parts delays, bad information, poor estimating, broken processes, and uneven support can all take money out of the worker’s hands. In that environment, the game feels unfair, even if the pay plan itself is not inherently unethical. Matt argues that pay plans should not be used as a substitute for management. A compensation structure cannot do the work of leadership, communication, process improvement, fairness, and accountability. Straight hourly can work. Flat rate can work. Hybrid incentive plans can work. But none of them work automatically, and none of them remove the need for honest management and honest self-assessment. The larger point is that people rarely change all at once. They shift slowly. The language changes first. Then the justifications. Then the policies. Then the culture. Like Daenerys, the fall is not simply about one bad decision at the end. It is the accumulated effect of pressure, loss, betrayal, fear, and power. Matt closes by reflecting on Game of Thrones itself, noting that the show was among the best when it was at its peak, even if the ending remains debated. He suggests that Daenerys’ storyline may be worth revisiting not just as fantasy, but as a study in how ideals can erode when pressure, power, and isolation build over time. Key Topics The former technician turned shop owner: The episode examines what happens when someone who once criticized shop ownership suddenly has to carry the risk, payroll, bills, tooling costs, subscriptions, client demands, and employee issues themselves.Daenerys Targaryen as a shop-owner metaphor: Daenerys begins with a desire to break abusive systems, but eventually becomes capable of the very behavior she once opposed. Matt uses that arc to frame how former employees can become the kind of owners they used to resent.Explaining versus excusing: A central distinction in the episode is that understanding why owners behave a certain way does not automatically make those behaviors right.Incentive pay and production pressure: Production-based pay plans can produce measurable gains, but they also create resentment when employees are held accountable for factors outside their control.The danger of using pay plans as management: Matt argues that compensation systems cannot replace leadership, process design, accountability, and honest communication.Stress, fear, and rationalization: The episode explores how frustration, anxiety, financial pressure, and disappointment can slowly alter a person’s beliefs and management style.The slow drift into becoming what you opposed: The episode’s core warning is that becoming “that owner” usually does not happen in one dramatic moment. It happens one rationalization at a time. Quotes “When enough people make false promises, words stop meaning anything. Then there are no more answers, only better and better lies.” “We have to be able to explain things without excusing them.” “The pay plan cannot be the manager.” “You can have a straight hourly shop where production is good. You can have a flat-rate shop where people are happy. But neither one happens by accident.” “A production incentive becomes punishment when too many things outside the employee’s control take money out of their hands.” “A lot of people do not become bad owners all at once. It is slow, and then all at once.” “The danger is not just power. It is pressure, fear, frustration, and then the story we tell ourselves afterward.” Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com Thanks to our Partner, Autel From drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.com Contact Information Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

    23 min
  5. Normalization of Deviance: The Challenger Disaster and How Shop Standards Drift [E236]

    May 13

    Normalization of Deviance: The Challenger Disaster and How Shop Standards Drift [E236]

    Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench Jobs Watch Full Video Episode Matt Fanslow revisits the Challenger disaster, not just as a historical tragedy, but as a case study in how standards, tolerances, and risk perception can shift over time. The common simplified story is that management ignored engineers, pushed the launch forward, and disaster followed. While that is part of the story, Matt looks at the deeper concept sociologist Diane Vaughan identified: normalization of deviance. The Challenger disaster happened 73 seconds after launch in 1986, killing all seven astronauts onboard. The failure was traced to O-rings in the solid rocket boosters that lost sealing ability in unusually cold conditions. But the broader lesson is not simply that one part failed. It is that warning signs had appeared before, yet each successful mission expanded the boundary of what NASA considered acceptable. What would have once been treated as outside tolerance gradually became normal. Matt connects this idea to the phrase, “slowly, then all at once,” often used to describe the collapse of relationships, marriages, systems, and businesses. The visible failure may seem sudden, but the conditions that made it possible usually developed over a long period of tolerated drift. From there, the discussion moves into automotive repair. Shops can experience the same pattern with ADAS calibrations, wheel torque procedures, tire repairs, safety glasses, uniforms, training expectations, and other operating standards. A procedure gets missed once. Nothing bad happens. It gets missed again. Still nothing bad happens. Eventually, the shop no longer treats the original standard as the standard at all. The absence of immediate consequences becomes false evidence that the deviation is safe. Matt uses ADAS calibration as a major example. A shop may begin by following OEM procedures after alignments or repairs, but over time, scheduling problems, delays, cost pressure, or customer pushback can lead to skipped calibrations. If no warning lights appear and no customer complains, the skipped step starts to feel acceptable. But that does not mean the risk disappeared. It may simply mean the failure has not happened yet. The episode also references tire repair liability and the John Eagle collision repair case as examples of what can happen when accepted industry habits conflict with OEM procedure. The lesson is not that every shop owner or technical specialist who drifts from procedure is malicious. The more uncomfortable lesson is that drift is natural. That is exactly why it has to be recognized and managed. Matt closes by encouraging listeners to look around their own shops and ask where tolerance has expanded without conscious approval. Are torque procedures still being followed? Are retorques still being performed? Are safety practices still enforced? Is training still treated as essential? Are customer-facing and liability-related procedures being maintained, or have they quietly become optional? Key Themes Normalization of deviance: The gradual process where unacceptable practices become accepted because nothing bad happens immediately. Challenger as a system failure: The O-ring failed physically, but the larger failure involved shifting standards, repeated warning signs, and expanded tolerance. “Slowly, then all at once” Major failures often appear sudden, but the underlying drift usually develops over time. Automotive examples: ADAS calibrations, tire repairs, torque sticks, wheel retorques, safety glasses, uniforms, training, and shop SOPs can all become vulnerable to tolerance drift. OEM procedures and liability: The episode reinforces the importance of following documented procedures, especially where safety, liability, and driver-assistance systems are involved. Not always malicious: Deviance can become normalized without anyone consciously deciding to take a major risk. Memorable Ideas “What would have failed in 1981 passes in 1986.”“The tolerance for acceptability expanded.”“It happened slowly and then all at once.”“It’s not a problem until it is, and then it’s a big problem.”“The absence of consequences is not the same thing as proof of safety.” Listener Takeaway Every shop has standards that were created for a reason. Some protect quality. Some protect the customer. Some protect the business. Some protect people’s lives. The danger is that those standards can erode so gradually that no one notices until the failure is already public, expensive, or irreversible. Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com Thanks to our Partner, Autel From drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.com Thanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench Jobs Independent Wrench Jobs is a new, tech-only community to help you find better independent shops—fair dispatch, steady work, real leadership. No games. Built by Technician Find—serving the industry since 2017. Join free at IndependentWrenchJobs.com Contact Information Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

    28 min
  6. Corvette Customer Communcation Confusion [E235]

    May 6

    Corvette Customer Communcation Confusion [E235]

    Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench Jobs Watch Full Video Episode In this episode of Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z, Matt Fanslow tells the story of a modified 1994 Corvette that came in with a hesitation, backfire, and cut-out concern under light-load highway driving. The vehicle had already been looked at elsewhere, and the customer believed the problem was inside the PCM. What sounded at first like a computer problem eventually turned into a lesson in secondary ignition leakage, diagnostic assumptions, customer expectations, and the danger of two people using the same words to mean very different things. The episode starts with the question, “Can you test my computer?” Matt interpreted that as a request to diagnose why the vehicle was not running correctly. The customer meant something much more literal: open the PCM, test it on a bench, and determine what had failed inside the module. That misunderstanding created real tension once Matt found evidence pointing away from the computer and toward the ignition system. Technically, the case had plenty of reasons to look complicated. The Corvette was a 1994 OBD-I vehicle with an OBD-II-style connector, an aftermarket tune, a DTC 42 related to electronic spark timing, and an OptiSpark distributor system. Matt considered scan-tool access, PCM powers and grounds, tune corruption, OptiSpark signals, and even inspected the PCM itself. But the actual fix was far more ordinary: spark plugs and plug wires. A light mist of water exposed secondary ignition leakage, with arcing visible around the plug wires and spark plug area. The larger point of the story is not just that simple failures can hide behind complicated symptoms. It is that assumptions can create their own problems. The customer had one expectation. The shop had another. Nobody was necessarily acting in bad faith, but the mismatch still led to frustration, anger, and a near breakdown in trust. Matt reflects on how one better question at the beginning, “What do you mean when you say test the computer?” could have changed the entire interaction. Topics Discussed Diagnosing a modified 1994 CorvetteOBD-I vehicles with OBD-II-style connectorsDTC 42 and electronic spark timingOptiSpark diagnostic considerationsAftermarket tuning and corrupt tune concernsPCM inspection and module-level testing limitationsSecondary ignition leakageSpark plug and plug wire failuresHow modified vehicles can bias diagnostic thinkingWhy customer language needs clarificationThe difference between testing a system and testing a moduleManaging expectations before diagnostic work beginsHonest misunderstandings between shops and customers Key Takeaways “Can you test my computer?” may mean very different things depending on who is asking.A vehicle that looks complicated can still have a basic failure.Modified vehicles can make it harder to avoid diagnostic bias.Customer frustration is not always about the repair itself. Sometimes it is about expectations that were never clarified.Asking one more question up front can prevent a major communication problem later.Not every misunderstanding needs a villain. Sometimes both sides are operating from different definitions. Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com Thanks to our Partner, Autel From drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.com Thanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench Jobs Independent Wrench Jobs is a new, tech-only community to help you find better independent shops—fair dispatch, steady work, real leadership. No games. Built by Technician Find—serving the industry since 2017. Join free at IndependentWrenchJobs.com Contact Information Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

    30 min
  7. Mailbag Episode: From Quantum Physics to Flat Rate Pay Plans [E234]

    Apr 29

    Mailbag Episode: From Quantum Physics to Flat Rate Pay Plans [E234]

    Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench Jobs Watch Full Video Episode In this wide-ranging "mailbag" style episode, Matt Fanslow dives into a mix of technical, professional, and lifestyle questions from listeners. The conversation moves from the intimidating complexity of quantum physics and why it makes discussing "basic" electricity difficult, to practical advice on commercial versus consumer lawn equipment. Matt also tackles the controversial topic of flat-rate pay plans and the importance of ethical systems in the shop, before wrapping up with some lighter notes on AI, mental health resources, and a controversial "Mount Rushmore" of musical bands. Key Topics and Highlights 1. The Struggle with "Basic" Electricity & Quantum Physics Matt addresses why he often avoids "fundamental" electricity discussions. He argues that what we call "fundamentals" are often inaccurate "gimmicks." The Reality of Particles: Particles aren't just little spheres; they are perturbations of quantum fields. The Double Slit Experiment: Matt explains the particle wave duality and how electrons create an interference pattern rather than simple columns. Applicability vs. Truth: While "water analogies" work 99% of the time for fixing taillights, they fail to explain phenomena like inductive misfire or signal ringing. Matt wrestles with balancing "useful" information with the complex truth. 2. The Great Lawnmower Debate: Buy Once, Cry Once Responding to listener interest, Matt breaks down the difference between consumer and commercial mowing equipment. Cut Quality: Commercial mowers (Toro, Exmark, Scag) have higher blade tip speeds and better lift, resulting in a cleaner cut and natural striping. Hydrostatics & Power: The ability to handle inclines and zero-turn response time is significantly better in commercial units. The "Real" Answer: Dealer Support. Buy the brand that has a high-quality, reliable dealer nearby for parts and service. 3. Flat Rate: Ethical Systems vs. Gamification Matt shares his perspective on flat-rate pay plans, echoing the sentiment that "it depends." Game Theory: Pay plans set the rules of a "game." If the system (parts ordering, dispatching, management) is broken, employees will view the game as "negative sum" and either quit or try to break it. Fairness: It isn't about the specific plan; it’s about whether the staff deems the system fair and ethical. Profit Sharing: Matt discusses the success of his shop’s hybrid model: a strong base salary supplemented by profit sharing. 4. Rapid Fire: AI, Mental Health, and Music Artificial Intelligence: Matt clarifies that LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT and Gemini are essentially "predictive text on steroids." He doesn't fear for automotive jobs but sees them as evolving tools. Mental Health: A shout-out to Margaret Light and her work at Equilibrium Therapy, emphasizing the need for better communication and counseling within shop environments. The Mount Rushmore of Bands: Matt puts his neck on the line with his top four most influential bands: The Beatles (The Blueprint)Black Sabbath (Founders of Heavy Metal)The Temptations (Motown/Soul Influence)Run-DMC (The Bridge for Hip-Hop) Mentioned in this Episode Sponsors: Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench Jobs. Resources: Margaret Light (Equilibrium Therapy), John Riggle, Sean Tipping, and Tommy Oliva. Connect: Email Matt at Mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.com or find him on Facebook Messenger. What does your "Mount Rushmore of Bands" look like? Does it lean more toward the foundations of a genre or the bands that achieved the most commercial success? Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com Thanks to our Partner, Autel From drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.com Thanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench Jobs Independent Wrench Jobs is a new, tech-only community to help you find better independent shops—fair dispatch, steady work, real leadership. No games. Built by Technician Find—serving the industry since 2017. Join free at IndependentWrenchJobs.com Contact Information Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

    36 min
  8. From Smashing Pumpkins to Shop Floors: Lessons on Mentorship [E233]

    Apr 22

    From Smashing Pumpkins to Shop Floors: Lessons on Mentorship [E233]

    Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench Jobs Watch Full Video Episode In this episode, Matt Fanslow starts in an unexpected place, music, vocal styles, and Smashing Pumpkins, before using a series of stories from the music and sports worlds to make a bigger point about mentorship. The central idea is simple but important: mentorship has to come from both directions. Experienced people need to step in and offer guidance, and younger people need to be willing to ask questions and listen. Using examples involving Billy Corgan, Ryan Leaf, and Charles Barkley, Matt explores how young people often make costly decisions not because they are reckless or foolish, but because nobody pulled them aside and explained the long-term consequences. From contracts and money management to discipline and preparation, the lesson is that hindsight may be 20/20, but it is far better to learn from someone else’s mistakes before they become your own. Matt then brings the conversation back to the automotive repair world, where the same pattern shows up all the time. New people entering the field are often hit with student debt, pressure to buy expensive toolboxes and tools, and unrealistic expectations about how easy the work should feel. Rather than watching them stumble into avoidable financial mistakes, seasoned professionals, shop owners, and managers should step in, offer guidance, and help reduce unnecessary burdens. Whether it is tools, training, or simply helping someone think more clearly about their next step, good mentoring can change the trajectory of a career. In this episode: Why mentorship matters more than most people realizeThe Billy Corgan / Smashing Pumpkins story and the cost of not having guidanceRyan Leaf, Peyton Manning, and how early choices can shape an entire careerCharles Barkley, Dr. J, and Moses Malone as an example of mentorship done rightThe direct parallel between pro sports, music, and the automotive industryWhy young specialists can get buried in debt before they ever gain tractionThe problem with pushing new people toward expensive tool truck purchasesHow shops can better support newer hires with tools, training, and realistic expectationsWhy learning from someone else’s mistakes is often better than learning from your ownValuable training and learning resources for developing specialists Key Takeaway: If the industry wants more capable, successful technical and mechanical specialists, it cannot just complain about shortages and washout rates. It has to do a better job of mentoring, advising, and protecting newer people from avoidable mistakes. Resources Mentioned: Scanner Danner PremiumAutel training videos and user-created contentPico Technology training videos and user-created contentAESwave resourcesDiagnostic NetworkFacebook groups with strong technical communities Thanks to our Partner, Pico Technology Are you chasing elusive automotive problems? Pico Technology empowers you to see what's really happening. Their PicoScope oscilloscopes transform your diagnostic capabilities. Visit PicoAuto.com Thanks to our Partner, Autel From drivability diagnostics and TPMS service to ADAS and advanced safety systems, Autel helps technicians follow OEM procedures and repair with confidence. Learn more at Autel.com Thanks to our Partner, Independent Wrench Jobs Independent Wrench Jobs is a new, tech-only community to help you find better independent shops—fair dispatch, steady work, real leadership. No games. Built by Technician Find—serving the industry since 2017. Join free at IndependentWrenchJobs.com Contact Information Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.comDiagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

    38 min
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4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Matt Fanslow's Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z Podcast is a wide-open perspective on all aspects of the automotive aftermarket from a working diagnosticians' point of view. All topics and issues will be on the table.

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