The Automotive Technician

The Automotive Technician TaT’s mission is to share knowledge, information and experience.

A network of automotive technicians sharing knowledge, information and experience through a Repair solution database, Good Scope / Scan Data, Online Technical assistance, TaT magazine and Tech Tina (AI). 'The Automotive Technician (TaT) was established in Australia in 2008 by a team of aftermarket workshop operators, who were also dedicated industry leaders and trainers, to meet the growing demand

for information and experience required to keep pace with rapidly accelerating vehicle technology. It achieves that through a widening network of technicians throughout Australasia who share their knowledge and add specific vehicle experiences to a growing database of case studies through a regular technical magazine, website, social media and training seminars.'

04/09/2026

🎉 August 2026 TaT Share Prize Draw Winner
A big thank you to all our members who contributed Repair Solutions and Good Scan & Scope data throughout August. Your shared knowledge helps the entire community.
Congratulations to Aiden from Auto Masters Currambine, who takes out this month’s prize - 🏆 CTEK RB 4000 Booster.
We are giving away another CTEK RB 4000 Booster at the end of September so keep your entries coming.
A big thanks to CTEK for providing these awesome prizes.
👉 Upload your entry here:
https://www.tat.net.au/scandata/rewards/member_rewards.php
👉 Learn more about the prize: https://ctek.com/products/rb-4000

5 New Good Scan & Scope Data Vehicles added in the Last Fortnight!This latest update includes new data for Volkswagen, S...
01/09/2026

5 New Good Scan & Scope Data Vehicles added in the Last Fortnight!

This latest update includes new data for Volkswagen, Subaru, Kia and Hyundai models, covering a wide range of systems and operating conditions.

TaT's Good Scan & Scope Data library has now grown to more than 29,500 verified data files, giving technicians known-good data to compare against when diagnosing difficult faults.

👉 TaT members can view the complete list of the latest Good Scan & Scope Data uploads here: www.tat.net.au/scandata/index.php?action=history

👉 Not a TaT member yet? Start your 7-Day Free Trial today: www.tat.net.au

27/08/2026

🎓 A little customer education can go a long way.

When a customer buys a second-hand vehicle, they don't always know how well it has been looked after by the previous owner.

In this video, Jeff highlights a few things that suggest this vehicle may have been slightly neglected in the past and takes the opportunity to educate the new owner on what to keep an eye on going forward, including something as simple as using the correct fuel.

Taking a few minutes to explain what you've found and how the customer can better look after their vehicle helps build trust and could save them from problems down the track.

👉 Not a TaT member yet? Start your 7-Day Free Trial today: www.tat.net.au
Hi-Bolt

🔧 27 New Repair Solutions Added in the Last Fortnight!This latest update includes solutions for Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, F...
25/08/2026

🔧 27 New Repair Solutions Added in the Last Fortnight!

This latest update includes solutions for Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, BMW, Kia, Mitsubishi, Mazda and more.

The faults covered include lack of power, overheating, soft brakes, intermittent turbocharger operation, fuel leaks, charging issues, rough running, engine vibration and air conditioning problems.

You never know when the next vehicle through your workshop will be one that’s already been solved by another technician.

👉 TaT members can view the complete list of the latest Repair Solutions here:

www.tat.net.au/tats-a-fact.html

👉 Not a TaT member yet? Start your 7-Day Free Trial today:

www.tat.net.au

20/08/2026

🔧 Find the cause, not just the fault.

A fault code or symptom might point you in the right direction, but good diagnostics means going one step further and finding out what actually caused the problem.

As Mark reminds us, if you fix the fault without identifying the underlying cause, there’s a good chance the vehicle will be back in your workshop, along with an unhappy customer.

This 2004 Toyota Camry is a great example. It came in with a strange indicator issue caused by water ingress into the flasher control module. But finding the water was only part of the diagnosis. The root cause was a leaking window seal. 💧

👉 Not a TaT member yet? Start your 7-Day Free Trial:
www.tat.net.au
Hi-Bolt

🚨 Only 4 Weeks Until P.A.T.E. 2026!The Perth Automotive Training Event (P.A.T.E.) is coming up fast!Join industry-leadin...
19/08/2026

🚨 Only 4 Weeks Until P.A.T.E. 2026!

The Perth Automotive Training Event (P.A.T.E.) is coming up fast!

Join industry-leading trainers for two action-packed days of technical training, practical workshops and valuable networking.

Whether you’re a workshop owner, manager, technician, service advisor or apprentice, P.A.T.E. is designed to deliver practical knowledge and real-world solutions you can take back to the workshop.

📅 11–12 September 2026
📍 INGOT Hotel & AASDN West Training Centre, Perth

👉 Find out more and book your spot:
https://aasdnwa.com.au/.p-a-t-e-2026/

11/08/2026

⚡ 2008 Lexus RX400h – Won’t Go Into Ready Mode

This Lexus RX400h suddenly stopped while driving and could no longer be put into Ready Mode.

A full system scan revealed no communication with the Engine Control Module or Hybrid Control Module. Further investigation found the IGCT2 fuse blown, but replacing it only resulted in the fuse blowing again as soon as the ignition was switched on.

Using a short light and a logical process of elimination, the fault was eventually traced to the hybrid inverter, where failed Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) had shorted the inverter circuit board.
A great case highlighting the importance of following the evidence when diagnosing a high-voltage hybrid system, rather than jumping straight to component replacement.

The inverter was replaced with a second-hand unit, with no programming required, and the vehicle returned to Ready Mode.

👉 TaT members can read the full Repair Solution at: https://www.tat.net.au/tats-a-fact-view.html?id=4428

👉 Not a TaT member yet? Start your 7-Day Free Trial today:
https://www.tat.net.au

Hi-Bolt

06/08/2026

🚗 2008 VW Transporter – ABS Module Fault or Diagnostic Trap?

Fault codes:
• P1653 – Check DTC memory of ABS control module
• 17344 – Pump motor voltage supply too low

This case highlights how understanding fault logic is just as important as reading the fault code.

When this fault is logged, the ABS control module shuts down its own power supply. If you don't know that's part of the fault strategy, it's easy to chase a power supply problem that doesn't actually exist and head down the wrong diagnostic path.

A great reminder to understand how the system behaves when a fault is detected, not just what the scan tool is telling you.

👉 TaT members can read the full Repair Solution at:
https://www.tat.net.au/tats-a-fact-view.html?id=1943

👉 Not a TaT member yet? Start your 7-Day Free Trial today:
www.tat.net.au

Hi-Bolt

📖 The August/September TaT Magazine (Issue 112) Is Out Now!The latest issue is packed with 40 pages of technical content...
05/08/2026

📖 The August/September TaT Magazine (Issue 112) Is Out Now!
The latest issue is packed with 40 pages of technical content to help you stay ahead in the workshop, including:
🔧 In-depth technical articles
🚗 Real-world repair solutions
📰 Industry news and updates
💡 Practical diagnostic tips and much more
👉 Read the advanced digital edition here:
https://isu.pub/FD5Mtqn
Want the printed magazine delivered to your mailbox? Become a TaT member today and receive every issue as part of your membership.
👉 Sign up at: www.tat.net.au
Happy reading!

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