Mastering Diagnostics #20_Adding Thermal Imaging to Your Diagnostic Toolbelt

Feb. 5, 2025

In this episode of Mastering Diagnostics, Motor Age Technical Editor Brandon Steckler describes how he leverages the power of emissivity to make light work of some diagnostic situations.

Brandon Steckler

On any system or platform, diagnostics can be a challenge. Heck, that is part of the fun and thrill of it. But taking all the help you can get is something I will always leverage to put tilt the odds in my favor. Thermal imaging is just another great tool to have in your arsenal.

In this episode of Mastering Diagnostics, 27-year veteran of the sport Brandon Steckler describes how he leverages the power of emissivity when applicable to make light work of some diagnostic situations he has encountered over the years.

Just like using any tool at the right time, the thermal imager can be one that allows you to gain a lot of ground on a tough diagnostic situation with little time or energy invested. The trick is to use the tool only in the correct situations. And that comes from having a strong understanding of what the thermal imager can and cannot do for you.

In this video, Brandon leverages the power of the Snap-on Diagnostic Thermal Imager to describe and capitalize on emissivity to quickly and easily solve a parasitic drain fault in a 2003 Ford Excursion. Combining analysis techniques from wiring diagrams, line-graphed data from a graphing multimeter, and the heat signature from a voltage-drop, Brandon makes light -work of this case and in an almost completely hands-off fashion.

Stick with Motor Age Technical Editor Brandon Steckler to find out more about the power of emissivity and how the Snap-on Diagnostic Thermal Imager can serve you and your shop.

About the Author

Brandon Steckler | Technical Editor | Motor Age

Brandon began his career in Northampton County Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was a student of GM’s Automotive Service Educational program. In 2001, he graduated top of his class and earned the GM Leadership award for his efforts. He later began working as a technician at a Saturn dealership in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he quickly attained Master Technician status. He later transitioned to working with Hondas, where he aggressively worked to attain another Master Technician status.

Always having a passion for a full understanding of system/component functionality, he rapidly earned a reputation for deciphering strange failures at an efficient pace and became known as an information specialist among the staff and peers at the dealership. In search of new challenges, he transitioned away from the dealership and to the independent world, where he specialized in diagnostics and driveability.

Today, he is an instructor with both Carquest Technical Institute and Worldpac Training Institute. Along with beta testing for Automotive Test Solutions, he develops curriculum/submits case studies for educational purposes. Through Steckler Automotive Technical Services, LLC., Brandon also provides telephone and live technical support, as well as private training, for technicians all across the world.

Brandon holds ASE certifications A1-A9 as well as C1 (Service Consultant). He is certified as an Advanced Level Specialist in L1 (Advanced Engine Performance), L2 (Advanced Diesel Engine Performance), L3 (Hybrid/EV Specialist), L4 (ADAS) and xEV-Level 2 (Technician electrical safety).

He contributes weekly to Facebook automotive chat groups, has authored several books and classes, and truly enjoys traveling across the globe to help other technicians attain a level of understanding that will serve them well throughout their careers.