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    Torque Factor – Episode 16: Ben Cruz, Director, Macomb Community College

    Aug. 9, 2021
    Ben Cruz chats with Scott Brown about the new Vehicle Engineering Technician Degree at Macomb that provides graduates with additional skills, including coding, cyber-security, artificial intelligence, and more.

    This episode’s featured guest is Ben Cruz who is the Director of the Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT) at Macomb Community College (MCC) in Warren Michigan. Ben discusses with Scott his lengthy career as an engineer with GM which started out through an internship at the Mesa Proving grounds in Arizona. The discussion is primarily focused on the new Vehicle Engineering Technician Degree program he designed and is now being offered at Macomb. This new program will provide the graduate with additional skills which includes coding, cyber-security, artificial intelligence, and more. The demands for skills like this are coming due to the influx of advanced technologies being deployed on vehicles.

    Recall: 21V-215, https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCLRPT-21V215-7054.PDF - American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 628,124 vehicles ranging from Model year 2018 - 2020. Vehicles being recalled are equipped with fuel pump modules containing impellers produced during specific periods under specific circumstances (lower density impellers exposed to production solvent drying for longer periods of time) may swell and either break or cause the pump to lock up resulting in a no-run condition.

    Case Study from Diagnostic Network: 2017 Ford F-150 Remote Start inoperative along with an excessive parasitic electrical load. https://diag.net/msg/m94qqw4p3of00gfkmp00d07i19

    Tech Tip on QR Codes on GM Vehicles https://diag.net/msg/m77gobjc6cu5pjv482o10ylyn6/

    https://gm-techlink.com/?p=9801

    Industry Events: The IGO of North Carolina is hosting the Automotive Service Technology Expo in Cary NC, September 24-25, https://asteshow.com

    MACS Training Event and Trade Show, MOBILE AIR CLIMATE SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION, September 30 - October 2, Orlando FL, https://macsmobileairclimate.org

    Automotive Service Association - ASA, CARS Executive Outlook, November 1, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas NV, https://asashop.org

    AAPEX - SEMA, November 2-5, Las Vegas NV, https://www.aapexshow.com, https://www.semashow.com

    Links: Macomb Community College E – Catalog http://ecatalog.macomb.edu/index.php

    Applied Technology Department http://ecatalog.macomb.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=62&poid=7384&returnto=7692

    Automated Systems Technology http://ecatalog.macomb.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=62&poid=7388&returnto=7692

    Center for Advanced Automotive Technology www.autocaat.org

    Episode 12 - Denso Fuel Pumps https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/service-repair/video-network/torque-factor/video/21205052/torque-factor-episode-12-bob-pattengale-on-opus-ivs-adas-service

    This episode is sponsored in part by Milwaukee Tool - https://www.milwaukeetool.com

    Since the company began in 1924, Milwaukee Tool has led the industry in both durability and performance. With an unwavering commitment to the trades, Milwaukee continues to lead with a focus on providing innovative, trade-specific solutions. VehicleServicePros.com is home to Torque Factor, Professional Tool and Equipment News, Professional Distributor, Fleet Maintenance, MotorAge and ABRN magazines. Have a topic or question you’d like discussed on a future episode? Email us at: [email protected].

    About the Author

    Scott Brown | Founder - Diagnostic Network

    Scott is an ASE Master Certified Automobile Technician with L1, L3, & L4 credentials and has over 39 years of professional service industry experience. As an independent shop owner in Southern California and with his engagement at various levels of within our industry, he continuously strives to move the industry forward through networking, education, communications, and training. Scott is a founder of the Diagnostic Network (https://diag.net/) which was born in 2018 after he retired after 22 years at iATN, where he served as company president.

    Brown is also the host of Professional Tool and Equipment News (PTEN) and VehicleServicePros.com podcast, Torque Factor. The podcast addresses the latest automotive service technologies while focusing on expanding knowledge and awareness around tools, equipment, education, and industry trends.